KelvinsRightGlove

It was painfully obvious that was a wind up.

I'm not trying to stir, it's just hard to tell. And as I said elsewhere, I've kinda avoided the forum since Saturday, as I find the post-loss hysteria/gloating a bit much to take at times. If you are being sincere, then fair play. I'm not one for these sorts of things either. I personally think it's nonsense, don't really know how these people would have such access to managers/players etc contracts. Though, I also don't find the idea of a contract where someone has bonuses related to performance or certain achievements as that shocking, radical, or controversial. I wouldn't be all that surprised if there was something in there, and for the players too. Though of course I have absolutely no idea if there is or, or what exactly any of these clauses stipulate. This is purely speculation. Basically, I find this thing all a bit 'mehh'.

Genuinely have no idea whether WC is actually annoyed or is just playing up.

I just re-read the OP. I'm confused now. Seems a lot of the people beating MP with this stick, are the ones that are convinced he will be off in the summer. Yet, he is only interested in a bonus, and contract extension. Doesn't quite add up to me. Yes, contracts mean nothing, blah blah, but if he was looking to leave I don't see why he would play for an extension.

Cannot stop listening to this, cracking cover

Prince rumours seem to be gathering pace, would be pretty pleased with that personally: http://www.supajam.com/news/story/Rumours-for-last-Glastonbury-headliner-leaked

I'm not convinced it's a policy necessarily. The first XI can't play every game, and the other players need games too. We have seen at times what happens when players get a bit ring rusty. There has to be times when we rotate the squad a bit. I don't totally agree with the way the team was picked, but can sort of understand it. The first team had played 2 tough games, in tough conditions in that week - Sunderland had had their game postponed. You could perhaps argue that the players coming in should try even harder to force their way back into the team. Ultimately, those on the field (including the first XI regulars) didn't show up. We were hardly outclassed or torn apart (though Sunderland seemed to want it more) and lost due to a worldy strike - squad selection had nothing to do with that, Boruc wouldn't have stopped it, and the inability of our players to take their chances. 99/100 Rickie buries that chance at the end and it's not all the doom and gloom. Such fine margins in sport, which is of course what makes it so exciting for us fans. I completely understand the disappointment, and share in that. But, I think some of the stuff is a little OTT.

Recently yes, but barring an absolute exodus in the summer I see that being the way for a few years anyway. Or, until we get into the Europa League and get hit by all the extra fixtures like Swansea this season and Newcastle last season. I don't think either side would have flirted with the drop zone if it weren't for those extra games. I don't see us struggling next season either, so we may very well be in a similar circumstance then. I will re-assert again, as it seems to be getting lost - I am disappointed by the teams performance on Saturday, and the fact we are out of the cup. But I feel like that every season when we go out. Yes, this was indeed a good chance to win it. But the doomsday talk of some that there will never be another good chance just seems OTT to me.

No doubt the financial backing helped, but it still has to be used well. Look how many clubs have thrown money around and it's gotten them no where. Look how much Leicester threw at it the season we got promoted. Them and West Ham blew us out the water in terms of spending that season - and yet neither managed to do better than us in the league. So yes, money certainly helps, but you have to use it in the right way - which is part of the running of the club surely. I'm just not entirely sure what it is you want mate. You clearly care about the club a great deal, but from where I am sat - your problems lie with football as a whole, not just Saints. What do you want Saints to do realistically? I suspect in many fans, there is an element of Rose-Tinted specs about the past. People will always complain that things aren't like they were, things change and people rarely like this. I'm sure in 20/30 years I will do the same, and if I have kids they will do the same in turn.

Who is to say next season won't see City/Utd, Chelsea/Arsenal, Liverpool/Tottenham drawn in the 3rd round? It was a good chance, but I don't buy this argument it was the most amazing chance ever. Those teams at the top and in the CL are always likely to still be in the Cup & CL at this stage - or at least a few of them. This is why they have such huge squads of internationals. I agree, I think it was a good chance, but I don't think this year was the once in a lifetime opportunity you suggest. Saints have never won the cup in my lifetime, but I'm not going to start thinking it will never happen simply because of Saturday. That's a massive over-reaction I think. We'll still be in the cup next year, and the year after etc.

As a 'football historian' - can you remind us mere layman what has happened at the club in the past five years? I was under the impression that Bottom of League 1 with -10 - to Top half of the Premier League in 5 seasons was a pretty good thing. Imagine what could have been achieved if the club were well run.

