Weston Saint

What utter nonsense. Typical Daily Mail. A pond is a formation of static water either man made or natural. Just call it the Channel or even the European Channel if our european friends are offended by "English" Channel. Can't you tell a General Election is close by!!

Thanks also to Steve Grant for allowing up to use this forum as a communication point.

Frank's Cousin and myself will also be collecting on the day.

An official charity collection, in aid of the Smile4Rich Appeal, will be held outside St Mary's prior to the Charlton match. Smile4Rich was set up in memory of 15-year old Saints fan, Richard Bowler, who died after suffering a brain haemorrhage while training with his youth football team in July 2002. Since then, the charity has raised in excess of £400,000 to fund projects at Southampton's Wessex Neurological Centre, including a dedicated Neuro Intensive Care Ambulance and a specially equipped suite which is used to assess children with severe epilepsy for life-changing surgery. The Wessex Neurological Centre treats around 4,500 patients a year and is one of the most well-respected specialist neurological centres in the country. Following an horrific motorcycle accident in August 2007, Saints' community coach Ricky Fernandez was treated at the centre for numerous life-threatening injuries. Thanks to the skill and dedication of the team at the Wessex, Ricky has made a quite remarkable recovery and has recently returned, part-time, to his work at the club. Donations received from fans will go toward the latest Smile4Rich Appeal, which aims to raise £200,000 to equip one ot the Centre's operating theatres with a new, state-of-the-art operating microscope fitted with fluorescence imaging technology. This equipment will provide surgeons with real-time images of blood-flow in the brain during neurovascular surgery, for such conditions as brain haemorrhages and aneurysms, minimising the need for repeat surgery, reducing the chance of post-operative complications, and hence speeding the recovery of patients. Every penny will help us toward our target, and your support will be greatly appreciated. http://www.smile4rich.co.uk/ http://www.smile4rich.co.uk/fundraising/event-detail-47 Modorators, I have sent a personal email to Steve Grant asking for this to be a sticky until the Charlton game. Until he makes the decision I would appreciate you not moving or deleting. You can of course make it a sticky yourselves. It is very much Saints related.

I am referring to Southampton Football Club. DOF's do not come cheap and in this division it is not needed. Pardew can cope with the "management" with decent assistants which he has at this level. Cortese still has a budget to work to and at present the money will be better spent on improving the quality of players. Interaction between Cortese and Pardew is better than an interferring DoF bluring the reporting lines.

Dune, We do not need a Director of Football in this league or the CCC. Professor, your post is spot on save I do not agree with your final point. I think Pardew comes over as honest and genuine but some of his comments reveal his weaknesses in tactical awareness.

And just to prove the point Carlisle thump Bristol Rovers 3-1

Nope, I am not in that camp. Not at our level anyway.

I am firmly of the view that the JPT and FA Cup did not hinder our league form. Had we gone out in the early rounds I doubt the home league gates would have been as high as they are. Winning breeds confidence in players and fans. There is a real feel good factor at the club. There are other reasons for our league form not being as good as many expected. We have just not been good enough tactically.

I do not disagree that Pardew is a good manager in Div1. His record with Saints is pretty good and he got us to Wembley and won it. What I have been saying is that I do not think he has enough to get us to the Premier and hold us there. I was looking at league table just now, having just got back from a few days away in Cornwall. We are 11 points of the playoff and if you take into account our -10 we are 1 point off and only another 6 from automatic promotion in second place. That 7 points can be accounted for in our poor start and not something I think Pardew can be blamed for. So what I am saying is Pardew has had a very good season but I am concerned he does not have enough to get us to where we want to go. I do not want him sacked at present. Let us see where we are at the end of the season. He deserves that much. Hope that clears that up.

What a funny morning

There has been enough in the media to suggest Cortese is "impatient" That is why comments were made in the press and on TV recently.

Here is a thought though. The Manager has to identify those who he sees as capable of Premier football. So far he has only named Lambert and Fonte as definates and Lallana as potential. We all know the squad has to be strengthened each time we enter a new division. Players who will not sign for us in Div 1 will as we move up the leagues. There is no doubt in my mind we were lucky to get someone of Pardews talent and experience in Div 1. Could it be, just as Pardew looks to step up for class players to get us to the Premier & keep us there and those who are talented Div 1 players but not Premier drop by the wayside, Cortese may have the same thoughts about the Management & Coaching staff. I would be very suprised if he is thinking of doing anything at the end of this season uless we go on a disasterous run but it may be at the back of his mind. He signed Pardew as a Premier manager but he clearly is having second thoughts.

Good post Frank. The comment I think is most important is "The question should be, not whether Pardew has done enough this season to get a shot at the next but whether he is the man to be at Saints for 10 years" Pardew has done a good job so far building a team with a winning mentality. He had to overcome the -10 and a team with a losing and fragile mentality. That job is done and the cup final win on Sunday was definately the icing on the cake for this season. Now he has to take that forward. Many say we are in division 1, not a side in the Premier but that is what we aspire to achieve. You need to be tactically aware, prepared to have a plan B & possibly plan C. I am a little concerned that Pardew is not capable of taking us all the way and keeping us there. For now I have seen enough to champion him staying next season to demonstrate he has the ability to take us to the next level. This season has been one of progress. Next season must be consistancy and adaptability coupled with tactical awareness. That, with this team and a few new signings will gain us promotion, I am convinced.

http://www.fansonline.net/pompey-fans/article.php?id=197 The penny is well and truly dropping

Good ref & assistants today, I thought

Looked good, played poor. Players on both sides seemed to find it difficult. Not like the pitch of old. 4 out of 10

Not going to comment on the game, most would have seen it at Wembley or on the TV. What I will say is that Harding was just about my man of the match with Fonte & Jaidi close behind. Wembley Stadium was fantastic. Sat in block 228 on level 2. Great view, seats that were padded and superb facilities. Well worth £58 plus £3 booking fee. Shame for Carlisle as they played well in passing distribution and possession, let down by lack of ideas (& Fonte/Jaidi/Harding's defending) in front of goal and in defending. So pleased for Pardew. He has been under immense pressure but now has "silver" as a reward. Not sure he has what it will take to get us into the Premier but a good manager and man none the less. Well done to our supporters for turning out in the 44,000's or more. Great to be part of such a great day after what we have gone through. Who would have expected this back in those dark close season days of 2009?

How perceptive FloridaMarlin

I am with Derry on this one. We have discussed it often enough with others and most seem to agree. Results prove it.

He would not dare. He has already been caught out by a Judge once trying that although he said it was "boll**s"

Why are posters so upset. They sell players and loan them back to complete their relegation. Then they go, weakening the side for next season. The money raised is to pay off creditors not for the advantage of PFC. A buyer coming in has no money from the sales, no decent players and no CVA because whatever they sell it will not give the unsecure creditors like HMRC the 100% they want. Smile...it is all going to plan

He was on cruches still last night!

Schneiderlin was taken off at half time with a slight hamstring problem. I suspect the starting line up on Sunday Davis Harding Fonte Jaidi Mills Waigo Schneiderlin Hammond Lallana Lambert Connolly If one of the injured from Schneiderlin, Lallana & Connolly do not play then Gillet will fit in. If 2 are injured expect Wotton to come in. Worst case Davis Harding Fonte Jaidi Mills Gillet Hammond Wotton Lallana Waigo Lambert

James is still carrying an injury but may be fit to play after he was given a late call to the bench last night. Lallana has a groin injury confirmed by a scan. Slightly inflamed but may be fit for Sunday. Jaidi is fit (rested last night as a precaution) No information on Schneiderlin.