Stattmeister

Well, I'll take Hopkins' word as my opinion is only formed on the games I've seen him in. I thought he looked pretty useful, and fits the bill in terms of age. If it is true, I think it is the end of Holmes tbh as someone else suggested. That'd given us Harding/Dickson and Mills/Lallana/Puncheon still. Which I quite fancy.

Yep, I'll take the conspiracy theory that this is part of the Antonio deal (keeps fingers crossed)...!

I keep finding rogue easter confectionary in the house, always a delight. How about that Kieswetter leave? unreal! 27 singles please...

I'm here! When you mentioned lumb was gone, I was sure you mentioned your roast was pork, not roast lumb...

I must have missed the bit where I placed responsibility upon any of these chaps' heads - My apologies if it came across as such - I was merely comparing the marked differences in their leadership approaches compared to that of NC's. HTH. Oh, and the fact that Crouch is still a lying little sh!t irks me, but "onwards and upwards". We all love each other now brother in these happy days, so have a good one mate!

I don't want to turn over old ground, but on reflection, it makes me realise what a mess we were in with Wilde/Crouch/Durlieu as our Chairmen, and puts just how professional NC and the club in general is now. Danke Saint Marcus.

Wow. Integrity, detail and professionalism - I may have just have a little man love for NC now. He is the boss, he knows it, but a proper Chairman and CEO. I wish my company had one like him! I just had a fist pumping, emotional moment in the office when reading this. Terrific. Shame on us for almost being suckered in by the tabloid nonsense. At least, as this statement makes pertinently clear, when there's some news to be had from inside the club, we'll hear it through the proper channels first, which is refreshing in any business, not least football! Keep the faith in ML/NC/AP to take us back to the promised land, they know what they're doing... COYS! I agree though, let me buy my season ticket dagnammit!! P.S. Is there a 2pm press conference tomorrow mind to confirm Skacel...?

Whilst we discuss the realms of fantasy, what happens if P*mpey go bust in the close season? I know, highly unlikely with their latest tyre kicker emerging, but nonetheless. Presumably they would promote a further team from all the lower leagues? Just a question, hypothetical. Not that I'm clutching at starws or anything!!

One of my personal favourites this year was the singing of "you're just a small town in city" to Bristol Rovers. Genius, sheers genius. Spongs.

Lest we forget, Jermaine Beckford also came from non-league (and there was a lot of talk about "should we sign him" then, and look how he's done!), as did Michael Kightly. I'm not saying everyone is a success, but if you can afford to take a gamble (I'd think differently if we only had funds to sign one play say), why not? I've never seen him, but according to the few on here that have, he sounds like a punt worth taking.

I've just posted on the Ward thread - I reckon this Jaidi eye injury maybe more severe than we thought, hence the two, and maybe third centre back signing - especially if Thommo is off, it may have forced Pardew's hand. Just my take on it! If Jaidi is out long term (speculation only), then it would have left us Fonte, Perry, Thommo, Lancashire and Martin. The latter is "one for the future", and Pardew's use of Lancashire and Thomas suggests he has little faith in them. That would leave us "down to the bare bones " (sorry to sound like Re****p). I can see the sense. I just assume Thomas is moving on.

I'm now wondering if the Jaidi "stud in the eye" story has lead to Pards to have to act in the market, as Jaidi's injury is such that in fact, we would have only had Perry, Thommo, Lancashire and Martin. It would explain the Fonte, (potential) Ward and Seabourne signing. Particularly if one or both of Thommo/Lancashire are off if rumour is to be believed. Just my take.

So, if its on the Official Twitter Feed, but not the OS, isn't someone going to get slapped wrists there, given the rhetoric of not "official" until confirmed on the website? Marginally underwhelmed given the talk of Ward (who at 24 still has bags to offer in terms of experience, and indeed potential to develop). However, in Pardew we trust - I personally can't fault any of his dealings thus far.

Yup. would love Danns here. Also, someone mentioned that if the story is true, then we wouldn't want Jose Fonte as he may be arrogant and not want to be here etc. Similarly, I'd hate for the team spirit that finally appears to be being instilled diminished by the arrival of one player, demanding more than the others. It could create unrest... obviosuly, this is assuming the story is true. We have to realise that any player "dropping" into L1 is here for at minimum, 5 months... maybe until May 2011, longer, whatever... that can't be any easy pitch to make to these players, wonga or not.

