AK

We used to always go to The Red Lion (Corner of Bedford Place /Waterloo Terrace) now called The Lion pre match .I haven't been there for years but went in again last week before The Arsenal game , didn't eat, but saw the food come out looked good. Had at least one TV , they were showing Soccer Saturday, so don't know if they will show the rugby. They used to show it, I remember in the dark days we once stayed in their rather than go down to Saints as England were unexpectedly beating Australia in RWC match I think probably 2007.Made it down to SMS for half time, I think we were playing Watford. If you don't know Southampton very well its a 15-20 min walk to the ground. http://www.thelionbedfordplace.com/menu.html

There is no loan window for the premier league .We could sign a free agent.

Thanks, glad in a way someone takes up the fans view. MLT was right in as much I was expecting a weak team, just not as weak as the one that played.

What did MLT say ?

Found it. Southampton have not wanted to reveal the severity of Van Dijk’s injury until after the transfer window closes but it is understood that there is no expectation of him returning for next month’s big Wembley final. Hassen, as well as Gabbiadini, would be available to play against United in the League Cup final.* http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/01/31/deadline-day-premier-league-transfer-news-rumours-live/

Somewhere yesterday I think it was in Jeremy Wilson's live update he said something along the lines that club knew VVD wouldn't make the cup final

Martin Caceres appears in the Sky team of fre agents, maybe we'll pick someone like this up in the next day or so.

http://gianlucadimarzio.com/en/swansea-southampton-loan-deal-for-jordi-amat-collapses

League form is very worrying 5 defeats out of 6.

In my view he just starting to look like his old self - it would be crazy to sell him now. Is Kiko his Dad? Seems like he's a bit of a stirrer. If he's agitating for a move I'd be very disappointed having seen the club pay his wages and medical bills for the last two years.

Oh well it saved us the embarrassment of being knocked out by Sutton.

In short no. The only way you'll get a ticket is through a mate who has a spare or via the second hand ticket market. Its likely members will need at least 6 qualifying home matches if not 7 to get a Wembley ticket. I'm basing that on us season ticket holders having virtually 100% take up which I think is around 24k.

Could be- he was getting onto a private plane !

VVD spotted just now at Southampton airport hobbling pretty badly on crutches- maybe off for an op ?

Yes possibly but that wasn't the point I was responding to- the query which is just hypothetical -can you legitimately sell all the players and pocket the cash and yes you can and it would be straightforward. The tax position is also potentially manageable but would depend on the shareholders circumstances if you are offshore you wouldn't be liable to UK tax. If you were a U.K. Resident for tax purposes I'd probably buy a loss making company then bill the company with all the cash in it a couple of hundred million management fee. The cash is now in the loss making company. Use their losses to right down the tax. Then borrow the money from the company (which is also legitimate ) which is a very tax efficient way of extracting cash without paying income tax. You would pay section 419 tax ( from memory) but it's negligible. As I said it's all hypothetical and there wouldn't be a lot of point to it but it can be done without that much fuss.

It's not difficult at all to take large chunks of cash out of a limited company if you own all the shares. If you make a profit you can pay it as dividends, if not take it out as salary or management fees.Not necessarily that tax efficient, but nothing to stop you at all, there all also many complicated ways of extracting cash.Absolutely straight forward to sell all the players play the under 18's and pocket the cash. Nobody could stop you.

I wonder why they've put the restriction of 8 tickets maximum There are 9 of us that want to go together !

2nd goal at Villa Park in 2003 ?

Couldn't agree more. I've listened to 5live,Solent and Sky commentary/ analysis and he's the only person who doesn't think it was a dive !Looking forward to seeing what Channel 5 say tonight ! Funnily enough the two die hard scousers Lawrenson and Carragher could not have been more complimentary and full of praise for Saints saying we were worthy winners. So jealous of those that went.

Put this on the match thread but probably should have gone here. Claude's thoughts on transfers post today's match. “We will see until the end of the market, and we will take things about an opportunity or not to take another centre back,” he reflected. “I am also happy with the possibilities in defence and we see if Gardos can come back with a good level. “We will see this with calm and whether there is a possibility or not to take another player in place of Jose.”

Quote from Claude at the end of this article re potential transfers. It could be a smokescreen, if so he's handled it well as it doesn't soundas if anything is imminent ! http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/15040045.Van_Dijk_fitness_worry_for_Liverpool/?ref=rss “We will see until the end of the market, and we will take things about an opportunity or not to take another centre back,” he reflected. “I am also happy with the possibilities in defence and we see if Gardos can come back with a good level. “We will see this with calm and whether there is a possibility or not to take another player in place of Jose.”

Ok thanks.

I think I've heard all the post match interviews -didn't hear much on any incoming players. Was CP asked about it ?

I obviously need to stay away from St Mary's , missed today as I coach a youth football team and had a midday kick off. The last match I missed- home to Burnley!