Colinjb

FFP is the key here, it was brought-in in good faith I believe, I do not think it was done in order to specifically consolidate the top four but it does have that bi-product as those earning the most will be allowed to spend the most. The new TV deals which kick in next year will break down some of the top-four's advantage by making Premier League Status more powerful compared to Champions League qualification, ensuring that the chasing pack are more powerful by being richer then essentially any other club (excluding those at the very top of the Italian, Spanish and German leagues, and the top 4 + Liverpool, Spurs) in the world. The challenge to break the Top 6 stronghold is massive but not in my opinion as big a task as before.

I can see the point to a degree, Gaston and Osvaldo looked a bit 'Robinho to Man City.' They didn't work out, yet this set a marker for our intent, albeit to a more limited extent.

Just so long it was cheaper then him running the contract down, but my god, what a waste of space, time and effort that guy was. Time to draw a line underneath and move on.

3 Good years out of him, 10.5m profit and he helped us stabilise nicely in the top flight in the process. Not a bad spell, good luck to him.

In summary: This thread has gone well.

That did make me laugh, good work!

It's quite clear that Adam still doesn't get it. let's spell it out: It's not that you left, it's how you left. Rickie, Theo, Bale.... soon to be Morgan, despite his paddy last summer, they are all well thought of. As are many others..... so why such ill feeling towards Lallana? If he asks himself honestly, I'm sure he does actually gets it... contradicting my opening statement. However, judging by TheVMan's latest posts he may be too immature to cope with the reality of the answer.

In fairness, if it is apparent in advance that the away end isn't selling out then another block or so can easily be re-allocated to the home fans, there is netting at the point of segregation that can be moved as required. Also, for cup matches when a larger away end is stipulated there is the possibility of isolating a larger section of the Northam Stand concourse to cater for more fans. In reality though, you need a full away end to reach a full house. The better measure may be for the percentage of the home end that is sold, but, on personal experience there always seems to be a few seats spare in some areas, including the Itchen/Kingsland corner where I sit. A sign in itself that Stadium expansion is not a great idea right now. I still believe that St Mary's is just about right for our needs, one of our often reviled former chairman's better judgement calls.

When it comes to allotments you reap what you sow.

(Taking this as seriously as it deserves to) Based on relative fanbase, history, resources and current performance, actually, I would say both ourselves and Swansea are near a zenith whereas Liverpool and Spurs could be argued to under performing. As such, it's a two horse race, but not between the two names you would expect. We are certainly better run currently then the Scousers and North London Yobbos.

Toby is doing what to Big Ron's blijven!?

A poll? Srsly!?

They have clearly been relocated to the satellite viewing platforms. Such St Mary's sized planning.

Through my hopelessly biased and emotionally led perspective the clear answer is: Winchester City FC.

Glad he has stuck with us. Time for him to fulfill his potential....

Could we have done better? My opinion is he will do just fine, looking forward to seeing him in action. I won't hold his poor decision in joining Fulham against him, he clearly is a very capable guy.

Sensible.

Marine Le Pen?

He looks determined.... almost growling into the camera.

One of those rare occasions where an English player represented good value.

I think it is not quite a case of one or another as youngsters are still being blooded and are coming through, however there is the fact that our success has led to us losing our best English players which has through necessity required equally as able replacements. There is only a finite supply of English talent and a larger talent pool throughout the rest of the world... so it is inevitable that we are now bringing in more foreign blood. If the academy dried up I would worry, but our ethos of giving the kids a platform to progress means i'm not concerned. We are being responsible and self sustaining, much to the benefit of our domestic youngsters and the club's overall stature.

A lot of Manchester United's off field weaknesses have come to the fore since Fergie's departure. Perhaps, just perhaps he walked into something utterly lacking compared to his previous experience and unwilling to change to suit his recommendations.

He clearly isn't maxing out the options list.

Have you learned nothing in the past 6 years!?