Minty

Are we? Martin Hunter has done an excellent job of helping the Development Squad progress, and there is no greater testimony to that than the promotion of four players into the First Team squad. I've seen a huge number of reserve team games over the years, Daren Wheeler and I and various others were regulars behind the away dugout at Staplewood during Rofe's time when we were consistently up near the top of the Combination league that was, and since then... but it never really helped the first team, and that is ultimately what it is all about. From what I've seen recently, we have no such need of any appointment in this area.

Possibly. If it's true. Players, agents, managers and clubs have said all sorts of things in the past to deflect attention from their own shortcomings, and I'm sure Saints are no different. I'm not saying we're whiter than white because obviously that's not the case, and as I've said a few times now, I am concerned that we need to make a few signings too, but I just some are a little too quick to jump on our own clubs back at times when we we simply cannot be certain what has happened with any transfer, either completed or otherwise. One thing I guess we can all agree on though: The sooner some signings are made, the sooner we have something tangible to moan about.

So we've heard one side of a story? Would you want to be tried on that basis?

I agree entirely. I still don't see any justification for some of the criticism of the club when people don't know what is happening. The 'For whatever reasons' seems to automatically become 'because we've done something wrong' to some...

We don't know the full story with Ward and Gorkss either, but it seems we're happy to jump to conclusions. That's my whole point. Why the assumptions that just because transfers haven't been completed it was a fault at Saints?

http://www.thinkmessage.co.uk/pricing.php http://www.esendex.co.uk/Prices First one is 6p per text. Used the latter for work purposes in the past, very reliable but not sure what rates are these days.

What were they showing?

Indeed it is, a fact not lost on Adkins and Cortese I am sure. Which is my main point... the club know damn well what they want and when they want it done by, and I am sure are doing everything they can. So many of the posts on this thread seem to make out that the club aren't doing enough, when no one has a clue what they are or are not doing. Be concerned with our squad by all means, be concerned that we haven't signed players that think we need by all means (Adkins may be too for all we know), but some of the criticism is unfounded and unwarranted IMO. It *is* possible that the club aren't doing enough, but I would say that is pretty unlikely and for a bunch of fans who have not got the faintest idea of what is involved, to criticise the club for things which are purely their own interpretation of things, is a bit silly IMO.

Absolutely. Alps' rant is a bit misplaced on this thread...

Yeah, realise that, just think that if a country is hosting the Olympics, then things like this should be done locally too. Not that big a deal really, just irked me a bit.

Castor Semenya (sp?)

Can't believe this thread is still going to be honest. We all have different ideas of what positions we're short in, who we should try to sign for those positions, and how we're going to perform this season. What we DO know for certain is that NA has stated that he wants to bring more players in and the club are trying to do just that. Beyond that we know NOTHING about what is happening behind the scenes to make it happen, and any 'conclusions' that anyone has come to about NA, NC, our budget, or anything transfer related is pure speculation. The thread is going round in circles... most people have their position and are trying and failing to convince others that they are right. None of us are. Only hindsight will tell us. Personally, I think we need at least one CB, possibly two, and a creative attacking midfielder. I have faith in the club and staff that they're doing everything they can to sign players. Posting about it all the time won't change anything, so I'll let them get on with it and see what happens. I think some people need to chill out a bit.

Which reminds me... why the f*ck is there a yank doing the announcing in the Olympic Stadium? Didn't realise it until I saw Bolt's medal ceremony and got the hideous Americanised 'Usaaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnn BOLT!' introduction.

None taken. I hadn't seen any of it and thought some others might be interested, plus I think the debate is better with some informed opinion in it so make no apologies for posting it. I would argue that those links provide far more information than was actually in the media too. And actually, the more interesting links of those I posted were ones that AGREE that he SHOULDN'T compete and on reading it all, it has actually reinforced my view that he shouldn't also.

That's a bit silly. To try and bring it back to decent debate, perhaps the questions on this thread should actually be aimed at the sports' governing body... they did after all decide that it WAS legal for him to compete and must have sufficient reason to have done so. The answer to your (and several other peoples) question 'How can it be legal?' must've been answered by them at some point. It just seems that lots of people are saying it shouldn't be allowed without actually looking into how and why it WAS. (And once again, for the avoidance of doubt, I personally am not sure it is the right decision at this time, but clearly a decision was made based on something tangible and we should respect that and challenge it based on the facts rather than our own amateur perceptions or interpretation of things.) Actually, I'll follow my own advice... Here's a link to the first press release issued when Pistorius was cleared to run: http://www.iaaf.org/aboutiaaf/news/newsid=44917.html So, interestingly, after appeal to the CAS he was cleared to run because of a LACK of evidence that he DOES gain an advantage (innocent until proven guilty I guess?) rather than being able to prove that he doesn't. Here's some interesting independent analysis and commentary: http://www.sportsscientists.com/2011/08/scientific-interpretation-of-oscar.html and http://www.sportsscientists.com/2011/08/scientific-evidence-for-advantage-for.html Now, reading that (an hour after I started typing this reply!), I actually find myself thinking there is plenty enough doubt out there to justify NOT allowing him to run, but that the IAAF, or rather the CAS, perhaps made their decision based on the wider 'human interest' angle? Quite interesting though IMO. But for balance, here's some more reading from one of the guys who conducted the CAS research: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/aug/03/ui-profs-blade-runner-research-aims-better-prosthe/ No offence to some of you guys, but I find the above far more engaging and evidence-based than our debate thus far!

