19 years ago Chris Nicholl took a chance on a young 19 year old recently signed from Bath City called Jason Dodd. If Jake Thomson is good enough let him play. To be honest we've not had a good rightback since Paul Telfer and even he was a converted midfielder.

As for making their mark surely Surman has done this already?

Condor Man wrote:
19 years ago Chris Nicholl took a chance on a young 19 year old recently signed from Bath City called Jason Dodd. If Jake Thomson is good enough let him play. To be honest we\\\'ve not had a good rightback since Paul Telfer and even he was a converted midfielder. As for making their mark surely Surman has done this already?

quite agree....surman could be a better fall back than winger as he showed at the end of last season

Mick Channon
Steve Moran
Danny Wallace
Rodney Wallace
Alan Shearer
Matt LeTissier
Wayne Bridge
Theo Walcott
Gareth Bale

Yeah cool, lets play them, then we can flog them when we finish mid table.

Jake Thomson is not a right back. He's more attack minded than defence minded. It would be another case of a square peg in a round hole and Saints have got no where with that approach under a string of managers.

Jamie Hatch is the only proper right back at the club. No disrespect to Jamie, who is a decent prospect, but that's a bit scary. Jamie hasn't even played much reserve team football, so stepping into the Championship first team, is a huge step up. He may well excel, but it's a high risk strategy.

your team is not good enough, but the fans are demanding promotion so what can you do. Simple you buy a few experienced players take the best of your current squad and fill the empty places with your youngsters then you attack attack attack and run away with promotion.Could it be that simple? Well a young manager in 1959 decided to do just that with an average third division side and within six years that team was in the first division and ten years after that the team Mr. Ted Bates built won the FA cup maybe just maybe history is about to repeat itself.

Have you got your tickets for Claus's testimonial yet? No! Then you should be ashamed of yourself. Go and get them now and let us send him off in true Saints style.

Barnacle Bill wrote:
Have you got your tickets for Claus\'s testimonial yet? No! Then you should be ashamed of yourself. Go and get them now and let us send him off in true Saints style.

In true Saints style??? You mean everyone boos him off the field? What has poor old Claus done to deserve that?!?

we still need out good players and our experienced ones, too many youngsters will see us struggle and they will not survive. Everything is about balance, even with the squad we have now mid-table is the most likely bet. Six teams have parachute payments and four others have 10 million transfer kitties. Though that doesn't always mean promotion. Crystal Palace wer the first ever million pound team and they got relegated

realist wrote:

Barnacle Bill wrote: Have you got your tickets for Claus\'s testimonial yet? No! Then you should be ashamed of yourself. Go and get them now and let us send him off in true Saints style.

In true Saints style??? You mean everyone boos him off the field? What has poor old Claus done to deserve that?!?

Harsh but fair Realist.
As for Claus I don't see why I should subsidise a multi-millionaire footballer who will "earn" more on that one night than I can in nearly 20 years! I've got my season ticket and I'll support the lads away as well, I'll save my money for the important things.

All looks to 'hope' orientated.

Not much experience either.

milton road wrote:
we still need out good players and our experienced ones, too many youngsters will see us struggle and they will not survive. Everything is about balance, even with the squad we have now mid-table is the most likely bet. Six teams have parachute payments and four others have 10 million transfer kitties. Though that doesn\\\'t always mean promotion. Crystal Palace wer the first ever million pound team and they got relegated

The problem with this is Saints good players are our young players. The experienced ones who haven't performed have now been released and some of the others will be sold. Saints have done well in the reserve and academy leagues so if this success and confidence of the youngsters is transferred into the first team they will be able to compete.
This is a case of sink or swim from the youngsters but with experienced players like Wotton, Svennson, Davies, Surman, Davis and the coaches around them they should feel confident enough to express themselves.
England players as Capello has found always show how good they are on the training ground but then don't always perform in an England International. If these youngsters are allowed to express themselves and are given the time and support to do so they will succeed in the long run. A good start to the season though is important as it will dictate the rest of the season!

