Fitzhugh Fella

That's a fair post Buccotim. But in mitigation I thought a forum was where you sort of let off a bit of steam or had a bit of a whinge when things weren't going too well? I accept I am quick to snipe however, I guess I am going to have to get used to the fact things aren't ever going back to the days of "Goal" magazine and Sam Leitch on a Saturday's "Football Focus" on BBC1. Growing up in the halcyon 60s with Ron as my idol and the same manager for 18 years it is little wonder in weaker moments I yearn for my youth.

I accept that in a perfect world the S****horpe chap should not conduct his business in the media, but he has a club to run and his own fans to placate. He also seems frustrated at being unable to contact NC. I think Ron that I am finally "falling out of love with a) the game - little decency left and b) my club - don't feel the pride I used to. Something has died, not saying that has been directly caused by NC - because he is perfectly entitled to do what he wishes and he did save the club. Liebherr's buying us out was almost too good to be true because in one fell swoop it removed all the baggage of the last 10 years, but even the week it happened I realised we were now very much at the behest of one man. I have no agenda these days, smply because I know we have to lump it or leave it or at least until the Liebherr family decide to sell. But one thing I find it hard to accept is being fed claptrap. I know some of this forum will accept everything this club does and says without question. I suppose the club are lucky to have such loyal fans bu that is not for me. While I will always follow Saints whatever league we are in, I will not "buy" what I consider to be spin. Why oh why - did Guy Askham turn us into a PLC - we might not have survived in the top flight or even the Championship as we were but for me that surely was "the day the music died". Perhaps that will explain to Buccotim why I have found it hard to be positive about the way the club has been run.

Me premature? Bloody hell, Ron only this morning you started a thread that our new manager was Adkins!!!! I am sorry, at present I am more inclined to take the S****horpe chairman's comments on face value. His reasons for spin are less obvious than ours. If you think our statement is satisfactory and everything is OK then you are - no offence - naivier that I had you down for, Ron. Perhaps you should re-read the "Pardew is staying" press release of last May and then compare that up against what you know happened just a few months later.

This latest statement has echoes of May's "Pardew is going nowhere" press release.

Sorry I am old fashioned enough to expect if we poach a club's under contract manager then we should pay compensation - doesn't matter how rich or poor we are. If we can't afford it then we shouldn't have sacked our manager in the first place. I would love to know how all those supporting NC's hardball attitude would feel if Adkins came here, was a massive success and then Arsenal came and poached him and insisted he resign rather than give us compensation? I used to be proud that my club always did the "decent" thing. Those days are now gone forever. Even Rupert would not have tried this stunt.

Err quite a bit of leaking going on last week at Staplewood

The fact that he has told people may harm his chances I guess - we all know NC likes to keep things very close to his chest.

Absolutely - the guy who told me about Howe having the interview was the same guy who tipped me the wink re Pompey's woes and that Pardew would soon be gone. He has never fed me a bum steer. I wouldn't expect anyone to admit or deny anything until an appointment is made. if Howe doesn't get it he wouldn't want the Bournemouth fans to know that he was prepared to leave.

OK this is a bit naughty and I apologise but I can't resist it. Not attention seeking either just as impatient as the rest of you because other than this chap and the fact Howe has had an interview I haven't an inkling who our next manager is, and only know about these two people from sources well away from the club. I know for a fact at least one ex-Saint based overseas has definately applied for the job. Please no PMs as I am not at liberty to disclose who it is. Don't think he will get it but you never know. After

Thanks Vectis and others - gratifying to know that we are not the only team who does not have a coherent Reserves vision. I would pop along to the odd competitive Reserve fixture in days gone by and it is a shame that option is no longer with us. Perhaps the dream team of KK and Eddie Howe will change things around.

Does anyone know if any Reserve fixtures have been arranged. I only ask because I noticed Garrod was on the bench last Saturday and wondered if he had played in any games this season. Losing our place in the Premier Reserve League was a big blow, it is vital to have a competitive League for the players not able to get into the first team but who are on the fringe. These days with such big squads a lot of players are left high and dry on a Saturday. Just trying to take my mind off who is going to be our next messiah!

When I first saw this thread I predicted Buccotim and Manji would be on the first page.

Shouldn't think they will admit to it unless he actually joins. Apparently Bournemouth are desperate for the compensation. Personally I don't think it will be him, I also think he is a little on the young side.

I guess they interview quite a few but this is at least interesting that Howe does feature on NC's radar. Also did someone say Vince Bartram Bournemouth's gk coach was working pre match with Kelvin Davis on Tuesday night or did I dream that.

FWIW, I can confirm that the above HAS been interviewed for the post of SFC manager. Know no more than that.

Strange my info came via a current player too! I was warned last Monday morning to standby for some anti-Pardew spinning, and I didn't have to wait long which is why I am sceptical. If the sacking came out of the blue I would be inclined to agree with you but as it has been on the breeze since the spring, this "incident" is just a little too convenient. I suppose it depends how much you trust this journalist, I suppose it is conceivable that one player might know more than another but that would not say much for a united dressing room.

How on earth can you say that? The whole world knows and accepts NC was poised to wield the axe at the season's end and pulled back at the last moment. From that moment on AP was a dead man walking. Everyone is falling for the spin that there was an incident which is interesting as some of the current players friends of mine have spoken to, know of no incident.

Now Lambert needs to sort his groin out as it is clearly effecting his performances and fitness. In Connolly we trust!

Don't like your use of the word "will". I would have hoped by now if MoN is the man NC wants then an approach would have been made before now. I still fancy Steve Coterill - would kill two birds with one stone.

Don't people find it strange that this week the Echo has suddenly been invited back into the fold? Methinks there is some serious spinning going on! Be careful what you believe right now and don't take everything at face value would be my advice.

Rationality usually is the first casualty when football fans discuss their clubs.

Only if Ottery could write the introduction and the ending

Thanks David - tbh a lot of what I get is only rumour from good sources and I'm not always sure it is true. Trouble is with a football club there is always rumours a plenty it's just trying to sort the wheat from the chaff. The only rumour re the next manager am hearing is Shearer but personally I don't believe it and don't think it would be a wise move.

No I do care a monkies, thanks for being big enough to say sorry SaintsFanCaM. Genuinely appreciate it. I had 2 good sources for this story, both independant and both being in a position to know so that is why I stuck my neck out. I just wish NC had done it in the summer (not that I agree with it). Perhaps Matt and Cos intervention on AP's behalf was counter productive. As someone memorably said on here one - "as a saints fans you are only ever about 3 feet away from a kick in the nuts". Cheers Duncan

Thanks CB - appreciate your integrity here