Having been on this forum for god-knows-how-many-years, we know there are always some out there who aren't far away...

I have a fun City Link story. I ordered some studio lighting equipment from a photography retailer, obviously not knowing who they use to deliver. Needless to say, lighting equipment contains light bulbs and other breakables. On the day of delivery the driver turned up at the door and as he put the box down from on his shoulder, all you could hear was the swooshing sound of broken glass falling to the end of the box. Needless to say I refused the delivery and told the driver to return it as damaged. I phoned the company I ordered from and they said they would resend a new box once they had received the old one back. Fair enough. The next day, I had a knock at the door. A different delivery driver is stood there with the same box I rejected the day before. OK, probably not his fault so I politely pointed out that I rejected this the day before and could he please ensure it is returned. I phoned the company and let them know what had happened. Day 3, guess what? Another attempted City Link delivery and this time it was the SAME driver as the first day. Knowing how delivery companies work, I know he doesn't load his own van so cut him *some* slack, but still had a bit of a go at him. The company I ordered from said they were now out of stock and offered to refund my order in full. This I accepted and re-ordered the product from another company, and paid extra for Saturday delivery as time was now running short before a job i needed to use the kit for. I didn't know who they use for delivery but you can't control these things and so I didn't think about it. Saturday came and went. No delivery. On MONDAY morning, my now familiar City Link driver turns up with my Saturday delivery, thankfully in one piece, but two days late. I wrote an email to City Link customer service. I heard nothing back. I sent a second one. I heard nothing. I tried phoning Head Office and was told to put it in writing, which I did. And heard nothing. I will never, ever use them again.

Yep, completely agree. This is why I suggested a *possible* way forward (and remember, what they decide doesn't have to be acceptable to us, only to the relevant authorities) might be that they only permit a prosthetic which performs equally or less than, say, the 'average' measurements from the top 20 athletes in the world at that time. I know I'm heading off deeper into the realms of unlikeliness here, so don't take what I'm saying too seriously, but who knows what the future holds?

That's enough trainspotting, we're talking about the Skates.

I doubt it personally, not on any significant scale... it would only be certain athletes who are already at a certain level, who could then use something to give them an edge. All depends on what function the prosthetic replaces, and to what degree. Of course they could easily be designed to improve upon what is 'humanly possible' and give greater power/flexibility/spring or whatever, than a human limb, but this is where the rules and regulations must come in to ensure that that is not the case.

70,000 posts. Jesus f*cking christ.

Who knows. Probably the same for the Athletics governing body, knowing it isn't a major issue because of his PB, and so less risk of controversy, but if he'd been quicker, perhaps there would be more scrutiny of his prosthetics? The net result as things stand is that the results weren't affected at all but there has been widespread credit for his inclusion. As a legacy of these games, I think that's fine.

Note that I didn't actually say I thought it *was* possible... I just said that's the only way it could really happen and for everyone to be happy that the athletes are competing fairly. My personal opinion is actually the same as yours, that it probably IS unachievable, but that's based on entirely non-expert POV. I'm not a bio-mechanical scientist and don't know what they are capable of these days. That said, I guess the other key thing to look at here is the reaction of the other competitors. The Olympic champion quite openly welcomed him and wanted to exchange his name badge, because he recognised the significance of the event. I don't know about all the other competitors, but if the majority of them are happy to compete against him, I would happily defer to them. After all, they are the ones with the most to lose.

Some of the above comments are why, IMO, my point is so important. The prosthetics are key, but to just assume that are an advantage (or even that they are definitely not) is wrong. They need to be looked at closely to decide what is or is not acceptable. As I said previously, I do not think he should compete until this is looked into in some depth, but I think it is wrong to rule him out entirely. Where it is feasible, and the authorities are happy that athletes are competing on a level playing field, then I see nothing wrong with allowing as many people as possible the chance to compete and run the qualifying times.

AFC Wimbledon have outlined plans to return to 'Plough Lane'. http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news.php?Psection_id=2&Psub_section_id=1&Open=7240#7240 http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/clubdocs/2012-08-06_AFC_Wimbledon_Merton_Council_submission_press_release.pdf It's a long way off but it would be a fitting next step for this club...