SaintDonkey

******. If not for Le Tissier we would have gone down years before we did while we were still in the Dell. We would have struggled even more in this league than we have done so far and probably be in financial **** in League 2 by now - without any academy kids to fall back on because there wouldn't be an academy. All IMHO of course

And we complain about having the corners closed!

Not so much make it up as they go along but quote from the press.

Sounds like a smart bit of business to me. Very highly rated a couple of years ago but lost his way a bit recently, Strasborurg paying his way until he's fit, loan with an option to buy if it all works out.

The way I see it we have: Midfield lynchpin - Schneiderlin / Wotton Scurrying terrier - Gillett Wide right - White / Thomson / Dyer Wide left - Holmes /Mills / Surman In the hole - Lallana / McGoldrick I'm not sure where to put Pulis and Gasmi. Terriers or in the hole? I'm assuming Skacel and Euell are off.

Is this the sugar for the pill of the news that we're losing BWP? Admittedly that's not a pill that needs any sugaring for me

Bugger me - Jan does like his midfielders doesn't he!

Is anyone else flicking between the OS and various 'Transfer dealine day - live text' news websites in the hope of seeing a "BWP to Leicester/Stoke/Anywhere" headline? I really want to see BWP, Euell and Skacel go - not because they're bad players but just so we don't have to sell anyone more important to the team.

AS I've said on another thread I would have Pekhart up front with McGoldrick and Lallana in the hole and inside right / right wing positions - swapping roles between them throughout play.

I'm not so worried about defense - yes they had a terrible second half when we were chasing the game, but they would never have been in that situation if we'd have taken our chances up front in the first half. Having said that I think Cork is too good a player to be sat on the bench and I'd bring him in at right back, not because of anything Thomas has done wrong, but becuase I'm sticking McGoldrick on the right and he's not going to help with defence as much (although he did do that superb tackle on Saturday). I'd like to see Pekhart up front, he's a big lad and his scoring record suggests he knows how to finish (John just hasn't looked at the races so far this season). -----------Davis Cork---Perry---Svenson---Surman -----Schneiderlin--Gillett ----------Lallana -McGoldrick-------Holmes ---------Pekhart

Did they make anything on the TV coverage about the handball by Barker (I think) in the second half? Looked clear as day from where I was sat in the Itchen - cross from the right adjudged by the officials to have come off a Southampton head and went for a Blackpool throw in down by the Itchen Chapel corner? To me (and everyone around me) it looked like Barker's hand had taken it away from McGoldrick's head. The ref was clearly blind sided as was the linesman, and I'm guessing from the lack of comment on here that the TV cameras didn't pick it up either? Barker clearly thought he'd gotten away with murder as he sheepishly took the throw with Saints' fans screaming 'cheat' at him.

According to the Guardian he was anyway http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/08/29/joy_of_six_inspired_football_t.html

Seems an odd signing - we're not short of midfielders with Gillett, Schniederlin, Holmes, Lallana, White, Wotton, Thomson and Dyer competing for 5 places. Not to mention James, Surman, Euell and Skacel!

From a different part of the Banana splits song... "1 Lallana. 2 Lallana, 3 Lallana 4 C'mon Lallana score a goal So Saints can win some more" I'll get my coat...

If anyone can get BWP playing well it's Pearson. I think Wright-Phillips played the best I've seen him play in a long time in the Bristol City match, but then he was terrible again the next match against Charlton. IMO a good deal for both parties if he does go to Leicester. Off our payroll and with a manager who knows how to get the best out of him (however briefly).

We need to hang on to Kelvin and John is good to have around but I'm really not fussed by the rest of 'em. I'd love to think someone would pay us good money to get them off the wage bill.

Got to admit I'm worried about not being the underdogs. It's the first time this season Saints have been the bookies favorites. I expect Blackpool to pack the midfield with 10 men behind the ball and play a very physical game, it'll be a test for the lads to see how they cope with it.

Wrihgt got picked by some as the scapegoat for everything that was wrong with the team, but he played to the best of his ability where ever was asked of him while more skillful players sulked. So welcome back Jermaine - please ignore the idiots. Hammil on the other hand ws a skillful player who just couldn't be arsed.

So they won't put any money into the club to make sure we don't have to sell anyone in January until we've not sold anyone in January. Oh the irony...

Fantastic news. Anyone else we need to tie down?

I'll be one of the 'walk up' brigade tomorrow. Anyone know what time it is that they stop letting you choose your seat?

Gillett for me, with Schneiderlin and Lallana close behind. And Killer. And Super Kelv. And Holmes. And McGoldrick, Perry, Thomas, White, Thomson, Cork and everyone!

Maybe we should wear orange against Blackpool in honour of the Dutch

I don't want to be swept up by a tide of optimism, yes we've been playing well but we're looking shy in front of goal and a well drilled side could bully our youndsters off the ball... Ah feck it 4-1 to Saints!

My sixpenneth -----------------Davis Cork------Perry---------Killer-----Surman ------------------Schneiderlin -----------Gillett White-------------Lallana---------Holmes ----------------McGoldrick Subs: Bart Wotton Thomson Pekhart / John James Bloody hell - we release a shedload of players and we've still got healthy competition for just about every slot!