Fans Forum

[Disco Stu]

Did anybody ask what the hell is going on with Lallana? Long term injury or what? All that I've heard was he had "feelings" before the Eastleigh match.

[saintant]

Not really sure of the point of these fan forums if I'm honest. Any questions regarding finances/recruitment/transfers get swerved so we learn absolutely nothing that we didn't know before. 

[Colinjb]

1 minute ago, Disco Stu said:

Did anybody ask what the hell is going on with Lallana? Long term injury or what? All that I've heard was he had "feelings" before the Eastleigh match.

Several of us had feelings when he re-signed. Maybe he developed some empathy.

[JRM]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

Not really sure of the point of these fan forums if I'm honest. Any questions regarding finances/recruitment/transfers get swerved so we learn absolutely nothing that we didn't know before. 

It's to give the appearance of transparency between the club and the fans whilst only telling you what they want to tell you 

[S-Clarke]

11 minutes ago, sfc4prem said:

Basically means he's fucked. Don't reckon we'll see him turn out for us this season.

If i'm honest, I don't think he'll ever play again to a reasonable level. It's not beyond the realms to expect some sort of retirement story at some point during the season.

[hypochondriac]

Learnt almost nothing as predicted. I'd love one of those on the panel to say something mental just to mess with people. 

[hypochondriac]

Just now, S-Clarke said:

If i'm honest, I don't think he'll ever play again to a reasonable level. It's not beyond the realms to expect some sort of retirement story at some point during the season.

Wonder if we get any of our money back due to insurance. 

[S-Clarke]

2 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Wonder if we get any of our money back due to insurance. 

Part of me wonders if that's why they're going down the route of external people, so the insurers can see that every avenue has been covered by people neutral etc.

[hypochondriac]

4 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Part of me wonders if that's why they're going down the route of external people, so the insurers can see that every avenue has been covered by people neutral etc.

Goodness knows how he passed a medical. 

[S-Clarke]

3 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Goodness knows how he passed a medical. 

I'm not sure what medical he undertook, but I fail to see how he could have passed anything as we signed him with an existing injury. Must have been a deal based on lots of caveats and we decided to roll the dice.

[AlexLaw76]

4 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I'm not sure what medical he undertook, but I fail to see how he could have passed anything as we signed him with an existing injury. Must have been a deal based on lots of caveats and we decided to roll the dice.

He is still earning the best part of £1m per year. 
 

Amazing!

[haddock24]

Perhaps someone could have asked do we have a plan b cos last time we were promoted we sacked Nigel Atkins after Xmas!

[Nordic Saint]

39 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

He's two weeks away 😁

They said he had 'external people' working on him, but I didn't realize they were on another planet.

[Saint Billy]

Another anti climax not worth the tissue.

[hypochondriac]

Only thing worth noting if we didn't already know, it's very clear that kwp is off if we get an acceptable offer and he isn't signing a new contract unless he changes his mind. Completely fair enough but would be good if he goes ASAP so we can use the money. 

[Harry_SFC]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

Only thing worth noting if we didn't already know, it's very clear that kwp is off if we get an acceptable offer and he isn't signing a new contract unless he changes his mind. Completely fair enough but would be good if he goes ASAP so we can use the money. 

Personally think our price tag is too high for him. No doubt we will realise this at the end of the window where we have to accept a lower offer then have no time to re-invest the funds. 

[Turkish]

1 hour ago, S-Clarke said:

If i'm honest, I don't think he'll ever play again to a reasonable level. It's not beyond the realms to expect some sort of retirement story at some point during the season.

It was pretty clear something was up when he came back for 2 games and then disappeared again. I was at the Huddersfield game and he certainly didn't look injured at the end of the game but he picked something up that day and we didn't see him again until May. Now he's not fit to play again even in a preseason friendly. It's a real shame as he looked the part but there is clearly something seriously wrong when he not played a since January 2023 and every time he tries to come back he picks something else up. I'll be very surprised if he plays for us again.

Can you believe that of our 3 number 9s in Stewart, Onacochu and Mara we've spent about £40m and not one of them will likely be a starter this season. 

