MarkSFC

actually he worked for Vodafone in Salisbury at the time.....

But you miss the whole big picture! Saints are building to compete at a high level in the Premier League asap. We have money and can therefore do it far quicker than most. You compare us to Brighton. Well their whole strategy is clearly built around getting into the Championship and being competitive there. They will sign players of a standard that is league1/championship standard and they will use several loans. Im sure they will aim to get up to the Prem but if you are building a ground that only holds about 22K you are not looking to be a big fish. I suspect that the board at Brighton would be happy with consolodation in the NPC for a year or two and if the play-offs happen or even automatic promotion one year then they will be happy as it will earn them enough money to exist for many many years or probably pay back their owner his £80million!! You also say if,if,if and thats the point. only a couple of months ago we were in those exact positions. Spending 2/3/ or even 4 million this window would not make the slightest dent in the overall scheme based on NC's comments and even if some prefer to see that as panic buying it only is if the players do not fit into the overall strategy.

The reason for signing Austin in my mind is to play him in most games. I think he could be great alongside Lambert or Guly, and not too bad with Barnard. Signing him or A.N.Other striker form me is to a) go straight into the team and b)improve options and c)be good enough for the Championship. I find your whole attitude to signing players and the quality of our team and squad very strange. Your standards seem very low.

another aspect to signing players is actually to improve the players you already have. Players that are "dead certs" to start each game need players in the squad to put pressure on them to keep up their standards and/or improve their standards. Players who stand out as good in some teams are only "found out" when someone better arrives. As we move up the leagues we will see the team and the squad change quite a bit. At this moment in time the only players who I would say COULD start in the TEAM in the Premier League are "possibly" Fonte, "possibly" Lambert, "possibly" Lallana, and "probably" AOC. In the PL if all these together with Frazer, "maybe" Morgan, Guly, possibly Bart, were part of the squad that would be fine. Unless any of them improve substantially they wouldnt get in a top 6 PL team nad seeing as that is NC's target at least, then the team and the squad will be very different in 2-4 years time.

Maybe you're right but he wasnt on the bench on Saturday so assumed he must be!! Not sure he can be relied on though unfortunately

DAvis, Bart Dickson, Harding Frazer, Butters Fonte, Raidi, Martin, Seaborne Lallana, Holmes AOC Puncheon Hammond, Morgan Chaplow, Gobern Guly, Lambert Barnard, Connolly, Doble Thats 23 players, hardly a big squad let alone the biggest. You can list others but they arent part of the squad, they are either on loan or just kids. Or called Tommy Forecast! Of these 22 the ones in bold are injured leaving 19 players to call upon. Reinforcements required.

You may think that this clamour for reinforcements is a reaction to Saturday but I for one (and indeed others on this thread) have been saying the same thing since the start of the season.

Sure I listed 5 srikers but you miss the whole point. Of the 5, Lambert, although improving isnt scoring as frequently as last season...Barnard could well be in jail soon...Connolly cant be relied upon at all, if he stays fit its a pure bonus....Guly, as it tands apparently only here til Jan 23rd, although it does seem likely he'll be signed.....and Doble, untried, a kid, and before you cite AOC as comparison, you cannot rely on a kid who hasnt scored a League goal yet!! Again...if you are happy to gamble our promotion on them alone then you sir are a ****!!!! As for the squad size, I didnt even mention it and to answer your "point" that you asked as a question (!) a squad is too big when it costs too much in salaries and/or creates a bad environment and a split squad. I do not want to see "panic buys" or "long-term buys" that block the squad. E.G. and purely hypothetically, if we were to sign say Lee Bowyer for 6 months, that would/could be a great move BUT sign Lee Bowyer on a 2 1/2 year deal and I would think thats a bad move!! You make a good point about there being better targets available when promoted and probably more of them too, but without two or three fresh BETTER players NOW I think we are taking a big risk on being promoted come May and relying on a lack of injuries and suspensions.

The opinion that we are 'fine' and the squad is ok is one that lacks forsight. It is 'possible' to still get promotion or even win the league with the current group alone. However it is a risk. Since the summer when I and others voiced concerns about lack of signings we have only added Chaplow and Guly - as long as Guly stays! Only 6-8 weeks ago we looked vulnerable when certain players were injured and or suspended together with some not on top form. It does not take much to be back at that point. Signing a striker is absolutely paramount even more so given Barnards situation. To all those who say we don't need anone would you 'potentially' be happy to play upto 20 games with Lambert, Guly if he stays, very unfortunately injury prone Connolly and youngster Doble?! If you seriously are then you must be very clueless! I also think an out and put holding mid-fielder would be ideal preferably in his early 20s and although in knew nowt about him previously Josh Wright from Scunny sounds good. Maybe not a perm signing but a right footed right winger - unlikely, but Andros Townsend would be great - just to take the pressure and limelight off AOC a bit. He is young his form will drop and playing punch on theright completely changes our play and shape. Any established players we sign should be better thanwe have and although the summer would be ok if we can get a keeper and CB in now ready for the Championship only thenwould I feel confident that we can challenge next seasontoo without many additions by hitting the ground running. Those who say that other teams have gone up withcheaper squads and lesser ability miss the point entirely. Southampton is building a squad that can move up quickly to the Premier League, not one to just get out of League 1. Scunny are a classic example, good enough to get out but couldn't stay up first time and maybe dropping downthis term.

