Weston Saint

Yes we did.

I know nothing about the new Labour leader but I hear today the majority of the Labour MP's did not vote for him, the majority of the Labour Members did not vote for him. It was the Union vote that got him in. Reports from various past offices he has held say that if he can put off a decision he will! As one person put it "Ed drinks Rose Wine as he cannot make p his mind if he likes Red or White" The Unions will soon ask for pay back time. As a Leader of the opposition that is not dangerous. If he ever became PM this country will have real problems. Well they would if he breaks the habit of a lifetime, allegedly, and makes a decision.

Non contributory final salary pension and retirement at 51 on a pension that means I have no need to work again, just enjoy life, which of course for the last 7 years is exactly what I have been doing.

Fonte dropped down a division becasue he believed Pardew and the team he had put together would get immediate promotion back to the Championship. He looked pretty devistated at the end of the season when that did not happen and with our stuttered start this, perhaps he felt enough was enough...or perhaps it had to do with Pardews dismissal...or perhaps it is pure speculation based on false whispers. He is with us until at least the opening of the next transfer window, is an important part of the team and strategy and I am sure Adkins will be able to show him that this season we will achieve our goal. But, it is all speculation. It might be just as reported, a thigh strain. A 1-0 away win without him should calm a few nerves. Don't knock the poster for putting the rumour up.

The watch story suggests the late Marcus Liebherr was not looking to sell. The sacking and appointing of a new Manager after his death suggests the family are not looking to sell, Cortese's comments on the OS and his subsequent comments at the select 15 supporters dinner suggests the family are not looking to sell, Cortese buying his property in Chilworth in the last few weeks suggests the club is not for sale. There will always be rumours, there will always be those who wish to destable, there are always those who have an axe to grind. I see no evidence of a sale mentality. Dave and Duncan, I think you can sleep easy at this time.

Width of play, players playing in their strongest positions, improved tactics, dead ball variety, ability to use the right subs at the right time and an ability to change tactics/formation (the much vaunted plan B) with a positive outcome. That is the minimum I would expect from any Manager employed by a progressive club.

Is it a small minority?

Any good Manager will assess his resourses, look at the opportunities and threaths, see if he can manage the weaknesses or nuturalise them and only then will he use finances to strengthen if required. He has not had enough time yet but just looking at what he did on Saturday suggests he will be a positive influence and a successful Manager for us.

I think I know why you have asked that question.

It has been a grim start to this years campaign. For what reasons is always open to debate. Was money available to strengthen, did Pardew lose interest, were the team less fit than last season, have the pre and early season injuries hit us harder that then should, is it the loss of pace? Probably a combination of all. I would like to think that with a little time Adkins will get us back to what we were expecting this season and even if automatic promotion fades away I see us being one of the playoff teams and by then a force to be reckoned with. If so we will be back on track with the much vaunted business plan. What are the alternatives for SFC if the Liebherr family sell up? I shudder to think but you can bet we would soon be a club in debt (new owner borrowing against the stadium and facilities) and very little money for players. This is the Liebherr money and I am sure they appreciate they are custodians of the club and have not forgotten the supporters but are trying to establish a decent and balanced business model at a time when football finances is this country are a complete mess. It takes time, there will be issues along the way but we have to give them our support just as many supporters blindly support the club may be we should give Nicola Cortese a bit of space. We are only starting year two of five (or four as some suggest)

The one set of Turnstiles at the Rose Bowl cost circa £800,000

I respect a lot of what you have to say on this forum but believe me I know what I am talking about with Adam. He was fine last season, it started in pre season but until pre Plymouth it was thought it would clear. It was precautionary to give him time to recover before the season started, not a major issue. The operation was a general clear out of the knee as they were in there anyway. The real issue was scar tissue causing a build up of blood and not seen on a scan. The scar tissue has been sorted. As with any player continuing with an injury the body compensates. It is a case of sorting that out as part of the rehabilitation.

Glad to see so many posters appear to know more about this than the medical experts who reviewed pre season, looked at it again after he broke down against Bristol Rovers and operated an hour into the consultation, reported the op was a complete success and no reason why Adam cannot be playing again within 6 - 8 weeks. Yes he is on schedule at present. S-Clarke's information was correct.

If your looking for a creative, challenging and forward thrusting central midfielder look no further than Lallana when he returns fully fit. Schneiderlin as the holding midfielder. Lallana is not a wide left player. It is not his natural position. One of the problems yesterday was Barnard and to a lesser extent Lambert had to go wide to win a ball and pass it too much. That should be our midfield doing that with Barnard and Lambert as the outlet in front of goal.