Edited August 12 by Turkish

[Fabrice29]

35 minutes ago, haddock24 said:

Perhaps someone could have asked do we have a plan b cos last time we were promoted we sacked Nigel Atkins after Xmas!

You, for example? 

Really enjoying the suggestions and judgement from people who didn't go. Good stuff.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

8 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

You, for example? 

Really enjoying the suggestions and judgement from people who didn't go. Good stuff.

Why have a go at people who didn't attend? Am sure many of us on here would have gone if possible. Did you go? What was your question?

[haddock24]

10 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

You, for example? 

Really enjoying the suggestions and judgement from people who didn't go. Good stuff.

Yes if only I could have gone but couldn't face battling the traffic to st marys on the hottest day of the year to listen about the price of the beers

[SaintsLoyal]

3 hours ago, Disco Stu said:

Did anybody ask what the hell is going on with Lallana? Long term injury or what? All that I've heard was he had "feelings" before the Eastleigh match.

Lets hope the scumbag stays off the pitch !

Total failure of recruitment bringing in someone who was telling our players to leave.

Poison Dwarf Cortese's gofer in the dressing room.

The club then even had the front to make his arrival a big deal with loads of media PR 

Just hope Parsons is not a mason. 

 

Edited August 12 by SaintsLoyal

[Disco Stu]

1 minute ago, SaintsLoyal said:

Lets hope the scumbag stays off the pitch !

Total failure of recruitment bringing in someone who was telling our players to leave.

Poison Dward Cortese's gofer in the dressing room

The club then even had the front to make his arrival a big deal with loads of media PR 

Just hope Parsons is not a mason. 

 

I also know for a fact he had a bet placed on Adkins dismissal before it was announced. Not the softly spoken, nice lad persona he's portrayed as.

[64saint]

1 hour ago, Crouchie's Lawyer said:

 

Where are the questions everyone wants to know about like what's happening with MOR now, is there likely to be a new striker coming in, are there any players potentially close to leaving, is there anyone potentially coming in before Newcastle and how does Lucy Pinder look naked etc?

😂

 

[Fabrice29]

19 minutes ago, haddock24 said:

Yes if only I could have gone but couldn't face battling the traffic to st marys on the hottest day of the year to listen about the price of the beers

 

21 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Why have a go at people who didn't attend? Am sure many of us on here would have gone if possible. Did you go? What was your question?

I'm not having a go at the people who didn't attend, which included me, but because I didn't go, I don't feel I'm in a position to criticise people who did go and wanted to ask whatever question they wanted to ask. 

[Turkish]

10 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

I also know for a fact he had a bet placed on Adkins dismissal before it was announced. Not the softly spoken, nice lad persona he's portrayed as.

correct, snivelling little back stabber. 

[gio1saints]

No great revelations but enjoyed it all the same. 
Found Jack Stephens very personable and mild mannered. Not like the enforcer he sometimes comes across like on pitch. 
Glad I got the chance to thank him straight away@ 26.35 after telling us how it is with the team and if there’s any on pitch fights. He said he’d rather Charlie got involved and stood up for teammates than the opposite. And that was true of whole team. Basically they are all gonna pile in! 
My response/take on that was as Saints fans we are not expecting to win all the time but we do expect to see the players fight - so thank you for reassuring us the team are all up for fighting!

At which point tongue in cheek I asked Russell if the players had practised playing 10 v 11  which raised a laugh from everyone. Except a couple of miserable fans on here but you can’t please everyone  

Edited August 12 by gio1saints
No need for rudeness my apols

[Turkish]

is the Saints voice still going? Not heard anything about them for ages.

[HarvSFC]

Probably better to do these in the first international break in September. Everything important is just speculation still, at this point. Can get away with answers like it's fine McCarthy making those mistakes in pre-season, but we've all been here before in season. Might get a bit more honesty/openness on the transfer front too, as we don't want to be playing our cards with so many days still left, but afterwards could find out why certain deals didn't materialise and why certain players left. 

