david in sweden

We can all pick our best League side, without too much trouble, but quite a few players are unavailable (cup-tied) for the two different cup competitions, and we have our best two midfielders out for the 2 weeks, we need every availble player who's qualified to play....and at the moment that includes Gillette and even Saga and Lancashire. AP needs TWO squads and every available player he's got ...if we are to get success in these competitions. We are well on the way to a 60 game season!

The two strongest players in our midfield are unavailable..we nned everyone who's qualified to play in cup games. At least Gillett can't play for Donnie if he moves back..they're in the 5th round , too.

1-How was Barnard? 2-and the " makeshift" midfield ? 3-was anyone at fault for their goal, or was it one of those outside the area type shots?

this type of " fee" is only that sum that passes between clubs and IMHO good for clubs NOT have to reveal their " transfer kitty ", However, as someone mentioned.. the "greater evil" is when it includes agents fees, " removal costs "...how much does a removal van cost to hire ...? and the dreaded loyalty bonuses..(large sums agreed) before the fellow has even kicked a ball for the club. PLUS the salary level that can be very high-even if the fee is low. You still have the bill to pay at the end of the year.

He is a promising lad, but he can't cut it with AP just now. With Connolly injured, we don't have any real cover up front, and MP hardly ever rated a regular spot on the bench. We are buying BIG now and we can't keep them all and hope they might make it one day. WE need goal scorers up front ASAP. Lambert has done a great job so far, but he can't manage 60 games this season. Good job Barnard has come to relieve the pressure. Which reminds me that Mike Williamson is on the move again from Pomp*y. He first came to us as a 16 year old from Torquay and was... loaned out, and loaned out, and ..there was a whole generation of Saints managers who never knew he existed. Good luck to both of them ..except against us, of course.

I am not ITK or going to guess, but BBC site quotes that Derby are on the rocks and their whole squad is up for sale. I don't suggest we buy the whole squad... but there one or two interesting names there... ....any of them played for Pardew before ..I wonder ?

Great memories, but you forgot to mention that Saints had a bit of an off -day because Ipswich actually got a goal that day ...and we ONLY won 7-1 I know its bad conceding goals at home like that, but there it is

The lad is a good talent, but with his (lack of) experience, you can't expect goals every week or any consistancy. Those of us with longer memories can recall that young players like Chivers, Channon and even Shearer took 1-2 seasons to really hit form and all three had to wait almost 18 months after debut to be a regular on the team sheet. Players like Trevor Francis (a super sub at 16) for Birmingham, and Wayne Rooney at Everton weren't rushed into the first team directly and were given a chance to "play themselves in ". I think AL is a good talent - he needs time and patience from the fans.

Being ITK may sometimes pre-empt even what the club/player will decide to do! However, IMHO Paterson should make a move and get some regular football. He's in the same position that Adam Lallana was ..2 years ago .. very promising but ??????? . He needs to get some games /and /some goals. I only hope he goes on loan, because if he moves permanent we may lose a v.g prospect.

OK Fonte is new but the rest of the back line were all second choice players. Good performance at the back. We really need to look at midfield now. Hammond is out, Schneiderlin suspended and it wasn't all that good before hand.

I agree with that..and about M. Svensson, too But Claus was moved around a lot, and unlike Svensson, didn't have a fixed role for a long time. In Claus' first season (1996-97) DJ used him as left back.!..after which he got the no.6 shirt when Monkou was CH. He had the CH position after Monkou went and Richards arrived. He had an off spell and some injuries and El Khalej came in for a while..then reverted to 5 with Richards. After Deano's departure, Strachan bought in Paul Willaims at 5... and Claus went to 6 (again) it was only after Michael Svensson signed that Claus got the CH spot again and MS took the more agressive role and wore 6. All things considered (and his personal problems aside ) he was a good club man and generally quite dependable.

I don't think the question of negativity comes into it. He certainly won't play with three strikers up...and will probably use an extra midfielder (?) but looking at the injury list, and then those who are cup-tied ...the team almost picks itself - doesn't it ?

NO (IMHO)... it was a good decision not to take him back. One good example of when a loan deal is a productive move. I think AP had enough time to look at him, but NT did seem to be a bit inconsistant, and AP obviously decided we could do better. If his answer to that question was Forte..I think it was a good decision. Trotman may well DAJ for Hudd'f'd but players move anyway and for those clubs with no money loans are the only option when they can't buy. They obviously STILL don't rate him at his home club.

the sort of headlines that abound in headlines the day after.... I'm not really a fan of either Manchester club, but MU have had so much success in the last 20 years that I'm glad when City can put one over on them...(and I know a poor miserable s*d who is a City fan). Reading beat Liverpool at Anfield (thats David and Goliath stuff) - right ? but Leeds came away from Old Trafford with a win ...and then lost at home to Carlisle. Talk about a lack of consistancy. Now with two Cup games coming up ; tonight and then Ipswich ...if Saints win these games ...will we be classed as "giant-killers" ..or despite our lower league standing ...are we "expected" to win both games ?

Papa ought to start his runs 2 yards deeper..and he wouldn't be offside so much. If he's half as fast as everyone claims then it won't matter, he'll still get into the box first. (Johnny Sydenham was always willing to draw the defender a bit, punt the ball past him ..and he WAS off like lightening !) Maybe Holmes isn't so fast but can the groundsman pass and centre as well as Holmes.? Seems to me that (AP) comments suggested he was MOM for Saints on Saturday. As this thread is about Barnard, then he's the sort of extra frontman we need to give more punch up front. Leeds may look good in the league but is Barnard willing to move up there?. Southern-born lads aren't always happy to move north.

you begin to wonder if Saints made that bid to the Mirror, or to Southend ?

I tried... it didn't work :smt015

You may be right. Stuart Pearce's assistant with the U21.s...? He's certainly not the manager :smt081

careful now..! Forest has just released him, surely someone will start a campaign to bring him back

my thoughts on both of them, exactly. same goes for Dave Merrington, best youth team coach the club has EVER had.

...and ...you don't have an opinion ?????

Frustrated more like...somewhat disappointed that it's gone on so long before it has to be denied.

Actually I thought the headline was hunourous, and up to the normal standard of humour we get on the site, HOWEVER I may be in the minority, but reading throught the other 435 posts on that thread, I think a few more people are pretty pi**ed, too Personally, I don't care if we sign him or not. There must be other players who could do equally well / better. Just the whole mad circus seems ridiculous to me. Like everyone else I have to replace my F5 key more often and it's ...annoying ! Wouldn't it be nice to get some REAL facts sometime ?

That's exactly what I heard too, but was he merely commenting on the fact that Stock is their best / most valuable player and that we would not be willing to pay such a high price, or his way of avoiding the question about a bid?. O'Driscoll is quoted on several sites as saying that they've had no offers / discussions - but does that also mean they've had no enquiries ? He is quoted on SSN and BBC Sheffield interview saying" he has had no dicussions or enquiries, and the whole thing is a ruse from the newspapers who want to sell copies " either way, its a long way from our own local Echo's assertion that we bid £800K and Donnie refused it !

After he signs, I will.