Lets start with this:
Davis
Thomas/Davies/Perry
Schnerlin/Safri/Surm
an/Wootoon/Holmes
Rasiak/John

Subs. Bart/Lancashire/Viaf
ara/Lallana/Saga

Any other ideas. Yes thats a 3/5/2

milton road wrote:
we still need out good players and our experienced ones, too many youngsters will see us struggle and they will not survive. Everything is about balance, even with the squad we have now mid-table is the most likely bet. Six teams have parachute payments and four others have 10 million transfer kitties. Though that doesn\'t always mean promotion. Crystal Palace wer the first ever million pound team and they got relegated

This is a sad reflection on why modern football is not a patch on the old days. Every time used to start on a relatively level playing field and every team and their supporters thought "This could be our season".
Now there are only 4 teams who can possibly win the Premiership another 6 will fight for the Champions League place and the rest will hope to stay up.
In our division I would like to think that a good start, a bit of consistancy etc would see us looking for a top 2 finish, and a play-off spot if we don't quite get it right, but realistically as you say, we will do well to finish in the top half.

Up the middle for Gregor!

History wrote:
Mick Channon Steve Moran Danny Wallace Rodney Wallace Alan Shearer Matt LeTissier Wayne Bridge Theo Walcott Gareth Bale

why did you leave out......

Ray Wallace????
Mark Whitlock???
Craig Maskell???
Kevin Gibbens???
Dave Puckett???
Neil Maddison???
David Hughes???

Chris Nicholl wrote:
Jake Thomson is not a right back. He's more attack minded than defence minded. It would be another case of a square peg in a round hole and Saints have got no where with that approach under a string of managers. Jamie Hatch is the only proper right back at the club. No disrespect to Jamie, who is a decent prospect, but that's a bit scary. Jamie hasn't even played much reserve team football, so stepping into the Championship first team, is a huge step up. He may well excel, but it's a high risk strategy.

I don't see a problem with having an attacking player at full back, in fact in a 4-3-3 formation having an attacking full back is pretty much a necessity.

Just look at Van Bronkhorst in the Euro's, he was outstanding and was needed to give the Dutch some width.

I personally think the current squad is looking good & I'm positive about the campaign ahead. Our defence is currently a little thin, but with Hatch, Thomson & possibly Svensson returning we'd only need to bring in a couple more defnders & I think we'd be good to go. I really hope Suramn, Safri, Rasiak, Skacel, A.Davies, Viafara & Stern John aren't sold, as I feel they could be key players for us this season ahead.

COYR!

The squad appears to be taking shape but is a bit thin.
A fit Michael Svensson would be superb to give the youngsters guidance, and a good old pro in midfield like Case or Marsden would make a world of difference (although maybe Wootton is the one, who had heard of Marsdeb before we signed him?)

a good old pro in midfield like Case or Marsden would make a world of difference
think Jimmy is a bit busy with his radio work these days, but you can ask him

the squad is too small and inexperienced for the championship, 5 or 6 championship standard players are needed before the end of august, because with this current squad relegation is a certainty

You can't win anything with youngsters!!!!

diretimes wrote:
the squad is too small and inexperienced for the championship, 5 or 6 championship standard players are needed before the end of august, because with this current squad relegation is a certainty

You obviously know nothing about football!

diretimes wrote:
the squad is too small and inexperienced for the championship, 5 or 6 championship standard players are needed before the end of august, because with this current squad relegation is a certainty

I want someone to help with the name of "THE MAIN MAN" who is going to do the business for us up front.

Diretimes, I'll bet 100 of my SFC shares (currently valued at £30.00) that we are still in the Championship this time next year.

If we get promoted I'd like you to send a cheque for £50.00 to the charity of my choice.

If we get relegated you can have all my 500 shares which will then be worth about £5.00.

Your word, as an enthusiastic and forward-thinking SFC Supporter is good enough for me.

