Minty

Sometimes a bit of belief can go a long way. We should've scored more, but we ground out a result at one of the hardest places to do so. Excellent result lads, well done.

RAF Odiham to be precise. And when I worked at the airport, they used to do a lot of instrument training using Southampton airport approaches, hence you would often see them either holding overhead Southampton, or flying an 'approach'. Can't imagine that would've changed much, so it's probably just training.

Looks like a bit of thought has gone into the Matchday Magazine for tomorrows game... or it may just be coincidence, but Gallagher has the whole back cover to himself: Nice touch if planned that way...

Not old enough to remember them back then, but here's some info about one from just last season... so they are alive and well... especially if you're a plastic Man U fan...

This is clearly a relative term...

Whereas us nutjobs know they're heading for sh!t AND bust time...

I think others have covered all this, but to me, it's summarised like this: 1 - We don't seem to sign players like that anymore. We only sign better players, not 'cover' players. 2 - Young players have to make their debut at some point. Gallagher did and looked fine. Chambers did in the first game of the season, and looked fine. Clearly SHaw and JWP did in the past, and looked fine. There is no guarantee that Targett will too, but I think MoPo and the club have earned our trust on this IMO. And finally, Boruc may be more experienced that Gazza, but he's also BETTER. *That* was what delivered the better results.

I'm usually pretty cautious making statements like that about players, especially when they've been here less than a season, but IMO there is no doubt he is one of the best centre backs we've ever had, and if he hangs around for a few years, would be right up there amongst the best signings we've ever made.

It's a tool. Whether it is 'good ' or 'bad' is down to how you use it, who else uses it that you are friends with, how they use it, etc, etc. Just like this forum, Twitter, Myspace, LinkedIn and pretty every other social media tool down the ages. I enjoy using it for keeping in touch and communicating with those who aren't nearby. What can be a problem is when people make assumptions that just because they've sent a message to you on Facebook, that you must've read it within 5 minutes of it being sent... not everyone looks at their phone every 5 minutes. If you need me, phone me. Other than that, a FB message, a tweet, a text message... I'll deal with them when I can. Problems with all of these things tend to come from other peoples expectations and assumptions, and highlights peoples insecurities. Worst example of this is the whole 'you defriended me, you must hate me, waaah, blah, blah, blah'. No, I don't hate you, actually I might quite like you, but I see no value in having you on my Facebook because we met once and are never likely to meet again, or need to communicate particularly, although if we do, I know where to find you and can send you a message. So enjoy your life, and stop pretending that being my Facebook in some way validates your existence and that you need me to feel good about yourself.

I realise it is often just a turn of phrase, but when discussing Cork and Wanyama it's probably not helpful to describe it as 'dropping' one for the other... MoPo knew the risks associated with starting Vic against Fulham and whilst he wasn't great, it could be argued that he helped us establish ourselves in the game, and then allowed Cork come to help open Fulham up 2nd half. We've heard it said time and again, it's a squad game, and if a specific player plays then it's for a reason. Personally I agree that at home, I would start Cork this weekend, but I have no issues if Vic starts either, and we have a similar outcome to last weekend.

I also find it a shame just how many people think that 'own brand' automatically means 'poor quality'. Fact is, a lot of kits are made in very similar factories and yes, if you opt for a lower cost, lower quality kit as your 'own brand', to maximise your margin, then it probably will be poor quality. But equally, there is nothing to stop a club using a factory and a manufacturer who is higher quality - it's all down to the club really. Usually the decision is financially motivated, hence the poorer quality but higher margin... i would like to see us aim a little higher, but whether that happens or not...?

On a wider point, I think if and when MoPo does leave us, it'll be for a Spanish side. He is already well known and respected over there so I don't think it is beyond the realms of possibility that he could get a big job over there. That said, I do hope he'll stay here and it seems the players certainly want him to stay which helps. Whilst I wouldn't hold much sway in these particular articles, I also wouldn't be so bold as to rule out him leaving completely.

Aye, done.

Agreed. He is the most important person currently at the club. Without getting too happy-clappy about it, perhaps we need to make sure he knows just how much we rate him and want him to stay?

That picture is the forum equivalent of using the Wayne's World phrase 'Not!' still...

Just out of interest, has there been much investigation into the condition of the upper catchment areas around the Somerset levels... i.e. the fields and hills that the water runs off of before it reaches the levels below? I don't know the area, as I said before, but if there are a lot of mono-cultures being grown and fields that are all-but-devoid of nutrients, then run off will be much quicker and contribute to the problems lower down. This is exactly why I said earlier about dredging not being the be-all and end-all, and just a small part of the overall strategy required. Dredging is far less effective if upper catchment areas are in a poor state and the dredged areas will only fill up more quickly with the silt from those fields higher up if they don't maintain their integrity.

Weather is supposed to be absolute pants this weekend, take it easy out there!

Sums it up perfectly for me. Gallagher will be a much better player for being involved now IMO.

Only if you were expecting the opposite of dull. I expected nothing and so am not disappointed.

Quite right Wes - I wasn't commenting on the specifics of the offer, just the overall reception the offer has had from some people.

That's more like it Halo - I'm all for qualified comments like that, it was more the sweeping statements that bug me. I should also say that I don't know the specifics of the Somerset levels and what you've written sounds absolutely reasonable. From what my wife tells me there is a lot more to these decisions than simply conservation vs needs of farmers etc, and often the problem is how it is consulted on and communicated. On top of that, obviously each region has separate management and can deal with these things in different ways sometimes, depending on other local priorities.

Interesting anecdote from Kevin Kilbane on BBC Sport transfer day page:

I think you're being kind... it has been an utter shambles. I'm not sure there are the words to do it justice! What makes it even worse is the complete turnaround since the Summer. Admittedly, anyone could tell Australia were improving after the 2nd test in England, and they were clearly getting stronger again, but to have suffered so many defeats and in the manner they've happened is pretty unprecedented in terms of a turnaround... What next though?

Big deal over nothing IMO. It's simply a marketing campaign to help fill the ground a bit more, with the incentive of a prize if you come to all four games. The club have to find ways to try and attract more fans to games. I would be more critical if they did nothing over time. Some ST holders are being a bit precious IMO... any attempt to boost attendance should be welcomed IMO.

So you're saying my wife was a money-grabbing egotistical S.O.B.? No, I know you're not... but have a think about what you're saying. The EA is full of excellent people, fully qualified and very much smart enough... the problems come higher up when decisions have to be made between budget considerations and the recommendations of those qualified and smart people who work on the ground. Some people and parts of the EA deserve criticism, it is far from perfect, but it does not deserve many of the comments it receives.