Saint Keef

I've just written to SKY saying I will cancel my "SKY SPORTS PACKAGE" unless they put subtitles on the bottom of the screen whenever Carragher is on. I told them I've watched Japanese mystery films without subtitles and still understood more of what's going on than when he's on. I'm considering calling their engineers out because there seems to be a fault on my set up. Basically on a Monday night, I get terrible interference on the sound, so bad that I can't make out what's being said. I've also ordered a new TV remote from them because the mute button is worn out. (although that might be Hinchcliffe's fault).

Thank you to rooney, Toussaint and Turkish for responding to my assessment of messrs Hinchcliffe and Carragher. Turkish - well spotted sir, that photo explains everything. Well played. As a kid though, I loved The Beatles, from the very same city (Dipperpool) but I understood every single word they ever spoke or sang. Jimmy Tarbuck (according to Scousers the funniest man of all time), I didn't like him, but I understood him. So......why the f** can I not understand Carragher? Here, exclusively for you Ladies & Gents is one of Carragher's sentences from last night's Monday Night Football........"Whackkk Wicckkkk chacckkkkk thaacckkk ticckkkk chockkkk macchhhhh flat back four whaaackkkk stackkkkk mickkkkkk nickkkkk tackkkkkk schlickkkkkk Sean Dyche thwickkkkk. I reckon when he had that spitting incident out of his car window (for which Sky should never have employed him again - no doubt the Scousers would have lit candles and worn black armbands if that had happened).......he wasn't spitting at all......he was just trying to clear his throat. Look, I know I shouldn't let it get to me. I know I should get out more. BUT I CAN'T! I'm now stuck in bloody Tier 4 here in West Berkshire. Anyway - to all fellow Saints fans on here, be it here in the UK or in the four corners of the World - have a great Christmas guys and a Happy New Year. (Hey - not been a bad year for The Saints has it!!!!)

Not only am I reduced to watching Burnley on a wet Monday night but I'm also having to listen to that footballing "genius" (in his own head) Andy Hinchcliffe - who never ever made a mistake in his whole career....... as a bang average player for Man City, Everton and Sheffield Wednesday. He never ever missed with a shot, or failed to hit the target: he never gave a stray pass, never failed to mark his opponent, never got caught offside...blah blah blah. My god what a bore! He must have a bloody good agent to get the Sky gig. And whilst on the subject of pundits. I know some here didn't like Ally McCoist on Amazon Prime. I admit I have never been a fan of his, but I will say this for him. I am English, he is Scottish, yet I can understand every word he says. Unlike another of Sky's pundits, Mr "Monday Night" himself....Jamie Carragher. What I don't get is, he is apparently English, yet I can only understand about one word in six that he says. I'm sure he is speaking a foreign language most of time. Practicing his Outer Mongolian language lesson whilst being paid by Sky. It's like going on holiday to some far flung country, where you only know about four words of their language. You listen to the locals talking and occasionally you hear one of the words you know. For me, that's like listening to Carragher. He could be reading out a recipe for a sponge cake for all I know. Oh well, that's got half-time out of the way - only another 45 minutes of Andy Messi....sorry, I mean Hinchcliffe.

I'm not sure they will let us know. They might keep Fulham guessing right up until kick off.

I continue to be really impressed with KWP. We have picked up a really decent full back there. Someone mentioned "resting Che for this one. Don't agree, his hold up play and strength, as well as his goals and some really good assists, he's finally the player we were all hoping he would be. AND he scored a wonder goal against City a few months ago. They will be very worried by him.

What's that then - one defeat in the last 11? Yes, we're a bit disappointed we didn't win last night, but to me, it shows how far we have come in a relatively short space of time.

I didn't know him but sounds like a decent chap from those who did. At least he lived to see us sitting on top of the Premier League. RIP.

All very well having two players for every position, but Pep tends to change it for each game and I watched them last night against West Brom and at times they looked they were a bunch of strangers. Undoubtedly very talented individuals but not playing great as a team I'd say. Yes we have a lot fewer options but there is something to be said for playing a settled team where everyone knows their own and their teammates jobs, and playing well obviously helps.

Haha, You really need to stop eating strong cheese before you go to bed,

Apparently - ordering on line - today is the last day for guaranteed delivery before Christmas. Includes the Sportsbet adult shirts (I've treated myself!). I'm falling in love with the sash.....probably a lot to do with the results. KEEP THE SASH!

I am probably the least techno savvy person on here, so for anyone in doubt, I've signed with Amazon Prime Video today on the 30 day free trial. £7.99 per month thereafter and you can cancel at any time. It set up immediately and I am currently watching Wolves v Chelsea on my PC. It's fine. Saints games against Arsenal, Man City and West Ham (29th Dec) are all exclusive to Amazon Prime Video, so if you sign up now you will get access to all three and it needn't cost anything if you remember to cancel after 30 days., Plus you can watch any other prem games they are showing. Man City v West Brom later this evening. Arsenal v Saints at 6pm tomorrow. If you can't watch it live they are showing replays of games. (I think later in the evening but also next day. So....... Anyway - I hope that helps some - apologies to others who already knew all this.

