melmacian_saint

That is why I mean that a lot will still have to change at the club before we can talk that kind of goal, and that takes time. Saints are just nowhere near there yet. Let's not let the whole excitement of the last few years forget where we were in 2009, where we were even brewing beer to ensure our survival. Things have changed dramatically, but we've been down Horror Close (and what a dead end it looked like), so it's time to be conscious about the future. Right now (and in the next couple of years) the important thing is to ensure that we recover that stable, soulful PL status we had for most of the modern football era. My highly optimistic approach would be us reaching the top 7 (i.e. Europe) in 2 seasons, but there really is no reason to rush. But again I think we're discussing nothing more than a motivational hint from our manager to his players, telling them to remain focused, confident and ambitious. The PL beginnings are usually a very tough test and you don't want to have something like 16 shaky legs coming out of the tunnel at the Etihad.

Premier League title is far from our reach for now, any club needs at least a decade to adjust to those standards sustainably (i.e. not City's way). Also I think we shouldn't mix up objectives and Adkins motivating the squad, which I feel is exactly what he is aiming to achieve with this. Reckon that he is possibly trying to shake up some uncertainty that his players may have concerning Premier League times (most of them don't have the experience) and trying to make them feel positive about the adventure. Typical Nigel really, not saying know to any positive thoughts. Everyone at the club is surely targeting a Norwich/Swansea for this first season. Given that we made it to the top in 3 years, NC and Adkins are probably looking at Europe qualification for the end of the 5 years from the takeover.

Justice served. It was exactly what happened to Gretna (but no-one came to take ownership of share) and Livingston (straight from D1 to D3). Hopefully we'll se another case quite close to us in the near future...the first step has been given, we just need confirmation.

Stand up, if you payed your debts... Talking about Skates but not so directly and possibly hitting at the binge-spenders like City or Chelski...

I don't think Adkins will change the team's style of play and changes to the formation will be minimal. In fact the way we played last season was closer to the style that is found in most of the Premier clubs ( and we all saw how risky that approach was in certain moments in the Championship). Truth is the gap between the Prem and the FL is the biggest one in English football, which is why some clubs find it hard to adapt to changes in either direction (especially those out of it). The only change I can see Adkins make is changing to a 4-3-3 formation, with Cork and Davis with a more free role in the middle of the park and then Morgan with a defensive role. Last season we showed much more depth with Cork moving around and Schneiderlin being a more cautious midfielder than with Hammond on the field. Upfront it would be 3 of Jay Rod, Lambert, Sharp, Lallana and possibly Buttner if he's in fact signing. The amount of times that our midfield was incapable of stopping the opposition's attack build-up was worrying, and it was the long-ball, brush aside football-supporting Championship. Not blocking creative or attacking midfielders in the Prem will kill us, and I doubt Hammond has the game for that. Having said this, he guided us through the journey, and he puts a lot of effort into his performances, and you need these kind of players in your squad. He is clearly an important guy in the changing room and it's clear that in the Prem there will be more and longer windy parts on the road, and the more tight-knit the group is, the better we will cope, especially since most of the squad aren't experts in the big time. It's also important to consider that, like anything in life, things can go wrong. And we know how we struggled to get a group of players together to compete for the long-term after 2005, so keeping these players who you know can be good at a lower level can ensure that any setbacks are covered without bringing more troubles, at least until we level off in the Prem. I think that he should stay at least until the end of next season, he would do as a cover for our midfield options and it's important to keep a group united when you have a big change. Plus it's not like he would be a big burden financially.

I thought staring directly at the sun was bad for one's eyesight...

*their, have to get some sleep.

Pompey's troubles in a documentary made in 1990 (in fact, more than just skate troubles in there): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xGh_4TwU3A&feature=relmfu Change the online stock exchange for glitter paper billionaires, arrival of the Campbells/Kanus/Johnsons/Kranjcars and initial rise in the table for the initial earnings part (AT&T scene), FA Cup win and UEFA cup run as the birthday presents, the scratch in the jar as they're jokes about our misery, when he starts losing the money for their initial pay troubles, the breakdown for the administration issues, and the Joe coffee scene as their current denial issues. Hopefully the final punch threat (Football League) will wake them up and the END.

Get well soon mate!

Was told that was happening with ALL tickets.

Also has anyone tried to ring them about the "reset password" issue? I sent an email this morning but they haven't replied yet.

Given the break in this frantic search, whereabouts is everyone planning to get a ticket for?

Anyone know if concession purchases can be done online or via the phone?

Both Morgan and Cork are my predictions for top rookie midfield in the Prem next year. They're both good on the ball Something that would be great for the club given the less direct football nature of top flight.

Any kind of election/referendum in the Eurozone is just smoke. The decisions are taken by Brussels. Even if Ireland said "no", a Lisbon treaty version 2.0 would come up and dump a massive brick on any poll result. As it probably will if other countries do the same and say "no".

Two questions: -If they are not accepted into the FL, aren't they relegated directly to level 11 instead of level 9 (meaning Hampshire League instead of Wessex)? -If they do go bust, what would happen to Fratton Park? Would it be similar to Wimbledon/Plough Lane (waiting for someone to buy off the land)?

I believe we won't hear anything from their fate until the FL meeting on the 2nd of June. When no more cheating will be allowed. If PFC are denied entry in 2012/2013 L1, it's the end. Not even Chainrai will save them. And they HAVE to be denied, no club can compete in such conditions. All the way down to the Hampshire Premier League they go, bring on Portsmouth AFC.

How does Buszaky of QPR sound for everyone? With Cork and Schneiderlin (and even Hammond) being more defensive midfielders, I think he would be a great signing, and since he's been coming out of the bench most of the times for QPR this season I'm sure he'd appreciate a move to a side where he can become a regular in the starting line-up.

The 3-4-3 formation looks interesting, syd! Would only change Cork for Schneiderlin at the back. I think Morgan is better at defensive tasks.

How about Buzsaky of QPR for CM? Think it would be a great signing.

I know I'm new here and all but I must say I'm quite disappointed by this forum's reaction to such a great moment for the club. Instead of praise and positivity, people were quick to stump on fringe players, accuse others of being too crap for PL standards, throw rumours about key people off the pitch abandoning the project (and consquently judging them on thos rumours)... 1 day into the PL adventure and people are already acting like we're down. Clearly nothing was learned by the fans from the club's demise and maybe some people didn't deserve the actual end of our June 2009 saga.

I knew he was going to be there. He's been there right from the start of all of this. Regardless of people's thoughts, he deserves his shot at the Premier League, for all he's done for the club so far. Portuguese pride is running high in me today!

Toilet paper orders are high in East London tonight....

IT'S DONE!!! This is amazing, back in the top! The South rises again... UTS!!