They actually said our best chance was from Puncheon but showed Jaidi's header......whatever, it was crap!!

I think you are being swayed by the media hype surrounding him rather than focussing on the coments of NC and NA!! The media love to pander to the so called "big clubs" or at least clubs in the biggest cities because after all they rely on ratings to sell advertising so need as big an audience as possible. Everything coming out from NA and NC around the club and players is positive and forward-looking. Imagine how much Sky and BBC and Murdoch would hate it if (and I realise its very very unlikely) Saints were to actually win the Premier League or at least be established top 4 for many seasons?!! They would hate it because the worldwide fan base of Saints fans is no where near that of Liverpool, Manure, Arsenal and Chelski! Maybe, just maybe NC (and MLs money) is the man to change things over the next 5-10 years and with any luck AOC will be the best player in the league playing for Saints!!!

isnt there anotther thread about him...?

sense at last...

Totally spot on with the sentance in bold!! Austin and Woolford would be great, cany comment on Ryan Harley though.

Im sure AOC has known for weeks which if any clubs really want him and Im also certain that his Dad knows what is best for him. He proved this when he left him at Saints when "his team and employer" at the time tried to poach Alex!! But you couldnt blame Alex or his Dad to take the money and run because he could break his leg in a years time and lose it all! Theres no doubt in my mind that Cortese has it all under control and anew improved contract is on the table from Saints and I also have no doubt that if AOC turns it down then NC will do whats best for Saints and get the best deal we have ever recieved. And unlike years gone by, however disappointing it would be to lose such a talent, we now are in a position where we could use all the money on replacement(s).

No I wouldnt because this is an oppportunity to get two or maybe three players into the club now ready for next season. NA has integrated Chappers and Guly no problem whatsoever so two or three more will be fine. They should be better than we have though, and a striker for me is paramount. I know we look strong right now but we werent just 5 or 6 weeks ago and one or two injuries or suspensions to Lambert/Guly/Barnard and although the starting XI may still be ok, Championship winning teams are so because of the options they have in the squad and therefore the bench. Another CM for exactly the same reasons and as he wants to go maybe we should put in an offer for Lewis, P'Boros keeper. If Punch stays cool...but if he goes maybe a loanee young winger....Andros Townsend perhaps?!!

Rickie "arrgghh...do you think they're singing you should be playing for Brazil? Maybe next season mate!!"

I expected and Im sure everyone expected us to beat Brentford......but then we had a break and have hit some quite good form!! The important thing I reckon is nerve in the sense that it could be really tight for 20-25 minutes on Saturday and as long as the crowd does not get impatient or edgy we will be ok. A patient professional 2-0 is my prediction!! And P'Boro to nick a point at Brighton....and Colchester to smash Bournemouth 4-1!!

Well of course they all want him - he's brilliant for his age. No quotes "suprise, surprise". Cheap and lazy journalism. Fergie at Oldham had nothing od course to do with the game in 2 1/2 weeks time and the fact we were playing 5 minutes from his house!! The difference between now and Bale and Walcott is simply two things.....money and club potential. We have masses of both so although we are not playing at the highest level right now we can compete far more evenly financially! I would mind if he went but it wouldnt worry me because unlike previously Im sure we would only let AOC or anyone else go if they really wanted too and not for the money. And more importantly the money would go straight back into the team anyway. Luckily we really are starting to show the football world what potential and what NC wants us to achieve is a seriously serious work in progress. Times have changed for us....

