Minty

These two?

Fookin' 'ell. I remember watching his debut for Saints' Reserves, and getting an email from his Mum after I spelt his name wrong in my email to Saintslist afterwards... lol. How things move on eh?!

Really enjoyed playing for Um Pahars' lot last season, sadly it's a bit too much hassle for me to get out there without transport and living in Winchester now, but would thoroughly recommend them to anyone else.

And from that, and the OP, it's safe to assume that you and Dune are masters of the sweeping generalisation.

I have a theory. Given Vegas often hosts boxing matches, perhaps Adkins v Poyet is being lined up?

F*ck off. (Sorry, was getting too 'nice' there for a mo...)

Fair enough. (SaintsWeb in 'two-people-disagreeing-but-not-needing-to-insult-each-other-or-string-it-out-to-3-pages-of-*****ing' shock.) It could well be that we sign someone who is head and shoulders above Hammond and Cork, to play alongside Morgan and no one would be happier about that than me, but I just have a hunch that Deano will continue to grow and play an important role.

Well I for one think he's played well when called upon. Adkins tends to change things depending on what tactics and gameplan he has, not purely because he thinks one player is better than another. I don't know if he WILL be good enough, but I don't think it's fair to assume he won't be.

It's not sentimentality, it's just good management. Adkins knows what he is doing, and how to make people 'effective' far better than any of us, and he also knows that a lot of that effectiveness comes from the culture and morale he has engendered at the club.

Deano will be with us in the Prem, of that I have no doubt. He will have a role to play too. He has improved a lot in his time with us and as I've said elsewhere, if the likes of Rory Delap can still be playing in the Prem, then Deano certainly can. I'm surprised more lessons haven't been learnt from this season by some fans. The players deserve the chance to step up and I have no doubt that all will be given that chance. No decisions will be made about them on paper, Nigel will seek improvements to the squad and then one or two players may be released or told they can leave, but there won't be the widespread release of players that many of you think will happen IMO.

What kind of milk was it?!?!

Cortese realises that his accent can still be a problem after his booking for Rhinoplasty goes wrong...

lol, good spot.

My favourite line: Although I would perhaps have gone with:

Using an ignore list is basically admitting that you don't have the ability to moderate your own replies. I'm with Turkish on this one. Besides, ignoring people also deprives you of the ability to laugh at them.

No one is forcing anyone to do anything. That's the point, people do what they like. The 'fan culture' then tends to be defined by the cross section... if the majority are lads on the beer, then that tends to be defining group... if the majority are dressed like clowns, then that will be. I've not bothered commenting on this thread yet, but it's all really quite simple. Do what you like, wear what you like, drink what you like, act how you like (within the law)... respect others' right to the same and get on with supporting Saints.

I agree that separate threads are necessary... the only other thing I would suggest which we've had before, is a single sticky post, kept up to date by a mod, with all the players linked or mentioned in the media, which is otherwise locked. That provides a useful reference for those of us who don't have time to camp out on every thread going...

Wanting 50% of the Academy scholars to make it into the first team is fine... but that doesn't mean that 50% of the first team will comprise Academy players. There are around 7-8 players in each year group, and Adkins is simply saying the *aim* is to get 50% into the first team *at some point*. I think we might see one break through next year, but it is more likely to be in a couple of years that we'll see more progress.

We've all been wrong before, that's football... the only thing that surprises me therefore is the arrogance with which people put across their opinions sometimes, knowing that they have every chance of being proven wrong. A bit of humility wouldn't go amiss with some posters.

Alright, no need for the attitude. Amongst rather a lot of threads about our promotion, I didn't see this one. Sorry I'm not perfect.

Worth remembering also that Morgan is still only 22 and doesn't turn 23 until November. That's quite scary, in a good way.

A key thing for the likes of Morgan, is to have more players around him who are on the same wavelength. Lallana is ideal but I think we need a top quality player on the opposite side, and probably a new right back too, who will push on look for some of Morgan's deeper passes in behind the oppositions back line. I believe Tadanari Lee will also be an ideal player as he continually moves around and tries to find space. It's been bad enough at times to hear some of our fans shouting 'Forward!' to our midfield, despite them having few forward options available to them, and getting abuse for keeping possession (including, believe it or not, in the 85th minute on Saturday... only a Saints fan could moan then) this season, but it is even more important in the Prem and Morgan especially will only look good if other players around him create the space and movement for him to pick out.

As someone suggested to me, it almost felt like the last 5 minute sub appearance that a retiring player gets before hanging up his boots... i.e. enjoy it, because you won't be doing it again.

Can't believe you didn't mention Rory Delap... Now if HE can stay in the Prem that long then frankly, Dean Hammond will be fine.

Here are the full League Tables for all four groups, to give some more perspective. Can't believe how poorly Man Utd did...! http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/premier-academy-league-table/