BigShadow

Bureaucracy triumphs over common sense once more. Isn't there a point where quality of life becomes more important than life itself. Very sad!

PES is right to a degree - the demise of PFC would diminish some of the enjoyment of supporting Saints. Maybe only .01%, but the anticipation leading up to a Saints/Pompey game outweighs just about any other. On a more general note, I know how I would feel (and indeed felt last year) about the prospect of SFC ceasing to exist. I would not have followed an AFC Southampton or whatever emerged from the Ashes. It would not have been the club I supported for 30 odd years. I would not wish that on any set of fans. Yes, Pompey have their share of neanderthal fans, but which club doesn't. I have met many unpleasant fans from the likes of Bolton, Spurs, Cardiff etc, etc and even SFC has its share of idiots. It saddens me to see ANY club go under. Yes, I think the book should be thrown at Pompey - let them get points penalties, even get relegated a division or two for financial irregularities - but not cease to exist. They should sell anything they can get cash for right now - they should have bitten Stokes hand off for a portion of DJ wages - and they should aim to struggle through to the end of the season. Go into admin, and sort the mess out over the summer - they probably won't get a CVA - but they restart as PFC in whatever division the powers that be allow. That is about the best hope they've got and they should start now whilst they can still sell players.

As someone who lives here in Massachusetts, I think you are all playing the healthcare thing wrong as far as it impacted this result - it was a factor, but it was not Americans saying they do not want healthcare reform. This should have been a slam dunk for the democrats - they had a 27 point lead in the polls just before Christmas. IMO, they lost the battle because:- 1) Healthcare - it is not that the Americans here in Massachusetts are too stupid to see the benefits of Obama's plan. The fact is that in the US - healthcare entitlement along with many other things varies from State to State. In Mass. we already have in place many of the elements of the Obama plan and as such, we stood to benefit least from Obama's proposed plan. The Republicans capitalised on this by highlighting that the Obama plan would bring very little in the way of new benefits to Mass. (and in fact would remove some freedom of choice), BUT importantly, it would increase the tax burden on the state. One key part of the campaign stated - why should Massachusetts pay more tax just so Wisconsin can get the benefits we already have. 2) Govt. Spending - Americans are deeply concerned at the record levels of debt and spending being incurred by the Obama administration. They fear the tax increases that will have to come to pay for this, and the impact on their retirement, children etc. 3) Personality - Scott Brown just came across as a nice guy - your average joe driving his battered old pick-up truck. People felt in touch with him whereas Martha Coakley just didn't seem to make that connection. Quite the opposite in fact, as she made a number of gaffs that portrayed her to be out of touch with the people. 4) Campaign Strategy - Despite the denials, I think the Democrats were complacent. They saw the lead they had in the polls three weeks ago and thought they didn't need to bother. Scott Browns campaign was positive and intensive. When the democrats finally realised they had a problem, they went negative and started attacking Scott Browns character. It was too late and the man was already too well liked on a personal level for that tactic to work. And as for immigration - well if that was an important factor in this race, then I missed it.

Well they might have a chance then cos there are plenty of people at HMRC who seem not to know the VAT laws judging by conversations I have had over the years.

Yes, it may turn out that way but at least they didn't stoop to trying to destroy Christmas. The timing and length of the strike is what rankles most - 12 days of Christmas - did they think they were being funny?

Where will it end......as someone who has flown BA (with my family) for our last five trips back to the UK - and having come so close to having Christmas ruined - I will be flying American Airlines in April and we will all be flying Virgin this summer. Its a shame because I had grown to like the BA product after spending most of the late nineties preferring AA. However, I cannot afford to have my travel plans held to ransom in the way they were in the week leading up to Christmas. Unlike the 'Anyone but BA' crusade, I really hope to fly BA again someday, but fear that they will be so heavily damaged by this dispute that whatever emerges will not be able to offer a competitive product. Can there be any winner in this dispute? (except BA competitors)

IMO, that is not what he said (the £40m bit). He chose his words carefully, but it my interpretation was that from the time they took over PFC to the end of this week they will have paid off £40m of debt. That could mean something or nothing. It might include the wages and other operating debts - it might ignore the fact that to pay off these debts they got into more debt with borrowings. Who knows. Smoke and Mirrors. He did clearly say the bit about this exciting news that would make the skates happy....no idea what happened there.

Does any one know...... Say Pompey go into admin on 30th May - they have already been relegated but are still technically a PL club until end of May. Under Football League rules they would be deducted 10 pts to start the following season, but as they went into admin before they were members of the FL can the points deduction still be applied, or is there a potential loophole to be exploited? Just wondering.

I would have thought a postponement is the last thing we need. With games already needing to re-arranged due to FA Cup, plus a potential day out at the JPT final causing another postponed league game - the end of season fixture list could be a bit chaotic. That could easily cost us a play-off place which is why we should not be taking the FA Cup too seriously and resting key players in those games.

