Ivan Katalinic's 'tache

As I said on another thread yesterday, I'm finding it quite amusing watching what mega money can do to unsettle even our own biggest clubs and their star players. It's what's always happened to most so-called lesser clubs in the league and it's nice to see them get their turn now and to see how they react. It's also interesting to see which of their badge kissing stars are the first to want away when mega money is waved under their nose. It'll always happen to us; it's nice to know it may start to happen to the Uniteds & Chelseas of the world soon, too. Anyways, during the course of this post, I've received an uber money offer to spout nonsense on a Chinese forum, so I'll be seeing ya...

Even though today's snippets are potentially positive, I always open this thread thinking "oh b*gger, what's happened now" when I see there are new posts. For me, it gives a sense of just how important a player he is for us now. Definitely one of the top 2 or 3 centre halves I've seen play for us in the past 40 years.

I think it's quite funny seeing the big clubs starting to get picked off by the super rich Chinese, in the way they've traditionally done it to other sides. Doesn't really affect us, we already get picked off each year...

Oriol: "...and this is for that f**king Nivea advert!"

5 goals in 18 games for Monaco so far this season, according to Transfermarkt, & I imagine he's been playing second fiddle to Falcao for much of the season so far. Plays centrally or wide left so I can see how he'd fit Puel's philosophy.

Could've been more, should've been more but the performance was far more like what we've been hoping for. Some excellent individual performances as well. It's a lead, albeit slim, but I'm sure most of us would've taken that Bertie the match kicked off. A clean sheet at Anfield & we're off to Wembley...

Les Reed sold them. On the plus side, he has a new TV and has booked a nice cruise in the summer with the proceeds. We'll be buying some cheaper overseas ITKs soon to replace them, in the hope they develop into new saleable assets. We'll also look to develop our own youth ITKs for the longer term. It's the Southampton Way.

Had a feeling that wasn't Claude. The article wasn't "interesting" enough.

Has Tim Robinson, the ref who yesterday booked Luton player Cameron McGeehan for pounding the ground in pain/frustration after having his leg broken by Michael Doyle of Pompey, put himself in pole position for the worst refereeing decision of the season, so far? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38495434 Or has one of the preening Premier League posers, like Mike Dean or Mark Clattenburg, come up with a more baffling decision which (scene) steals it for you?

Arsene Wenger has flagged how unfair the lack of rest between games has been for some teams, from Boxing Day, and called it the worst he's seen in 20 years. Unsurprisingly, we come off a clear worst but having nearly half the amount of rest time Chelsea had is ludicrous. I wonder if it's time the Premier League started pushing back at Sky regarding some of the ridiculous scheduling of their televised games? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38491151

Has the Ferrari F50 reference Jose makes got any relevance? Maybe they're simply off buying matching cars as they're such close brothers?

Good old Gaston. Frequently injured when he was here & now even injured when he is due to play here against us. #consistent

I was there. Away end went crazy when it went in. Unsurprisingly! There was a steward right in front of the away end who had been holding his fingers up to indicate it was 2-0 to Rovers, to wind up the away fans, and, although it didn't bring us level, it did shut him up for a bit. Brilliant goal.

Devastated by that result. A real waste of last year's hard work. Only plus point, apart from VvD, is that there's no way on earth Claude could use the word 'interesting' to describe tonight's performance.

Couldn't give a toss about Puel and the players this evening. That really was a turgid, uninspiring display. My thoughts are with the poor s*ds who have attended some or all of the away games without having a goal to cheer. They have done our club proud.

As our latest record signing, he must've headbutted Fonte and been booted out of the club. Can't have him butting supporters at a PR event, too.

And Graham Baker returned to us in the 80s after a still at Citeh.

I take your Maskell & raise you a Jon Gittens...

Both Alan Ball & Ivan Golac returned to Saints in the 80s after spells away.

So, is it still this one?

Haha! Yes, that bit we got! Plus point - it doesn't leak, I guess!!

Has anyone got one? Bought one for my 10 year old son today & neither one of us can get a drop of water from it! Anyone else had any issues with one or is it simply we're too useless to even use a water bottle???

Jordan Pickford called up by England to replace injured Tom Heaton of Burnley. Wonder if that'll keep him out of the game on as Sunday?

Don't worry chaps, it's all ok. Yoshi can play LB...

A player I was disappointed by (& I thought played less than the 8 games he actually did) was Sergey Gotsmanov. Had done really well on loan at Brighton the season before we signed him but it didn't really happen for him at The Dell.