MorningtonCrescent

Does anyone recall the grief dished out regarding Oakley when he was in our midfield? Do people never learn anything about football over the years? Oakley was described as "the invisible man", "ineffective", "sideways player" etc etc etc...... then, when he left, it was not too long before people were seeing how well he performs that midfield role and were saying that we could do with a player just like him! Hammond is playing that "invisible" role, in my opinion. Successive managers have seen him as an important part of the team. These managers are experienced and qualified in their chosen field - managing football teams! I think I'd probably go with their view on how effective Hammond plays his part in the formation, rather than all the knee-jerk eedjuts on here who never learn anything from past experience! FWIW - I don't think Hammond is playing his part as well as he did last year, or that he has shown us his real potential yet - but some of the things spoken about our midfield on here are just plain silly! NA will get into the players heads and he will see who is up for the fight and select the team accordingly. Why the fans here think they could just change a formation/style instantly and get immediate wins...... Let the new management get on with it! Lets do our bit too, supporting the 11 players on the pitch - WHOEVER THEY ARE. If NA decides he doesn't need any loans.... then lets not keep banging on about "NC won't let NA have any money"...... NA will have known, before signing for Saints, if there was money available! If there's not, then NA still feels able to get this team promoted. If NA selects Morgan, Hammond, Puncheon etc..... SUPPORT THEM! They need confidence, not a load of abuse from their own fans each time they make a mistake! Jeez......

Remember Barnard taking a tumble at the Chapel End on Saturday? Some physio attention needed and he played on? Perhaps, just perhaps, that's when he picked up the hernia problem?! People are so quick to criticise the medics at Saints! Get a grip!

hear hear! +1

I'm in general agreement with madruss and Invicta... some other observations... First half, whilst not being the great football we have played in earlier matches (with no end product), we played a quicker game and tested their keeper more than all the earlier games put together. Not particularly pretty to watch, but then many here said they'd be happy with a "win ugly" mentality for a few games...... Second half, great to see a change of tactics and the players seemingly responding to Adkins half-time chat. We do seem slow to get to the second ball when it breaks in their area, but perhaps we also need a bit of luck too? We certainly had no help from an indifferent linesman and a pedantic ref. Puncheon. This is where I seem to differ to most, but i'll say it none the less. Puncheon still has that ability we all saw when he joined us, really he has! He is clearly a confidence player and when the Northam (and other areas) get on his back after 5 minutes, his head drops. We have our part to play and we're just not helping Puncheon (or the team) by moaning every time a pass/shot/cross goes astray. It is frustrating, but if these guys were consistently playing at their best, they wouldn't (quite frankly) be playing for Saints in Div 3! Give them a break! Adkins will make the changes he feels necessary - so give him the support for all his decisions, right from the start. If he plays Puncheon, support him! Help him to gain his confidence back! Morgan - what a change we have seen in his two games with NA in charge! Anyone who hasn't noticed the player he has become in the last two matches shouldn't be commenting on football forums! He has been a man possessed! Tackles (when did he do THAT last year!) and passes and movement and desire...... too good for Saints already and one we need to hang on to if we are serious about climbing the leagues. Yes, he still makes mistakes... see the comment above about consistency! Hammond. Not the player we all hoped he would be, but successive managers have made him captain and he clearly does things they like. How anyone can say "he's c**p, waste of a shirt" etc... I just don't get it! Maybe not in a good place right now, but he can improve and he will under NA (and with some competition for his place) Quick score on the doors: Davis - 5 good when called upon, but still doesn't command his area enough for me Butters -6 excellent RB, esp compared to last years options Seaborne - 6 will grow into the partnership with Jose and deserves to keep his place on past two games Fonte - 6 exciting when he roams forward and too good for Saints, but still makes mistakes and never gets criticised, just "because he's Jose" Harding - 5 not his best performance, but he can shine in our team again, once the confidence comes back Chamberlain - 6 out of sorts today, perhaps too many games too soon? Great when he puts it together, but faded at times. Only to be expected of a young man learning his trade, so not intended to be too critical! Hammond - 4 ok today but not looking like the player we all want him to be Morgan - 8 great workrate and vision. shown passion for the team in last two outings and we need to hold on to him Puncheon - 6 lets his head drop too easily. makes mistakes, but only because he sees 2 or 3 times more of the ball than anyone else! He could be star for Saints if he can get his confidence and find that early promise again. Lambert - 6 people seem to coming around to the idea that it is ok to criticise Lambo! He isn't beynd reproach, but he is still giving something to this team and once e get the confidence back he will fire us to the top of the table. Those last two (identical!) free kicks were excellent and well saved. Barnard - 7 ran hard today and gave loads for the team. He'll be missed if he needs a hernia op Dickson - 7 great cameo showing that he can b a good option on the left side Holmes - 7 another great cameo, just needs to show us he can stay fit and do it for longer than 15 mins. NA - 9 chose his 11 to start and gave them something to take on the pitch to change patterns of play. seems happy to make changes when he sees an option to. Has Guly got a clause that must play in every game? Seemingly so, as he got a sub appearance for the last 2 mins!

