Frank's cousin

Its an observation - and opinion based on watching the side - At our best we were unbeatable - but we were not able to maintain that against the better sides - and we struggled at times and were found wanting - Leeds away was lucky, Blackpool away was apalling - but thorugh graft grit, determination and spirit we managed it - my point is that such a team spirit would not have been possible if the club was being run as appallingly as some like to insinuate.

So why did Leicsetr not go up, or that West ham made such a difficulty of it if spend was all there was to it?

You say no one cares Phil, but I would suggest that the main reason that there are some who dislike NC so much is that he is far more similar to Lowe than many are willing to admit. The only real difference I can see to date, is that NC is not prepared for the club to just be another also ran - he wants to see us climb the league and be more competitive and challenge and is driven by that desire, whether its a naive pipedream or he proves it possible we will need to wait and see, but the similarities are closerr than many think.

overlooking your usual contribution which is sarcasm... money is what makes a difference as you well know - but even that does not guarrantee anything, yet we went up twice, despite not being IMHO in the best 4 or 5 sides last season - because something was RIGHT about the club. If 'Nick Nack' is is fricken terrible as you enjoy insinuaing, how do you reconcile what has been achieved by saints, where other arguably bigger clubs have failed?

Why is this a problem, if the 'TOY' is progressing. Ok so now we are only 2 places higher in the country than in May, but its still higher Lots of ups and downs yet and many quirks and strange results will happen - losing hope, giving up, gettig angry and bitter does not make us feel any better as fans or the club imporve results - too often, some fail to understand that 'Passion' does have to mean misery, anger or other negative emotions - it can be equally and perhaps more vaild in a positive and embracing sense.

.... Most articles in ALL papers are full of rumour, gossip and speculation - its the only way to get interest in a story - that does not mean there should not be a demand for detail if making insinuations: Quite rightly many fans have had a dig at Pompey fans for not questioning what is happening at thier club, whilst celebrating their success. And quite rightly if we have concerns or issues with our club we should be prepared to dig deeper and understand what is happening - its a viligance that our history and that of may other clubs demands. Many of us would be hypocritical if we did not. But you cant have it both ways. If you feel that its right and proper to question the club, then at the very least if those asking those questions want to be taken seriously by all, those questions need to be based on some evidence, not 3rd hand gossip and rumour - especially so when its also clear that many of those asking teh questions DO have personal grievences that could be argued are distorting tehir opinions - if there is no factual evidence being presented, or solutions being offered.

Where that was written is irrelevent to the discussion really - the point is that what is it hoping to achieve for thsoe that contributed to it?

Sorry DP have to disagree - whilst it superficially gives a nod to trying to be fair and balanced, its pretty clear from teh overall tone on which side of the fence it is coming from. But importantly, as others have said, what is to be gained by it anyway - no one really gives a toss about us except us - the only thing these articles do is divide - they dont unite or explain anything, but repeat the same vague rumours that some fans seem to have placed their faith in... then what about the timing?

That is where these articals are very clever, they are in effect reporting on rumour and gossip - not on what they consider to be facts, so there is nothing in that article that could be refuted in a court - as the Mail merely state they have said nothing, merely reported heresay. Had they quoted an ex employee who 'left with tears' - then if this was factually inaccurate the club would have something to claim against if it believed it untrue. The problem with this rumour peddeling is that a) no one ever provides any details or evidence, b) it achieves nothing but division - which is why those peddling it are accuse dof having Agenda's of their own and c) as already mentioned, criticism is always welcomed where there is an opportunity to provide a solution and improve things, but this kind of article (as with many of the posts on here) does nothing of that kind. It is merely divisive and some could argue vindictive in a personal sense so WTF is anyone who contributes to such an article hoping to achieve? Especialy when they express such love for the club... It simply smacks of a personal grievence and where someone with that grievence has the benefit of being able to play it out in public due to their media connnections - it harms the club so is at odds with the professed love for it.

Kraken, the problem I have with these 'negative' stories, is NOT that they appear, but in the fact lack of any real 'evidence' - only Le Tiss is named, the rest is the same rumour, gossip and speculatin that apprears so frequently on here - stories of 'tearful staff' etc - wo are they and if this is true, hy are we not hearing their stories? The second, is 'what purpose do they serve'? - When we have issues on the pitch that need resolving quickly, why would anyone with a strong affinity for the club look to try and add further nagativity to the situation? I would imagine most would have have a pretty good idea where this comes from and this is what makes no sense - people who say they love the club, yet dont seem to be able to diferntiate between their own personal issues with the chairman, and what is good for the club as a whole, especially at a time when we need a collective spirit for than any. Cortese is always going to be chalk and cheese - most can recognise that ambition and drive need to be tempered with pragmatism and a realisation that for most fans a club is more than just its success or otherwise in the league. Most will also understand that the drive and determination necessary to pick up a failing club and turn it around was less accepting of compromise and needed the 'iron fist' - yet once turned around the approach could soften and become closer to the mix we as fans would like to see. Its not happened (allegedly) and this is causing some to be very publically critical. Now we all have our own opinions on what is expected of a chairman both in terms of behaviour, action and direction - and rightly so. But the fact remains that certain voices dessented from day 1 as they found that cushy roles and freebies stopped - and they have not been able to get over it since... Some fans have never felt comfortable with anyone like this, and seem stuck in their ideals of fan based influence or nothing... The question to ask is do they think it has helpd the club they love to put their own interests ahead of those of the club and keep banging on about it in public? Criticism is a good thing - IF it helps find solutions to problems. The problem with most of the critiscism to date is that its personal and based on opinion - without any direct evidence and is not focusd on problems nor does it offer any pragmatic solutions that HELP improve the situation...its simply mud slinging because some folk are upset...that is why I have a problem with it, not that with criticism itself.

