Chez

agree with that. The 0-9 was so bad the manager's hand was forced (and freed) to make drastic changes rather than simply tinker. Previous tinkering created little positive results, whilst those major wholesale changes contributed to our upturn. So yes the 0-9 might be seen as a blessing.

does SFC or THFC tell Crook anything? Could be the agent being busy promoting/touting his client. Time will tell.

Did he rate him though? I don't remember there being much confidence shown in him by Poch in more recent times? I'd hope its a loan with a view to buy. Thats a win win for us. He then has the chance to dislodge Cedric during the loan. If he cant at least push him close, then perhaps he is not the guy we need long term.

is it me, or does the `redesign' simply mean the widening of the open concourse behind the stand, plus some mock tudor entrances with roofs? It doesn't look like a new stand is being built, just a touch up here and there. They still have the pillars blocking the view. Laughable. It's hard to see where has the increased capacity come from? Mind you, the 45% increase is ********. It held 2800 previously, so this massive redevelopment is adding 400 seats (15% increase) and a disabled section. Impressive. It looks like they have given up on buying every house on Alverstone Road.

if that's the case, it make you wonder why Palace stipulated a pay up front for that extra allocation, assuming they did of course. Why not offer a sale or return policy for the entire allocation? I guess they have to organise police and catering etc. in advance based on away numbers, but seems like everyone is the loser here, except the Saints ticket office, who have less `unprofitable' work to do.

that concerns me too. He was a good prospect, but there seems little faith in him at this time. Very young still, so still time to develop, but if he is to be first choice next season then we will need him to fulfil his promise quickly

You'd think it would be the other way round.

a loan with a view to purchase, so long as we tie it down better than we did for Toby, seems the ideal scenario for most signings to me. Just like any normal job, a trial period gives the employer a chance to see what the player is all about at close quarters and get rid if the player doesn't cut the mustard. With our recent record in the transfer market, perhaps that ought to be our policy of choice...

good post. What a greta display. Got after them right from the start and never really let up. Got slightly fortunate with the offside goal, but we could have been well clear but for their keeper and the woodwork. Brilliant performance. Massive smile on my face...COYR

Great half by Saints. Chased everything, battled for everything, won everything. Every second ball was ours. Disappointed to only be level. Will be hard to replicate that again in the second. Hope we can?

SFB, Southampton football business. They could not give a monkeys about the size of our away allocations. All that matters is that they don't make a loss by not selling a requested allocation. With that in mind, the policy appears to be take no chances. 1200 for Palace is pathetic. What kind of 'club' would treat its 'members' like this. You are a customer. Nothing more.

they don't half blow hot and cold. Ref allowing a lot. Quite good to see.

tough tie. Hope we can match 2003. Spurs will sell the 4k plus tickets, so it should be a decent atmosphere.

Not been to `new' Oxford ground, so that would be my preference. We might get around 3100 tickets, which, I should imagine would be snapped up pretty quickly.

Jay Rodriguez might be a better benchmark. He moved from Champ to a 'relatively struggling' Prem side. No familiarity with the other players and the style of play or 30 championship goals in credit like Sir Ricky. He played 35 prem games in the first season and scored 6 goals. My memory isn't the best, but despite doing enough to get the shirt each week, I am not sure he fully convinced Saints fans. Second season in he was an absolute revelation. Stronger, faster, more direct and full of confidence.

are there any Championship clubs with £15m to spare in the January window?

Nice outlook. We just need Che to catch fire should Ings lose form or get injured.

Oh right. Thats not good. If players are not stand out in the SPL then they wont cut the mustard in the Prem. I dipped in and out of that game, but from what I saw he won a lot of headers and nearly scored two or three goals from headers from set pieces. That caught my eye. The basic skill of winning headers is something that has been undervalued at SFC.

unhappy at not being in the side and unhappy at not scoring goals. Good. We dont want players that don't feel like that. Whether that means he is unhappy at his situation at Saints nd wants a move I am not so sure. Also not sure a game in the FA Cup will resolve things.

us, his agent or Leeds

boy do they blow hot and cold. I was going to say flat track bullies, but thy have beaten some of the better sides then lost to some strugglers.

is his backup Nyland any good?

yep. He looks better in the air, better on the ball and quicker too (goes without saying really). How much would celtic want for Julien now?

Celtic's record transfer fee paid is about £9m, so I don't think we will get the £25m for Forster some papers mentioned we might want. Perhaps we could take Frimpong in exchange.

is he suspended then? You don't get to pick and choose which games you miss.