Graffito

I would have preferred Walcott to Wright Phillips and Dawson to Upson. Otherwise as expected. Heskey partners well with Rooney and our hopes rest with Rooney.

Don't say Ryanair, or they'll be charging for the toilet next.

You should have used your debit card then.

The players want to avoid injury. Your last sentence is a cracker.

Beats me. Maybe Hoddle hoped MLT would fail so as to prove he was right. It was a vain hope. I don't think Hoddles' nasty but some have said he's vain.

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/8191268.More_charges_for_Redknapp__Storrie_and_Mandaric/?ref=rss

He played Gascoigne did he not? I know he dropped him as well but you could argue that one either way.

I guess because he regards Saints as his club.

The fixtures for the new campaign will be announced on Thursday 17th June 2010 with next season kicking-off on Saturday 7th August 2010. The Carling Cup getting underway a matter of days later during the week commencing 9th August 2010. Three weeks later, in the week commencing 30th August, Round 1 of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy will be played. As ever, Christmas will be a busy period with four match days scheduled in the space of nine days. The traditional Boxing Day fixtures are followed by games on Tuesday 28th December, New Year's Day and Monday 3rd January 2011. The Final of the Carling Cup will take place on 27th February 2011, with the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final planned for 3rd April 2011. The season for clubs in League 1 and League 2 will end on Saturday 7th May 2011 with teams in the Championship playing their final matches a day later on Sunday 8th May 2011

Applying a bit of Spanish to this Portuguese article, I think this says he will transfer subject to a medical and work permit and agreement with Benfica and Aris: Adu no Southampton Freddy Adu está a caminho do Southampton, clube que actua na League One, equivalente à II Divisão portuguesa. O avançado aguarda os exames médicos e a licença de trabalho para selar a transferência, pois o clube inglês já chegou a acordo com o Benfica, negociando também com o Aris de Salónica, onde deveria ficar até 2010/11. http://www.ojogo.pt/26-147/artigo867131.asp Still not credible but it is a a quiet news day.

Saints seeking work permit for Adu. Not the most reliable source but I guess they may have picked it up from elsewhere. He's supposed to be good isn't he? http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/423088200?-11205

That's not how I understand what the rules say. I've highlighted the relevant bits: If any club relegated to the League from The Premier League (in accordance with the Rules of The Premier League) whilst it was a member of The Premier League, took or suffered any such action as set out in Regulation 12.3.1 of these regulations at any time following the end of the season (as defined in the Rules of The Premier League) but before it becomes a member of The League, then that club, upon being accepted as a member of The League in accordance with Regulations 7.4 and 10.1 shall suffer a deduction of 10 points, such points deduction to apply in respect of the following Season such that the Club starts that Season in Division One on minus 10 points. reduced number of Clubs. So if a club enters into a CVA (one of the criteria at 12.3.1) after it is relegated but before it becomes a member of the football league, then upon being accepted by the football league it starts on -10 points. These are the FL rules. The 9 point deduction for going into admin was administered under the PL rules and it was 9 points and not 10 points as referred to in the FL rules quoted above. This rule also seems to me to be about events (e.g. a CVA) during the period between relegation and membership of the FL. Therefore, the rule at 12.3.4, that a club gets only one 10 points deduction for multiple offences, does not apply where Admin occurs as a PL club under PL rules and a CVA is entered after relegation but before admission to the FL.

I don't read it that way. It seems to me they can get a 10 point deduction for any of the criteria listed under 12.3.1 e.g. "enter into any arrangement with its creditors or some part of them in respect of the payment of its debts or part of them as a company voluntary arrangement under the Insolvency Act 1986 or Scheme of Arrangement under the Companies Act 1985; "

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/421418376?-11205

I think Pardew rates Surman. I think I recall that when speaking of Saints having sold their best players before he (Pardew) became Manager, Pardew spoke of Surman and McGoldrick driving on the team in a match he'd watched the season before last. He may have made the comments in one of those Solent meet the fans type events. My memory being what it is I can't remember the match either. Could have been Sheff Utd at home but not sure. I'm sure one of you lot with the encyclopaedic knowledge of Saints will be able to confirm if I'm on the right track or delerious.

"I love the game, and you never know what the new owners will want to do". I think we do Peter. "I enjoy the football side of things"- as opposed, presumably, to the controlling costs side of things. "He confirmed he will travel to Wembley with the Portsmouth squad on Saturday, and wear the club's official FA Cup final suit". Don't forget the big red nose.

The Echo puts up quite a good defence here. They have a point about Solent don't they? And if it is true that Cortese's mind being changed by the publicity and support (who really knows?) then the Echo has done us fans a service because we want Pardew to stay.

I don't like the Echo reporting unsubstantiated rumour. But the fact is, I go to the Echo's website before the OS and I suspect I'm not the only one. The Echo is on the outside as we are as fans. If Cortese doesn't like what the Echo writes he should seek to influence them. To influence them he must engage with them. The alternative is that the Echo will fill the void with rumour and gossip.

Yes but Fulham v Man Utd, Fulham v Chelsea...you don't get to see Saints. Plus Fulham have loads of competition in London and the atmosphere's crap at Craven Cottage.

I think neither the Echo nor Cortese has handled this situation well. The one person that has come out of it with credit is Alan Pardew. I dislike how the Echo has been reporting unsubstantiated gossip and rumour and NC has really shown them up for what they have done. Nonetheless, I think there may be occasions in future years when he and the club could benefit from having the Echo on side. At the very least, it's better having them inside the tent ****ing out than outside the tent ****ing in.

A slight improvement but it still looks like it's been designed by a committee.

Telegraph's at it now. http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/420117890?-11205

An interesting statistic. Something to work on for next season.

I hope Leeds stay down. It would be hilarious if they bottled it yet again and I think we can beat them next season.

Southend.