ant

Beyond the recording (which I'm not even going to try to transcribe)... Spoke to Martin Semmens afterwards and asked him whether they've considered staff at the lower rungs, RE: relegation. He seems reasonably confident that there wouldn't be job losses on the previous scale should we go down, due to SR's backing. Then talked to Adam Blackmore outside - firstly for Solent, and then off the record. He has zero faith that the board will actually sort things out...Take what you will from that. But IMO he'll have seen plenty that we're not privvy to. Adam also doesn't believe his access to the club is being cut off. And cryptically said that whilst some within the club don't like what he's saying, others do.

Bloody hell, that's quicker than I could get over here to post it. And it's my file! Appreciative 'likes' on this post, please. 😛

Think this may be my 3rd post in 24 hours, but we've got word that bags, laptops etc. will be allowed in the room. Failing all I'll either try to take some notes on my phone or scribble down as much as I remember afterwards.

We've pulled together a fair chunk of the attendees via Twitter, and have a group chat on the go. If you've been invited tonight and use Twitter, give me a shout (@antonydjames) and we'll get you involved. Better that we're coordinated if we need to take 'alternative' tactics to get a message across.

Put it this way: if they think they're only going to be fielding the pre-vetted questions, they're in for a bit of a shock.

Invite received.

Has anybody from here received an invite? Surely they're not waiting until tomorrow or Tuesday to confirm who's going? Must be a thorough vetting process. 😏

Nothing says 'confidence in the manager' like hiding them away. Though let's be honest - it's odds-on he would lamp somebody.

If Jones can get the players playing, he has no real need to court us. My concern remains that tonight was a flash in the pan, and that he's ultimately capable of neither. But hey - a forward step's a forward step.

It's not a load of wank at all; this is a valid route for clubs like us to sign players that would - through traditional scouting methods - be out of our league. Or already on the radars of bigger, richer clubs. The problem is we plainly don't have the aptitude or nous to correctly implement it.

Wasn't as bad as expected. But equally I'm not sure I've ever felt so dissociated from the club (and/or top-flight football) as I did during it. It's the sort of fluff you pull out the bag when 10 points clear at the head of the league. Not when you're struggling to string 3 passes together. Yet another indicator of how out of touch the decision-makers at the club are.

And he's united the fanbase! Unanimously against him, sure. But a win's a win at this point.

We've got a squad lacking in quality, grit and commitment to the cause, which has been further hamstrung by inadequate recruitment/staffing and unfocused, self-aggrandizing senior 'leadership'. Yet still some see fit to turn on their own...

Abject performance aside, if tonight wasn't the nadir of our support, I don't want to know how much lower it goes. I'll stand up for our yoof all the time they bring the atmosphere. Tonight? Silence in the stands - yet come half time they were giving it the big 'un in the concourse. Not least through bashing the divider to Block 43 (ooh, that'll spook them!) Somebody even let off a flare down there, FFS. Of course it was all phones in the air; got to record it for Instagram. 🙄 And once back out for the second half? Silence. I'm far from an old fart, but I'm bloody jealous of those of you that got to experience the 'proper' version of this.

Gonna be a good ebening for their fans.

There was a pigeon on the pitch during the Arsenal match - particularly noticeable during our goal. Some of their fans seemed to be going nuts about it, saying it had distracted Ramsdale. 🙄

We used to score goals of this ilk with impressive frequency circa 2014 to 2016. A very pleasant surprise.

Just look at our points tally and league position. We don't have the luxury of being picky about where our wins come from.

Yeah, they were 100% released in the 95/96 season - remember getting them for Christmas as a lad. Doing a cursory bit of research, the Souness one is regarded as rare (and worth a bit of dosh now).

Pretty disgusting, when you consider the amounts of money thrown at footballers per week - and the relatively small annual figures required to get all employees up to a Living Wage. It's not called the Living Wage without reason. And if employers aren't looking after their staff it's likely the taxpayer that's having to subsidise earnings. We talk a good game about being a community-focused club. Time to show it.

At the end of the day if any given buyback is activated, the player will have had to have been pretty godly for us. We're a selling club anyway - we'll never be able to hold world class talent for long. Yes, it means we wouldn't see a VvD-esque fee. But 2 years of top-class service from a player and turning a profit isn't to be sniffed at. I can see why some would tend to think that means a player's never truly ours. But they no less are than, say, Mane et al were.

Attended Reading Fest in my youth, from 2005 to 2010 (inclusive). Never got involved in any of the nonsense, but without any wider experience I thought the way people behaved there was the norm at festivals. It isn't. Been to dozens of others across the UK and at most of them people simply want to have a good time. You see some hijinks - but mostly in good spirit, and not to anybody else's detriment. Reading and Leeds seem to attract shitheads like moths to a flame. Predominately mummy and daddy's little 'cherubs', let off the leash for the first time. Can't remember whether it was 2009 or 2010, but the last night was tantamount to a riot. Telegraph poles being pulled down, just about anything being set on fire... Including a tent which contained two young girls. It's no exaggeration to say there were baying mobs patrolling the campsites. Crowd control were sent in with riot shields etc. Never understood why it doesn't make the news. Football crowds are angelic in comparison.

Great list. Would also add this one about Barry Fry at Peterborough. Some incredible moments, including Fry (upon completing a transfer) hitting a comedy gavel and exclaiming "Sold to the fat bastard in the blue blazer!" 😆

You've mixed two people up there, and this is a pretty below-the-belt comment anyway.

Changing personal circumstances meant I thought I wouldn't be able to renew this season. So when I realised I could, I did - without really spending enough time thinking about what others around me would do. Missed the Leeds game, so today was my first of the campaign. Couldn't believe the drop-off of familiar faces; many of whom I'd seen fortnightly since I could first afford a ST. And realistically who can blame them? A largely inadequate playing product at home for years. Some of our most loyal supporters chided and whittled away at, whilst opposition fans roam free. Petty, jobsworth stewarding over engaging 'trouble makers' like human beings. None of this screams "fun day out that's worth paying a bloody premium for."