Weston Saint

Tahir rested for game against Glamorgan tomorrow! I expect that is SA insisting he does not get over used.

Really? Do you not understand what we need in central midfield? Your judgement is better than that Hopkins I will give you an example Last season Cork 36 starts plus 4 Subs 3 goals 2 assists - Shots 19 on target 15 off. Last season Schneiderlin - 23 starts 4 subs no goals 1 assist - 7 shots on target 14 off See the problem of playing both? Our central midfield has gone missing too often. We will not get away with that in the Championship

It was a game before the real competition starts and a chance to impress the Manager, particularly as he was not first choice. Did nothing to suggest he "wanted it" I am sure he is a decent player but is he right for us in a central midfield position if he does nothing more than play safe!

Look back to the time we were relegated to the Championship and the price you paid for a season ticket then. Add on inflation and increase in vat. Are you so far away from what you are being asked to pay next season. Forget the change in age concession, that is not the issue. Also was it not 65 and above at that time? It will be sad if we lose long standing supporters but think this through and stop blaming Cortese. The prices were artificially low for the last two seasons. It is just a case of redressing the balance.

I said today that if Lallana had played he would not have looked out of place and probably show some of these "Premier players" up.

Bearing in mind most of these players have Premier experience I was disappointed as well Steve.

Only on for the second half but I saw nothing from him to suggest he is better than we have.

The runs came in over 3 and 4 28 off each with Lumb and Adams each helping themselves to 4 sixes All over when Dimi went for only 9 in first over and even better Jones in second taking 2 for 2

I note a lot of complaints from those who are in the 60-65 age bracket who are "losing out" by the age hike. Whilst I can understand the shock of finding your disposable income is reduced or lost by this decision I expect the club to say that the loyal season ticket fan base demography tends towards more within the over 60 age bracket as seasons pass. Just like all walks of life including pensions the time limit is increasing. If I remember correctly, for men the concession rate years ago was over 65. It only reduced to 60 to give equal rights with females. That is gradually being redressed upwards. I do have sympathy with existing season ticket holders already enjoying the 60-64 concession and would support a club decision to continue this for them. I myself am 59 this coming season so it will not affect me either way.

I was told by a non club contact that the club owners are not interested in add ons. If Chamberlain goes it will be for up front money. Future money contributions from players sold do not figure in their business plans. It is all or nothing.

Not sure why we need a new thread when there was healthy debate on the other one!!! To requote my post: Informed sources outside of the club suggested to me that the new owners were badly advised on ticket prices when they took over. The cut in prices was too severe for the facilities etc. When we did not gain immediate promotion it was difficult for the club to try to redress the balance. It was always expected that promotion would bring a rebalance to charges and so it proved. The move to 65 for concessions does not come as a great surprise. We may be leading the pack but most will follow in the next few years. The increase was a bit more severe than I was expecting but I will be renewing. I hope the quality of football matches the prices. If so I for one will not be complaining.

Informed sources outside of the club suggested to me that the new owners were badly advised on ticket prices when they took over. The cut in prices was too severe for the facilities etc. When we did not gain immediate promotion it was difficult for the club to try to redress the balance. It was always expected that promotion would bring a rebalance to charges and so it proved. The move to 65 for concessions does not come as a great surprise. We may be leading the pack but most will follow in the next few years. The increase was a bit more severe than I was expecting but I will be renewing. I hope the quality of football matches the prices. If so I for one will not be complaining.

Spoke to Michael Carberry yesterday about playing Div 2 and he says he would be devistated. This club needs to be playing with the best. No news on his return yet.

"Shahid Afridi has pleaded guilty to the charges in the showcause notice sent to him by the Pakistan Cricket Board and expressed willingness to face disciplinary action if required." Is he trying to get his NOC back by agreeing to the charges? Could there be another twist before the game starts at 7:10pm?

Afridi has now confirmed he will not be playing for Hampshire this season after Pakistan revoked his No Objection Cerificate and ECB suspended his registration.

Bilal Shafayat is on trial but I do not know if he is registered to play Championship cricket although he was released last year. Will try to find out next week at the game. If he comes in it will be as a batsman though not as part wicket keeper. Has to be Pothas or Bates.