There will be two less people at St Mary's on the 26th if this strike goes ahead - my family Christmas will be ruined. I have had first hand experience of dealing with UNITE and they were not interested in listening to reason, so I am not optimistic. Personally, I have also accepted changes in working conditions and reduced pay because I can see the current downturn in our company sales. I know many people who have also done the same and/or accepted wage freezes. I have no sympathy at all with the Cabin Crew over this - UNITE will only succeed in further damaging another British company. They need to get real - why should they be immune to the economic reality that most people can recognise and accept. I am annoyed and angry at potentially having Christmas plans ruined and yet saddened for Britain, BA, and the cabin crew who are misguided enough to think that UNITE really does represent their best interests.

Gets my vote by a country mile. Talks utter shyte in the most annoying voice ever - even my 8 year old son thinks he is a complete idiot. I can't stand David Pleat either, but I would ecstatic if Mr Pleat (or any of the other names mentioned on this thread) replaced Mr Smyth on US screens.

I predict Avram Grant - if he has got any sense he will quit when he realises that half his team has buggered off to Africa for January and there is no prospect of the transfer embargo being lifted.

I'm sure Paul Ince is very grateful for this report and insight as to how Saints might line up on Saturday.

YouTube - Bull into crowd That should do it

Hopefully, that role will be filled by McLaggon in a couple months. Hopefully.

For all those who somehow think Stern John owes SFC anything...consider this... He joined the club...scored roughly 1 goal every 2 games....kept us up on the final day against Sheff Utd. What was his reward? .....To be told 'Sorry Stern, you're too old and too slow to be part of our sexy new total football dutch revolution - be a good lad and see if you can find yourself another club.' He got no loyalty from SFC 12 months ago, why should we be expecting him (or Saga or Rasiak) to be loyal to SFC now. I wasn't thrilled when we signed SJ, was surprised by the goals he got for us, (but he missed a shedload more) and I will always be grateful for those goals v Sheff Utd. Thanks Stern. All the best - wherever you end up.

There may be players out there hoping they might get an offer from a championship club - but come August 30 some of them might just realise it ain't happening and we might seem a better proposition at that time. So.....do we sign who we can get now...or hold on till the end of August when there might be a few more talented players willing to put pen to paper for us. On the flip side - I think Rasiak and Saga might be in the reverse situation. They could well be around for most of August and we should play them. They might not want to play in L1 - but they will have to work their arses off as they will be in the proverbial shop window. So...save for a decent Centre back - I think we have enough to see us through August with a decent chance of winning a few. Stop bloody panicking.

As Bristol City discovered - Stern John ain't all that. I was a bit concerned that AP seemed to be focussing on SJ as the mainstay of our attack. No great loss in my book. An experienced bruiser of a centre forward who really wants to play in L1 is now a priority. Alongside McLaggon/Paterson/Lallana we would still have options. Of course, if we can also add another pacy striker that would be great. I am assuming Saga and Rasiak will leave, but if either stay even if they don't fancy L1 football - a few goals might soon whet their appetite. Strikers thrive on scoring goals and finding the net regularly at this level might soon have them thinking this ain't so bad after all. No reason to panic yet.

Possibly, but not necessarily. Simple fact is - Palace are in the Championship and we are League 1.

I find this thread - and the number of people saying they don't give a **** about England - very sad. I love the Saints - but an England World Cup win would top any football moment I could think of. (Well, other than me scoring Saints winner in an FA Cup final and that ain't happening).

If we can get within 10-15 points of play-offs by mid-January, I think Mr Liebhers chequebook might well open for that concerted promotion push. Too early to say if this is acheivable though. I disagree that a good start is vital, we know we need several new faces and we could well be looking at the end of August before we have assembled a squad that Pardew is happy with. (So don't go getting all upset if we lose or draw most of our first few games).

OK, not Fuller then. Point is - there were plenty of complaints on here about team selection during the Strachan era.

Can't believe some of the 'best we could have hoped for' 'Lack of ambition' 'Average appointment' type posts on here. This is an OUTSTANDING appointment. Exactly the type of manager we need. All this pining for WGS - seems many have forgotten all the complaints on here week in week out during WGS reign because of the continued selection of Telfer, Fuller etc, the refusal to make substitutions until the last 10 mins. Don't get me wrong, WGS was a good manager, but I don't think he deserves to be put on the pedestal many on here seem to want. Pardew has an excellent record - the Charlton thing was a tough challenge for anyone and the instability there had set in before he arrived. Moreover, he has experience through the leagues and that experience has been gained at clubs similar to ours. I couldn't be happier with our new manager. Welcome Mr Pardew. Good Luck, may your stay be long, happy and successful.

Please, please tell me you're joking......please.

About time the mods put that over zealous profanity filter to good use - add Lowe to the list of words on the filter and consign his name to SaintsWeb history. Pleeaaassse!!!