Minty

Close from Rickie.

Can't see a punchline myself.

Indeed. I know it's been a bit of joke since his arrival, but how many people have actually seen him play? You never know, Adkins may get something out of him.

Can't believe there were 3 posts before yours that DIDN'T comment on it! lol

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/20100914/adkins-press-conference-in-full_2264122_2154035 In summary: "What a fantastic football to come and work at. Fantastic set-up." "Can see already in training, we have an honest group of players, of a good standard. What we need now is a few results." "Alan Pardew and Wally Downes did well last year and won the JPT... not for me to comment on their departure, but they've done a lot of good things at this club and it's important we keep the things that are good, and improve on the areas that need improving." "Morale is high, there is a good spirit there." "Most important relationship at any club is between the chairman and manager. I'm excited about and we share a common goal of being successful and getting as high as possible in the league, but the first step is promotion from League 1." "I'm a young hungry manager who wants to be the best he can be." "It's difficult when you come in with a game so quickly, and we've had a good conversation with the players and I've started to build relationships with the players individually and on a team basis. We can't implement all the ideas we've got straight away, but we've got to win games and over a period of time, we'll introduce things the way I like to do things" "I had 14 years at S****horpe and I'm very proud of what we did up there. Their fans were great with me, and I had great support from the staff and players, and it was just a shame we finished losing to Bristol after battering them." Q: "Can you achieve promotion this season?" NA: "That's the objective. That's what I've come here to do. I've come here from a Championship club and I want to get back there as quickly as possible. I want this team to be the best team in the division... We will be the best team in the division. It's as simple as that." Q: "What about transfers? Can you bring in who you want?" NA: "It's a much bigger setup here, there's far more resources and talent ID staff, and so we can fish in a bigger pond for players than I could at S****horpe. I've got a good relationship with the Chairman, but I'm the manager of the football club, simple as that." (Said with a wry smile coming across his face!) "My expectation for tomorrow night is a win, and the players know that, simple as that. (He likes saying that it seems!) We've had 1 and a half good training sessions and a good meeting with the players. It's difficult to implement too many changes too quickly, but there's a lot of good things already at the club and we have to deal with the expectation and get a victory, and then recover and get another win at home on Saturday. There is expectation, but that's why we're in football, because we want to win things." Q: "Do you want to bring in any new players?" NA: "Good question. Important thing is to build a relationship with players already here. I need to make sure I've got a good handle on players already here. We've got a good side with good spirit, but we can improve the players who are already here, but also bring in one or two to make the group stronger. I've got my own ideas and I'm always looking at players." "I'm aware of many players here already, and some I tried to sign at S****horpe. (Asked to reveal which, but denied to do so!) I've spoken to the medical staff so I know where they are in that respect. "Dean Wilkins has been loyal to the club and has been very supportive since I've arrived and is an important member of the team.... Andy Crosby is a great guy to have around and will bring a lot of good things with me to Southampton and I'm delighted to have him here." "We throw ourselves straight into things. I'm a positive person, and although I've only been here a short time, we've worked hard to establish things already. Things will improve as we understand the players more, but I'm confident we have a good group of players here."

Daren, as I said elsewhere, I'll always remember the banter between your mum and visiting reserve team managers at Staplewood... and especially Lawrie Sanchez, who your mum managed to wind up an absolute treat. Always makes me smile remembering that night. Always armed with the coffee and the Kit-kat's too if I remember rightly. A top, top lady who always made me smile, which is how I'll always remember her, and I'm sure you will too. Rest in peace Valerie.

Most of it appears to have been covered by answers so far. All I would add is to echo Al's comments about second hand stuff... a healthy secondhand market extends the life and usability of any body more than anything else, hence I would also echo Al's call to look at Canon or Nikon primarily. They also have the most experience in the market. That said, quality of other makes of DSLR is improving all the time and for most users, who don't have special requirements, a wide range of bodies will suffice. One word of warning though... you'll never know if you made the right choice or not until you've actually started taking more photos and then start looking for those accessories that Pancake refers to... and at this stage you probably won't know what accessories you're likely to need or what kind of photography you're likely to do more of! Chicken and Egg scenario. Make sure you test a body out... if you're in Southampton, go into London Camera Exchange next to the Marlands, opposite Soul Cellar (not the one at the top of East St) and ask in there, they're one of the best in the city. Do not go into Jessops and ask for any advice. Do not. I say again, do not. The independent shops are pretty good. Also, check out sites like http://www.fredmiranda.com and http://www.dpreview.com for the largest range of reviews and comments on cameras.

