Fitzhugh Fella

Cutting through all the crap, now would be a good time to make a marquee signing just to show intent (I believe the intent is still there but the club needs to prove it fairly shortly imo). It's great getting the stripes back but I am getting a little hacked off that they think that is all they have to announce to keep us all happy. Stripes don't score goals.

Massively important post this everyone take heed and learn.

Less than four weeks to go, imo still need 2 forwards to replace Osvaldo and Jay Rod, assuming Pelle is Rickie's stand-in.

You can't wait to criticise can you. Do you know Nick Illingsworth? Are you speaking from experience having met him? I think not! You just love jumping on the bully boy band wagon, Mike.

Hmmmmm! When a man goes cryptic it usually means he knows not wtf is going on and he is covering his arse.

I was impressed by him when Burnley came to SMS last season in the Cup and he is only 21. A better player than Sharp without doubt.

Utter crap, you obviously haven't watched him recently.

Koeman will be unfamiliar with him which is a pity because I think it would be a good signing

I was interested in the IoW demographic split. For someone who grew up in Archers Rd and whose parents, grandparents and great grandparents were all fans my passage was so much easier and natural than yours. That does not make me any more of a fan though and you do describe your awakening well. I suspect there is a large percentage of Saints fans who like you came to support the Saints via an obscure or tortuous route. Well done, I will look forward to reading the rest.

If we are relying on Stephens and Turnbull then we would soon be in trouble. And anyway Phil, heavily rumoured that Stephens is being lined up for a season long loan back at Swindon.

Again spot on. He even struggled to get into Doncaster's first team at the end of last season. He is nowhere near good enough for the premiership. Sheffield United bound I reckon.

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/11334165.After_months_of_PR_gaffes__Saints_unveil_their_number_one_weapon_to_unite_disgruntled_fans/?ref=twt the fans are disgruntled according to the Echo, not sure he has read the mood accurately. I think there is perhaps concern that our board is inexperienced but that is all.

Our forward line next week will be interesting, as things stand its Sharp and Gallagher with Mayuka on standby.

you were doing well until your ps

I think you need to chill off or calm down I was just making a point FFS. Jesus!

Sorry I would rather do my shopping when there are still things worth buying on the shelves.

Bern you been eating red meat? That's quite an aggressive put down to someone who was only stating his view on a forum.

This, I am very grateful he came along when he did but he was getting a bargain and I am sure that was his first priority. I am also pretty sure he would be embarrassed by this suggestion. Where does it stop? how about Leon Crouch who saved us from SISU, gave considerable funds to keep us afloat and sorted the Ted Bates statue out to save us from being a laughing stock.

This. It's one thing when the players regularly get off their trolly but when the manager does it the club soon slides down the slippery slope.

Like I said I don't spread rumours unless I am pretty convinced they are true. I like a drink, in fact I imbibe probably every night but I like to think I know when to stop. Take it from me GB often went over the limit. Reeking of scotch on the team coach being driven to the airport for an away match on the Friday morning is not a way to impress. And as I wasn't a player no I wasn't there, but have spoken to two players and the driver, so am fairly convinced it happened. This is just one of many such stories. I couldn't care less now because he no longer manages my team. I hope he is alright but his subsequent managerial cv as someone has pointed out would suggest he was grabbling with a problem.

I know, that's why I used it.

OK Mike appreciate the sensible reply and take it on board. Crook, Blakemore and Peach are the only three journalists I follow because they cover this area and do have genuine contacts. They are not always going to say things I want to hear but I have got to accept that as long as they are being honest and I think they are. Just because we don't like the message doesn't mean we should shoot the messenger but you have got to admit so many on this forum only want to believe good news and then put their fingers in their ears for everything else. There are bed wetters and bed wetters, believe it or not, not everyone who posts negative thoughts do it because they wet their bed at nights, a lot of people are genuinely worried and relay their worries on a forum. After a bad defeat I always get solace from people on here who feel as wretched as me. I swing both ways (oh er missus), usually when I am with more negative people than me (my father for instance) I turn into a happy clappy but then when I am with a happy clappy, I become a bed wetter. It is almost an inbuilt safety valve that as Saints fans we all need or at least I do. "Moaners">? No just people letting off steam to make them feel better Don't waste your concern on Burley, if I ever meet you I will tell you the story about the day I went to Doncaster with Leon Crouch and sat on a hospitality table with lots of Scottish fans who did not know who Leon was. What they said about Burley and Southampton FC stitching them up by unloading Burley into the Scotland day was priceless. As for Beatts, well I haven't even bothered to check out what he said to be honest. While he and I and Benali were chatting during a book signing a few weeks ago he said nothing untoward and my impression he was asked a few questions by a Sky journalist and said the first thing that came into his head. Silly yes, but when microphones get shoved in faces silly things get said. Anyway lets move forward, these are tempestuous times, worrying times but also exciting times to be a Saints fan. Cheers

Unlike you I don't jump to conclusions without conclusive proof and certainly when it is over something as serious as this problem was. A year or so later my concerns were all confirmed by one person who would be in ideal position to know. And it is only you I am having digs at Mike because virtually in every post you can't help yourself mentioning bed-wetters and it gets on my nerves. HTH

To Liverpool yes it was acceptable (at the season's end), but to Fat Sam's mob, half way through the season no. HTH

I was talking about the Osvaldo situation - it is an unwelcome distraction at what must a pretty hectic time for Reed/Koeman. We could do without it.