Joensuu

Think you've stumbled on the answer. Attendences are down right across the country, because people are feeling the pinch. However, I think this point backs up MLG's thinking... when the recession ends attendences should rise again... causing Brum's current 84% attendences, and West Brom's current 91% attendences to surge towards capacity. 8 years ago we were in an economic boom, and in the top flight and we were pretty much always at capacity (even while serving up often awful football). In 3-4 years time, if we are out of recession, and if we are in the top flight, we could easily find 32k far, far too small for our requirements. If Cortese is aiming to be where he says he is, it would only be logical to be planning a future increase in capacity (either expansion or new build) sooner rather than later. I'm not sure why some of you seem to think a 40-45k stadium is unrealistic.

I'm not sure which is worse, foam hands on anyone over 10, or Turkish's pitiful attempts at trolling.

Future obviously. However, I don't like the way that some people think to like Cortese means you have to dislke Matt or Lawrie. I like all three of them, but do wish they would put an end to the feud. Water under the bridge etc. If it wasn't for the feud, the closet skates on here (or are they seriously misinformed saints fans?) like DockerP and Hypo, would really struggle to find ammunition in their attempt to post anti-Cortese drivel.

I think many people don't understand journalism. It is unlikely that Cortese was asked about le Tissier, and Lawrie, and responded with 6 disjointed paragraphs, which look like a rant when strung together. The Sun interview, could easily have happened like this: Journalist: "Your decision to remove freebies and perks from former staff members hasn't gone down well with everyone has it?" Cortese: "I simply couldn't accept all these people trying to get freebies here, freebies there. " Journalist: "So, do you expect former staff to buy their own tickets to watch matches?" Cortese:"Listen, if I pay for my season ticket then I expect everyone to pay for their ticket too." 10 questions later... Journalist: "Do you consider yourself to be confrontational?" Cortese: "No, not at all" Journalist: "and, do you consider yourself to be popular with the fans?" Cortese: "I'm not interested in being popular, I'm focused on making this club successful." 12 questions later... Journalist: "How do you react to the criticism that has been directed at you by le Tissier and McMenemy? Cortese: "Yes, Lawrie McMenemy and Matt Le Tissier have criticised me but they should know no one is more important than the club."

Sounds like the only way to clear this up is to have a poll. Mods? Cortese: love like ambivalent dislike hate I recon more will vote for 'like' than for 'dislike' and 'hate' combined.

Depends on your perspective really. In 100 years’ time, the passing of Diana or the IRA ceasefire will be footnotes in the history books. I'd warrant, the top 5 events of my lifetime (to date), will eventually be considered to be: 1) Rapid (and unsustainable) increase in world population. 2) Rapid (and unsustainable) consumption of world's resources. 3) Rapid (and unsustainable) increase in global temperature. 4) Development of rapid, affordable, public global communication (internet, satellite transmissions etc.) 5) The continuous cycle of shifting world power: (Rise of China (2000-present); Rise and decline of the USA; Collapse of Communism (89/90)).

c. 2000, "England's front two in a few years time will be Crouch and Zamora".

I'm decidedly on the fence. IMO, Beattie has only played well when a team has been built around him. We all know his attributes (hard work, strength, an excellent shot when facing goal, and the ability to head fast and accurately) - these are not the sort of attributes which fade with age (like pace or technique). However, (again IMO) Beattie has never been good with his back to goal, he really needs to to be able to run onto the ball. As such, I'm not sure I can see how he would fit in to our fast passing strategy. I think Lallana, Guly, and De Ridder would all need to change the way they play if Beattie were on the pitch, less short quick and direct, and more byline crossing. I'm not sure whether this would be too fundamental a change? - If it worked, bringing Beattie on for say Lambert, and having the whole midfield automatically change the way they play, could turn difficult games, and confuse opponants.. but it is a big ask of the midfield to have to learn two different ways of playing. Of course, the biggest risk with Beattie is psychological, would he be able to get his attitude into gear and get the 'big time Charlie' chip off of his shoulder? Would he fit our pay structure? Would he respect the dressing room? On balance I think the risks are too great, but I do think Beattie has the raw attributes to have further successful seasons, but only with the right team and strategy built around him.

Very interesting read...

...Waghorn and Fontaine, or no-one? Honestly, I'd opt for no-one. I'd rather we didn't buy anyone, unless they are better then our current first choice in the given position. (If we need a backup for this season, we should loan them in). However, I'm still hopeful that there is a surprise in store.

Please learn the meaning of the word 'need'.

Made me laugh. You don't happen to be called Henry Green do you Dune?

Jemal has just updated his facebook.. 'liking' the two comments about him moving to Saints... then posting a picture of what can best be described as a 'football decision'... http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ammar-Jemal/131548570222248?ref=ts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA_c1o5Y95o

Definately one of yours Dune: 'Breivik had talked admiringly about conversations he had had with unnamed English Defence League members and the organisation Stop the Islamification of Europe over the success of provocative street actions leading to violence."I have on some occasions had discussions with SIOE and EDL and recommended them to use certain strategies," he wrote two years ago.' http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/23/norway-attacks-utoya-gunman

Dog, think it's a Plane tree. HTH

Agree, apart from Dunce (who has incidently made a right fool of himself on the Oslo bombing thread), how many others have actually objected?

Ay, good point...

While it beats last year's 91.5% approval... the current shirt has a long way to go to match last year's 83% 'Like it'... http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?23154-New-Kit...&highlight=sash

Not a patch on last years kit... shame.

My great-grandfather played for St Mary's back in the 19th century. He was also a dab hand at the old boxing apparently. I was about 8 when I first went to the Dell, to watch us loose to Wimbledon(?) - seem to remember our keeper slipping up, and gifting the ball to their stiker.

Same. That and irregular larger donations to disaster appeals etc

Not a chance. Turks is ringfenced like Dune and Hypo. Any of them will have their bans overturned by the powers that be. No idea why they are loved so much. SRS aside, I've only ever see good posters (like Deppo, or The Stain) get a permanent ban. Perhaps, with cynicism like this, I should be banned. Come on mods, smite me down.

I propose a straight swap, we the SWF users will sacrifice two of our own (my votes are for Dune and Hypo) for the return of Deppo and The Stain. More fun, with less extremist trolling.

It probably means you clicked on a link before the page had fully loaded. This page needs to encrypt its viewstate before it can redirect, but can't encrypt the viewstate until the page has fully loaded. If you click a link before the viewstate has encrypted you will see that error...