Saint Albert

I think that Puel deserves to take credit for a very good performance today against Man U. The commentators on my feed were certainly expressing surprise at how thoroughly he outdid Mourinho tactically. It's a cause for optimism going into the last few months of the season. Hopefully we don't suffer a post final letdown.

I'm going to credit Puel. I think that he got his tactics right today. The team played really well and made Man U look like second best for much of the game. Yoshida was superb. I can't help thinking that the third goal would not have reached Zlatan's head if we had VVD in the middle, he is such a commanding aerial presence. I therefore choose to blame Vardy for an undeserved loss. Oh and the incompetent linesman. Him too.

Lindgard lucky not to get a second yellow for his clip on Redmond.

No more than we deserve, I should add.

GABBIIIIIIII!!!!!!

I'm happy with that first half performance. Scored twice, had a couple of decent opportunities for Tadic and JWP. Royally f***ing ****ed off with the linesman for intervening for what should have been a perfectly decent first goal. Stephens perhaps lucky to avoid a straight red? It's not over yet.

Game on. Gabbiadini!

Gabbiadini easily onside for the disallowed goal. Terrible bloody decision.

So if we win on Sunday it will be both fantastic AND a finger in Koeman's eye. Works for me.

Here's a Reuters-based report on the CITIC Securities bid: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/02/23/chinas-amer-citic-line-rival-bid-southampton-source

Trump was a big fan of leaks during the election, as well. Now? Not so much.

Me too. I don't place much stock in the illegitimate president argument though because he won using the rules that were applicable to the election. Complaining afterwards seems like moving the goal posts. That being said, you would have thought that given each state has the same number of senators, this would take care of equalizing regional representation in the federal government and the US could go with a simple one person one vote system for president. It looks bad when the winner gets significantly less votes than the loser. It seems fundamentally undemocratic.

For every one person recoiling from Trump's press conferences and the general cluster f**kery of his first few weeks in office, there is someone else (probably in middle America) lapping it all up and pronouncing that he sure did do well by sticking it to the crooked / failing media and the snowflake lefties. I'm not sure that every left-leaning or centralist person appreciates this. Ultimately, if you are a right wing politician and you want to close borders or restrict immigration, at least have the sense to put together a policy that stands a chance of surviving scrutiny by the judicial branch of the government rather than something that seems to have been scribbled together on the back of a napkin. His problems are well stated here: he has an impossibly thin skin, he's not particularly articulate, he seems to get most of his information from watching the TV, has no obvious appreciation for how the checks and balances of the US government work, is not trusted by the intelligence agencies to the point that they're leaking information and withholding sensitive intelligence from him...I could go on. But there again he is not the usual US politician. He has said and done things that would have ended the political career of anyone else.

Yep Jose's side has dropped untold millions on players, essentially assembled two squads of full internationals while other teams have to make do with far less, spent stupid money on wages and enjoyed some modest success because of it that sees United still active in 4 competitions. Life isn't fair is it.

I assumed that he'd be a backup for the final with Yoshida and Stephens starting. Perhaps with around ten days of training with the squad, combined with the friendly that the squad is supposedly playing in Spain, combined with his overall experience, Puel may pick him.

I think that it will be President Pence within two years of Trump's inauguration, and the republicans will be right behind the push towards Trump's impeachment. I'm watching Life on the Road right now. After his press conference today, Trump reminds me of a less funny version of David Brent.

So you think that not bringing someone in during the January transfer window was dangerous and left the club dangerously thin at CB then. That's been mentioned before. Given what happened in January, the club has done the best in the circumstances. I'm a little surprised at some of the negativity involving this signing.

I say kudos to Les and the team for this signing regardless of how quickly he gets into the team or plays in the final. I thought that not bringing someone in during the window was very dangerous. Fonte's departure and VVD's injury left the squad dangerously thin at CB. Even if he is just insurance against injury to Yoshida or Stephens, the team has brought in an experienced free agent with an excellent pedigree. His injury record is a worry but his arrival is entirely welcome.

There were some mutterings that there would be a 1 year renewal option but I haven't seen any evidence of that, particularly with Les describing it as a short term contract.

I'm really happy that the club were able to get this one sorted. Here's what Les had to say: Executive Director of Football Les Reed said: “Recruiting players in January is an extremely difficult task, and this year was a particularly challenging market for centre-backs. “We set out to recruit a high-calibre player in that position during the January window so I am delighted that, following extensive work and persistence, we have now been able to sign Martín Cáceres on a short-term contract. “Martin is a great talent, who has played at the very top level and won many trophies and medals. He is a very experienced international player for Uruguay and has enjoyed notable success with both Juventus and Barcelona. "In a tough situation for us, losing Virgil to injury, he will bring experience, talent and character. He has played in the biggest of games, and will provide depth to our squad. "Two days of extensive medicals and tough fitness tests have further demonstrated his desire and positive personality. I know Martin can’t wait to start playing again. We welcome him to St Mary’s, and his family into our family.”

I'd pay to see the look on Messi's face when MoPo instructs him to do late afternoon extra sprinting sessions.

I'm not sure how a team full of superstars used to the tika taka style of football would react to the MoPo high pressing game, and his intensive high-energy training regime. I'd love to see either of our exes go there, if only to read the indignant reactions on Spurs/Everton forums.

You're putting words into my mouth. I have not advocated that the club fix its problems with rampant spending. If the club could not afford to replace Fonte in January having reviewed all the reasonable options, they should not have sold him. It seems like straightforward due diligence to me. VVD's injury highlighted their recklessness. I like Reed's record overall but to me this situation is a blemish. It may be resolved if he gets Caceres over the line and the player can stay healthy until the end of the season. It may also turn out to be OK if Yoshida and Stephens stay healthy, but it is a risk. I am fine with the sustainable, business-like approach adopted in the post-Cortese era, and certainly would not expect the club to shatter its wage structure to bring in a player like Sakho if he had accompanying untenable wage demands. I certainly would never have advocated for Benteke but that is mainly because he is not very good.

Transferring Fonte to W.Ham without having his replacement nailed down was a complete screw up IMHO.

REDS BOSSESS ROGERED RODGERS WHEN HE DEMANDED VIRGIL: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/2852959/liverpool-transfer-news-virgil-van-dijk-50million-brendan-rodgers/