Not sure if he is still carrying an injury. He does not appear in the treatment room so I assume it is just a fitness and confidence thing now.

After a pretty nondescript first half for both teams we certainly ruled the second. Good pressure and the only thing missing was the finish. No need to press the panic button yet. Signs that Adkins influences on the team are beginning to take effect. Davis playing short balls to defenders to build from the back rather than hoof, a better shape and a heads up second half performance.

Yes I realise the reason but is it right! Pardew was a great exponent of this way also insisting that it was trained into the youngsters. However it is not working. We need to teach players the old fashion getting down to the by line and good accurate crosses behind the defence, not in front of them so they can just head or hoof it out. Put the defence and the keeper under pressure each time a cross comes in. That is my view anyway.

Having reflected for a few days I think the “new manager” syndrome will kick in tomorrow and we will win – predict 2-0. One thing Adkins can do is use some of his sports psychology expertise. He will now have had a chance to assess individual performances and what he sees as their role within the team. He will have got to know the players, their personalities and whilst it might be still too early to assess their strengths/weaknesses and their best role within the team he will have a little more information than he did on Wednesday. I expect the team to run out in a 4-4-2 formation as follows: Davis Butterfield, Fonte, Martin, Harding Chamberlain, Hammond, Schneiderlin, Puncheon Lambert, Barnard I personally do not rate Puncheon. He is a tricky player who works hard but when it comes to the final pass or shot he takes too long in his thinking by which time the players in space are closed down or the defender is on him. However, he is a confidence player and if Adkins can get him in the right frame of mind he might just have one of those games we all crave. An alternative for me would be to drop Chamberlain to the bench put Puncheon on the right with Holmes, assuming fit to start on the left. How novel! Wingers playing on their strongest foot side. Schneiderlin should be told to push forward through the midfield and get out of his comfort zone. Hammond can then concentrate on breaking up and provide front cover for the defence. Or the other way round, both can fill either role. They just need to be more positive and work harder. On the bench will likely be Bialkowski, Seaborne to cover the centre back positions, Wotton to cover central midfield , Dickson to cover the right side, Mills to cover the left side, Chamberlain and Guly as impact players/cover up front. No place for Connolly unless Wotton is taken out of the equation (I wish) and in the event of central midfield issues Fonte comes forward into that spot. Not easy getting the balance right! Who would be a Manager

One thing I would say chrisobee, I doubt Jones will be an opening bowler. He will be first change. What about this potential side!! Adams Carberry Lumb McKenzie Vince Ervine Mascarenhas Bates Cork Tahir Ali but that will leave us one short for strike bowling. To balance it might be that Lumb or Vince will need to drop out, Pothas come in to that 7th batting/wicket keeper place and Jones/Tomlinson/Griffiths/Balcolme the bowler. We also have Dawson & Briggs. What a good selection problem for Giles White.