Anyway, here's the Blackmore/Martin left-back moment:

https://x.com/SaintsSocialite/status/1823061662825377936

Also, didn't get any of the main individuals from SR for this one. We got employees of SR, like when Gao was in charge, may have been more insightful to hear from them and what their long-term plans are still. The below did pop up on Twitter today with Ankersen speaking to Goztepe fans again. Maybe he could do with some media training so that he doesn't keep alienating the other two clubs owned in the group.

https://x.com/JustSaints_/status/1823032330673340476

 

[Disco Stu]

37 minutes ago, HarvSFC said:

Anyway, here's the Blackmore/Martin left-back moment:

https://x.com/SaintsSocialite/status/1823061662825377936

He does get his back up at the most trivial things. He's got a touch of Strachan about him but without the wit. Anyway, left back really did go badly last season. Manning was awful. Luckily we had KWP down the right side.

Edited August 12 by Disco Stu

[Dusic]

Usual stuff overall but thought Jack Stephens came across very well: seems a good, grounded bloke and clearly cares.

[hypochondriac]

49 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

He does get his back up at the most trivial things. He's got a touch of Strachan about him but without the wit. Anyway, left back really did go badly last season. Manning was awful. Luckily we had KWP down the right side.

Martin is a very prickly character at times. Also did it when he said that Blackmore said he looked tired backstage. Clearly doesn't like him. 

[CSA96]

15 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Martin is a very prickly character at times. Also did it when he said that Blackmore said he looked tired backstage. Clearly doesn't like him. 

Would be interested to know if he was like it with the Swans reporters at all and he just 'enjoys' the sparring with the media, definitely seen a few managers who like that side of it and get something out of it. Definitely seems that he isn't shy in letting Adam know if he ruffles his feathers

[Saint_clark]

4 hours ago, gio1saints said:

 Not like the enforcer he sometimes comes across like on pitch. 

Like Norman Hunter reborn, is Stephens. 

[imadirtyurchin]

3 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

Martin is a very prickly character at times. Also did it when he said that Blackmore said he looked tired backstage. Clearly doesn't like him. 

Maybe he was tired from knocking off Lucy Pinder and got defensive?  Being told you look tired is a funny thing to be prickly about. Most people would just go, “yeah, I am a bit” 

[Give it to Ron]

7 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

Martin is a very prickly character at times. Also did it when he said that Blackmore said he looked tired backstage. Clearly doesn't like him. 

He answered this to someone who was being a right twat on x.

Adam Blackmore

I don’t think I behave differently to either if I’m honest - Russell is more open as a person which encourages more, and his answers are longer. Also, i don’t know how to conduct an interview without asking questions …
…and people make two much of some of our exchanges. We get on very well away from the mic and he’s good company. What he does do is defend himself more, which is fine. But some people take that as a personal thing against me - it isn’t. My BBC columns last season were pro-RM throughout coz i think he’s a good manager for Saints !

[hypochondriac]

53 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

He answered this to someone who was being a right twat on x.

Adam Blackmore

I don’t think I behave differently to either if I’m honest - Russell is more open as a person which encourages more, and his answers are longer. Also, i don’t know how to conduct an interview without asking questions …
…and people make two much of some of our exchanges. We get on very well away from the mic and he’s good company. What he does do is defend himself more, which is fine. But some people take that as a personal thing against me - it isn’t. My BBC columns last season were pro-RM throughout coz i think he’s a good manager for Saints !

I really like Blackmore. I think there are certain people who don't understand what a local journalist is. I think he asks decent questions and gives us snippets where he can. 

[Midfield_General]

Like any local journalist given access to the players, manager, board and club he has to walk a very fine line. If you soft soap it all the time to keep the club sweet then the fans attack you for being a mouthpiece. If you push the club or put them in a difficult position with really awkward questions too many times, they will get tired of it and deny some or all of your access which leaves you with no more insight than the randoms making stuff up on Twitter.

It’s not easy to strike that balance but I think Blackmore generally finds a decent middle ground, as much as he can. 

Edited August 13 by Midfield_General

[gio1saints]

On reflection Jack Stephens’ calm demeanour was giving me Gareth Southgate vibes.
 

That appearance, with multiple - and considered- public speaking opportunities throughout was almost perfect from him. He gave the “right” response to every question, took his time to think about his response before answering. An example was explaining that ALL his teammates wanted to do their best not just him and that ALL the team not just him wanted to play the way they do- and were in sync with the Managers’ ( note calls him the manager not Russell or “the gaffer” vision of how to play. 
 