Some comparison: Sept 26th 2009. Saints had just drawn away at Carlisle 1-1 Note the top teams and how far ahead they were. I believe this was after playing 9 matches? After the Sheff Weds game on Sept 25th we will have played 8 games. Which team(s) went on to top the league at various stages? Which team won the league by some margin? 1. Leeds United 25 2. Charlton Atheltic 23 3. Bristol Rovers 19 4. MK Dons 17 5. Colchester United 15 6. Huddersfield Town 15 7. Swindon Town 14 8. Oldham Athletic 12 9. Gillingham 11 10. Southend United 11 11. Hatlepool United 11 12. Millwall 10 13. Stockport 10 14. Norwich City 10 15. Brentford 10 16. Walsall 10 17. Yeovil Town 9 18. Carlisle United 9 19. Leyton Orient 9 20. Exeter City 9 21. Brighton & Hove Albion 8 22. Wycombe Wanderers 5 23. Tranmere Rovers 3 24. Southampton -2

My last contribution to this site, as you've all become a bunch a f u c k t a r d s. What you're saying "alps" is that Pardew should be approaching whosoever he chooses, waving wads of cash at player, agent and club, in order to secure his target players, regardless of cost? You have no grasp on the reality of football finance and how ML/NC are keen to prevent Saints going down the same path as so many others. Some players are available, some are not. Some players want long term deals on big wages, others are only "affordable" if we loan them first to see how they fit with our squad/style/league Some players just won't drop down to Div 3 - no matter what AP has stated he won't sign "journeymen looking for one last pay day".. he's not interested in good/great players if their motivation is money and not the challenge Saints offers. Do you take issue with that? AP has stated he will sign another player or two - his "previous" for signings has proven excellent.... who moaned when we signed an unknown striker from an Italian Serie A club? Many did. Who moaned when signed a bloke no-one had heard of who couldn't get close to his club's team at the Madejski? Many did!?! We have played two home games in the league. Both were "pressure" games - league favourites/live on sky/fans expectation/owner memorial/home side etc etc etc There are still 44 league matches to be played and Saints will rise gently through the league to end up floating nicely at the top. Don't fret so much over scoring your points on here - it's bad for your health! Relax a bit, give the people entrusted with our club some leeway to do their jobs and enjoy the ride. Jeez. Too many people got grudges/axes to grind and heads up their own a r s e s to recognise that we have a great chance this season, whether we sign more players or not. The squad we have is perfectly capable of getting us promoted this year. As with any/every other team in the division players will have good games and bad games. None of our players are "rubbish footballers" - not even Wootton. At this level, players are inconsistent, of they weren't they'd be playing at a higher level. On Tuesday, the players "responsible" for our defeat were Fonte and Lambert, but did anyone slate them? No, and rightly so. Just remember that when others make mistakes or perform below par. Its a marathon, not a sprint. Never before has a saying been so true. No need to reply. I'm out of here. :-(

There, that feels better Minty! FWIW, I wholeheartedly agree. This place has become tiresome beyond imagination. Too many "personalities" who have an axe to grind against someone for some previous "spat". No-one able to express their views without vitriol and sarcasm. Some previously regular posters now reduced to lurking or moved away to other things Some new posters who contribute and then decide its just not worth the grief. What makes a good online discussion forum is the broad range of people and the differing view points, but as with many things these days there is little tolerance for an alternative view. One other very wrong with today's "society" is the need for instant "wins" or gratification. This is another reason why this place has dissolved. Saints must win every game, in a 46 "mile" race. People must get one over on someone with a differing view through "clever" words or simple put downs. No-one is listening to anybody anymore. Markus would be so proud.

