KelvinsRightGlove

I don't usually buy into the whole "we need pace, we need pace" argument. However, in this case I think there may be a point. A pacey striker would naturally make defenders sit a little deeper, which in turn leaves slightly more room for player like Gaston, AL & even JP to do what they are good at, and get on the ball and move it around. I'm not saying chuck Lambert on the scrap heap, as he clearly brings a lot to our team, so perhaps it is about learning how to get the best out of the current attacking players we have at our disposal.

Footballing lessons? Let's not get what happened on Saturday twisted. We bossed possession, but didn't do an awful lot with it. They lumped it long twice, and scored two goals.

I do understand what you are saying, and I don't think it's totally unfair. Unfortunately, it's not always as simple as we are paying 'x' so should be getting 'y' from him (if only!).

I'm sure it will. It's just sorting time off/logistics. It's quite a trek from that London. A worthwhile one though, I'm sure.

That's such a naive way to view things though. I know some people on here think half an u21s game is enough to judge a player on, but it really isn't. There are countless players that have come to the Prem, and taken time to adjust, often a full season. Ramirez will be a class player, whether that is with us or not. I agree he has been frustrating at times, and his tendency to go AWOL at times can be maddening. However, I have no doubts he will come good, he's what? Just 22? He's clearly far from finished, and to expect otherwise is foolish. Granted, that isn't necessarily what we need right now, we need performances ASAP, but that is hardly Gaston's fault.

Really, already?

I am insanely jealous. Would love to see these guys. I may have to get tickets for that too!

Is this a large number of people, or is it the Turkish/110% school of everyone (one or two people) are saying this, blah blah blah? I haven't really been on here since QPR, A) as I cannae be bothered with the usually knee jerking that was bound to occur and B) I was busy.

You are one of the lucky ones friend.

Me too. I have said many times on here I expecting him and the club to part ways in the summer due to what had happened previously. But fair play to the management and Punch for putting these things behind them, the guy has done his talking on the pitch this season, and certainly shut me up. He has earned this in my opinion.

dang you! beat me to it!

Correct.

I have a theory, may be wrong (probably is), that the reason that bands like One Direction can have such success is that they are effectively going after people not that into music. People that actually know very little about music, and will happily lap up the stuff Cowell & the radio companies tell them to like. Whereas the real innovators, by design and definition fragment their audience instantly. They are going after a more discerning clientèle, with stronger views and opinions, so therefore a smaller market, which they are then dividing further by being innovative. The reason that bands such as the aforementioned One Direction can be successful is because they are going after people that have little interest in music, other than watching x-factor on a saturday night, thinking "oh he's cute, oh look at him cry, he's adorable!" and then rushing out to buy their CD's with slightly sodden knickers. These are the people that have little knowledge or interest in the history or story of music or a musician, unless it's been packaged into weekly hour-long bitesize chunks and usually involves some sort of sob-story and a falling out with a. nother panel member. Hence the reason they can release songs like One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks), and it not offend them, as they have no idea about the two amazing songs that are being butchered, nor do they care. In fact, if they were to hear Blondie's version, they would probably say "Oh, its someone doing One Direction". I did nearly hit a girl once for saying "oh, he's covering McFly", when Pete Doherty did a Beatles cover at a gig.

Hmmmm. I'm still torn on this myself. I think what you are saying is fair, and you make the point well. But I still think to deprive people of hearing music live, as it was originally intended to be heard is a shame. For example, at Glasto I once wondered into a tent where the Bootleg Beatles were playing. I sat down, had a smoke, and enjoyed the show. Little in the way of innovation, but it was a group of talented musicians, putting their heart into songs they were clearly very passionate about. Obviously, being a Beatles fan, I was hardly going to run home screaming with excitement about this new band, but equally, I very much enjoyed the show, and due to me only being in my early 20's, this is about as close as I will ever get to the real thing. I dunno, I guess I'm just thinking out loud (as it were). As I say, I'm kinda torn on the whole issue. FWIW, the music scene really isn't dead. There is some really great bands around at the moment, and plenty of great dance/electro stuff around, although it's not necessarily 'my bag'. I'd actually argue the music coming out of Britain at the minute is as good as it has been for quite some time.