The Old Codger wrote:

milton road wrote: we still need out good players and our experienced ones, too many youngsters will see us struggle and they will not survive. Everything is about balance, even with the squad we have now mid-table is the most likely bet. Six teams have parachute payments and four others have 10 million transfer kitties. Though that doesn\'t always mean promotion. Crystal Palace wer the first ever million pound team and they got relegated

This is a sad reflection on why modern football is not a patch on the old days. Every time used to start on a relatively level playing field and every team and their supporters thought "This could be our season". Now there are only 4 teams who can possibly win the Premiership another 6 will fight for the Champions League place and the rest will hope to stay up. In our division I would like to think that a good start, a bit of consistancy etc would see us looking for a top 2 finish, and a play-off spot if we don't quite get it right, but realistically as you say, we will do well to finish in the top half. Up the middle for Gregor!

I agree with your comments about only 4 teams being able to win the Prem League, which is why, when the so called big 4 or 5 start flexing their muscles and threaten to pull out of the Prem (to extort even more money out of Sky) and set up a Euro League with like minded big teams throughout Europe, I always hope that they DO go. The Prem League would then become a much more competetive league, as it used to be, allowing other teams, with less money the chance to win it. It would also enable teams promoted to the Prem to gain a foothold and not just go up to come back down again, as so frequently happens now. Gone are the days when teams like Nottingham Forest got promoted one year, one the 1st Division title the next, followed by the European Cup the year after. Good ol' days.

Costa Baz wrote:

The Old Codger wrote:

milton road wrote: we still need out good players and our experienced ones, too many youngsters will see us struggle and they will not survive. Everything is about balance, even with the squad we have now mid-table is the most likely bet. Six teams have parachute payments and four others have 10 million transfer kitties. Though that doesn\'t always mean promotion. Crystal Palace wer the first ever million pound team and they got relegated

This is a sad reflection on why modern football is not a patch on the old days. Every time used to start on a relatively level playing field and every team and their supporters thought "This could be our season". Now there are only 4 teams who can possibly win the Premiership another 6 will fight for the Champions League place and the rest will hope to stay up. In our division I would like to think that a good start, a bit of consistancy etc would see us looking for a top 2 finish, and a play-off spot if we don't quite get it right, but realistically as you say, we will do well to finish in the top half. Up the middle for Gregor!

I agree with your comments about only 4 teams being able to win the Prem League, which is why, when the so called big 4 or 5 start flexing their muscles and threaten to pull out of the Prem (to extort even more money out of Sky) and set up a Euro League with like minded big teams throughout Europe, I always hope that they DO go. The Prem League would then become a much more competetive league, as it used to be, allowing other teams, with less money the chance to win it. It would also enable teams promoted to the Prem to gain a foothold and not just go up to come back down again, as so frequently happens now. Gone are the days when teams like Nottingham Forest got promoted one year, one the 1st Division title the next, followed by the European Cup the year after. Good ol' days.

You've got me going on 1 of my favourite topics.

I read recently that MUFC and Chelsea are in debt to the tune of £700m secured against loans from their owners.

When you think how the struggling Clubs get points deducted if they go into Adminiostration, wouldn't it be wonderful if theses "BIG" clubs, built on a mountain of debt, were deducted points of shall we say 1 point for every £10m they were in debt at the season's end. This would mean that thew fat cats would be deducted something like 30 points each.

All of a sudden, it brings Premiership football into an entirely different perspective and give a real chance to the smaller but better run clubs.

It would kill obscene transfer fees off overnight and bring a whole new dimnsion to the game.

Then I woke up.........

Jimmy Case wrote:
The squad appears to be taking shape but is a bit thin. A fit Michael Svensson would be superb to give the youngsters guidance, and a good old pro in midfield like Case or Marsden would make a world of difference (although maybe Wootton is the one, who had heard of Marsdeb before we signed him?)

I haven't heard of Marsdeb after we signed him? is he a full back?

Pedant wrote:

Jimmy Case wrote:
The squad appears to be taking shape but is a bit thin. A fit Michael Svensson would be superb to give the youngsters guidance, and a good old pro in midfield like Case or Marsden would make a world of difference (although maybe Wootton is the one, who had heard of Marsdeb before we signed him?)

I haven't heard of Marsdeb after we signed him? is he a full back?

I think the guy just offered his girlfriend a choccie bar, mars deb?

nick wrote:

diretimes wrote:
the squad is too small and inexperienced for the championship, 5 or 6 championship standard players are needed before the end of august, because with this current squad relegation is a certainty

You obviously know nothing about football!

nick

I have played and watched football for nearly 50 years so I think I know a bit about it.