Someone in here posted a thread about the weight of expectation and the fact that Saints are the shortest odds for promotion for any team for quite some time.... basically stating that when the fans get behind the team it can build a "Dunkirk" spirit across the whole club and even when things aren't going the way you'd want, with everyone pulling together it can make all the difference. Take the Bournemouth match - Saints were the better side, but struggling to break down the defensive tactics.... the fans sung OWTS for 10-15 solid and the players raised their game and scored. Whether we are playing well, or not; getting the luck, or not; scoring for fun, or not; can't we just try to support ALL the players on the pitch for the duration and see what happens. OK. It's not always going to work, but if can build that mentality of support through thick and thin and get some confidence into the players representing our City, then we may get that un-defeatable look about us that we all crave at this level.

Can you imagine this being sung in "rounds" with the Northam starting off and continuing the "oompah....." whilst the Kingsland massive sing the verse... then they join in the "oompah...." and the Itchen do the verse..... and then we all sing the whole verse again? No? Neither can I?!

If I can make it all, I will be in the Itchen for a change. ACL reconstruction during the week and probably a bit too soon for me to be "sitting down, standing up" all afternoon in the Northam! If I am in the Itchen, I can try to get it going over there - it'll be the other side of the dugout from the Northam end though, so unlikely to be loud enough for it to be heard there! (or maybe not - some people here may think differently!) The Itchen may not know whats hit them! Hoping to make it to Brizzle Rovers though - so will definitely get it sung there!

Leave what out, exactly? I really fail to understand, as i think we are in agreement! There WILL be a larger than "normal" attendance at SMS this weekend - and rightly so If people stuck to discussing the topics raised, using their opinions on the SUBJECT, rather than just trolling for posts from there protagonists and responding with one liner "put-downs".... then it would improve greatly. This weekend is going to be emotional for the fans, whether attending or not. There will be a large showing at SMS, perhaps even as many as 30k, and that is right and proper as the first public opportunity to show how much Markus gave to the city. The only point I was making was that the original information posted by Pilchards was given in good faith by both him and the TO. Nothing sinister. The thread then became the same old slanging match between the usual suspects - scoring points against each other and sniping about fans being "fickle" - having little regard for the topic of discussion. **rolly eyed smiley**

...and anything OVER 25,000 proves you to be wrong about us having a fickle bunch of fans? If it's over 25,000, perhaps you could refrain from blasting the Saints fan base on every occasion you see the opportunity to? (you've been massively wrong with your predictions on AT LEAST two occasions that an occasional poster like me remembers....) FWIW - and in the interests of keeping to the topic of discussion - I think the TO has given Pilchards some duff info, not intentionally - or under instruction from any "higher power" within the walls of SMS - just someone trying to be helpful in answering a question from a fan at the TO window and getting the number wrong. Simples. Nothing sinister. There will be a higher than expected crowd at SMS for a L1 match vs relgation candidates LO. That will be demonstration enough of the respect Saints fans have for Markus and his family. What a shame that YET ANOTHER thread is hi-jacked by the usual culprits, the same people who have been referred to elsewhere as driving regular contributors away from the forum because they just can't look beyond their own vendettas and agendas. What a crap place to discuss Saints this has become. :-(

As no-one has any idea how the KPB '£5m' is being paid, perhaps the blue few might like to consider that it is very unlikely that it is in cash and all up front? As the FCR doesn't apply to overseas football clubs, it could be assumed that only a proportion of the £5m will be received in this period - and the CVA money is required as CASH right now if PFC are to repay the first installment. Still plenty more to come in this saga! As they say at McD's - 'i'm loving it'

@Dan Johnson - post of the week! So much of what you say hits the nail on the head. Live for what you have and remember what you've lost. SFC will continue and we will be galvanised through the events of the last few days. Thank you Markus, through you we can all still enjoy supporting the Saints and sharing that with the people we are close to.