Another Liverpool defender injury yesterday - Matip. They will definitely need to go shopping in January - we need to slap a £70m price tag on Jannik now. I'm not saying he's itching to go, but if Liverpool came calling, the prospect of playing alongside VvD (obviously not this season, but in the long term) might be very tempting for him. Just saying.....

Carriillo couldn't bag his own shopping.

Start with the strongest team. Keep Romeu in. we are more likely to get a result against Arsenal than we are against City so play our strongest team and try to secure 3pts.. If Romeu gets booked, so be it, then bring Diallo in for Man City (that'll test him!). Man City will either be on fire or they won't. They've not looked like their old selves of late, but still think they can turn it on when they feel like it. I'd also stick with Stu and Theo. Bring Redders/Djenpo on when they tire. Having just watched Arsenal v Burnley there is certainly nothing to fear at The Emirates. Could go either way but if we play as we have been we're definitely in with a shout this time.

Yeh, but tell them to take their time coming just in case she's still there.

Four observations... 1. Well done to the crowd who were allowed in. We could hear you loud and clear. 2. Compare what KWP offers this team compared to Cedric Soares. He is composed, he can dribble, he can tackle and he can cross the ball with some accuracy. 3. Is it too early to say that in Jannik Vestegaard we have another potential VvD. He is absolutely commanding that defence and has become a big threat in the opposition box. 4. I didn't quite catch which part of Sheffield was the ref born in. Sheff Utd should have had at least 4 yellow cards. It appears someone had super-glued the cards in his pocket. Well done Saints. Excellent performance.

A win for us and we could also do with Brighton getting something at Leicester - a draw there and that would keep us in third.

Yeh that's right. He had been out of the game for a couple of years having failed a dope test I believe. Just a footnote to the story. Of the five of us mates that were there, after that game, two of us split up and went down to Madrid to see The Rolling Stones as had been the original plan.. The other three had caught the whole "Italian bug" from Brazil match and managed to get tickets for the semi final Italy v Poland so they went off to that. Ended 2-0 to Italy and Rossi scored both in that game too if I remember rightly. The three of them I recall even came back to the hotel wearing Italian bandanas, scarfs and flags that Italian fans had given them once they found out they were English. We couldn't get tickets for the final.

Not Saints related this, but I hope you don't mind me putting this up. One of the great strikers. And a short footballing story....... In 1982, I was on holiday with four mates in Spain, when the World Cup was on. Loret de Mar of all places (horrible place at the time). We had actually gone over to see the Rolling Stones in concert who were doing shows in Barcelona and Madrid. The World Cup was on at the same time. We were in a bar on the eve of the Italy v Brazil game and a German guy asked us if we wanted to buy 5 tickets for the Italy Brazil game the following day. We would be picked up by coach in Loret d Mar, taken to the ground in Barcelona, tickets for the match, and driven back afterwards. We thought it was a wind-up of course. The cost.......£18 each!!!! But we paid the guy and he handed over 5 tickets. Indeed, the next day the coach turned up, we were taken to the ground, (still thinking the tickets were dodgy), but they were genuine and we got in at the Italian end of the ground. The final score was 3-2 to Italy and Paolo Rossi scored a hat-trick. I had grown Italian men physically crying on my shoulder whenever Brazil scored and embracing me when Italy scored. The passion of the fans (Brazil's as well) was unforgettable. It has since been deemed one of the greatest World Cup matches of all time and I was there......and all for £18. The scenes afterwards in Barcelona and indeed in Loret De Mar were unbelievable. Happy memories indeed. But sad that another footballing hero has gone - and only 64 years old. Here's a youtube highlight of Rossi's hat-trick.

I have to disagree with those calling for Armstrong to be dropped. He may not have been at his best in the last 3 games, but he is still bringing a lot to the team, his work with KWP on the right, chasing back and helping out has been good. And this might just be the game where he gets his mojo back. For me, Walcott on the left and Stu on the right, with Djenpo and Redders as options later on. If Oriel can avoid a card and we can get a 2-0 lead I would bring him off and save him for the Arsenal/City games and get Diallo on playing with JWP. Start with Ings and again if we can get a 2-0, bring him off to save him, move Walcott to the middle and bring on one of the other wingers. It all depends if we can get a 2-0 lead. I can't see Sheff Utd scoring more than one at our place. 2-0 Saints for me

I think the coaches have worked on his jumping. It always amazed me that he wasn't winning headers previously. Maybe the haircut has helped too......now he can actually see the ball coming.

I agree. We should take £75 million if offered. But I also disagree. Why would we want "6 Salisus"....we haven't seen the first one yet! (only pulling your leg😉) Seriously - I can't see anyone offering £75m - maybe £50m if they were desperate or Tottenham if Kane got injured.......although they don't seem to be using Bale too much. Possibly MMan U. No chance Chelsea or Liverpool. I think Liverpool are more likely to be on the hunt for defenders.

Brighton drew 1-1 with Liverpool last week. They are no pushover. We just beat them having come from behind. Didn't play well but ground out the points. So all in all it feels like a very good result. Win Ugly!

There must be two Wesley Hoedt's. We can't be talking about the same one I saw doing "Bambi on Ice" impersonations at Southampton. ....and pretty good ones at that.

Good news. Should stop the bindippers sniffing around in January trying to strengthen their injury hit back four.