Fabrice Fernandes no.1 fan

Well if they follow Saints on social media, or they’re watching a stream of the coverage where the warmup is shown they would see it yes. You’ve posted many times about how often Saints post about Pride so it must be noticeable… The group is inclusive for LGBTQ+ individuals who football has historically excluded (yes I’m sure you’ve got a gay mate whose got on fine all the time but your one experience isn’t true for all. Inclusivity can be subjective on context Thankfully I sit in the family end where I’ve not personally heard much abuse at any games I’ve gone to this season, but I’ve heard Djenepo be called some racist things in the past. Hope the wait wasn’t too long for you there x

The premier league is a global brand, as are Saints. There will be people who see those photos in countries where being LGBTQ+ is still criminalised or prejudiced and see that in some societies it is accepted. It also sparks conversations, like this one... To your second question; joining a supporters group gives them a chance to meet others, and chat with them. In the same way you are a member of this forum to talk about Saints, they have a group where they have things in common. Again, there is a difference between things that people don't like, and homophobic and racist abuse.

You've missed the point I'm making entirely. There are 2 things being discussed on this thread, initially it was the rainbow shirt and the mural, now it is the supporters group. I'll break it down for you so you can understand. 1. The Rainbow shirt/Mural: the aim of these are to raise awareness of the issue of homophobia in football and the club's stand. This is to educate, and aim to minimise homophobia. It may be impossible to eradicate abuse, but to limit it is still worth trying. Also, just because you think people are aware homophobia is bad, doesn't mean all do, nor do they necessarily grasp what can be deemed as homophobic. 2. The supporters group. As I said above, this is a group where they can discuss any concerns, form a bond with other fans, and feel included. This will have absolutely no impact on the fans who already attend games or feel included, but will open a potential door for those who currently might have the above concerns. This isn't just about people literally sat in the ground (although that is a part of it) nor does it require people outside of the group to know they are LGBT. Your final sentence is the biggest red flag for me. To you, it is "something they don't like", but to others it is homophobic or racist abuse. Some of your posts on here I completely agree with (normally the football related chat) but it always seems that you have an issue with anti-racist or anti-homophobic efforts. That doesn't make you a racist or a homophobe, but I do think you might look back and wonder if you were on the right side of the debate.

I'm not LGBT, so not speaking from experience, but I would assume the fears involve being surrounded by homophobic abuse, not feeling comfortable and generally feeling excluded. Football crowds are rife with toxic masculinity remember. Consistently the view of many on here (yourself included) have been that going to games alone is fine because you've done it, and if your experience was fine then theirs must be too. I could easily go to games alone, because I've been to many with others, so I know where I would want to sit, what time to arrive, when to stand and shout and when to be quiet. If I didn't have that experience I would be very nervous about going to games, so I would want to find a supporters group of like-minded individuals to give me the answers and maybe offer to go together. The LGBTQ+ supporters group offers that, it is a safe space (not physical, its not like they're going to take over a section of the stadium, although that seems to be some people's worries...) where they can discuss any such concerns, form a bond with other fans, and feel included. This will have absolutely no impact on the fans who already attend games or feel included, but will open a potential door for those who currently might have the above concerns. The work to be done is the removal of homophobic chanting where possible, by educating those where such education never occurred, highlighting to individuals that certain phrases that have previously been seen as fine, would actually offend people, and by banning those who are openly homophobic in the stadium. Sadly homophobia doesn't appear to be something that can easily be entirely eradicated, as also goes for racism, but an attempt to limit it and to make everyone feel as welcome as a supporter of the club is worthwhile.

It seems the thing he is putting on the end of it is posh blondes with very little sense or taste in men...

Regarding the first point, death in homelessness is a really difficult statistic to track. If anyone is interested I would thoroughly recommend the book "No fixed abode" by Maeve McClenaghan but expect a few tears while reading it. Well done on trying to speak some sense to this fool, but be prepared for it to fall on deaf ears. He has previously said that the pandemic isn't real, so that gives an indicator of the level of understanding.

