Mowgli

Really depends whether Punch is given (or wants) a new contract. 4-4-3 would suit Theo well as he would be one of three strikers who moves wide to cover the defenders when not in possession of the ball. He would have that attacking role yet we would still have the benefit of his pace and his crossing. 12 months ago I would have laughed at the suggestion of him coming back but it is the sort of deal Cortese would put a lot of effort into securing. But as I said, it really depends on what Puncheon's ambitions are for next season. If he has matured as it seems then I can't imagine he would want to risk that good work by starting fresh somewhere else. He is good mates with Clyne on and off the pitch and he appears settled an happy. What is there to consider really?

I just don't understand why they need to bolster the team with u21 players and JWP who is first team squad. The u18s worked as a unit to get the title in their division. Why break up the unit?

Simon Kjaer still at Wolfsburg? About the right age and pedigree. Could be available.

This sums it up for me. Fans want instant impact from new signnigs. The club are investing for the long haul. Its a bit pointless trying to prove each other right or wrong as to whether J Rod or Mayuka will eventually prove to be good signings. I have not seen enough of the latter to comment but J Rod stilll looks a good signing to me and a worthy successor to Lambert over the next couple of years. He just has to be patient. It's a very different Southampton to the one that existed a few years ago and most of our signings went straight into the team (ready or not!).

Good to see that. It hints at arrogance ond over confidence. Really looking forward to this one. I do rate Le Fondre though. He will have to be watched. Predict 3-1 with same team again.

You're confusing referees with internet warriors.... As someone who has refereed in a different environment, it's also about putting something back into the game that has given you a lot of pleasure over the years. as someone else pointed out, with referees there would be no game for us to watch. The lack of respect (ably illustrated by some (to be fair the aboce posters comments was probably firmly tongue in cheek) does annoy me. We really ought to have refereeing as in Rugby when no back chat or physical contact is allowed.

Yes, quite often clap good goals at SMS... ...I think most people will appreciate good football whether they acknowledge it with polite applause or not.

More likely Boruc Richardson Stephens Jos Fox JWP Davis Lee Guly Mayuka J Rod With Lallana, Lambert, Ramirez, Chaplow, Morgan, Kelvin and Puncheon on the bench. Having said that NA will probably mix some youth in on the bench - Reeves, Hoskin, Chambers, for example...

You obviously did not see Mayuka play on Monday.

Yes, remember a lot of those mentioned. Good memories mainly. Of the more bizarre, I was there when... Jimmy Gabriel got sent off on a stretcher at Elland road in a 1-0 defeat 1970 We lost to Newcastle at St James Park (on agggregate score) in the second leg of the Texaco Cup Final 74/5. My first ever cup final.

It's much simpler than people think. The coaching staff identify weak areas in the team, the scouts come up with a few potential targets. The Board decide whether they can afford them. Not sure who handles the contract negotitations but I would imagine this is something Cortese does not delegate so easiliy. As has always been the case at SFC and many other clubs. Some transfers work better than others.

Lots of young players change positions as they mature. Stephens is a centre back. No question. Thought Turnbull was very good tonight too (I thought he, rather than Stephens was the one winding Macheda up). Not sure the service was that bad to Mayuka. Was it not a case of his feet never leaving the ground so he lost every singlwe one of his aerial duels? I watched him carefully in the second half and rather than watch the ball he seemed more intent on watching his marker to see if he made a mistake.

Meeeooooooww........... .....bet you could not do it in a costume. What you got against dogs anyway.........???

More or less agree with you (apart from the crosses). He made a gaff. He also made a couple of really good saves. It’s a bit like the Newcastle keep on Sunday who made several blinding saves but will be remembered for the spill that allowed Gaston to tap in. Gazza did not cost us 2 points yesterday. A 1-1 draw was a fair reflection of the overall game and there was a hint of fortune over our own goal! From where I was sitting Snodgrass had too big a view of the goal so if Gazza made a mistake, I think his biggest one was not setting the wall up correctly. Anyway, let’s move on. I’m not sure dropping him is really the answer. Yet. Would be interesting to know how match fit Boruc is now….

And we need another thread because..... (I'll comment on the original)

Don't be surprised to see us in Europe next season - courtesy of the Fair Play league!

Tell them he's not for sale and does not want to step down to Arsenal anyway. He has seen how they failed to develop Wallcott properly.

Words fail me.....

Lee has not had an opportunity to prove himself at this level yet - keep. Guly is a good back up for Ramirez. Won't score too many goals but his pass completion rate has always been good - keep. Chaplow is a reall battler in the middle at any level - keep. Can't make out Steve de Ridder. Talent is undoubted but his self motivation must be lacking otherwise he would be in or around the 18 on match day.

No.

Eerrmm... .. I think it was in response to the question 'do you think you owe Pardew a debt of gratitude' for laying the foundations to promotion. This where we see NA at his best. Will take criticism on the chin when it is warranted, but he will be very clear that back to back promotions occurred under HIS watch and no one is going to take that away from him. Does not alter the fact that Pardew did a decent job whilst he was here.

You'll be pleased to know Cork and Clyne are both doing the press conference this afternoon so likely to play.

What would be really funny was if he accepted the job and then Fernandes took Sir Clive on in an advisory capacity. If Carlsberg did stitch ups....

Boruc edges it on Gazza for me in terms of but he's not got his match sharpness yet. So Gazza for e and at he speed he is learning, Boruc is going to have to work exceptionally hard to get another chance. Davis remains a sound back up.

So actually we've got 3 pretty decent keepers.