In my opinion this is one of the weakest squads saints have had in years and unless it's strengthened we are going to struggle, most other championship teams seem to be spending money, Saints don't have any so there is no reason to be optimistic about this season.

Graham wrote:

diretimes wrote:
the squad is too small and inexperienced for the championship, 5 or 6 championship standard players are needed before the end of august, because with this current squad relegation is a certainty

I want someone to help with the name of "THE MAIN MAN" who is going to do the business for us up front.

Diretimes, I'll bet 100 of my SFC shares (currently valued at £30.00) that we are still in the Championship this time next year.

If we get promoted I'd like you to send a cheque for £50.00 to the charity of my choice.

If we get relegated you can have all my 500 shares which will then be worth about £5.00.

Your word, as an enthusiastic and forward-thinking SFC Supporter is good enough for me.

Graham, I can't help you with "THE MAIN MAN" we don't have any money so we can't buy any decent players, having to rely on other clubs castoffs like those we've already signed.

I admire your optimism albeit misguided, thanks for the offer but I can't see any use for 500 shares worth £5

Graham wrote:

Costa Baz wrote:

The Old Codger wrote:

milton road wrote: we still need out good players and our experienced ones, too many youngsters will see us struggle and they will not survive. Everything is about balance, even with the squad we have now mid-table is the most likely bet. Six teams have parachute payments and four others have 10 million transfer kitties. Though that doesn\'t always mean promotion. Crystal Palace wer the first ever million pound team and they got relegated

This is a sad reflection on why modern football is not a patch on the old days. Every time used to start on a relatively level playing field and every team and their supporters thought "This could be our season". Now there are only 4 teams who can possibly win the Premiership another 6 will fight for the Champions League place and the rest will hope to stay up. In our division I would like to think that a good start, a bit of consistancy etc would see us looking for a top 2 finish, and a play-off spot if we don't quite get it right, but realistically as you say, we will do well to finish in the top half. Up the middle for Gregor!

I agree with your comments about only 4 teams being able to win the Prem League, which is why, when the so called big 4 or 5 start flexing their muscles and threaten to pull out of the Prem (to extort even more money out of Sky) and set up a Euro League with like minded big teams throughout Europe, I always hope that they DO go. The Prem League would then become a much more competetive league, as it used to be, allowing other teams, with less money the chance to win it. It would also enable teams promoted to the Prem to gain a foothold and not just go up to come back down again, as so frequently happens now. Gone are the days when teams like Nottingham Forest got promoted one year, one the 1st Division title the next, followed by the European Cup the year after. Good ol' days.

You've got me going on 1 of my favourite topics. I read recently that MUFC and Chelsea are in debt to the tune of £700m secured against loans from their owners. When you think how the struggling Clubs get points deducted if they go into Adminiostration, wouldn't it be wonderful if theses "BIG" clubs, built on a mountain of debt, were deducted points of shall we say 1 point for every £10m they were in debt at the season's end. This would mean that thew fat cats would be deducted something like 30 points each. All of a sudden, it brings Premiership football into an entirely different perspective and give a real chance to the smaller but better run clubs. It would kill obscene transfer fees off overnight and bring a whole new dimnsion to the game. Then I woke up.........

The difference between them and the clubs that go into administration is that their debts are secured by the club's or the club's owner's assets. This was not the case with, for example, Leeds, who borrowed to spend on players, thinking that they would recoup when promoted. They were not promoted, the debts called in and administration followed.
Nothing wrong with debt, as long as it is managed. Unless you buy a house for cash, you are in debt, but it is debt that is managed.

