Fitzhugh Fella

I think this somewhat explains the enigma. Our midfield is not functioning properly as a unit. Hammond and Schneiderlein, I think are a problem together as you say. I have really tried to "appreciate" Schneiderlein but I just can't. He is elegant, and looks comfortable on the ball but I just can't see what the fuss is about. I remember hearing David Jones say that Oakley was the first name he put on the team sheet and being a bit bemused and I am bemused to see how so many on here rate MS. I thought his performance to be poor yesterday and yet he is mom. Bizarre!

A veritable master class in 21st century poetry!

is worth getting if you are into the history of Brazillian football and the part ex Saints player Charlie Miller (see mural on the railway bridge near SMS) played in introducing the beautiful game to S America. There is also in a special 10 page feature, the story of Saints tour to Brazil in 1948 and a profile of George Reader ex-Saints chairman who reffed the 1950 World Cup Final. The reason for this special insert is that Exeter have some Brazillian connections themselves, having provided the first opposition for the international team in 1914. Some interesting reading, although I say so myself!!

Enjoyed the interview Tim, liked the bit about his first day at Chester and the sandwiches that went missing. It was also interesting that his heading ability only came to the fore after arriving at The Dell, he suggests that without Paine and Sydenham he may never have become the player he did.

Andy, think you need to change the first word in your post from All to Was.

Unless it was the same man, but there again the current Bun said it was this week, so would it be coincidental that an ex manager and his successor would have the same weakness?

Indeed but confusingly there has been a change of personel since then which is interesting.

Interesting rumour in today's Sun which has a place on this thread I think http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2782226/Married-Premier-League-boss-caught-in-a-brothel.html

Got to be careful what I say but I can confirm that this "brothel" is indeed in Horton Heath, which is near Pompey's Eastleigh training ground. The laws of libel prevent me from saying more on this forum but I am laughing my head off as I type.

Pardew interviews very intelligently - there is no doubt about that.

It would send a good message if we can finish the season with a home crowd average of 20000+.

Thank you Le God. I guess ITN is too big for the bog I realise my drivel offends more than it pleases on here so I am taking a back seat (and quite enjoying the ride actually). Not out of pique you understand, more out of having better things to do than to argue with the likes of Dune and (sometimes) Hypo. This forum is still great to pick up gossip and links etc but whilst I am happy with the way things have turned for Saints in the last 6 months I simply cannot get too carried away, with either our recent form or the godlike status folk on here want to bequeath on Marcus and Nicola. Each to their own and who am I to ***** bubbles that don't want *****ing. I have a big heap on my shoulders at present so won't post much over the next few weeks so a Happy Xmas to one and all. PS Working on the complete who's who for next year 1885-2010!

Just for the record I still get a "free" (as you put it) season ticket in lieu of the work I do on behalf of the club, which includes a profit to the club of over £50,000 in Hagiology book sales. (you remember my "boring" books) Not sulking at all - just realised for every good guy on here there is also a village idiot, and your post was the perfect reminder. Happy Xmas!

