david in sweden

conspiracy theory number 68. I think

OK if they get promoted out of the ZPL..where do they go up to ? I liked it in the old days when it was Western League and Southern league nowadays who knows ?

yeah, but what ever happened to those Wright-Phillips boys ? ....and no-one will ever get anywhere with a name like ..Oxlade-Chamberlain ..would he ?

but he couldn't tell the penalty spot from a blackspot !

tbh I couldn't see what he could do when 0-2 down and we needed goals? Connolly was the only striker on the bench and against the Bees hard back line, could hardly have made more impression that either of the big men. A tough call but once again we had no options, partly due to the lack of foresight in not getting another striker on the books in the summer after we'd lost Papa Waigo ( why oh why ?) and Antonio went back to Reading. Pity about the result, but without Barnard there was no other option.

Think you're a bit ahead of the field on this one TDD, I'm quite impressed with his perfromances aside from the obvious lost points in a few games. TBF he hasn't had an on -form Lambert or a fully-fit Barnard, and the midfield still isn't clicking . As for media skills...what the ***k is wrong? What do you expect him to say..should he give interviews in sackcloth and ashes after a poor result?..or blame the ref. ? ..or rant and rave about missed chances. He strikes me as a man possessed and hopefully his family are as enthusastic as he is ...'cos he sounds like a workaholic to me his enthusiasm comes over . So what is an "acceptable " media image for you TDD ? ..what should he say, instead? I think he says what.s wrong, like it or not and doesn't pull punches on analysing things ..until after he's seen the video:

well it's to be expected -isn't it ? With AP getting his feet under the table at Newcastle, he's bound to be looking at the best of the squad. I think that Lambert "deserves " a move..after all he's plied his trade in lower divisions for most of his career, and surely would like a shot at the Prem. If he waits for 2014 (NC's target date for our Prem.return).. he'd be 32 and maybe a bit past it . Would be sorry to "lose " Fonte..but the lure of the Prem. maybe too much, but you can't blame him if her goes as he's one of the best defenders in this division ..and probably CCC as well. We'd still have Jaidi, and Martin and Seabourne although I'd like to see another CH brought in if he goes.

me, too,,but is it such a strange thought? Rickie's season is already Saints legend (to some) and we won't forget that quickly BUT at 28 he won't fit into NC / NA plans for the Prem in 2014 when he'll be ...32 (!). His season has started like a damp squib and he must feel that AP was his mentor. I'd be sorry to see him go anyway, but at this stage of his career..even a couple of season in the Prem.would surely be a just reward for his many years in the lower leagues. He may not become the seasons top scorer, but he deserves a shot at it . Good luck anywayu, Rickie. Get some in !!!

you mean...like Wikipedia?

wouldn't surprise me. He wasn't happiest in his time here as AP didn't seem to rate him. Ricky (God bless him ) isn't a patch on his former self and we need some big alternative front men who can put themselves about.. Latest (agent) chat suggests that he is a pawn in a political game between clubs / directors / and Owners ?.. might solve a of of short term problems if we get a second chance with him ...

If AP wants Lambert then I expect him to go ..(don't know if I like the idea of Fonte going ...?) that's a difficult one, but if so ...then many thanks to Ricky for a memorable season..and he'll get his season in the Prem. which he probably deserves at this stage of his career. As for the fee(s)..would you expect £2 mill for Lambo? ..but surely no less for Fonte...? worth more ...he is a class act IMO.

I read that too Colin, we may end up with... nothing !

so what's new. Who else was on the short list ? AP not good enough for Saints ..but Newcastle ?

you have to take everything you see with a pinch of salt, but if it is the case , my question is ... was Papa Waigo not good enough for Saints in L1 , but good enough to be considered by Birmingham in the Prem ? WHO made the decision NOT to retain PW ? ..was it AP saying NO ...or NC saying NO to the finacial deal attached ? In any case, he's obviusly not as useless as some have suggested, and likely better than we gave him credit for ...

yes I know, but an arena that size has to be maintained afterwards and the rates and running costs would be greater than their wage bill. It would also be an embarrassment to be one of 5,000 " regular " fans in a 40K stadium. There aren't even so many local facilities that could help fund costs on an arena that size. ..year after year after year ..

Quite right Joe, remember our sojourn with Mark Hughes all those years ago !

like you TDD... I can look back over several decades and note that venues need to be "attractive "..not for the colour of the wall paper but the accessability, the facilities, local amenities, airport, attractive shopping, clubs, hotels etc, We have that at SMS. I visited Plymouth many years ago..and although the people were very friendly; I rather got the impression that Francis Drake was still on the HT break in the bowls game!. Bristol and MK look like what they are.... L1 grounds ...SMS was built when we were a Prem side and it is still in better nick than some of todays Prem clubs have. If we follow NCs 5 year plan we'll be back in the Prem. by 2018, and that's what should be considered. It's a no-brainer to build a 40,000 + stadium for a team that has a gate record of only 20,000 and isn't even all seater. Considering where those clubs are now, one or both might be bankrupt before 2018. What their present gates are is somewhat immaterial, but neither place is a good advert for the World Cup, and after they 've had their 2-3 games in the Qualifying rounds the big stadiums will take over and they will be left with the running costs for a 40K arena . Maybe someone might have thought about that before they submitted our bid.

shame all the same. Pity a "local " lad (OK I know he was born in S.A.) but he grew up here and his parents are both Sotonians... was " forcibly sold " to pay salaries the month before ML bought up the club. He might have got a better pay day, but I'm sure he'd prefer to be at SMS . Maybe not Prem.class after all , but he 'd be a useful addition to our midfield stability around about now .

but he has scored a goal, so he must be among their leading scorers...!

WOW ! ..gone until January 4th ...WHICH YEAR ?

" y' know " ... " innit " and " we woz good at the Lane "

..dat's 'cos yew cuddint folla 'is Lundin accent ..awl dos'e " effs "... (and the complete absence of the English " th " .) but he always smiled and his body langauge was good.

sounds more like a song title from a Rogers and Hammerstein musical .. " ..at this moment in time ..you and I, dear "... no sorry Glenda ..it's all too deep for me, I'm afraid.

surely you mean unitelligible ? ..always seemed to me he was talking tactics about a game between Aliens and Hobbits.

which is precisely why fans like myself get totally ScrE*ed. We can't get BBC feeds and Sloent are only allowed to broadcast in their own area.!