Lets play all the youngsters for a laugh. We can make them jump through hoops aswell

sailor sam wrote:

Graham wrote:

Costa Baz wrote:

The Old Codger wrote:

milton road wrote: we still need out good players and our experienced ones, too many youngsters will see us struggle and they will not survive. Everything is about balance, even with the squad we have now mid-table is the most likely bet. Six teams have parachute payments and four others have 10 million transfer kitties. Though that doesn\'t always mean promotion. Crystal Palace wer the first ever million pound team and they got relegated

This is a sad reflection on why modern football is not a patch on the old days. Every time used to start on a relatively level playing field and every team and their supporters thought "This could be our season". Now there are only 4 teams who can possibly win the Premiership another 6 will fight for the Champions League place and the rest will hope to stay up. In our division I would like to think that a good start, a bit of consistancy etc would see us looking for a top 2 finish, and a play-off spot if we don't quite get it right, but realistically as you say, we will do well to finish in the top half. Up the middle for Gregor!

I agree with your comments about only 4 teams being able to win the Prem League, which is why, when the so called big 4 or 5 start flexing their muscles and threaten to pull out of the Prem (to extort even more money out of Sky) and set up a Euro League with like minded big teams throughout Europe, I always hope that they DO go. The Prem League would then become a much more competetive league, as it used to be, allowing other teams, with less money the chance to win it. It would also enable teams promoted to the Prem to gain a foothold and not just go up to come back down again, as so frequently happens now. Gone are the days when teams like Nottingham Forest got promoted one year, one the 1st Division title the next, followed by the European Cup the year after. Good ol' days.

You've got me going on 1 of my favourite topics. I read recently that MUFC and Chelsea are in debt to the tune of £700m secured against loans from their owners. When you think how the struggling Clubs get points deducted if they go into Adminiostration, wouldn't it be wonderful if theses "BIG" clubs, built on a mountain of debt, were deducted points of shall we say 1 point for every £10m they were in debt at the season's end. This would mean that thew fat cats would be deducted something like 30 points each. All of a sudden, it brings Premiership football into an entirely different perspective and give a real chance to the smaller but better run clubs. It would kill obscene transfer fees off overnight and bring a whole new dimnsion to the game. Then I woke up.........

The difference between them and the clubs that go into administration is that their debts are secured by the club's or the club's owner's assets. This was not the case with, for example, Leeds, who borrowed to spend on players, thinking that they would recoup when promoted. They were not promoted, the debts called in and administration followed. Nothing wrong with debt, as long as it is managed. Unless you buy a house for cash, you are in debt, but it is debt that is managed.

Erudite dear boy.

I suppose debt is a bit like "death and taxes". Unless it is managed it will get you in the end.

You clearly have some confidence that the Clubs can handle these whopping debts.

If you are right then it just illustrates that in a free market economy, the big will just get bigger and the rest will struggle.

I just wonder what it costs to service a loan or debt of £350m. A bit nore tham me on my index-linked Local Govt. pension I think.

Obviously not comparing Clubs in the Championship but in my view it means that the Premiership will never be played on a level playing field and Clubd outside the recognised top 4/5 don't really stand a chance.

Today I read that Watford could be heading for administration and they are still getting parachute payments!!!! I think if Lowe's able to balance the books then he's achieved a miracle and should be congratulated.

Definitely think that Thomson is ready now, but only on the right wing, and he should not be starting. Our young defenders as in Hatch and Mills are not ready for first team football yet. Lancashire once again should be given opportunities but not starting. We need to focus on getting another two or three defenders into this squad, otherwise we will be ripped apart.

Graham wrote:

sailor sam wrote:

Graham wrote:

Costa Baz wrote:

The Old Codger wrote:

milton road wrote: we still need out good players and our experienced ones, too many youngsters will see us struggle and they will not survive. Everything is about balance, even with the squad we have now mid-table is the most likely bet. Six teams have parachute payments and four others have 10 million transfer kitties. Though that doesn\'t always mean promotion. Crystal Palace wer the first ever million pound team and they got relegated

This is a sad reflection on why modern football is not a patch on the old days. Every time used to start on a relatively level playing field and every team and their supporters thought "This could be our season". Now there are only 4 teams who can possibly win the Premiership another 6 will fight for the Champions League place and the rest will hope to stay up. In our division I would like to think that a good start, a bit of consistancy etc would see us looking for a top 2 finish, and a play-off spot if we don't quite get it right, but realistically as you say, we will do well to finish in the top half. Up the middle for Gregor!