Because since he took over in '03 he has invested hundreds of millions, returned 3 Premier Leagues, 4 FA Cups, 2 League Cups & a Champions League. It's hard to argue with the guy when he oversees that much success. Can see why they wouldn't criticise the guy too much.

It's interesting though. I have been toying with this myself of late. Should music die with it's author? For example, should Beatles songs never be played live, simply because half the band are dead? I think as long as a band is not trying to pass off these songs as their own, why should they not keep this music alive, and introduce it to new audiences? It seems a shame to me that in say, 50 years, kids won't have any hope of seeing these songs played live. It only really seems to be an issue for 'guitar' music as it were. Jazz musicians seem to have no problem with it, or Pop. And who in the classical realm is going to turn around and say "nah, actually I don't fancy going to see the 'x' Philharmonic play Beethoven, it isn't him".

Blah blah blah, it was better in my day, blah blah, whinge moan whinge. Things are changing, I don't like change, it was better when I was a kid. I don't know how many times I have to make the same points, but times change, people change, habits change - companies HAVE to adapt to this. It's all very well mourning the loss of the record store, and blaming it on the internet, but really, they were in decline well before limewire, napster, kazaa, the pirate bay etc came around. They had been on a down-ward spiral for a good few years before this. Mostly because they hadn't changed at all for 40ish years. How many other shops stay in business doing exactly the same thing. I don't get why being able to listen to and consume any music, any where you want is a bad thing. Or how it is killing music? Surely, from a bands point of view, you want your music to be as accessible as possible. So surely, the prospect of MP3s or streaming services such as spotify, where you are effectively carrying around a humongous library of records around in your pocket, meaning you are a few clicks away from a lot of music is a good thing. It certainly places no restriction on what you listen to, if anything it gives a chance to more left-field bands. You have the option to listen to a band and see if you like them, where as previously you were tied to paying for one single vinyl, which ultimately leads people to make safe choices, instead of trying new things. In fact, many people I know (myself included) have actually started to buy more music as a result of things like youtube and Spotify, where they can get into a band, and then support bands they like as records are released. The internet provides a fantastic platform for bands who would never otherwise get exposure on TV, Radio or pathetic rags like the NME. Bury your heads in the sand, and mourn for times gone by if you want. But the reason these shops are closing is, if we are blunt, the fault of themselves and their own customers that stopped going, and now hark on about how great they were.

It was hardly a rip roaring success when they played us at SMS in MPs first game. My Everton mate said that was the best performance he has seen against them this season, and that few teams have dominated them like we did first half.

Dunno what can be read into this, but Saints just put this on Twitter: Southampton FC ‏@SouthamptonFC PHOTO: Steven Davis and James Ward-Prowse with young defender Matt Targett, who joined training yesterday. #saintsfc https://twitter.com/SouthamptonFC/status/307432452115275776/photo/1

you know what I'm going to say bazza, shops need to adapt, can't keep living in the past saying this is once how we took payment - therefore it always should be. as peoples habits and behaviours change, shops (if they wish to be successful) need to change with them. it is widely acknowledged that a lot of HMV's problems stemmed from shift in consumer trends.

I dunno. I use my card a lot as I work just off Carnaby Street. There are only 3 Cash Points near by, and predictably the queue is always huge! Generally, I only use cash if I have to. I dislike having cash, I just burn through it too quickly, not that I'm massively better on my card.

Thanks

Glad to see you are still alive! Rumours of your demise had me worried Mr MLG. Has the Match Engine been improved? It just doesn't make any sense! In my new Gladbach save, I beat Dortmund 5-0 away (who are 18 Points clear at the top), and then get beaten 4-0 and 5-1 by the bottom two clubs in the nest two games. Only to then bet Real Madrid away in the Champions League. Had the same issues on my Saints file, which I gave up on due to Reading & QPR being in the Champions League & title race - with Adam Le Fondre scoring 48 goals in a season. This was only the 2nd season!

Basically Bazza, you are just going to accept (against your instincts I know) that times are a-changing. The good old days are gone, and things will progress - no matter how much you moan about it.