Yes it was arguably presenting a united front at all costs and yes it was what most would expect to hear In public BUT the calm, sincere way he spoke did not appear to me to be the words of a cowered yes-man for Russell nor of a Stepford-wives style employee spouting the party line. If it was it fooled me. 
My impression is Jack is genuine, capable of independent thought and opinion and both honest and brave enough to say them out loud - so if he says the team character is good, is solid, the wrong types been cast out - I believe him. He’s not an intellectual sort but he’s got football savvy and high EQ for sure. 
 

Im definitely attending his Testimonial - which after 13 years at Saints already is certainly going to happen - though not, as he implied, until he gets a bit older and maybe hangs up his boots. 
 

Edited August 13 by gio1saints

[OldNick]

13 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

Goodness knows how he passed a medical. 

who? Stewart

[Mr Nimbus]

58 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

I really like Blackmore. I think there are certain people who don't understand what a local journalist is. I think he asks decent questions and gives us snippets where he can. 

I think he's a good commentator, but imo, falls in to the trap that a lot of the modern commentators fall into, giving their opinions on things like in game tactics, performance etc. Thats the roll of the co-commentator. Sam Matterface being the biggest example of it.

He also, again imo, brings too much of the "twitter" pov across. I get to those who religiously lap that stuff up, but it really is a micro-chasm of fan sentiment

[hypochondriac]

Just now, Mr Nimbus said:

I think he's a good commentator, but imo, falls in to the trap that a lot of the modern commentators fall into, giving their opinions on things like in game tactics, performance etc. Thats the roll of the co-commentator. Sam Matterface being the biggest example of it.

He also, again imo, brings too much of the "twitter" pov across. I get to those who religiously lap that stuff up, but it really is a micro-chasm of fan sentiment

Not sure what your second paragraph means. I just like most of the segments he does, really appreciated the going home with Adam and Joe stuff last year and I think he genuinely cares about the club and wants it to succeed. 

[Greenridge]

13 hours ago, gio1saints said:

Found Jack Stephens very personable and mild mannered. Not like the enforcer he sometimes comes across like on pitch. 
 

That actually made me chuckle. The enforcer. 

[SuperSAINT]

Just listened.

Blackmore & RM are going to have an almighty ding-dong this season.

[S-Clarke]

28 minutes ago, SuperSAINT said:

Just listened.

Blackmore & RM are going to have an almighty ding-dong this season.

Martin is going to have a few clashes with MOTD interviewers too, can see it a mile off.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, S-Clarke said:

Martin is going to have a few clashes with MOTD interviewers too, can see it a mile off.

Also Sky pundits as they rip apart saints fannying around at the back and conceding a goal

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, S-Clarke said:

Martin is going to have a few clashes with MOTD interviewers too, can see it a mile off.

We'll look back on Nathan as a calm sea of reason in the hype storm of the PL. 🙂

[Farmer Saint]

On 12/08/2024 at 20:14, Fabrice29 said:

You, for example? 

Really enjoying the suggestions and judgement from people who didn't go. Good stuff.

Perhaps you could have called him Nigel Adkins as well, as that's his fucking name. Jesus. 

[kitch]

Watched it yesterday, I actually thought it was alright. Just skipped the bits about the price of cider (cos really, who gives a shit!?) Questions weren't earth-shattering, but they got some insight out of RM and the rest. I really like (Phil?) Parsons and the way he comes across. Straight-talking, doesn't seem to bullshit (well if he does, he's very good at it). Some good jokes from Jack too, seems a good egg.

Also not sure about the 'beef' between RM and Blackmore. I think RM's a bit of a spiky character at times, loves to give it out and genuinely wants to be able to take it back but perhaps has a bit of trouble separating the jokes from taking something personally. He's going to lose it one day with an interviewer in the Prem after a hammering featuring a misplaced backpass or two, no doubt. He'll probably become a meme ala-Charlie "Parklife" Austin. I don't think there's 'beef' with Blackmore though, I think there's mutual respect with a bit of dry humour dashed in.

RM's actually a guy I could listen to for hours. Fascinating character in there.