I agree with your comments about only 4 teams being able to win the Prem League, which is why, when the so called big 4 or 5 start flexing their muscles and threaten to pull out of the Prem (to extort even more money out of Sky) and set up a Euro League with like minded big teams throughout Europe, I always hope that they DO go. The Prem League would then become a much more competetive league, as it used to be, allowing other teams, with less money the chance to win it. It would also enable teams promoted to the Prem to gain a foothold and not just go up to come back down again, as so frequently happens now. Gone are the days when teams like Nottingham Forest got promoted one year, one the 1st Division title the next, followed by the European Cup the year after. Good ol' days.

You've got me going on 1 of my favourite topics. I read recently that MUFC and Chelsea are in debt to the tune of £700m secured against loans from their owners. When you think how the struggling Clubs get points deducted if they go into Adminiostration, wouldn't it be wonderful if theses "BIG" clubs, built on a mountain of debt, were deducted points of shall we say 1 point for every £10m they were in debt at the season's end. This would mean that thew fat cats would be deducted something like 30 points each. All of a sudden, it brings Premiership football into an entirely different perspective and give a real chance to the smaller but better run clubs. It would kill obscene transfer fees off overnight and bring a whole new dimnsion to the game. Then I woke up.........

The difference between them and the clubs that go into administration is that their debts are secured by the club's or the club's owner's assets. This was not the case with, for example, Leeds, who borrowed to spend on players, thinking that they would recoup when promoted. They were not promoted, the debts called in and administration followed. Nothing wrong with debt, as long as it is managed. Unless you buy a house for cash, you are in debt, but it is debt that is managed.

Erudite dear boy. I suppose debt is a bit like "death and taxes". Unless it is managed it will get you in the end. You clearly have some confidence that the Clubs can handle these whopping debts. If you are right then it just illustrates that in a free market economy, the big will just get bigger and the rest will struggle. I just wonder what it costs to service a loan or debt of £350m. A bit nore tham me on my index-linked Local Govt. pension I think. Obviously not comparing Clubs in the Championship but in my view it means that the Premiership will never be played on a level playing field and Clubd outside the recognised top 4/5 don't really stand a chance.

Hi Graham. No, I have not got confidence that the clubs can handle these whopping debts, but they think they can! Most will, eg Man U, Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal etc., because they have the experience on the board, but others may be tempted to emulate, without that experience and knowledge eg Leeds Utd.

I think there will, in time, be a turn around, with one or two of the big clubs. Not to go into administration, but have a poor run of results and poor spending that may see relegation or a battle at the wrong end of the league.

Re the level playing field. When has it ever been level? When I was a kid it was Sunderland that were the big spenders. The won nothing, but everyone was envious of their spending power, but decades later, Notts Forest were not big spenders, but with a top-class manager, whose board backed him, put together a first class team!

As football fans, we are optimists (although you would not think so with some of the posts on these pages) and think that 'next season we will be champions'!

sailor sam wrote:

Graham wrote:

sailor sam wrote:

Graham wrote:

Costa Baz wrote:

The Old Codger wrote:

milton road wrote: we still need out good players and our experienced ones, too many youngsters will see us struggle and they will not survive. Everything is about balance, even with the squad we have now mid-table is the most likely bet. Six teams have parachute payments and four others have 10 million transfer kitties. Though that doesn\'t always mean promotion. Crystal Palace wer the first ever million pound team and they got relegated

This is a sad reflection on why modern football is not a patch on the old days. Every time used to start on a relatively level playing field and every team and their supporters thought "This could be our season". Now there are only 4 teams who can possibly win the Premiership another 6 will fight for the Champions League place and the rest will hope to stay up. In our division I would like to think that a good start, a bit of consistancy etc would see us looking for a top 2 finish, and a play-off spot if we don't quite get it right, but realistically as you say, we will do well to finish in the top half. Up the middle for Gregor!

I agree with your comments about only 4 teams being able to win the Prem League, which is why, when the so called big 4 or 5 start flexing their muscles and threaten to pull out of the Prem (to extort even more money out of Sky) and set up a Euro League with like minded big teams throughout Europe, I always hope that they DO go. The Prem League would then become a much more competetive league, as it used to be, allowing other teams, with less money the chance to win it. It would also enable teams promoted to the Prem to gain a foothold and not just go up to come back down again, as so frequently happens now. Gone are the days when teams like Nottingham Forest got promoted one year, one the 1st Division title the next, followed by the European Cup the year after. Good ol' days.

