Upton72

I didn't dare listen to Solent, seems to be the kiss of death for me, followed it on this forum. So, I'm not in a position to comment on individual performances. A wonderful win, a great team effort and a really strong interview from NA. However, I don't get the "drop Lambert" stuff. I acknowledge that he's not on form, he's not fully fit, his free-kicks aren't generally hitting the target, (but he's getting closer), but he is much, much more than someone to hoof it up to. He holds the ball, lays off, can play it long or short and brings other players in. I think his partnership with Barney is looking really promising. Even last Saturday there were glimpses of what will come later. Someone touched on "confidence" earlier on and that's important for both a goalscorer and a goalkeeper. (please review some of KD's history). The rest of the outfield players are not placed on the spot as much as these two positions. His confidence is down but I think Nigel's man management skills will sort him out on that score and, if we keep singing RLSGM, it can't help but work. He'll start scoring, hopefully next week and I for one wouldn't mind if it went in off his backside when he wasn't looking.

And where was that then?

Behind it all is the "Project". There's a strategy in place with a fixed and finite Time Frame. Last season, wonderful though it was full of relief that we'd still got a club and excitement at our Wembley Final, we fell behind on the "Project". NC does not make decisions about his management team on an overnight basis. What might have contributed is an obviously under-prepared 1st team with key players some way below full fitness. We'll never know if the untimely death of ML freed NC to sack AP and his staff. I suspect that ML might have had a more benign approach and given AP until Christmas. Personalities do enter into it; they do in any business. But here again, if NC believed that AP could only take us so far, then it would only have been a case of "when" not "if". Perhaps it's worth looking at it another way; is it about revenues rather than results? NC wants more "Walk-Ups" on match day. They are more profitable than ST's. If, by recruiting a Big Name/Lesser Name but with Undoubted Potential to manage the club and the Big Name attracts some marquee players, (see Cardiff Loan signings for how it's done financially without upsetting existing pay structure), then more people will come through the turnstiles. Look at our home gates for this season, much less than expected, particularly when you take out away supporters. Is incremental revenue not meeting targets? That's what it's all about; meeting and exceeding targets. I firmly believed that AP would get us promotion. I was not entirely sure that he'd make the automatic places this season. (Let's not talk about Leeds because no one knows who owns that club) Alan Pardew gave us all he'd got and more. He deserves our best wishes for his, and his fellow assistant's future. He won't be out of a job for long. he has a good track record.

Absolutely delighted that Lee Barnard got his goal. I've seen the Plymouth & Bolton matches so far and, for me, he's been the pick of the bunch up front. He covers an enormous amount of ground, holds the ball well, lays it off well and he's more likely, at the moment, to score from outside the box than anyone. Strikers live on goals and he'll be chuffed. So will Rickie; if he can get one every match when he's not playing at his best, that'll do us.

Dubai_Phil has it spot on; Marcus was the mentor to NC, probably channelled the more outrageous, aggressive financial instincts into something approachingan understanding of the human beings who populate SMS with all their foibles. He'll miss that voice of a gentler persuasion. Having said that, I thought his statement was, thoughtful, emotional at times and he's quite right to talk of "outside forces" with their own agenda. He meant the media but he's not fussed about that. I don't necessarily think he needs slack, I don't think he'd recognise it. But Dubai_Phil is right to say constructive criticism is better than *****ing. Dubai_phil is now past caring as he's probably on Sheikh Zayed Road looking at someone in 5" stilettos.

According to Harry Pearson, (journalist & writer of many funny football books), the first immutable law of football is that players always score against their old clubs. The second immutable law of football is that immutable law number one only works against your team; never for it!

If you want to see a hard copy fanzine that works, and, from my limited knowledge, (son is a season ticket holder up there), is successful; try and get a copy of The Oatcake, Stoke City's fanzine. It's a terrific piece of opinionated writing, with elements of history, humour, and vitriol. Touted round the locals pubs on match days for £1.50. The printed word can still work, at least for those who can read!

Scotty, I don't think the statement measures up to a missive from the Desk of the Supreme Leader. Where are the references to the Bullingdon-Eton-Oxbridge-Fetter clique? More seriously, and referring back to the comment made by Alpine Saint very early in this thread, NC is conducting a "standard business review and planning session". This happens in any organisation worth its salt, football club or not. He is entitled to express disappoint if the targets were not met, particularly if adjustments were made at the half year to meet those targets. NC is making sure that no complacency sets in. He will, as any top-notch CEO does, keep his people on their toes and performing to the highest level. Is he media savvy, some people question that if he is. I suspect that his previous employment record shows he's had to deal with the press, perhaps not the football press. Is there anyone on this forum that does not believe the English tabloid papers to be the most rabid in Europe? I say, good luck to the triumvirate of ML, NC and AP, long may they continue.