So it's nearly two days since a very disappointing display, and yes of course it is very disappointing we are out of the cup. I get that fans are upset, especially those who made the fantastic effort of travelling to and from SoL for the game. But, I do think some reaction has been over the top. There seems talk now that it's as if we have thrown the cup away, assuming it was ever in our grasp. There would still be 3 games left to play, and personally I don't buy into the idea that we absolutely have got the same draw as Sunderland. With out want to get into MLG's Butterfly effect & Chaos theory talks, it doesn't really work like that. Also, have I missed something? Is there not an FA Cup competition next season, will we now never get another go at the cups. I haven't really commented on here since Saturday, mostly due to avoiding the usual hysteria that comes after a loss. I do also find myself agreeing with those that mention the chances the team did make, and miss. I fail to see how these missed chances, and the fact the only goal we conceded was an absolute wordly (Boruc would no way have saved that - no keeper would) makes the loss totally the manager, or the clubs fault or how it shows a complete lack of respect to the fans. Yes, it is a disappointing result but it isn't the first one in our history, and I'm sure we will have many more disappointing (probably many that are much more disappointing) than Saturday. It's monday morning, time to get some perspective. Our team lost a game, time to move on. It really isn't the end of the world.

NO MORE CARLOS KICKBALLS

Lawro tips Saints to lose: Lawro tips Saints to win:

I understand people who having misgivings about F2P. There are indeed a lot of shady practices out there. Something I've said on here before, I completely disagree with in-app purchases in kids games/apps, for me that's 100% unethical. I can't speak for all games, but I know all King's games can be completed with out paying a penny. It's hard, and it will take time but it's possible. You can chose to make the game easier through purchases, but it isn't essential. For me, that's a pretty good deal, there's over 500 levels in Candy Crush for example. That's easily more game play than many console games I've sunk £30, £40 or £50 quid on. I get the games aren't for everyone. Many 'hardcore' gamers won't like them. That's fine I get that, but they aren't necessarily the people a lot of these casual, F2P games are made for. Ps avoid Puzzle & Dragons, I'm not proud of how much I sunk into that. But I'm off that now.

FFS Pap, at least read the articles right, you're better than that - trademark, not patent. There is a big difference. Other than that, I really cannot comment.

See to me the fact you are s far above clouds makes it worse!

I, of course, recommend all our games - Papa Pear, Pet Rescue, Bubble Witch, Farm Heroes & obviously Candy Crush (all with the Saga suffix). But there really are some gems in amongst the absolute plethora of crap out there. As Pap rightly says, Nimble Quest is great fun, Puzzle Quest is really good too. The Room (1 & 2) are great, similarly Machinarium. Device 6 is fantastic. Though these are all a bit of a longer session type games, frustratingly brilliant. ps. Pap, did you notice Sonic Kart Racing Transformed is now on iOS?

Hehe I'm just teasing. I agree, Flappy Birds is pretty crap. Thogh sadly, with my job I play much worse games on a daily basis. Pretty frustrating that this guy managed to lock down the charts though when he spent no money on ads, whilst we have a pretty large budget, yet can't gain that kind of success. That said, I'm not entirely convinced by this guy. I think he was using several of the many ways to 'game' the app stores. So I'm not entirely sure how much of the perceived chart success (at least initially anyway) was actually genuine. There's actually a fair bit of talk in the industry that the reason he took the game down was actual because apple clocked what he was doing, and was about to remove the game anyway. This is of course just speculation. Anyway, sorry, I'm being boring and doing work chat now

Watched this earlier, jesus christ. Genuinely felt queasy, and had unbelievably sweaty palms after. Just why?

Thanks TFL, I get to see Phoenix tonight. Very excited for this! Happy Kelv

What impressed me so much is the progress this shows we have made under MP. The starting XI (well squad minus Big Vic who got what, 2-3 mins?) were all here last season. I loved our Nigel, think he did a great job, and yeah I was upset when he left. Watching the closing period last night I still felt confident we would see it out, and that we never really looked in danger. Last season pre-MP I would never have felt that. No slight on Nige, but just shows to me what a good manager we have in MP. A good win, and good performance at a difficult place to go this season. I like Steve Bruce, not the most glamorous guy but seems a decent bloke and does a solid job. Think they a good for survival this season.

You must be dreaming!

[video=youtube;i2V_ZT-nyOs]

NO MORE CARLOS KICKBALLS!!! :hunt: ....Being serious though. I went to watch Watford a fair few times last season (live close and have friends that go regularly) and he stood out as one of their better players - alongside Deeney (wouldn't advocate signing him) and Vydra. I'm unsure on him myself. Can be great, on occasions everything would go through him, and he can be everywhere. Other times you can totally forget he is on the pitch. I guess there is an element of this being part and parcel of what to expect from that type of player (creative AM). His decision making at times is not great, and he is also tiny. Basically, I'm not convinced he will end up being a player worthy of a place in a top 10 side. Just my opinion based on the few times I watched him last season - though I have been wrong, and could easily be wrong on this one too.