You've got me going on 1 of my favourite topics. I read recently that MUFC and Chelsea are in debt to the tune of £700m secured against loans from their owners. When you think how the struggling Clubs get points deducted if they go into Adminiostration, wouldn't it be wonderful if theses "BIG" clubs, built on a mountain of debt, were deducted points of shall we say 1 point for every £10m they were in debt at the season's end. This would mean that thew fat cats would be deducted something like 30 points each. All of a sudden, it brings Premiership football into an entirely different perspective and give a real chance to the smaller but better run clubs. It would kill obscene transfer fees off overnight and bring a whole new dimnsion to the game. Then I woke up.........

The difference between them and the clubs that go into administration is that their debts are secured by the club's or the club's owner's assets. This was not the case with, for example, Leeds, who borrowed to spend on players, thinking that they would recoup when promoted. They were not promoted, the debts called in and administration followed. Nothing wrong with debt, as long as it is managed. Unless you buy a house for cash, you are in debt, but it is debt that is managed.

Erudite dear boy. I suppose debt is a bit like "death and taxes". Unless it is managed it will get you in the end. You clearly have some confidence that the Clubs can handle these whopping debts. If you are right then it just illustrates that in a free market economy, the big will just get bigger and the rest will struggle. I just wonder what it costs to service a loan or debt of £350m. A bit nore tham me on my index-linked Local Govt. pension I think. Obviously not comparing Clubs in the Championship but in my view it means that the Premiership will never be played on a level playing field and Clubd outside the recognised top 4/5 don't really stand a chance.

Hi Graham. No, I have not got confidence that the clubs can handle these whopping debts, but they think they can! Most will, eg Man U, Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal etc., because they have the experience on the board, but others may be tempted to emulate, without that experience and knowledge eg Leeds Utd. I think there will, in time, be a turn around, with one or two of the big clubs. Not to go into administration, but have a poor run of results and poor spending that may see relegation or a battle at the wrong end of the league. Re the level playing field. When has it ever been level? When I was a kid it was Sunderland that were the big spenders. The won nothing, but everyone was envious of their spending power, but decades later, Notts Forest were not big spenders, but with a top-class manager, whose board backed him, put together a first class team! As football fans, we are optimists (although you would not think so with some of the posts on these pages) and think that 'next season we will be champions'!

Sam,

I'll raise it on a future post but neither Saints nor Pompey fans need ever trouble their imagination about becoming Champions.

Pompey for thye investment reasons already stated and Saints because we are not ready for promotion.

I'll leave it to the fans but I wouldn't thought that 5% think that promotion is a target this year, and hopefully 0% thinking that relegation might be an issue.

L Crouch wrote:

History wrote: Mick Channon Steve Moran Danny Wallace Rodney Wallace Alan Shearer Matt LeTissier Wayne Bridge Theo Walcott Gareth Bale

why did you leave out...... Ray Wallace???? Mark Whitlock??? Craig Maskell??? Kevin Gibbens??? Dave Puckett??? Neil Maddison??? David Hughes???

plus
Baird, Cranie, and Waldron, Williams, Baker, Mills, Chivers, Paine, Sydenham..........

NC Fan for Life wrote:

L Crouch wrote:

History wrote: Mick Channon Steve Moran Danny Wallace Rodney Wallace Alan Shearer Matt LeTissier Wayne Bridge Theo Walcott Gareth Bale

why did you leave out...... Ray Wallace???? Mark Whitlock??? Craig Maskell??? Kevin Gibbens??? Dave Puckett??? Neil Maddison??? David Hughes???

plus Baird, Cranie, and Waldron, Williams, Baker, Mills, Chivers, Paine, Sydenham..........

not forgetting,
Nick Holmes and Bobby Stokes...anyone else ?

ive watched jake thomson a few times and have always rated him highly. he deserves a chance 2 show what he's got and i believe he has the talent 2 be one of the best players at the club.