In case you were in any doubt..

Our club has moved the stage where we cannot afford to buy anyone and we also cannot afford not to sell anyone if the fee is anywhere near half-decent. All of our incoming dealings will now be done on the basis of loans and wages. That is the sad conclusion from the enforced sale of Fraser Richardson to Southampton for a fee of £450,000 which was too much for our potless Board to refuse.


I knew the score when we failed on penalties against Swindon but I was still surprised by the sale of Richardson. He was a solid performer last season and represented hope in the face of adversity. The fact that it's Pardew who has prized him from us adds salt to the wounds. You have to wonder how many good players Southampton need? They already have an embarrassment of riches lined-up for next season and could probably field two sides capable of promotion. I am allowing myself a rye smile at this thought though, because Pardew's only chance of failure next year looks like over-complicating things and causing unrest in the dressing room, something his ego-ness is more than acquainted with.


On a more promising note, I am really pleased at the signing of Gary Doherty and, to a lesser extent, Alan McCormack. Both will do a job for us this season although Doherty's signature probably means we've seen the last of Christian Dailly whom I am assuming is doing a Matt Holland and refusing to accept a significant pay-cut. As Player-of-the-Year and with his experience, not mention his personal wealth, he can afford to hold his ground and be prepared to take his chances. Good luck to him. McCormack is a decent midfielder although he's no Nicky Bailey.


I am also hoping the rumours of Warren Feeney joining us come to nothing. I have a Millwall mate here on holiday at the moment, someone with far deeper knowledge than me of lower league football and he informed me of our interest the other day with a sarcastic smile and a comment that Feeney was could be "relied on to score 5 or 6 goals in a season...."