Charlie Wayman

We are so up ourselves! What is it with Saints fans that we can't see there's a world beyond Bassett Avenue.

Rudi Scachel scored in the Euro match las night... Quality!

You need to move on from the Pompey obsession thing, if we set our targets on only besting them we'll forget that there are much better clubs in our own back-yard like Reading & Brighton who'll delight in stuffing a self-styled BIG team like us especially as we are local. Make no mistake both have the ability to stuff us big time if we're off guard. Luckily Pompey are "who?" to Adkins so one doubts the team will be as fixated on the blue boys as you. As far as Pompey is concerned, they are in their own mid-life crises and will have to resolve that before they can become serious challengers again, indeed I worry that they may be dropping down a few more leagues yet before they can get their act together, another reason why we need to forget them and get on with our own progress.

Hate to say anything good about the Daily Wail but this analysis seems quite good, well balanced and unsensational. One may take issue with the view of Brighton, they have the new arena to show off in and one should not underestimate that motivation. They have not suddenly become a bad team and with the Posh lad up-front don't rule them out of a top six finish. Saints are a bit over-rated in my opinion and will more likely be in the mid-table group. Whatever happens early on Cortese must not get the jitters and blame Adkins if we are not pace setters. We comfortably beat Ipswich last season - OK, with Keane - so who knows?

For sure, it will not be easy especially over the first couple of months as we adjust our playing style to suit this more skillful league. However, it is only two years since we went down so we should not have forgotten everything from our history. Luckily too, there are always poor teams in the mix who through dodgy finances or whatever are on their own slide down the scale whereas we are most definitely on the up with high morale and no money worries. Any unsettling 'noises off' will be confined to team performance not whether they'll have jobs next month or get paid this. Stability in this league will be a big factor, no fire sales etc. so the lads can just get on with the job in hand. We have some talent for sure especially in mid-field but I am concerned about our all too fragile defence despite Fonte who is not always brilliant. Two against from WBA.. OK but two against by Yeovil highlights a real problem. The trick will be to score first and keep the momentum going forward so that we don't let our back four get exposed otherewise if we choose o sit back and take it, then we will be in trouble. At home we should do OK this way but away certainly during the first part of the season will be an uphill struggle. Mid-table after October should be a decent start but we should not expect another Norwich phenomenon especailly with Leicester and West Ham spending big on quality but there again those teams have to gel whereas we are settled but don't rule out Leeds and Reading, well managed and there or thereabouts last year and also on the up. I guess we will all be relieved to get the first win but we'll need to be patient and not expect miracles this Saturday. We'll do well to get a 1-1. It won't be the end of the world.

To be honest, apart from more comfortable surroundings and a generally cleaner and more salubrious atmosphere, the SMS experience as far as football is concerned has been somewhat negative and forgettable. It has been a decade of acrimony, politics and failure with few if any truly memorable moments For me the highlight was the fly-past towing the anti-Lowe banner and the unanimous standing of 22,000 fans to the chant "If you hate Lowe, Stand Up!"

Totally disagree with you when it comes to ticket issues, there must not be a priority system that is based on ability to pay. e are all fans togetehr the alst thing we need is divisive two-tier systems. Everyone should be treated equally and fairly and most importantly with the respect that their custom deserves.

Hi Chez, mine was posted so very odd that yours was not

What he means is that after this performance he will be ******** himself. It was a timely touch of reality after all the hype nonsense following the mid-week draw against WBA. If Leeds turn us over on Saturday shovels will be needed to clear the area in front of the 'dug-out'

I think that's right and the obvious way to accommodate them is to push Adam up behind Lambo at start, which won't please Guly or Connolly. so, bring Guly on after Chambo (60min) and Connors after Lambo (75min)... and then there's de Ridder! Of course sod's law says that Morgan will get clobbered after one of his mad moments and Chambo be out for half the season with a torn whatsit and the problem for Adders will disappear. Could Deano do RB if all else fails?

We will get 5 points from the first five games, the Leeds game is a nailed on draw 0-0 or 1-1.

You really can bull**** for England! The word "Tosh" comes to mind.

As QPR signed him for a three-year deal in 2008 it looks like he's out of contract, also he is 30 so maybe a bit leggy for the Prem. Still seems a bit odd that they are willing to let him go for Puncheon of all people, doesn't sound as 'though they're getting a great deal.

Well, well! Another rumour bites the dust! It's good of Adders to take time out to set the record straight on the OS. Shows that he reads this and cares about what we think and a what concerns us. Humble Pie The9?

What's it got to do with Chambo FFS. Stick to the thread.

There were only two players in the picture FFS. Let's start some rumours about the rest of the squad.

You seem to be well out of step with the majority on this matter. The format has no appeal whatsoever especially as it was a nothing-at-stake training session. Words "easily pleased" and "soon parted" spring to mind.

Bugger me, people moaning about the new beer after their first pint... let's be honest if all you go to football for is to slosh cat pee down your throat why bother? Tank up around the corner before you get there. Surely you can go 90 minutes without a drink???

Don't be ridiculous. A lot of people are truly hard up these days with energy and food prices rocketing. For many including me it was a complete waste of time and money could be ill afforded. Who has enough money to spare these days to see reserve teams poncing about? Try to be a bit more sensitive and understanding. What really matters is that we get more than 20k at home matches when the action really starts.

Bit of a stretch to believe that just because an unknown Belgian turns up with a box of chocolates. Still if it keeps you hot!

Bugger me, you ought to be Cortese's press secretary so full of bull**** are you.

Lee Barnard was in West Quay yesterday at 1.30 heading up the escalator to the food hall. He passed me and his hand was fine, no bandages, plasters, nothing. He looked very fit and for those who care about these things (I don't) he was wearing the same outfit later shown on the OS pic.

Who'd have thought that a squad list was worth debating... maybe we could try hot dog suppliers next or brand of hot choc?

You blokes never learn do you, Arsenal are not interested anymore. They are too busy hanging on to what they've got and finding a new manager to move Wenger upstairs. It's experience they want now not snotty nose, pimply kids with "p-o-t-e-n-t-i-a-l"

Wow! Red & White Stripes. Good to see that Umbro have come up with something imaginatively different. Now where did I put that 1974 shirt...