Fitzhugh Fella

I haven't seen much mention of yesterday's superb attendance yet (apologies if I have missed it.) It is worth highlighting that Saints v Exeter was the biggest crowd outside the Prem, it was also bigger than 5 Prem games - Hull, Birmingham, Burnley, Fulham and Wigan. And I think it was probably the biggest League crowd Exeter have ever played in front of. If our average this season is bigger than Pompey's biggest gate - that should settle all arguments as to who really is the biggest club on the south coast. Although yesterday's game was not pretty, I hope some of the missing thousands come back another day.

Thanks for replying without throwing in an insult. I will continue to look positively at him. After all so many like him there must be something he is doing right. I want him to do well because elegant players are so far and few between. I am in the Northam these days perhaps that is not the best vantage point to appreciate his talents. Maybe for the Cup game I will get a better view.

In the pub the other day we did a quick poll. Are you happy to see Pompey below us in status, league position etc or would you rather they ceased to exist. Out of about 20 fans asked it was around 50/50. Me - I went for the latter as did my closest friends. I remember the bitter battles (lierally) in the 70s. I remember sitting in the Fitzhugh when all the windows came in and boots were coming through the door. I remember - with some puzzlement - the real hatred Portsmouth people had for Southampton in those days and, in the end I had no choice but to reciprocate that hatred. Childish, irrational? Yes probably but we are all kids and unbalanced when it comes to football rivalry. I accept there are decent fans down Fratton way and PES seems to be one of the better ones. Nothing personal - but I just want Pompey to disappear for ever. There is too much evilness down there to grant them a pardon. They would never be grateful anyway.

Roger - sorry I can only call it as I see it. I want to like the fella, I really do because he looks as if he has class and style but I genuinely don't see what he contributes in terms of making a big difference. You say his passing was excellent and yet he made one of the worst passes all afternoon across his own penalty area straight to an opponent. OK that was a one off and credit should be given when an awkward pass attempted but he has to learn there are some areas not to be over ambitious. I sometimes follow him, rather than the game, just to appreciate his off ball activities (David Armstrong type of player maybe?) but I still see nothing exceptional. I accept at 20 he has time on his side, and he maybe the sort of player that produces more, higher up the Leagues in which case his day with us might yet come. (As for Oakley I was never a fan, actually and I recall he sort of polarised opinions amongst the fanbase when he was here - I think you misread that part of my post - I was just pointing out the difference in the manager's opinion and that of the fans in his case). As for Waigo, yes I had "a pop" at his fondness to get offside which is/was frustrating. I am still not convinced he is a long term proposition but I think he is improving his all round game which is encouraging. Plus at this level his unpredicability certainly adds a dimension to our game which opposition sides are fearful of. Not sure who I prefer between him and Antonio and Pardew seems to fluctuate in his preference too. I think on balance I would go with Waigo because Antonio seems to have been "found out" in recent weeks and defensively Waigo is better. Sorry if you think I must be "on something" because my opinions differ from yours. Perhaps we should just accept football is a game of contrary opinions without resorting to suggesting anyone who differs from your view be on hallucinatory substances. I do think there are a lot of people on this forum who do not post their minority views because all they get instead of reasoned argument is hurled insults. It's a shame because if we all agreed this forum would be like an advert for the Moonies.

There is nothing better for the soul on a Sunday morning after a Saints win than to come on here and read an article like that! Thanks for starting my day so well.

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.