Chez

maybe his agent wants an absolute fortune in wages and until he lowers the amount there is nothing more to talk about. Just speculating of course.

and if last season is anything to go by, he will then be outstanding in pretty much every game making it impossible for the once sceptical manager to drop him.

Don't like him but on this occasion don't disagree with him. We could go down. Take five or six of the best players out of any other side in the league and all saints fans would be pointing at that side saying they will be one of the favourites to go down. Doesn't mean we will, but no point in putting your head in the sand.

Taken too much quality out of the side. Without that little edge we are are going to find it tough to beat teams. I don't agree with those that have been posting that we are almost as strong as last year. No where near as strong without Lovrens high quality and fast distribution. No where near as strong without Shaws penetrative long fast runs down the line and no where near as strong without Lallanas wizardry. I'm not convinced by JWP. Wanayama is a beast but we were incredibly show and boring with him in the side. Without the pace of Shaw and Rodriguez everything is played out in front of teams, and without Lallana and Lamberts subtle build up play we end up hoofing it. I am certainly a bit of a pessimist, but going into the season I thought we would be fighting for survival and having that miserable outlook at least prepared me for the worst. So I am not surprised by yesterday's display or outcome. Just hope things come together. Rodrigues returns for example, as one player really can change the balance of the side for the better.

I thought mentioning lack of pace was banned on here? But I agree with you. Defensively he doesn't put opposing players under pressure because he is too slow to get close to hither. He does make interceptions or tackles. That is my only criticism of him though and I suspect if the rest of his game keeps progressing then this element may become less important as it will be all about what he can do rather than what he can't. Right now though I'm not convinced he should start games.

The difference between the two seasons? That little bit of individual quality (by Shaw at their place) which has left our side. I keep reading that "we are almost as strong as last season" on here, but the truth is we are not, and that reduction in quality will have an effect in lots of tiny ways throughout the game that will all add up to just not quite winning or nit quite drawing some games.

Strange player and the totally polar opposite opinions on here show that. I like facits of his game. He has genuine pace. but he hardly ever seems to put it to good use. he has real composure with he ball at his feet. that composure seems to disappear when chances come his way. he has scored some terrific goals. some of the misses beggar belief. he is strong. he doesnt seem trusted to play with his back to goal. i dont think i have seen a player in ages that has had me stumped as to whether i rate him or not. maybe played week on week out up front he will shine. but not many players do after they are dropped by united. having said that oshea looks a far far better player at cb than he ever was at manure at rb and cm so maybe its just a settled position that is needed.

Won one. Drew two. Lost seven. Our record in prem games with Davis and Gazza between the sticks.

I'd quite like to see a thread on here showing all the cartoons from the various fanzines over the years. I didn't keep a single copy of any I bought so can't start one. Someone indulge me.

I know its pointless discussing it, but that's what a forum is for. Hull trying to get Rhodes with the Long money. I wonder if we will be comparing them for the next three years? I'm a big fan of signing the best from the league below, is Rhodes the best available from the championship (he certainly cored goals) as I haven't seen enough of him since his move from Huddersfield.

best player on the park against Spurs.

Could not agree more. Having players that can dribble can make a big difference both in attack and defence. Being comfortable on the ball and actually wanting to keep it no matter what pressure they are under enables the side to keep the ball, slow the game down (or speed it up if need be) and stop the ball from coming straight back at our defence. Lallana did it brilliantly for us, getting the ball all the time, keeping it, running with it (not just passing it) dragging players out of position and opening up space elsewhere. You also need dribblers with pace to stretch teams and put fullbacks on the back foot. Losing Shaw will hurt us over the season, but that blow could be softened by bringing in Townsend. A side needs pace and runners beyond the ball. When Rodriguez got injured that was lost from our game. Again Townsend can help with that.

Whenever I've seen Townsend on the box (mostly the UEFA cup games) he's looked pretty good. He dribbles well and his pace helps turn defence into attack. He is willing to get to the byline and shoot with either foot (although he's a genuine leftie). He does go up the odd blind alley, but equally he excites. Having said all that I loved Chicken George and Michail Antonio so perhaps I am not to be trusted here as I love a pacey winger that gets me off my seat even if too often I have to sit back down again without seeing an end product. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWdYcH0kCMk

Are we being used to help Townsend get a fat new contract from Spurs, or indeed is Townsend being used by Spurs to bring us back to the table regarding Morgan? I suspect either way we won't be able to pin this one down.

you won't find a single WBA fan willing to give him any sort of recommendation. Complete and utter waste of money is the likely reply should you ask them about his loan there last season.

I agree it seems like a Koeman's call, but will have been based on advice from people within the club. A very poor decision indeed.

Ruddock, except he was from Millwall wasn't he.

thanks for sharing those photos big bad bob, especially of the changing room, press room and gym. Brought back a lot of memories.

Stop buying a season ticket and you get out of the routine. How many former season ticket holders renew at a later point - when the price will have gone up again and you won't be entitled to an early bird price either, so the price will be even more expensive than when you decided enough was enough.

look on the next page in http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/prediction-league/my-predictions

There is is a very fine line between winning and losing games at this level. The loss of so much quality will have an effect as we go through the season. Would we have won on Sunday if we have retained the side from last season?

I could not agree more. Absolutely no reason for putting the prices up again this summer whilst all around us prices remained the same or even dropped.

Yarmolenko the flip flap king...he is fun to watch on youtube. Weren't Liverpool looking to sign Yevhen Konoplyanka for a similar fee too?

Yarmolenko the flip flap king...he is fun to watch on youtube. Weren't Liverpool looking to sign Yevhen Konoplyanka for a similar fee too?

Are Spurs even looking to sell him? He played on Saturday. all be it coming on as a sub. I'm dreading that final day of the window. I wonder how much Spurs are willing to bid for Morgan?