derry

I was just checking if nickh was around.

Who really cares?

That would explain everything, Kelvin Davis is really a fullback.

Svennson "the knee feels fine after last weeks match" and signs a new contract, we really do get some allegedly in the know crap posted. It would help if people who don't know anything refrain from posting rubbish.

He is in the squad tomorrow.

Probably not, but the circumstances have.

I think you will get your wish.

I'd say that the huge gamble was taken the season before last and made even worse last season. This season is a result of the overspending, money we didn't have underwritten last year by £21m in player sales and still losing £5m. We now have to play affordable football. Luckily for us we have a group of pretty talented, fit, eager young players to come in and have a go. I think they will do pretty well, with the help of the players left from last year that can fit in. For me pretty well is finish just below halfway.

The two could never play successfully together, nor could Raziak and John. It looks as though the team on Saturday will have John starting and Mcgoldrick on the right with Svennson alongside Perry, It doesn't look a bad combination to me.

Only if they were brought up through the academy/reserves.

Last year Saga as a striker in the games he appeared in scored 3 goals, in the reserves he was again pretty impotent, in the friendlies he played in this season, I'm not sure he scored He ran around for Poland, was the first player substituted and didn't score. Raziak performed poorly and couldn't play with John or Saga and went off to Bolton in March. Euell was dire for a large part of the season, his passing was abysmal, he did try hard after being brought back after his substitution was cheered. He doesn't seem to have been too bad in preseason. The club wanted Skacel to stay but he opted to leave the club in the lurch and go to Berlin, performing well in the process. Berlin want him but he is too expensive. Hardly a player we want to rely on. Thomas was out for a large part of the last half of the season, if he was fit then Pearson didn't rate him. This season v Stoke his timing, going for headers was poor and on 75% of the occasions he was easily beaten in the air. To make matters worse he was at fault for two of Stoke's goals. These players are not the players I would want to build a side around. Having seen Saints over 30 times last season, playing don't move, no pace, pass it to the opposition football, the three games I've seen this season so far have contained some great football, enjoyable to watch, and at least given me hope that we are turning the corner. Last years team could not be any better this year, we damn near, were relegated with them. This years team will get better, I am much more optimistic now than at any time last sason. Yes we have things to sort out, winning the ball in the air and marking at set pieces. We do however have good things, pace, good passing, well motivated, fit, quick in the tackle, things we didn't have at all last year. We have loads of experience, Davis, Svennson, Perry, John, Wotton, Surman, BWP, Davies, all virtually guaranteed a place in a matchday squad. It is up to the likes of Euell, Skacel and Thomas to get their act in gear and start competing for a place.

Ticket office worked it out roughly, 700STs moved from Itchen North.

We have to have it in the loan agreement to prevent him playing against us. ( Lucketti could have played v SUtd but didn't)

Any experienced player that comes in, fundamentally needs to be keen, motivated, giving their best, able to run at pace and play pass and move without giving the ball away. We don't have many of those.

Read, shrug and move on!

I have just spoken to the ticket office, selling really well, not many seats in the Itchen left. Estimated capacity without the three corners about 28k to 29k. As of yet the corners not being sold, but they are expecting a good crowd.

Personally, I like the football they are trying to play. In the financial situation, we are seeing an attempt to play good football, within an affordable scenario. I expect an unpredictable rollercoaster of results this season. I want to see more of the football I've seen already, having said that, whilst the season depends on results, I happen to think that the way we play, is the most important thing for me. I do however think, that if the fanbase buy into the good football and support the team, in increasing numbers, we will end up with winning more than we lose and regain our sense of identity. Furthermore it could be the only way to move forward and even break even, in due course.

It would make more sense, and not try to tinker with the draw to put all the names in a bag and draw like the FA cup. The top teams have enough advantage already. If the two top teams have to play each other, so what.

No surprise there then Ron.

Wotton at CB ,Sncheiderlin back at midfield, attacking a lot better.

Derby 0 Lincoln 1

Against Stoke his timing was well off. He went for numerous CH type challenges and on quite a few occasions got nowhere near the ball. It really was a worry.

It referred to media speculation, (NOTW_Sun) re Shearer.

I thought that was the position all along, losing £5m last year despite selling circa £21m of players. I am a realist, the football last year was absolutely dire, I know that for a fact because of the 30 odd games I attended. On top of that we escaped relegation by the skin of our teeth. This year I have seen the three main friendlies and have been delighted with the transformation. I couldn't care less if every one of last years team with the exception of Davies, Surman, BWP, and Dyer went. In fact I hope they do. The passing, movement, enthusiasm is brilliant to see. The concerns are all the attacking players weighing in with goals and the ability to attack and defend crosses. I actually think, as I've said before, it's going to be a roller coaster. As I watch about 30 odd matches a season, I know what I prefer. This team can get a lot better, last years team would not and could have been even worse. If we can unload the highly paid underperforming journeymen, we may be able to get in a couple of young reinforcements.

I think people haven't come to terms with the fact that we are now playing affordable football. The high earners are going to go, it's no good criticising the kids they are doing well. The last two years we paid out a fortune in fees, wages and agents and what did we get, in the main dross. Players with no pace, motivation, pretty average fitness, poor results and before somebody mentions the playoffs we only performed in the last six games from a pretty average position to get there then lost at home to a pretty poor Derby side.