I think you should think a little more before speaking sometimes. There is nthing wrong with your opinion but for some there is still a raw emotion surrounding ML!! What most seem to pass over for their own reasons is that Saints fans owe Marcus AND Nicola an equal debt of gratitude. For me naming a stand after him, from little snippets you got from his time here would not actually sit comfortably with him - and actually I suspect his family. Without doubt we should commemorate his life and the part he has AND his money IS and will continue to do so in the development and success of our club over the next few years. But I feel a far more subtle or in actual fact bigger gesture is required. Naming a stand isnt actually good enough imo!! I doubt that anything will happen in terms of that type of thing for a while, and I would be happy to wait to what if anything happen in terms of St Marys development or a new stadium entirely. Either way I would be happy for the stadium to be called the Leibherr Arena or similar. Until that point perhaps a few other things could happen, such as a refresh of the pictures in the concourses with some pictures of Marcus in each one - not all of him - but at least one of him in each including a picture of him with his camera at WEmbley!! Maybe also the club could look at creating some type of " 4 team competition" for the first team during pre-season which is perhaps called the Marcus Leibherr Tournament and whereby the Ted Bates Trophy is awarded. Alternatively we could create our own "Toulon Tournament" for Under 21 teams OR we have them running alongside each other...even better!!We could have a whole feast of football in the last week or two weeks before the season starts wherby U21 play during the week and then Friday/Saturday/Sunday the first teams play!! The whole event could be called the Saints Festival of Football.

Its amazing how quickly things have changed. I think the postponed games have done us a huge favour as it has allowed a few players some extra recovery time and not put extra pressure on thse fit. This coupled with many players appearing to reach good to best form and all of a sudden we are playing very well and looking very strong. However....a couple of injuries here and a couple of suspensions there and we could be a lot weaker and not the irrepressable force we are right here and now. E.G. take Fonte out for 3 or 4 games and we are much weaker...I could list names who if they were to be out as the sameas each other would cause major issues but for me we need to strengthen still in order to gaurantee promotion - in fact the Championship - and just as importantly to integrate two maybe three at a push new players into the club so they are well prepared for next season. Plus we need to sign Guly! Ideally I would like to see a "very promising" (already playing in NPC or on the fringes of a Prem team) Centre Back. Also another Centre midfielder, preferably a hard battling "Robbie Savage type" and another striker.

Im glad he's not with us and I actually hope for Bournemouth fans' sake he goes. Any manager who publically plays himself up and down for other jobs has too much of an ego. I think he believes he is better than he is. He showed in his playing career that although he was good he played beneath himself and never took the risk. Mind you I'm not entirely sure he was given a great oppportunity although a Bournemouth supporting mate of mine told me years ago that he turned down "a preety big move" for him. I dont think he;s go the bottle to move and will stay in his comfort zone at Bournemouth. Hopefully for Bournemouth sake he will move because I think they will grow to dislike him......!!! And if he does move now they will struggle with Fletcher in charge or someone else very new to management!

Ultimately I dont think its important whether its the Northam or The Chapel Stand that becomes our "kop" but one of them needs to! I remember in the summer posting about this on another thread, and my thoughts basically are that in League 1 and potentially a few games in The Championship the average attendance will be low 20ks. This level of attendance naturally creates gaps in the crowd. Generally you have Half the Northam from block 42 I think (not too concerned with the numbers) full and all down the Kingsland but with seats empty in the corners. Then you get 1/2 - 3/4 full Chapel, again with the Chapel/Itchen corner a little aparse at times. Then basically the whole of the Itchen is full down to the corner, and then theres the gap before the Away fans and then the gap between them and Northam. When there is an attendance of 25/26+ it is far better and less disjointed and if the away support is 1500+ it helps the atmosphere. Looking forward to next season in the Championship (which Im sure will be the case!!) I fully expect crowds to average over 25K with most nearer 28/29K. This will no doubt help th eatmosphere naturally but I do think that in preparation for the Premier League the club should unilaterally make the decision not to sell Northam seats to home fans until The Itchen/Kingsland and Chapel stands are full, and state that "singers" are actively encouraged to buy their season tickets in The Chapel Stand. I belive this tact (although unpolpular with some) will create our "Kop" and in turn create a better overall atmosphere because the crowd (even in low 20k turnouts - cup games perhaps or god forbid lowere league football again!) will be far better "joined up" and the singing will spread far easier. This would also stay in line with the Polices insistance of where the away fans are situated. It also means easier control of their alloted seats. This question is not an easy one because whatever the club does, some people will not be happy!! Good luck NC!

When I got my tickets on Tuesday the ticket office reckoned they had sold only about 16/17K! I hope there's been a rush in the last few days!

stop worrying...gone are the days of money grabbing idiots in our board room who see a fast buck before the long term success and sustainabilty of our club. If earn £40k a year and your house has yeilded you a "selling" profit of £40k you might think thats a great deal I'll sell. BUT...can you get a similar house without spending the £40K....very unlikely. So you either spend the money on another similar house (no point! and loose fees!) or you downgrade and keep the profit...praying that the market improves or you can cheaply improve your new "lesser" house to make some more "sell-on" profit. OR Your house is rising in value every day but in the bank you actually have enough money to buy ANY house you want. BUT you are very happy with current house and can see yourself living there for a very long time assuming of course that it doesnt burn down or something very unlikely or unfortunate like that. No....despite all the offers you are best off staying with what you have.