Ha saw em at Reading ;-) just wish the Pixes stage had not collapsed in Glasgow.... would have been a good un judging by the first number... Would have like to see Dylan back in 65 when he first went electric... had to wait until 87 when he was with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers which was pretty cool Lucky to be able to say, I have not really missed anything.... ;-)

Jocks, Taffs offensive? maybe a few dont like it, but the terms are not associated with anything negative - the 'N' word was clearly associated with slavery and racist expression so there is a difference. Yes some Welsh and Scots dont like it, yet others embrace it - many Scots are know as Jock by other Scots... Think you need to be careful to understand that its less about the word and more about the association that comes with it. The taff sheep****gers will just think we are as unorriginal as everyone else - need something original

Got be a little careful about that... think its right that even if you are a third party you stand up against what some might consider offensive - its the only way to ensure it becomes clear - people forget that just because a majority may find something acceptable and inoffensive banter, does not mean its not offensive...

Certain views on this thread just highlight how traditional party based aliegence/policy adherence is simply out of step with realtiy, be it left or right in its doctrine. Old school party types of whatever distinction that lack repsect for the opposition and fail to recognise that all parties tend to have something that is positive in a modern society, need to re-evaluate their political thinking IMHO. Respect in politics seems impossible, yet you need it for effective debate - debate designed to pressure test policy and ensure final legislation is fair, balanced and in the best interests of the population, not of party members - and is the real base of democracy - we elect politicians to represent US, not their own interests. I expect thsoe I vote for to be challenged on policy, to debate it as adults and see how it can be improved by the ADDITION or subtraction of elements that may well come from outside teh pary as well as from within. Blind follwing of left or right or 'centre' is simply ignorant. Some of teh sweeping assumptions made on this thread see to suggest a rather ignorant, simplistic, naive and out of touch attitide to politics - sadly that is most often reflected in politicians themselves so its not surprizing so many switch off, lose interest and have no faith in Government of any pursausion.

Maybe on political and religious lines? Given the current state of the main board, these topics no longer hold any fear for the Lounge Refugees?

A clever call Doc.... one look at the 'hand/wave/large shoes/silly grin/dislocated wrist holding the ball' and all lifes troubles float away....

Amusement? Would settle for sanity in the first instance, no laughs here please:smug:

In the modern way: 'Like'

A haven to be found here. Main board in uber meltdown, depression, consiracy, blame, mud slinging.... some at Cortese, some at Nge as some just cant accept we aint good enough at the moment... mental. So what shall we talk about?

I feel for him as he will be (and rightly so given the results to date) under tremendous pressure - yet he faces it stoichly and with his usual enthusiam. You would think Journo's would recognise that that question is a pointless one - as whatever discussions take place between chairman and manager should remain private anyway.... and are as he says meaningless, as no matter how hard he works, how dedicated he obviously is, or how well the team performs, it will points on which his prformance is judged and that alone. Now whether NC will stick by him no matter what or not is irrelevent - you dont get the best out of folk by telling them their job is safe no matter how well tehy fulfill the objectives of the role... For reading between the lines and thus speculating, the level of pressure he is under and focus on results suggests NC will not be stick with him if it looks like we are toast.... It would be a real shame IMHO, as Adkins is such a decent honest bloke, and despite what some may think, he deserves more credit than some are prepared to give him for the achievements last season. We were not the best side, probably play off value at best, but we had a team sprit that was worth 6-9 points on its own, and that is simply down to his approach. The prem is so unforgiving and frailties are quickly exposed as we have seen, and he needs time to gain the experience necessary if we are to see him reach what I believe is his full potential. The squad and Nige deserve that chance. Ultimately if we are found wanting, it wont be through lack of effort, committement or graft - but experience, some quality and mistakes made due to the lack of it. Deserves our support.

Er no, did not care if he had returned or not - football of BS about turncoats and loyalty - Look at the postive reaction when edknapp arrived.... so no 'mistake' from me. try again

..BUt one advantage of seeing our ex youngsters do well, must at least be that it provides a good reason for youngsters to come here... so hopefully we get that 'conveyor belt' .... just need to figure out how to hang on to them a little longer.... so we get more than just a financial benefit

No, its because you are so repetitive about it.... no one knows what/if may or may not have happened had he returned - that's life so fricken move on. Stuck record /wind up or whatever, but its tedious in the extreme

Never going to happen whilst some see it as an opportunity to undermine (or support) the current leadership.....

...funnily enough something i can agree with.... a good youth set up and conveyorbelt of talent can do two things - ensure great value talent for the first team and provide cyclical success - and also be a great revenue stream that in theory fund other player talent investment.... getting that balance right is key, and historically, for teh ast 20 years at least we have simply not got it right - we did in the 80s when money was less an issue so less of an incentive for youth to jump ship at the first opportunity, but post le Tiss, the talent has gone way to early, some enforced, some out of need, and some as with Oxo who just wanted to go.... We need a shift in culture.