I am closer to the dressing room than most on here and I have not heard he has lost the dressing room! Worrying times at present with so many players out of form. Cork is trying to lead from the front and quite honestly, taking into account his experience, there is no one better in the squad. Adams has played throughout the winter and maybe his form is suffering a little but he is still the best opener and fielder we have at present. Took a stunning catch on Tuesday Dawson has been one of the few in form and his injury has not helped our cause. However I see him more in the role of a number 5 rather than opening Too early to say much about Howells. So far he has looked the nervous but a hard worked half century with some good shots will be just what the doctor ordered. Carberry is still not fit and due further scans at the end of June. I feel he is preparing for the worse. The decision will be his but could be retirement from the game. He is keeping an open mind at present and still netting regularly Lumb has arrived back from India (what a waste of time that was apart from the money he earned!) but has a long standing back niggle. Lancashire came too early for him Myburgh is a decent little player but as a Kolpach he has to be a star player, which he is not. Mckenzie has come back totally out of form. He has class and I am sure he will come good. Vince is frustrating. He clearly has class and ability. He is in form but must learn to graft out a few big innings. That means knowing which balls to leave. Ervine has yet to show any real form but his injury was a blow. Out for at least two weeks the powerful mid order batting will be missed at the start of the T20 Pothas is another one totally out of form with the bat. With Bates being the better keeper he had better look over his shoulder. He is only in because of his batting in my opinion Mascarenhas is just coming back from a year long injury and looks totally out of from with bat and ball. Tahir is back. Could not play against Lancashire due to a request from SA cricket board but should be playing now for the rest of the season. Let's hope his match winning spin bowling continues where it left off. It will be a big lift for the team. Ali is also just coming back after a long injury. He was very unlucky on the first morning and deserved more. Jones is not suffering from his past injury but at present the club are taking it carefully. He is keen to play more but I am not sure he will be able to take on 25 overs plus a day so that will put more pressure on the other bowlers. Griffiths is quick and taking wickets. A bit expensive at times but he deserves his place Briggs has done nothing wrong with the ball but with Tahir back, hopefully he will be given a rest. I am sure Briggs is a future England spinner. Tomlinson's injury has kept him out for a while but he is fit now and it was a toss up if he played against Lancashire. On that green wicket I would have picked him but who do you drop!! De Wet is another out of form and is no better that our other bowlers waiting a chance. As a Kolpac he should be a star. Poor signing in my opinion but perhaps he was looked at as cover for Jones & Ali. Wood looked the best bowler at Surrey on Sunday. I am sure he will start in the T20 and cannot be far away from a 4 day match for the first team Balcombe is another usful palyer that just starts to look the part in the seconds and then gets a slight injury again. Think he is fit now but others are ahead of him at present. Bates is, in my opinion, looking like he will be the best wicket keeper in England but he lacks the batting which, when he plays, leaves an unbalanced side. T20 has come at the right time. Will give the club a chance to look at that is going wrong and providing we can get a couple of wins on return to 4 day cricket I see us ending the season mid table.

I was there as well Steve. Agree with your comments. Also just think McKenzie is out of form at present.

Forgot Dawson was injured. He went off yesterday limping slighty and was immediately on the treatment table. That created quite a problem. Who is going to open with Adams? Howells lacks any experience at that level. Myburgh is a limited over opener but not so much at the longer game. Ervine has opened successfully before but he is also injured. Lumb is supposed to be back today but perhaps this game has come too soon. I plump for Myburgh with Howells at 5

Good, glad to hear that as I was disappointed for him.

The team I would like to see tomorrow for the Championship game against Lancashire. Adams Dawson Lumb (he arrives back today) McKenzie Vince Pothas Mascarenhas Cork Ali Briggs or Tomlinson or Griffiths Jones Time to throw caution to the wind. I am assuming Ervine is still injured having damaged his ankle in the warm up yesterday.

Good article link sent to me by a friend this morning http://www.sabotagetimes.com/football-sport/southampton-fc-end-of-term-report-goodbye-league-one-and-good-riddance/

http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/legal/1 ... h-fc-probe The insolvency team from Norwich law firm Howes Percival has been called in to help the investigation into Portsmouth FC – which was the first Premier League soccer club to go into administration. The company is believed to owe creditors over £83 million, with up to £35m owed to HM Revenue & Customs. Howes Percival has been instructed by insolvency practitioners Geoff Carton-Kelly and David Hudson of Baker Tilly Restructuring and Recovery LLP, the joint liquidators of the Club. Nick Oliver, who heads the insolvency team, is a specialist in forensic insolvency investigations and fraud-related insolvency issues. He is also currently assisting the trustee in bankruptcy of Asil Nadir. Oliver said: “This is a high profile, complex case which has received worldwide media attention, primarily because Portsmouth was the first premiership football club to enter administration. “The unsecured creditors are believed to amount to in excess of £83 million, with up to £35 million owed to HM Revenue & Customs. “We will be assisting Geoff Carton-Kelly and David Hudson with their investigations into the financial collapse of the club. The liquidators have identified significant issues that require detailed investigation.” In December 2009, HMRC presented a winding-up petition against Portsmouth. In February 2010, insolvency practitioners from UHY Hacker Young LLP were appointed as administrators of the company. The club was docked nine points as a result of the administration and was subsequently relegated to the Championship. A company voluntary arrangement was ultimately agreed with creditors to enable the administrators to sell the assets and business of the football club to a new company. In February 2011 the old company, Portsmouth City Football Club Limited, entered liquidation following the completion of the sale and the termination of the administration and company voluntary arrangement.

Oldham Profile has him as 12/12/89. Think it is safe to say he is 21. Is he good enough? Not from his showings on the pitch so far. Said to have technical skills. Could develop in the right hands (Saints). The club will know what to do.

Couple of bright points. Ervine reaches 6,000 first class runs in career Cork reaches 10,000 first class runs in career Dawson reaches 500 championship runs for the season. Ali takes 4 wickets to anounce he is back Dimi in the CB40 game against Durham tomorrow.