For me the team depends on fitness after last night. Livramento looks like he could do with a rest (or just 60 minutes), Bednarek went off injured so will need to hear why, and Tella looked like he had a problem with a muscle in the first half. If none of them are up to 100% by the weekend I would start with the below, but with Broja ready to come on after 60 -----------Mccarthy KWP--Lyanco---Salisu---Perraud Redmond-JWP-Romeu-Elyounoussi --------Adams----Armstrong

Agreed re: the atmosphere, it did get going towards the end again, but equally it felt inevitable we would lose once they equalised so hard to stay in good spirits. Chap sat near me spent most of the second half trying to get the people around to join in with chants and frequently stood up and called us all boring c*nts. He promptly left at 85 minute... Frustrating because we looked so good at times, getting the ball quickly up to the front 4 (whose interchanging of position was really good) but we always seemed to pick the wrong pass or run the ball into trouble. Think we need someone playing down the left with a left foot to offer overlaps, each time Tella, Armstrong, Adams or KWP had the ball in the half space on the edge of the box it was very obvious they would be cutting in on their right foot, and every time a Leicester player would be their to slow it down or block.

What is it then? To me it looks exactly like a supporters group, for people who want to meet other LGBTQ+ Saints fans. Really don't see the issue with this, a lot of the posts on here are scarily backwards

With our current squad, and budget, and approach to new signings, who could we actually attract as a manager who would be in a better position than Ralph?

Liverpool's right back that day a certain Jon Otsemobor who went on to play 19 games for us in league one!

Tessem, Lundekvam and Dodd were all in Chandlers Ford at points in the early 2000's. The club have a couple of flats in Ocean Village and now also apartments at the Harbour Hotel for players when they initially are settling in. Djenepo was there for a while (might still be) and Lyanco is. Tadic also was there initially when he joined us. Hasenhuttl used to be there too, but I think I read somewhere he's out in the Forest now.

St Marys is actually hosting 3 matches for the Women's Euros Norway v Northern Ireland (8pm on Thursday 7th July) Austria v Northern Ireland (5pm on Monday 11th July) Northern Ireland v England (8pm on Friday 15th July) Tickets between £10 and £40 for adults depending on seats and matches. I've put in for the 2 8pm games

I didn't say he should be forced to explain, I just think that it would help. If he is not wanting to take part because he is a racist and hates other ethnicities then that is clearly an issue that needs addressing. If he is doing it because he wishes to commit to the cause of anti-racism with a separate gesture or by supporting other foundations or charities then that is much easier to take. Why does it matter so much to you that he is being told to make an anti-racist gesture for 3 seconds before a match of cricket? it is hardly an act of horrific submission by the players to their totalitarian overlords, and more a reasonable action to be taken by players in the public eye when the same gesture is being performed by other teams and in other sports.

Difficult one to judge re De Kock, because the news seems to be reporting it in a number of different ways. Some suggest he was dropped for refusing to take the knee, others suggest he chose not to play. Before their match against Australia only half the team took the knee, the rest stood with a raised fist or hands behind their back and those players haven't been dropped or walked. South Africa does obviously have a history of racial issues and tensions that still do impact it as a nation, so it is understandable that that they would want their players to make a united gesture against racism, but it shouldn't be forced upon individuals. As always I think the issue comes down to why he didn't want to make the gesture, which at the moment he is citing as personal to him. Not a good look for Cricket SA either way

Wouldn't have to worry about his distribution then either, if he has no-one to pass to

