TopGun

Oh dear oh dear:lol:

Hello Mr Tesco, hello, hello! I can't hear you...

I expect 3-0.

Odd, given he is contract expired in the summer!

* Awaits appearance of St George and inevitable Republican rant *

Not Audi but Aldi. We're seeing superstore giants like Tesco in big trouble as they lose share to the meaner and leaner and faster moving competition like Aldi. The likes of Man Utd, Liverpool and perhaps Man City appear to be like those big supermarket companies in trouble. They've all committed huge capital investment to protect the brand under shareholder pressure like Tesco and it appears to be ineffective as others in the marketplace become more successful and close the performance gap (Chelsea excepted). My theory is that TV money has pumped so much money into Prem clubs that they all have more spending choices to make. And there are only so many good wines you can buy to fill your limited cellar capacity of 25 bottles. Aldi fizz seems as good as Tesco's superior fizz offerings even though it is half the price and performs as well at the dinner table. Tadic vs Di Maria anyone? At the corporate level Aldi has lower cost mistakes to make than Tesco overall also. And less damaging and lasting financial fallout as a result. MoPo to RoKO vs Sir Alex to LVG for example. Just my thoughts about why Saints (and other well managed clubs) possibly have better opportunities now in an over bloated market place where the established top boys compare their tackle and lose sight of the quick moving whippersnappers.

Good point MLG. But they'd probably play their development players and expensive cast offs in the Europa League.

Nailed on a centre forward's head as a comment. But not in favour of an SRL return. It would be like trying to crank up an older quality car in quick time after it has been left alone a bit too long without loving attention.

I was rather hoping that Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal would progress through the group stages of the Champions League which would tie them all up for the second half of the season. But it's looking more likely that Man City and Arsenal won't make it and will have their greater player resources to apply to the Premiership fairly soon. Boo! Edit: Just checked the tables and Arsenal look good to go forward so maybe not as bad as I thought!

Totally agree.

But all Crooks has done this week is watch MOTD and decided that he'd look stupid if he didn't put Clyne and Wanyama in the team after the glowing reports from Shearer etc. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29874435

Remember it suits Strachan to talk Cortese up as that informs us that Saints entered a different era from when Strachan was manager.

Be interesting to see who Crooks names later today. He said this is response to Saints victory at Hull though: "Southampton have slipped into second in the table while remaining under the radar. But they are doing extremely well. They have momentum and are keeping their form going - and now they have our full attention." I have to say it took him long enough to smell the coffee, given this is meant to be his job!

Dinner ladies with whistles!

So, let's just recap a little here. The Tesco deal will mean all is a go-go by 1 November. And it's still on. Despite a Serious Fraud Office investigation into Tesco. And Tesco pulling back in general from superstores. Shovels on site! (learning from Neil Allen about paragraphs and journalism)

So Pelle appeared to leap into the Saints away crowd after scoring the final goal and the ref waited patiently for his return to the pitch before giving Pelle a yellow card. Does this one matter being in the League Cup?

I think we are well covered for most positions except Nat Clyne at RB. If he got injured or suspended or needed a rest (as he has played virtually all games so far), who would slot into the position?

No surprise there. He's as jumbled up as ever. His comments make no sense at all read from start to end. Graziano Pelle is on fire, as we saw with that outstanding goal in the Capital One Cup, but I can see Southampton only getting a draw. That’s because I think Hull are a real threat again after going back to playing three at the back. Believe it or not, I don’t think there’s a lot of difference between these two teams. If you take Pelle’s goals and give them to Hull then it might be a bit different. I will go for 1-1.

But Lawro's opponent this week is the lovely Rachel Riley who predicts a 0-1 win for the Saints. I know who I am in bed with!

I think he was referring to the wider game in general. You'd imagine that Saints would recognise the going rate if all the rest is to be believed. What's the point of allowing a weakness like that if all the rest of the development programme is so driven?

Nevertheless a good starter thread title Lord T. One that ought to run and develop quite nicely as the following months pass. I can see plenty of input and friendly jousting between many of the regular posters.

13) Portsmouth v Southampton It's about rival shipping ports, but then again it's not really. For Portsmouth and Southampton fans, hatred of the other is something that just is, passed on from generation to generation. Yet their divergent fortunes have brought hostilities to an indefinite halt, and they can now bond over a shared dislike of Harry Redknapp. Not sure I agree with the last sentiment as there are plenty of f**kwit skates who want Saggy Chops back!

I'll take the League Cup run as far as it goes and think we should field our best team available. But in January if we are still looking good in the Premiership I would be happy to forego a full-blooded tilt at the FA Cup in the 3rd and 4th rounds. If we got to the 5th round then we could think again dependent on Premiership placing.

Great piece.

Have stranger things happened?