Saint Albert

With the exception of Sissoko, it does make Levy look good. I don't like it when he looks good. It is useful to remember all of the Bale money that he threw away, though. Plus he spent a mint on Son, who is presently warming the Spurs bench.

Just looking at a replay of the moment Wanyama broke into the box. Great challenge by Fonte to prevent a goal scoring opportunity.

Half time. Spurs have been content to keep possession without producing anything incisive. They're not dangerous like Chelsea or Liverpool. We can win this.

Lucky deflection on the cross sets up Ali for the goal.

A few boos for Wanyama as Spurs enjoy some possession.

We're looking good. Redmond with a close one.

That is how you start a game. Well done JWP and VVD!

This is bloody sad. I got to meet her and Gary at Edmonton Expo a few months ago, the same day that we stuffed Wet Spam away. It was a good day. She was lovely. RIP.

Merry Christmas from Edmonton. It's been snowing all day here...

The Mail has a JRod interview, where he talks about his frustration at not being picked and about his recent near death experience*: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4062746/Forget-injury-not-picked-frustrating-says-Southampton-forward-Jay-Rodriguez.html *That last bit is artistic license by me and refers to his almost-happened loan move to WBA.

According to this in the Mirror, Everton have "won the race" to sign Morgan. The article is mainly about a Barklay for Sissoko swap deal, which would make me laugh: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/ronald-koeman-eyeing-swap-deal-9509366

I can't see how Everton would want another old centre back to go with Williams and Jagielka.

The 120K bit might be a red herring. The article states that he will take a pay cut to leave Man U: Schneiderlin currently earns around £120,000 a week at Old Trafford and though he would have to take a pay cut to join either Everton or West Brom, he is desperate to revive his career after falling off the radar. He surely must regret leaving Saints.

We're an injury to J-Rod away from Long becoming indispensable, so no we really should not sell him.

Mirror is putting 2 and 2 together: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/dejan-lovren-jose-fontes-instagram-9491465

Mané 1, Asshat 0

There's a little bit on this in the Guardian's match report: The Southampton manager made six changes from his side’s draw at Stoke City in midweek, with the captain, José Fonte, dropping to the bench. One change was enforced, with Oriol Romeu suspended. Shortly after the teams were released, Puel spent 10 minutes in discussion with Fonte on the pitch, perhaps reiterating his rotation policy that resulted in his captain playing no part in their short-lived Europa League campaign. “I think when I saw him [Fonte] after the game he was very happy for the team and for the club,” said Puel, with the smallest of smirks.

If J-Rod keeps this up, it could be huge. I loved the desire he showed for his first goal. You would need to have a heart of stone not to feel happy for him after his troubles these last two years. I thought that all 3 goals were fantastic today. Davis sub was huge. Boufal got a good talking to from Puel on the bench after his strop. Saints looked great in the 2nd. 7 points from a possible 9, get in there!!

He ran his contract down and left Les with little choice other than to do business with Levy in a cut-price deal. He deserves a good boo for that.

Sadio Berahino is having a monumental sulk at West Brom.

Plus I read that Welbeck is near a return, which may push Perez behind Sanchez, Giroud and Welbeck. Until Welbeck gets injured again.

Lucas Perez? (from the Sun, reporting on a Calciomercato report): https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/2418706/arsenal-transfer-news-lucas-perez-southampton/

Zaza will be on his bike back off to Italy in January, according to this report: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/16/west-ham-striker-simone-zaza-juventus I seem to recall that Saints were linked with him in the summer. We may have dodged one there.

Pep wants VVD in January if City's defensive issues persist: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/16/manchester-city-consider-virgil-van-dijk-bid-defensive-problems/ There seems to be an underlying assumption that we would just sell in the January window if offered the appropriate amount by one of the big boys of the premier league (40 mill is the appropriate amount according to this article), which irritates me. We don't tend to sell big players in January.

Good news along with McQueen and Reed. It's a 4 1/2 year contract: https://southamptonfc.com/news/2016-12-15/announcement-jake-hesketh-new-contract-southampton Les is on fire!