eelpie

I always felt that we did best when Dean played a blinder, and we were worst when he was off form. Just an observation, but if so, it says that Hammond is and has been a massive player for us, had a great end to the season, but he's not always consistent. So the Cork/Hammond competition is going to be fascinating to watch. I'm sure Hammond will up his game. Of course they may not necessary be competing for the same place. It will depend on tactics. I can't wait for the season.

btw I guess that Nugent will be playing against Real Madrid on 30th July. It will be interesting to see how Leicester v Real Madrid compares with Saints v Athletic (not that Puncheon will figure -just to cling to thread theme)

Can't he do his own boasting - and how do you know?

And thereafter whenever he had the ball in midfield everyone shouted 'Shoot!' For other oldies to relish is when Terry Paine's pinpoint crosses found Ron Davies' forehead in front of goal - then into the net! Magic, time and time again.

I believe that the most significant signings will be made in January. For now Nigel and Nicola will be seeing how our present team does in the CCC. Of course if the right player is available at the right price this summer they will buy, but by January they/we will have a better idea which positions need strengthening. And there is always one player who surprises. Last year it was Oxo. It was in January in our first season in League 1 that we did most of our last major purchases.

Absolutely. And too much money for an incoming 'big name' can create tensions and destroy team spirit.

lol, with more people with your wisdom on here, I would post more than three times a month.

What a load of drivel! I do pity the moderators having to wade through all this. Best make a limit of three posts a thread, then people might think with the top half of their bodies before keying. Yawn.

No. They've just copied and pasted from the OS, literal errors and all.

There are more brewers now in this country than anywhere else in the world, even Belgium, and most of them brew real ales. So no myth.

Lord help us. No real ales there. Lightweight Canadian style lager specialists. Cortese out!

... but to replace Alex if he goes, and although I rate Papa upfront I would prefer any from CMS, Sharp (who I was ranting on about three seasons ago) and Maynard. If we lost Alex, Papa alongside Lambo and Lallana with one of these would be an unbeatable strike force imho. Just add Dans and we'll make a really big impression in the CCC.

I'm surprised Lee Barnard has made only three assists. Considering his high energy on the pitch, is this a weakness in his game that should be addressed? Or is it that he has been tasked to keep defenders occupied and score when he can?

Which is my point. Saints couldn't work out how to exploit them. Stoke could and do. Saints fans have never been the best judge of their assets on the pitch, and the proof is the long list of dissed ex-players who do well elsewhere. (I bet Fish will join the list too.)

Sorry, but I can never understand the irrational antipathy to Delap. True, when he was good he was very good and like other players he had off days. But his throw-ins were generally a very powerful asset. It's just that Saints didn't work out how to exploit them as well as Stoke (who he helped get promoted to the Premiership). He must have hated the jeers that he got from some sections of the Saints crowd. Perhaps we were the problem, not Delap. And no way was Delap the cause of our relegation, as you well know.

Pity this design can't be used because it is pixilated and not vector, because it is excellent graphics. It would make a brilliant T shirt. How about having some printed and selling for a Saints charity? I would buy one.

Game, set and match! Well done everyone. We got there in the end. I can't wait to see it in the ground. I think the Liebherr family will be overwhelmed

Try changing both sides (only) to full length red and white stripes

I sort of agree with your comments although I think we could use a more tasteful and less garish typeface (without losing the punch of the message). I recommend Helvetica Bold caps (not ultra bold) but set in two lines as you say. But my main objection is that on this design Marcus is drowning in red and just won't do!! Jemanson's rendering of Marcus's face with subtler light and shade on the face and with tiny shades of black emphasising Marcus's cheery personality is so much fresher and much more engaging and dynamic. And contrary to your fears will work well on a flag (especially given the enormous size of the flag). I hope this is given consideration

What"s wrong with laying the flag above the goalmouth when attendances are small?

This is by FAR the best design so far. The selective black tinting on eyes and that little bit emphasising his smile (captures his personality well) and behind the kneck and shirt are exactly right as are the proportions of the white stripes. The caption is well balanced, and the black outlining makes up for the well balanced type being smaller than some of the garish other designs on here and will stand out ok on the large flag. Just needs the red background stretching either side to fit the format. Go for this.

This It's a no brainer.

First match: Saints 4-3 Leeds (after our traditional slow start and losing 0-3 at half time) Oh Sweet Revenge to start the season!

I think that with places for English players in Premiership teams so limited these days the CCC can only be strengthened with up and coming skilled players. So the standard of play in the second tier can only get better each year (imho).

If Nicola has decided that it will not be possible to keep Oxo it would be best to purchase replacements before the event becomes common knowledge otherwise all sellers will demand too much thinking we have more loadsadosh than we have. So whatever, keep up the mantra that Oxo is going nowhere.. I am not going to ruin my summer thinking that he is going. Think positive. Oxo will take us up to the Premiership.