Agree

Get you facts right - that cheering was for the result of the ballot which was a 92.5% yes. There was no cheering when the 12 day strike was announced, but don't let that fact get in the way of your argument. I am not going to get into the ins and outs of this because like most strikes it is very complicated and most of you probably wouldn't believe me anyway but just consider these points We have offered to call off the strike if Walsh goes back to the status quo (ie back to the original crew complements). The ball therefore is very much in Walsh's hands - he has the ability to end it all now. But he won't - this is not about savings or keeping BA afloat it's about him turning the national airline of this country into Ryanair, and de-unionising the employees. If you have flown on Ryanair you might actually begin to see where we are coming from. We will find the £40m in making other cuts elsewhere. So he gets his money and no strike but he is refusing to budge. New entrant cabin crew start on a basic of £11,000. The add ons (non-pensionable) can add around £6000 to that. Have you ever tried living in London or the Home Counties on that sort of salary. Everyone who joined BA post 1997 earn very little more than the minimum wage. My wife is a purser on 747s. Virtually every flight there is some sort of emergency or drama. I'm talking drunken fights, births on board, heart attacks and deaths. Once on a flight from BDA to LHR she saved a little girl's life - she was having a severe asthma attack and we had to divert the plane. If your daughter, or mother was ill on board a long haul flight would you want the first person on the scene to be capable of saving their life? Sound dramatic? How about that crew that evacuated the plane that skidded off the runway last year. I myself was involved in an aircraft fire that lead to a full evacuation down the chutes. Hijacking, terrorist threats the list is endless. Hey no problem, it's part of the job but to slag crew off as just a bunch of horrible people is not an accurate reflection. Crew are not militant - they are very middle England actually, very much like yourself. Ask then when in the middle of a recession 92.5 voted to take action. Just perhaps they are fed up of the intimidation being waged by BA. I have 3 colleague friends of mine currently suspended and charged with gross misconduct because they made a PA explaining that the slow service was down to there being less crew on board. It is a very sad state of affairs when many crew are saying to me that they know their actions could bring BA down but they simply cannot go on working for a company that treats its staff so appallingly. Incidentally talk of money. This is only the second year in 30 that BA have posted a loss and let's not forget the £400m in fines they have had to stump up for price fixing ie taking money out of your pockets. We chose Xmas because we know it had to be something draconian to bring Walsh and his Board to their senses. The point of me responding to this is not for sympathy, I know it is past all that but there is another side to this and a lot of what is being said is ignorant or factually wrong - like Gemmel's remark about the applause. Oh and how do I knw - well being the Secretary of BASSA it was me who read out the result, so for once I do know what I am talking about. I could tell you a whole lot more, like being phoned this morning in the know to be informed that BA have sent my personal details to the tabloid press inviting them to investigate my private life for skeletons to be used in this Sunday's. That's BA for you. Like the time they sent a courier in a motorcycle helmet around my house at midnight with a suspension letter. I am not going to have time to get into the debate on here, that's not because I am being rude, but because I simply haven't got time. One thing I haven't yet done is tell my Mum and Dad about the tabloid press trouble on the horizon and I want to warn them. I am genuinely sorry about ruining Christmases but like i say Walsh has the power to stop that happening. Rgds Duncan

they do it because of the victorian attitude of the employers

Agree entirely. I have heard both sides stories now and I stand by what I said. Murray maybe be many things but the club or Cortese is in the wrong in banning the Echo. This is entirely about 2 men and their egos.

Fair point Sue. He had a bad day at the office yesterday which lead to many around me suggesting he is an impact player best introduced from the bench. At Orient he certainly made an impact. He is still young as you say - I wouldn't give up on him just yet but it is interesting that AP seems to prefer him to Waigo.

Nick I will admit Murray comes across as being pompous (and actually he is in real life). I have never met NC so like I said earlier I withdraw that reciprocated remark and apologise. He's probably a very nice bloke but I still think his banning the Echo does "no one no good".

You know who I am I dont know who you are. If you are big enough to throw unpleasant insults at least have the courage to let me know who you are.

The latter of course. But it would be nice to do it with just a little more panache. Remember that feeling after we spanked Spurs in the Cup at SMS. That was a real chest out performance.

Well like I said in the Prem, staying there was our goal. I did think under WGS we played some of our most dreary of football, but it got results. Maybe in the old days having MLT on the pitch meant whatever the drudgery there was always going to be a moment of pure class. Lambert's goal yesterday was worth paying £20 for but like I say, and in line with Weston Saint's views - sometimes the armchair and Jeff Stelling is the more tempting.

Let's widen the debate. Do you go to SMS hoping to see good football or to see Saints win? Obviously the ideal answer is both but if you had to choose I guess you would say the latter. In the Prem I would agree, but down in the 3rd tier I would like to see just a little more class - especially as we have spent more than others this season. Grinding out results against the likes of Wycombe, do leave me a little underwhelmed. Am I meant to apologise for that?

Indeed.

Bern, I am a lot happier, trust me. I am merely pointing out that, despite this impressive winning streak we are not actually playing THAT well. With Leeds on the horizon and with play off expectations rising with each win that worries me (and others such as Ron) a little. Surely pointing this out on a fan's forum is not heresy? Some on here seem to think evidently it is.