Now that our season is over I thought a player end of term report is due, especially as I have seen most days of all the home games and chatted to the players, coaches, directors and media throughout the season. First let me say I do not know who is staying and who is leaving other than McKenzie has been offered a 1 year extension, he has confirmed to the media he has accepted. He needs to get the signed contract back to Hampshire. Cork has been offered a 1 year extension but I do not know yet if he has accepted. Probability is he will. Tahir is coming back next season. That is a definite. I spoke to him today and he has spent much of this week re bonding with his Hampshire team mates. Dimi gets married to an Australian in Feb. She has a business in Aussie but I doubt that is significant and I expect Dimi to be back. Now to the players Adams – has to be batsman of the year and surely must be a shoe in for the Lions winter Tour. I know James Whitaker, England Selector, has watched him at least twice because he told me. Jimmy has scored 2,441 (1351 in the First Class Matches) runs in all forms this season Carberry – will run Adams close with 1385 First Class Runs including 6 centuries Lumb – away at the beginning and woeful on his return. However Hampshire sent him on holiday for 3 weeks to re charge his batteries and on his return he scored well before suffering a season end injury McKenzie – a sketchy start but one he found his feet he was man of the match on more than one occasion 942 First Class runs and surely would have exceeded 1000 for the season but for his early departure to the Champions League. Good to see him coming back next season Vince – now well established in the first team and achieved his maiden century a few weeks ago. Needs to be more consistent but a wonderful talent that looks like being realised. Future England player if he carries on as he has so far. Not yet 20! Ervine – decent all rounder? Not for me. He is a class batsman who can bowl a bit. What a batsman to have coming in at 6! 976 First Class Runs this season including a classy knock today. Pothas – the strain of captaincy took its toll for me. Not such a good year before injury ended his season. A benefit next year but I expect him to be behind the stumps next season even if only in the 1 dayers. We have too strong a batting line up to find him a batsman only place but a good man to have in reserve Cork – Bowler of the season for me and as far as I am concerned just my player of the season. Old Corky keeps going on and on. It has been a hard season for him. Hope he is around next season. 45 first class wickets at 23.5 Dawson – it has been an unhappy season for Daws but he is a fighter and following a double century for the seconds recently he had bounced back with a half century against Kent and a 74 against Warwickshire . He may only be a squad player rather than automatic 1st choice next season but a very important player to keep interested. He is only a youngster himself. Bates – thrown in at the deep end when Pothas injured and showed what a great keeper he is. He needs to improve his batting significantly but with the talent higher up the order it may not unbalance the side too much Tomlinson – good steady and reliable player who took 46 first class wickets at 35.3 Also produced some useful runs or holding up one end. Balcombe – suffered his fair share of niggling injuries but when he got his chance 27 wicket in 8 games at 30.07 suggests there is more to come. Able to bat and if he can develop that he might be the ideal replacement for Dimi as the all rounder at number 8 Griffiths – the fastest of our bowlers but finding it difficult to get movement. 19 wickets at 34.0 in 5 games restricted by injury is not a bad return but he cannot get into the side at present although he is suffering an injury again and due to see a specialist. Ali – Shame about his injury but he seems to be walking ok now and hopes to be back with a vengeance next season. Jones – bonus he has now got a 4 day first class game under his belt at 4 for 60 at 15 is a signal there is more to come. Wood – good first season in the 1 dayers and a couple of first class matches under his belt is a good start. More to come I think. Briggs – 34 first class wickets in his first full season and for me may just get young player of the year. Likely to find his first class games limited next season with the return of Tahir but young enough and will likely be on an England development contract.

It is now becoming apparent that Div 1 is a must. Sussex & Worcester relegated last season bounce straight back. Essex and Kent who were promoted last season are relgated.

Something is clearly wrong. Some players are not performing to the same level as last season. They have lost confidence, look defeated if they fail to score early on and some are not stepping up to the mark. Adkins has a massive job on his hands. It will not happen overnight, he has few alternative players to use at present and confidence will only come back when we start winning. I just hope we can start to fire before this season turns into another building for next season syndrome. As for the team on Saturday I do not see room for many changes. An early goal from us and I fancy our chances. The longer we go goaless during the game the more chance we will lose it. If Colchester score first, on the present fragile state of the players we will not get back into the game. We have been there before. Let us hope Saturday is a positive turning point.

I find it strange that a player who is in the Stoke nominated squad and has made 3 appearances as sub this season is going to go out on loan to a Div 1 club. Don't you! (Post is not aimes at anyone in particular)

Very happy and relieved by the appointment. Nicola Cortese is bigging up the club in his announcement and quite right too. We all want to be proud of our club. A 3 year contract shows intent on the clubs part. As for the Howe situation. Looks like he was interviewd like a few other candidates. He clearly withdrew after he considered the situation. Bit different that turning down an offer which did not sem to have ocurred. Onward and upwards. Come on you Saints.

This is getting a bit stupid now. Adkins has made it clear he wants his position resolved this weekend. He hints as best he can that he wants to come here. "It's a fantastic opportunity and opportunities only come around so many times in your life. "I'd like to think I've stuck by my principles. But there is still an opportunity for Nigel Adkins to become Southampton's manager." The situation seems to be compensation. We have made an offer which has been rejected, as has their counter offer. Cortese has bought this to a head by allegedly turning to Eddie Howe and offering him the job. Unfortunately/Fortunately (take your pick) he declined. Cortese must be strong. IF Adkins wants the job so bad he needs to review his principles. He says he will not let his former employers be out of pocket but if they cannot agree compensation then resign and let a tribunal set the compensation. That is what it is for, to make sure all is fair. Cortese may see all this as a lack of hunger and commitment for the job. These are important attributes. Hopefully it will be resolved today. If not Cortese must move on and make an an offer to others he may have on his radar. The first team is rudderless, in need of total overall of tactics, ideas and to some extent personnel. The loan window opens soon. Negotiations will be underway now. We need a first team Manager to make those picks.