Chez

great crossing but I don't think you should go overboard on the praise. Defensivley he still looks weak. He didn't get close enough to the wiger on a couple of occasions making it far too easy to get a cross in. I wasn't impressed with his tackling either. IN the past he has been evil in the tackle but he lost a few tackles I thought he should have won.

he will be here till the summer.

Lambert wins headers Stern didn't. What a massive difference that makes both offensively and defensively. It WILL be very interesting to see if he can do it in the CCC.

Jardi. What a unit.

You have `a' opinion, not THE opinion. Never noticed him being particulary lazy. He came on against Rovers (I think) and ran around in exactly the same manor as he has always done. I don't see a drop in his effort or desire. I certainly am not going to big him uop any more than that. I've spent two years arguing with Arizona about whether Saga is up to it. I never felt he was. I seem to have found myself kind of defending the guy. Very weird.

with this side and in this form we can beat anyone. This could snowball into something magic.

shows the spending power and attraction of Leeds. If we keep this run going we are going to become a similar attraction.

did he ever apologise?

funny I was saying to a mate the other day that I genuinely don't feel nervous at all at set pieces. I don't think I have ever been able to say that regarding Saints. Great isn't it?

Is McLaggon back playing for the reserves then. Great news if so.

I've never rated him and have said as much continually on here, but I certainly don't agree with this `he only tries when he is after a new contract' ********. For me his effort and workrate has been the same throughout his time here (average). I don't even think his form has fluctuated all that much (he is an average striker). The chances dried up rather than him missing them and he just isn't the sort of striker that creates goals out of nothing. I'm not surprised many on here are now turning on him. There is always a need to find a wipping boy, and with things so good there is little to moan about. IMO If he wants to stay and fight for his place then that's great, we will need cover later in the year, but if he wants to go then so be it.

never ever feel like that. We are Southampton the pride of the South. Never forget it.

good point, but the likelyhood is that Preston would not want to sell a player now that they might need later in the season. Mind you if the momey is right they could use that to buy someone else I supoose.

I'd agree with all of that. Why Pardew has played Gillett in the most forward of the midfield during pre season and as a sub is beyond me. One thing that sticks in my mind is a home game this season (I think Millwall) when shortly after Gillet was brought on he miscontrolled and then lost posession in a very dangerous area and we were in serious trouble. I think they went on to score from a resulting corner. This sort of lapse in concentration happened from time to time last year as well (sometimes he got away with it, sometimes he recovered) but that consistency or first touch does let him down and maybe Pardew has spotted that. He must have spotted it pretty quickly though as he seemed to be out of favour even before pre season games kicked off. I have to say it is a little surprising considering the quality of Wottons first touch. The difference between the two perhaps is that Gillett tries to play whilst Wotton will hoof it if there is even the slightest hint of an oponent in the vasinity. Safety first is a good option but it can very frustrating to fans when we can see the player has hours to get the ball down and play. Whatever the reason for not liking Gillett, its a long season and injuries and suspensions will be a factor. If Gillet leaves do we have enough cover down the middle? Would Gobern perhaps be able to do this role when he returns from his loan spell? He looks ideal to me as a Carlton Palmer type to break up play.

here here

I'd agree with that. He also has a choice of four for the in the midfield three. Wotton Hammond Schneiderlin Mellis. The first three have the shirt right now but Mellis' energy when closing down oponents and pace when making runs into the box are decent attributes to have at home and away.

I'm not sure of your valuation of Mellis but I agree that we should be tying our youngsters down to long contracts if we think they are the real deal. I said it last year that we need to offer Lallana a five year deal on mega money. Peterborough did the same ting with McClean and Boyd and despiet offers they don't seem to have had a problem keeping them. Promotion obviously helps and we must seriously aim for that to keep Lallana.

Did you see Schneiderlin's first league game for Saints. You could see immediately that the guy was two footed, had a great first touch, had vision, confidence on the ball, great composure and could get about the pitch at a decent rate. Missing attributes were tackling, heading, shooting, grit and fight. If you saw his first game this season you will have noticed that he has added tackling and a bit more grit

oh dear

When AP has brought him on he had played him at the front of the diamond. He did this in preseason as well and he was poor there especially in the Ajax game. I have no idea why Pardew thinks that is his best position, but it has not helped him at all. Not getting games will not have helped his match fitness. This loan is therefore just what he needs.

Jardi instead of Perry and we would have stayed up last year.

how log before his form dips (or even just the goals dry up) and we have numpties on here questioning his talent?

where's Decrap?

I think Bale will still go on to great things although I'm not sure Sad sack is the ideal manager for him.

plenty of time for him to improve and force his way into the Wolves side. People point to the Baird more as a dissaster, but he has been patient and now finally has managed to win Roy Hodgeson over (although perhaps not yet to the degree that he is first choice). In the mean time he's earned a fortune. I was dissapointed to see Surman go, he gave everything in games, but it was the right move for him if he was to maximise his potential. Now he has gone he means nothing to me just like all the rest that have gone through the door.