Oh dear, sorry Steve...!

(Pic from OS)

Just reward for our best player so far this season.

It's always worth remembering players like Mike Williamson in threads like this. Released by Saints with most fans, myself included, thinking he wasn't quite good enough to make it with us. He now plays in the Premiership with Newcastle. I think CB is one the hardest positions to judge a young player, because so much of the role is down to learning positioning, gaining experience and organising your fellow defenders. I think Martin has real potential, as illustrated by the way he's handled the rise from Conf. South to League 1. That is a big leap in itself, and to have done well against Kevin Davies, whilst still only 20, bodes very well IMO. We mustn't overplay him or burn him out, but his is a talent that should be encouraged this season as I am confident he'll only get better and better.

Guly and the Butt - Reminds me of a Family Guy episode.

No, I'll tell you what I think is bizarre. That so many people, on all sides, can drag a thread out so f*cking long on complete f*cking bullsh!t. What kind of perverse satisfaction do people get trying to pick the bones out of every single word someone else has typed, and trying to ram it back down their throats in new and exciting (or rather the same tired and boring) ways. Seriously. Some people need to get a f*cking life. Kudos to those who try to battle through and rise above it all... I used to try but it's getting the better of me now. (And yes, I appreciate that me posting this probably won't help matter, and will be equally slated, but I'm past caring now. I could've added this to any number of threads... I came back to SaintsWeb to try and post more on here to read about Saints and discuss things more, but it's clear that there is so little quality on here, so I really don't see the point.)

Call it giving them the benefit of the doubt...

It also helps that the pressure will be off. No anxious expectation from the crowd, I reckon the players will be a lot more relaxed and probably play quite well as a result, even if it's not quite good enough against a Prem side. Who knows. But expectation, anxiety and players trying TOO hard, as we saw on Saturday, can have a big impact.

If the thread is no longer about Guly, can I suggest we either lock it, or rename it 'All about alpine'?

I think that's a bit of artistic licence from them to be honest. Davies and Beattie were upfront, Delap and Oaks in the middle, Tessem and Svensson out wide.

El Khalej was a bit ropey, Tessem also flattered to deceive, and Delap never lived up to his price tag. All the others were decent players IMO, we just never got them all firing at the same time, especially in midfield.

I see tonight as 'nothing to lose, everything to gain'... the squad need games, and so I wanted the strongest side played, and am glad to see AP confirm this. If we lose, so be it, but the players will know that losing to any Premiership side, even if they don't put out a strong team, is still no disgrace. As long as we give it 100%, then it's good preparation for Saturday. Of course, if we win, then it's also a morale booster. Bring it on.

On Twitter: @SteveGrant1983 Had same issues with Papa last year, but helps when the Chairman knows how to work the system in Italy - fingers crossed!

The current photographers do like to use some fairly 'interesting' lighting on their shots... each to their own, although personally I think it's unneccessary.

On the face of it, this is an amazing signing. As said above, lets hope he can adapt to League 1 football sufficiently to make a real impact.

We weren't crap. We played well but then allowed anxiety and frustration creep into our play and stopped doing what we were doing well, before a late flurry. The woodwork and their keeper denied us scoring at least 6. It's not a good result, but the performance was FAR from crap.

The day everyone observes the Highway Code to the letter of the law, is the day they can lecture others on how to use the road. If everyone treated others as they themselves would expect to be treated on the road, then we wouldn't have 95% of the problems we have. The selfishness and impatience of motorists AND cyclists, not to mention pedestrians who also cause problems, knows no bounds.

Stop whinging. Seriously guys... for Markus' sake, stop it, both of you.