With the greatest respect - to improve on Rickie in L1, that we can get hold off, and not be held to ransom, can you offer any suggestions? I get your point, but I can't think of a realistic, better 30 goals a season that would join us this Jan to significantly improve on the big man (but yup, I'd prefer Barnard to Pericard!)

http://boards.footymad.net/forum.php?tno=121&fid=18&sty=2&act=1&mid=2123385763 Carlisle fans think he's gonna be a big loss to them - I know we have the cash, but assuming this is a free deal, maybe til the end of next season, I think he'd be ok as a squad player for us - if we lose Rickie to injury, then we have little back up to rely on as it stands.... Does this mean the Donnelly deal from Plymouth is dead? Hardly settling the world alight, but to buy decent first teamers at a good price (let's not be held to ransom here, even if we can afford more), to oust Rickie/Connolly/Papa up top, especially in knee-jerk January, is going to take some deal.

Serious mate, utter genius... has there EVER been a better analogy?!

Mario Licka! Of course! How could I forget?! Cheers bud, that was driving me potty...

http://www.debt-consolidation-online.uk.com/winding-up-petition.php

Apologies, I've forgotten his name - Arias? The torpedo or something....? He was not too hot if I can remember. Peckhart, Kanchelskis and Almeida certainly spring to mind. It is difficult to not pick Bernard or Davenport (in fact, any of that back 4), despite us playing in the prem then. O'Halloran was so brief he can't be included, surely...? Recently, Olly "red card" Lancashire was proper calamitous, despite having a great rep. I also thought Paul Smith was pretty decent all in all - however he was in and around the team when we had Niemi, so sadly no contest for the lad. Incidentally, what was the name of that Czech Republic midfielder we had a couple of seasons ago, came as A Trialist I think, looked ok in fits and starts - curly blonde hair (no, not Bary Venison), and scored a couple of crackers. Been bugging me for weeks! Cheers!

Sounds awesome, hope they have a great day out! FWIW, let's just get the winning ways back please... I'd like Leeds to be a "blip" rather than the end of the run, so will happily take a scuffed one nil-er of James backside... performance can follow at Colchester. Happy Cyber Christmas y'all, have a good one!

But did it put Antonio off, all of the hoo-ha? It didn't, but could've, cost us the game as the focus was changed. Also, another amusing "pitch invasion" at the end of the match, the kid ran the steward up and down again until he fell ar$e over tit.

A pleasant surprise - I drunk out of my saints mug at work today (someone made me a brew, I supped it and realised the error of my ways for single handedly cursing the team), which normally condemns us. Great goals, I noticed on another thread about us not being able to keep clean sheets - this is a concern, but with lambert and connolly, supported by lallana, antonio and papa, I can see us continuing to score. Quite nice on hindsight to get a great result and a good run out against an "equivalent" team, keep the minds fresh and focused, continuing the feelgood factor, and most importnatly the confidence. Scary at the end is something we still seem to do, however,that little business by the corner flag, with Lambert flicking it up and over to create a couple of chances, and holding it up in the corner, was great. In days gone by, that would have shinned out of touch, long goal kick and their equaliser. Happy days ladies and gents. Let's enjoy it.

I think the answer is in the post about the fixtures computer, and Southend requesting to not play at home the same weekend as West Ham. From a logistical POV, the OB, stewards etc would prefer one team in that neck of the woods playing regularly on a random night, as the knock on effect (Colchester, Ipswich, Norwich etc, not forgetting D&R, Leyton and other clubs!) makes it a plannig nightmare! Good read btw.

Inconsistency is inherent - how can a "shoulder barge" on Papa in the box, when the ball is still playable, be no foul, when the same offence is committed in the middle of the park by Trotman deemed so. They either both are, or both not. I know, refs have a tough time, but once you make a call, stick by that way for the rest of the 90 minutes (I suppose he did by not giving us a pen at all!). Incidentally, this will sound like a contradiction, but the Hammond "dive" (I couldn't see well enough if it was or not, sorry for the Wenger view) - this business with Eduardo has made it so difficult to referee a game and raised a good point. It is feasible that a player can "go to ground", without it being a dive or a free kick, the simple nature of physics!