Globe opposite Baker Street couldn't be faulted, cram packed but never waited for more than a couple of minutes to be served. Obviously the Met had decided we are dangerous people and closed all pubs in the vicinity of Baker Street from 15.00, Is that customary after a Wembley match? We went to the Duke of Wellington, close by, decent pint & less expensive and on to London Bridge for a couple of favourite SE London pubs. Then had to endure SWT to get home. Absolutely awful; we've got the worst public transport system in Europe.

As said above, Mike Riley is the top assessor, a referee who knew the rules but didn't know the game. Still, that places him one better than Walton who apparently knows neither. Agree with other posters that Puncheon should have gone for the elbow which seemed to be right in front of the ref and hammond was lucky not to get a second yellow.

You mean the "Thai Culture thingy" on Sheikh Zayed Road?

Can't but agree with the general tone of this thread. He looked much more accomplished at full back than he did the previous week in midfield. We must credit AP for motivation. Whatever he said after he'd put him on and then subbed him, had a very good effect.

Gaz makes an interesting point about "personalities" and I'm assuming he means it in the sense of "character" rather than a big name. We have a team, (see photographs of penalty shoot out with Norwich) and disruption to that ethic will be costly. Do footballer job inteviews include psychometric testing, they ought to. This is AP's big task in January, yes, the squad needs strengthening, but he's got to find people who will not only add quality to the team but also fit in as people. I'm a fan of AP and this month he'll earn his money if he gets it right. Wrong and we'll wallow in mid table.

Sideways; lovely, gentle film, even better if you're interested in wine. As was said earlier, it does draw you in. Just watched Burn after Reading, Clooney, Pitt, Malkovitch and Frances McDormand. Slow burner but it gets very funny. Its another Coen Brothers film to be enjoyed if you like something different. I think they are brilliant; particularly enjoyed Fargo and No Country for Old Men. I reckon the Coen Brothers are an acquired taste, but worth acquiring. The Road; probably the most riviting book I've read in a long time. Interesting movie reviews from the critics and you guys. Debating whether to go and see it but not many films live up to the book. Day of the Jackal was about the closest. good thread to read

Any overseas Saints in Qatar or Saudi? I'll be passing through in February 2010. Doha, Riyadh & Jeddah. More details available by Direct Mail if there's anyone there.

I'm out of sequence, I meant Holt

Spot on, if he'd been on the pitch he'd have been back defending and our equaliser might not have happened

I thought it was absolutely brilliant when the two players that missed were each welcomed back to the centre circle with a huge load of support from the others. No wonder Pardew says there's a great team spirit. Terrific photo captures the night and the mood of players and spectators.

Thanks to both of you for a fascinating insight into what happens outside of match day. Good to hear that AP is the "man". A good friend of mine is a WHU supporter who wrote to AP when he left and received a handwritten reply. Not surprising that Morgan, Jaidi & Papa stick together as they share a common language. Ziysdad; interesting to read that eldest son is a Stokeite, so is my No2 son. He was born up there and lives near by.

Perhaps the news today from down the M27 helps put this into even greater perspective. remember when we didn't pay players wages; remember when no one knew who was running the club; remember when players left for considerable amounts of money but none seemed to go into the club? We are stable, our debts have gone, we have the foundations; we are back on track and it's due to our ownership and the management team that is in place. SMS is a good place to be and will be get better.

Beef or Pork dripping, with a little extra salt; wonderful and absolutely terrific for the arteries!

Restores your faith in human nature stories like that

I went on Saturday, persuaded that Charlton away is the best day out. Great around the London Bridge pubs even better at the match. They are top; we matched and bettered them for all but 20 minutes at the beginning of the second half and finished stronger than them. Couldn't really see their goal properly but it all stemmed from our free kick into their box, easy collect, quick out, run down the left, cross and then I don't know what happened. Someone said it earlier, we are best when we're allowed to play. We haven't got the balance right when it's all hoof. Interesting to read the Charlton Messageboard, nothing so one-eyed as a supporter! I think AP got his substitutions right but Papa could have come on with 10 minutes, not 2 minutes left. good sign though, he didn't shirk a tackle.

Without doubt the most intelligent footballer we've got in the squad; he ought to start against Charlton. They play it along the ground and, judging from the TV, are fast down the flanks. They play football and that'll suit MS and us.