In Summary: For this one game, we didn't miss JWP and performed well. Romeu and Diallo operated as a good and balanced midfield, both making the blocks, tackles and interceptions expected of them and an average amount of progressive passes. Diallo looks like a good midfielder who we are lucky to have as our first back-up. He still has more chances before JWP returns to prove that he shouldn't automatically take Diallo's spot, but I would expect JWP to return to the first 11 as one of our best players. JWP is our captain and a long-serving player whose attitude and ability should mean he is a first choice midfielder. Regarding Broja, he looks a real talent, who deserves a run in the team given he will now be full of confidence. I would like him partnered with either Armstrong or Adams though. Armstrong looks like a natural finisher, who will get a decent return of goals in almost any team. Again, like the midfielders, we are in a good position where we have 3 genuine options for 2 positions. Regarding Diallo's block, he does well to be back in position, and looks as though he means the ball to go to Djenepo. That is a good defensive action, that regains controlled possession. Djenepo then converts that into a counter-attack with his movement before releasing Redmond excellently, who in turn produces good pace and movement.

Does this make me ITK?

Probably means nothing, but in a clip of training today the club have posted, there is an 11-man drill with a team that could easily be the first 11 for Saturday (albeit with a different keeper as Harry Lewis was involved) McCarthy Livramento Bednarek Salisu Perraud Ely Diallo Romeu Djenepo Redmond Broja Wouldn't be my choice of team, but would be intrigued to know why that 11 would train together when it contains so much of the first choice 11 of Ralph

I wasn't asking you, I was asking Turkish, hence the reply to him, but thank you. Which poll are you referring to here, I haven't seen a poll regarding the increase in racial tensions caused by the taking a knee gesture so would appreciate you directing me to it.

My personal view is that the action of players and staff taking a knee before each game is a positive and beneficial gesture. This is for the following reasons: 1. It has created a better dialogue surrounding the issue. Previous gestures and campaigns have been present, but often overlooked by the mainstream media. For example, the "Racism ain't Saintly" campaign, which many will be familiar with, gained little traction. This gesture of taking the knee has opened the dialogue. Now, more than ever, people are discussing the issue of racism within football and the ways it can be addressed and minimised. It has drawn attention to the topic and that is a positive. 2. It has raised awareness. Yes people knew racism existed before (both in society in general and in football particularly) but there is now a more open understanding of the racism players are facing. More often than previously racist comments online are being policed, racist chants are being condemned publicly and the stories of players being racially abused are being told. I understand if you were already aware of racism in football, then this may not have made a difference to you personally, but for some this will have. 3. It directly calls out and condemns racists. That in itself is something that makes the gesture worthwhile. You say that the gesture has "increased racial tension". I would like to please know why you think this? Racial tension was already a problem long before players started taking the knee (the abuse Sterling has received throughout his career highlights this), and has been for generations (only today the BBC are running a story on Laurie Cunningham which details that, as one of the first black players to represent England he was subject to racist abuse). Taking the knee will not end racism in football, and no gesture could ever be expected to do so, but it does about a conversation regarding an issue in football and society that does need dealing with.

Been going to games since the move to St Marys, so MLT just misses out as I never quite saw him in person! Niemi Clyne Fonte Svensson Bertrand Lallana Schneiderlin Oakley Tadic Lambert Beattie

1) We haven’t won any of our first 7 games, so maybe we could be doing something different, and the balance of our midfield seems to not be working in my eyes. We often end up with Romeu on the ball near the opponents box, which isn’t his strength. That and the gaps between the wide/attacking midfielders and JWP and Romeu has been frightening at times. 2) factually correct, but that doesn’t equate to him being a leader/organiser. He leads by example, but not in the same way JWP and Stephens do in terms of vocal leadership on the pitch

2 weeks to work on how we fix the midfield to stop teams being able to play straight through it! I’d be tempted to try a 3 of Romeu (sat in) with Diallo to his left and Armstrong to his right. Romeu to play more as a blocker and to then just give the ball to the others to progress (think Wanyama in his first season with us) We do need someone to step up as a leader with both JWP and Stephens out, Salisu seems vocal so hopefully he steps up now

Agreed! I thought that is the kind of save that Forster usually makes but Macca doesn’t, so if he can keep some shot stopping form for me he stays as number 1