Are we going to get an explanation for the total lock down on here?

Are the mods (or a mod) simply thwacking their knee on the table in a short sharp jerk to nothing that is new to anyone on-line. Tony Colquitt's comments, were at best, a tedious return to the days of McGuire hating the message boards.

His comments about message boards being nothing more than a pain in the Iestyn may be true, but;

1 - He was happy for the message boards to fuel SBS
2 - The club are happy for the message boards to lick the clubs sphincter clean in the good times
3 - The relationship between the fansites and forums and the club has actually (to directly quote one club official to me this lunch time) "never been better."

What is all this knee jerkery about, are we to continue adding fuel to the speculation fire or are those who are currently perched with their backside over the potty going to tell us quite why they are so scared, or are we going to continue sending innuendo round via text and PM?

Some good points there SKi.

Good arrow.

As I've been working all day, I'll pass on this and allow Doogal to answer, as he appears to be up on what has happened/is happening...

Generally agree with what Ski is saying.

There is a fine line however between reporting well sourced rumours, and on the other hand posting malicious and destructive gossip.

Of late i think some stuff has been clearly in the latter camp. However at least in a forum people have the right to rubbish such gossip.

The closure of Redvee forums for reasons unknown, is a cause for concern. For all their faults, forums do provide a pressure valve for fans to let off steam. They also provide a way as well to countenance negative rumours, as well as support positive initiatives coming out of clubs and organisations.

The internet does allow rumours to spread very fast , but at the same time it also allows rumours to be quashed very quickly.

A sensible approach all round is needed, of late ive thought people involved in redvee and the entertaners have worked with the club on a number of matters. Knee jerking from all sides is bad for business. It can actually have the opposite effect by fueling the flames of mistrust or discontent.

Hear hear.

Have gotten to the bottom of this and spoke with the club. Normal service is resumed...

I dont post on here often so if i'm out of order with my question and subsequently get banned then so be it!

Is it technical difficulties with RedVee or something more serious? A PM from somebody in the know would be much appreciated.

Cheers

if you find out let me know.i've just switched the laptop on because x factor drives me mad and dont have a clue whats going on !

Exactly the same reason ive turned my laptop on

Said it before the club should be worried when people canoy be ar5ed discussing issues surrounding Saints and the game in general. In the main they should be hapy we all care.

Some good points made by ski.

Forums .Social Networking ,Twitter Blogging are a feature of modern life,
it is not just the preserve of Saints Fans. It is a problem that exists
for any special interest group from Star Trek to th WI.

It is essential that Mods maintain a balance. In the main I feel it works
if a little bit of a closed and Cliquey society at times.

My mate says that Player X is doing Y can border on the libellous
and needs stamping on.However quoting and chatting about rumours printed in a local paper by an RL legend is ok. Sometimes you have to be the bigger person as a mod even if you don't like it.

With regard to Saints themselves, I don't think they should
be pandered to all the time. The users of both boards
contribute significant amount of income and they would do well
to remember that not to alienate them. That said the boards can't go spouting ridiculous and potentially libellous pieces.

Personally, I think it was a storm in a teacup.

Isn't this supposed to be an independent fan site? Too much sucking up to the club in the quest for 'exclusives' can cost some of that independence. Anything libellous should obviously be immediately removed, but rumour and discussion that may be a touch critical of the club shouldn't be automatically removed.

If the club wanted a totally subservient discussion forum they should never have binned the official one. Whilst I understand why they did, once that happened any control they had over the discussion boards finished with it.

Well then it's up to the club to be more pro active in it's communications. This will counteract rumour and speculation. Saints like the rest of the RFL are extremely poor at communicating and promoting themselves. I have had several emails just simply ignored and not responded to by the club over the years.
They should be providing explanations by now on where we are up to with the stadium. Was it not to be announced by end of November who the successful contractors are.
An update on the Eastmond situation would be helpful as well. It's no good coming out with reactionary comments on teletext, which I haven't read yet.
Clearer and more regular communications are called for so come on Saints get your act together and keep us informed.
Even if there's no factual news then an explanation as to why keeps us in the picture.