Mowgli

It strikes me that the home and away shirt will be very similar - black substituting white on the away kit (i.e red / black stripes). Without trawling all the way back through the thread I don' know if this has been mentioned but the colour of the shorts could be quite a surprise. When GH was here there was a (confirmed?) rumour that we would change the home kit to white shorts but the fans did not like the idea and Hoddle sodded off to Spurs anyway. But I suspect that is what will happen this year. After all it's not a huge change - we had white shorts last year. The argument was always that players found it easier to pick each other out. Black shorts on the away kit I suspect.

Not so sure. We have 4 decent strikers on the books +Forte who can play there. We have Seabourne and Martin as good back ups at centre back. Midfielder would be nice though. I think this idea about having faith in the current squad is a good thought. They did get us promotion and are obviously good enough to keep us up in the Championship. Remember it was never essental we go up to the PL this year. Some would say that is too soon. So I see nothing wrong in running with the current squad till Christmas and then see if we need to strengthen either to bid for the playoffs or (heaven forbid) to protect our Championship status. Controlled development around a settled squad is a pretty good strategy. This season will almost certainly see another star emerge from the youth ranks. Jack Stephens maybe or Luke Shaw?

Cork clearly is good enough - as evidenced by his loan spell with Burnley last season. As for Riise, well he was good once but not so sure now. More importantly I do not think we will see Saints signing players 30+ of age. It just does not fit with the build for the future philosophy. I may be wrong but signing younger players like Cork who will only get better seems the right move for me.

It is quite possible that the current squad is capable of a serious challenge in the Championship. That is why the vast majority of the squad have been retained. In reality one or two players will not make the step up but we will not know who those are until around October. We need to build on the current squad with players who will not only help a promotion push but who can survive at Premiership level and (most importantly) are motivated by the club's vision, not just the salary. So I see nothing wrong in being patient and waiting for the right players. CMS, Danns and Peltier are undoubtedly good signings but there are others out there of equal and better quality. Have faith. It will all make sense in the fullness of time.

They missed out an 'h' (and put a 'j' instead of a 'g') Is it just me or did anyone else find it funny that Pompey were trying to sign a Burnley player called Bikey??

Careful what you wish for - I don't often repeat rumours from football-rumours.co.uk but this one was hysterical. It suggested we were looking to sign Kevin Poole as a player / coach. Well, he's only 47 so must have a couple of years left in him. Apparently he covers his near post really well.....

I thought he would probably get on the pitch every week - just not for 90 minutes. No one is gaurenteed that - not even Rickie...

Saints new European scout outlining his objectives for the summer follwoing his appointment

I for one am sorry to see him go. He was a good impact player and a valued member of the 18 on match day. I know NA rated him highly and he was offered a deal but obviously not good enough. At the end of the day though we need players who share the vision not just want good salaries so I guess it is best all round.

There is a reason they are 'unwanted'. Bentley might be worth a risk but the others are overpaid prima donas.

If I remember rightly, the ground record game against Man Utd was a mid week game. Amazing night. I was able to lift my feet off the ground in the queue outside the Milton and be carried toward the turnstile. Did not see too much inside to be honest but the atmosphere alone made it worth being there.

Yes I thought about West Ham too. Shame more people can't wish him well without harping on about something that happened eons ago. We really need to be looking forward.

2 Alex has indicated that he is happy to stay another year. 3 NA has said there are likely five or six new players being targetted over the summer

I genuinely found myself checking the date on this thread. It seems so similar to dozens we have had over the last year. I agree with those that say there is no dilema - Cortese knows there must be big investment to get back to the Premiership but the longer term objective is to run the club like a good business so it won't be an endless supply of money. More importantly we can pretty sure that 1 Alex is under contract so Cortese does not need to sell 2

Definition of Poverty 1901 - no shoes or socks 1950 - no internal bathroon or toilet 1970 - no TV 2000 - no mobile phone 2011 - no Saints season ticket on free credit I'm sure we will have instalment schemes again once we have the plastic bar codes for entry. The lack of an instalment scheme presently is down to those who abused the old system - cancelling their Direct Debit once they got the ticket. They moved around the empty seats once inside the stadium so there was no way of identifying them. There were hundreds of people involved in the scam and effectively they stole from club - screwing it up for legitimate supporters

I honestly can't remember many kits being available before the end of the summer. Last year was possibly the only exception I can think of - 12 June was very early by traditional Saints kits(still nearly a month away BTW). Even when they 'launched' them at the end of the season, they were rarely available for purchase before mid/end July. Of course that gives you the summer to fill your life with more improtant things of you want....

He will be in. You have to keep the locals happy somehow on June 5th

Gutted. Anyone any idea how to peel leeters off the backs of shirts?

lol. On the basis of the above comments, and knowing our track record of assessing playing ability, this is a cue for Holmes to become player of the year next year!

Agreed. He has had a torrid time with injuries but suspect our current medical staff will get him sorted to give him a good season in the NPFL. Can see him featuring regularly and a good 'impact sub' for Lallana or Chambo.

It did not take long did it. It's not even seven days since we secured promotion and already people are finding something new to moan about. Wait a minute though - haven't we had this debate already??? Come on guys. Enjoy the summer. We're promoted. The only reason Pulis and Forecast look poor is that we have an outstanding squad to compare them against. A P*mp£y fan would be practically salivating at the thought of those two signings this summer.

Leave the gun. Take the cannoli

I don't think we have ever had a new season shirt available on the last day of the previous season.

Barney has a had a good season and took his chances well to secure a run in the side. It does not alter the fact that his first touch is poor and come next season, CMS would keep him out of the side week in week out. so would Guly and I have reservations as to whether he will cut it at the next level. So no I'm not convinced he will be here next season. You say he is innocent but the plaster on his arm for 3 months might inidcate therei s a case to answer. If found guilty, there should be no special treatment and he will probably get 15 months (out in 8 with good behaviour). If he is found not guilty then he will be available for selction but, IMO will struggle to get in the side and make an impact at CCC level.

To be fair it was a tough time to come in and we were desperate for cover. The time to judge him is after a full pre season. Think he is definately worth keeping.