derry

I'm sure you are right. From the three matches I've seen it's the experienced players who have struggled to pass and move. Last year they didn't do much of either.

Didn't NOTW float a bit about Shearer yesterday? Sky mentioned the media. There are rumours, however with the exception of hostile takeovers, most takeovers are a done deal before publication. West bank of the Itchen redevelopment could be the motive but now hardly seems the time to get into property development or borrowing large lumps of money. Phil and Weston for me are nearer the mark. Put me down as a sceptic.

For those reasons I can't see it happening. We really need them to clear off ,so we can get on with playing football, without outside interference, causing problems for the coach and players. Planting rumours of Shearer, investment, etc is an unnecessary distraction.

IMO the Saints Trust has no relevance.

What is obvious, is that the people trying to set up a takeover, themselves don't have the money. If they had it would have happened. Raising third party money no matter on what basis, interest or property developments demands a return. Who in their right mind would see a return in this football club. Massive ongoing investment would be required to even survive in the premiership let alone get there.

Sky actually said there was conjecture in the media. I personally think it's time for any takeover to happen now before continuous rumours damage our season. Otherwise leave the club to get on with the football. If Fulthorpe has the interests of the club as a priority the consortium should either now close the deal or push off. They have had long enough, the football is the priority now.

In some ways you are right, by using cortisone injections club doctors put players through matches by masking the pain and ruining the player in both the short and long term. How else did Delgado and Pahars play in the world cup whilst being longterm injured at the club?

Then not walk at all without replacements and a lot of pain. Just not an option. That's why Claus decided to retire.

I understand that the advice gave him a choice of two options, the other was retire, having taken the second option the medical advice is to give it a go.

I know for sure I wouldn't.

It seems unlikely that someone with £50m will in present circumstances throw it away on a failed football club. If someone has the capital to buy the land and develop a large area of the west bank of the Itchen what do they need a consortium and an extra £50m outlay for. If the allegedly far eastern money is available then they can go it alone without any consortium. According to rumours we are close to D Day and the money is in town. I think this conjecture thread is going the way of all the others, like nowhere.

The club, in the light of their financial situation, will surely be looking for a good run in the cup competitions. It would be a surprise to me if they made many changes. Thomas for Svennson, with John one of the substitutes. Maybe Bialkowski in goal.

Whilst the man may be determined to succeed, I personally give him the credit for being a very sensible person who would retire rather than do himself irreparable damage. Over a year ago he was given the choice of retiring or going through what is a proven procedure to give him the chance to continue. Knee joints after surgery take quite a time to settle down. Moderate exercise or heavy exercise for shorter periods povoke no reaction but go past that time and stiffness and soreness show. It doesn't mean damage purely reaction and settles down relatively quickly.

Believe me, he does have talent, his passing is perceptive, he looks a very educated footballer, he and Gillett anchor the midfield, but unlike Safri last year sitting in a comfort zone added to others giving the ball away, these two get around the pitch and rarely give the ball away. He has played at the back, his tackling is not bad but he will develop. potentially and probably in the short term he will develop quickly. There is no doubt he has quiet times but all players do, from reports we were being pushed back and that is what substitutions are for. However it sounds aas though Wootton didn't convince as his replacement. It's early days, I'm hopeful of a better season, if not an altogether winning one.

I know, I don't suffer fools. There is a time to re-assess, I think yours has come. If you pull it off you will enjoy it more on here. Who needs hassle. As an aside, I was devastated when Lowe came back, but I have to say I can't find much wrong with what he is doing, and the football played in the three matches I've seen, is far better than the dross of the last two years. It will be a rollercoaster and I can live with that.

Alpine, just a word to the wise. A lot of what you post makes good sense, even if people don't necessarily agree with you. You do have a history, and to try for a clean slate with the same name is initially a trifle unrealistic. I have really no interest in vitriolic cyber arguments, which descend from reason to stupidity and name calling. There is no doubt that some people on this site see your posts like a red rag to a bull. In the past I have witnessed the arguments and cringed at the comments which reminded me of playground name calling. If you want a fresh start, your posting needs to be more dispassionate and whilst resisting the temptation to bite back, still make the points that your undoubted intelligence and eloquence would make interesting to all posters. If those that try to wind you up succeed, you again lose the support of the majority. Conversely if they don't succeed you will have the support of many, rather than being viewed as a rabble rouser.

Of course.

Penny to a pound rumours of another underfunded takeover on borrowed money. Hole /head comes to mind.

I understand how you feel, I have watched Saints live/recorded on tv in Peru, Ecuador, US, India, Malaysia, Canada, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and many other places, I wish that I could have had the website it would have made supporting Saints much easier. Canada Saint is an old mate, I know he values the access. I like the discussion but don't see how anyone can be critical without seeing the match.

Merrington and the commentator sounded as though this was the first game they have seen this season. They were both very negative before the game, critical about using young players and then sounded really surprised how the team played.

Not strong enough, lightweight, fancy dan Schneiderlin, pretty football. If you don't watch the team how can you make comments like this.

A very eloquent view. If you did this, it wouldn't constitute an opinion on a team, players, or match you hadn't seen. But you didn't do this, you were specific with your criticism of the team. Since the people who attended the match, have posted, it sounded a reasonable performance, if not a great result.

I think there is more of it on here, however there seems a much more positive reaction from those attending the matches, which is the important thing.

The set piece weakness showed v Celtic,WHU and Stoke. Kelvin sounds as though he had a better all round game today catching crosses and better distribution, together with good shot stopping? I haven't rated him but he sounds better.

We need many more posts like this. A good read.