What's with all the early season bashing of young players at Saints? I mean, they all have to learn and grow somewhere. If Saints were in the Prem, then maybe we could justify going out and buying a whole team of "ready made" quality players.... but we're not. We're in the third tier. Division Three in old money. Wrap it up as "League One" if you like, but there are 40+ other teams in leagues higher than ours that are also out to sign the best players. Seabourne has something that AP likes. He is strong in the air and shows enough desire and ability to make it worth our team manager giving him space in our coaching set-up and the occasional run out for the first eleven. That is good enough for me, as we'll never bring on any players with promise if we're all going to say "replace him, he's not good enough" before he's even unpacked his suitcase! We have some very talented and promising youngsters at Saints. It is something of our hallmark or tradition that we give kids a chance to learn how to become better - and giving them good solid experienced pros to play alongside. Why do some people have to demand instant quality and consistency all the time. How many people here were saying that Lallana wasn't good enough to Saints at the start of last season? Plenty! Good grief people. Is it any wonder that so many people just don't bother expressing their views anymore, when this place is infected with "instant gratification" and "anal troll" type posts wherever they look!

I have? Was I drunk?!

It is a 'regular' away song, we always try to get it going - with random success! As mentioned earlier - just the first verse and 2 x chorus, followed by 'floating bridge, floating bridge, floating bridge'... A classic from many years ago and one that always makes someone smile! :-)

It would be interesting to see what some of the more learned people here make of it, but my take is this.. Point 1 shows they were trying to ensure the other actions underway were not prejudiced by this case, and the QC wanted it put on record. The second is more intriguing. It shows that they expect to recover £23.5m through the liquidation process - going after the directors who were in charge at the time. My worry is that he expressly stated 'at the end of CVA', whereas it is widely understood that the liquidation will be in 9 months time. HMRC are clearly going to throw all their efforts into the FCR hearings and the liquidation process that empowers them further to go after company directors personally. They'll be a few more nervous moments for Mr Storryteller and co. in the coming months! :-)

I was more thinking of this part of the HMRC's statement about the process and the decision NOT to appeal.... HMRC QC: “So far as HMRC are concerned, there are two important issues. The first is the operation of the Football Creditor Rule, and as your Lordship is aware, this is subject to separate proceedings against the FA and PL. Those proceedings will continue and are not adversely affected by your Lordship’s judgement. The second is that there are recoveries of at least, we say, £23.5 million, available to a liquidator appointed by the court on the basis of HMRC’s petition of the 23rd December 2009. The points which HMRC have taken in this appeal have resulted in it being made clear that the company will enter a Compulsory Liquidation at the end of the CVA. On this basis HMRC are content with your Lordship’s judgement and will not be seeking permission to appeal.”

Has anyone posted up a transcript of the HMRC QC's comments at the point he announced there was to be no appeal? Is this in the public domain yet? If not, I'm sure I can find a reference to the words he used somewhere..... that'd give us a few more pages of "debate", i'm sure.... ;-)

Rumour is that the re-developed Staplewood will include a pitch designed to be like a potato patch. Good ideas that we really could do with THIS season!

£230k costs is "70% of our costs" according to defence QC. I whispered 'offer them 20p in the £ over 5 years'.... HMRC going after the big one now - the football creditors rule. PL lawyer sat in court taking notes. Perhaps hmrc think the first installment wi fail to materialise and then go back to court?

Hayling Jerry scores spectacular own goal...... 1 to the blue few i'm afraid! "I was in Milan that night"....... Doh! Come on Saints, get the facts right!

It like the opening statements.... prosecution get their say... followed by defence..... then they have a big mud fight and interrogate each other.. the judge might make some observations and ask for the odd adjournment to consider a legal point or three.... and then they eventually get to a point, sometime tomorrow, when the judge says "i've heard enough, i'm off to make a decision"...

I got one on there - but the others are yet to show! :-/