Alain Perrin

Clearly my support isn't as fickle as a four year old... But there's nothing to support in this team at the present. When we went down last time at least it was in the balance with fight (eg. Norwich 4-3) - this season feels like a whimper. Too soft, too toothless.

When I was 4 years old I declared I was supporting Newcastle because KK had just transferred there. It lasted an afternoon - but it feels like it might be worth revisiting...

I do wonder if JM might join after the Leeds match. Probably ridiculous and the club PR afterwards suggests otherwise. RA has a chapter in his book, "If it ain't broke, break it" - looks like mission accomplished....

That's the bonkers thing. We won that game because we were great in every position... in every other game the team looks like strangers, devoid of confidence with some strange selections. I don't fully blame Jones for our position, problems before and problems after, and I am normally a give it a chance kind of guy... But this feels like the right (overdue) decision. I've no doubt he tried but it feels like this wasn't the right fit from quite early on. Maybe if you get a couple of early wins, people will buy in but lose, lose and lose again with often atrocious football and there's only one outcome. Good luck Nathan Jones wherever you end up next - it wasn't all your fault, you tried but on the pitch you certainly didn't make it better. With the greatest respect, Southampton wasn't for you.

I think this is the fundamental difference. For me the vaccine is partly about me (reducing my chances of being very sick) but mainly about others (reducing my chances of being sick, reduces my chances of giving it to someone else who might be more affected). So whilst I get for a 18year old compared to a 48 year old the equation is tipped more to others than personal risk, the vaccine still has value. The whole point of vaccination is that the masses protect the individual. It's how they work. Is it 100% effective, no. Does it completely halt transmission, no. Is there some (albeit tiny) personal risk of complications, yes. But it does reduce the impacts of these things so has benefit there and the hospital numbers are starkly in favour of the vaccinated. The personal risk is tiny in comparison with the societal benefits. If I am honest I have a slight reservation for kids as it's not their decision / they look to others for guidance. Other than that I think it's a selfish choice not to take the vaccine (same as attitudes to wearing a mask) and there should be costs / consequences for that.

If the truth stings... Neither position is right and yes there are posters at both extremes. My underlying point is, which you miss by not fully quoting, is that it's possible to criticise without thinking the sky is falling in. Also, a seemingly player with weaknesses can sometimes be the missing piece of the jigsaw if their skills complement another in the team.

To be fair, we could have signed Messi, Kane, Busquests last night plus a last minute Deal sheet that brings Keegan back out of retirement.... and the forum would still find fault. Looks fairly positive to me. Still some positions to strengthen (Stephens is a mixed bag for me) but good work in a number of areas. I don't get the clamour for a new GK either - FF and McCarthy were our keeper for our strongest finishes in the PL.

No way our budget can stretch to another 6 players....

I've been mostly away from this site for a couple of seasons, returning a couple of weeks ago post Ings to see any gossip. 1-1 against a team that spends £65m for fun is a great result. Must be a disappointment to the suicide squad here though ...

I can't blame him really. Criminal he didn't get a chance at the Euros and probably thinks a higher profile club will help for the WC.

JV probably suits Leicester more than us as one of their tactics is to play long balls to the willing runners incl. aging Vardy vs. our high press. JV's passing would be a useful weapon for them, perhaps his lack of pace being less of an issue. I don't see them being all that, especially if Madison is off. That's said, Rodgers is a good coach (although not one I particularly like).

He's not Jonno-quick but looks promising

That Alain Perrin bloke was insightful. I miss him.

I don't dispute that the media spins the crap out of the smallest detail, made worse by the blogs written by people with no journalistic ethics looking for clicks. However, I do think people oversimplify transfers. There are so many more factors than wanting a player. The board is but one factor (willingness to pay), selling club (willing to sell), other club (selling a replacement to selling club), player / players wife wanting to move, player thinking he'll be first choice (hard in a settled team), unsettling the dynamic of the team... Etc. Etc. Personally I don't think the board is much better or worse than any other club, they're all out (bar sheiks and Russian mafia) to make money.

Layman's accountancy doesn't work. The quoted figures aren't ever accurate (inflated by the selling club to soften the blow, low balled by the buying club to show they got a steal). Plus agent fees, taxes, bonuses, loan fees, percentage salary's subsidised on loans. I don't know what facts and figures are published as a private company but the leaders of the club have stood up in a fans forum and said we are self sustaining and I believe that to be broadly true. Is Gao pumping money in? No. Is Saints a vehicle for him to get money out of China? Yes. Are Kat and Gao in this to make money? Yes, undoubtedly by growth and dividends etc. Is it some kind of secret plan? No.

I feel they have forgotten the reason why offside exists - to prevent an advantage The forensic analysis with someone being offside by a heel etc. is just bonkers and just breaks up the game. Focus on feet position with a tolerance of 10cm / assessment limit of 60 seconds and it becomes a lot easier and hopefully reflects the need to prevent advantage better.

Hojbjerg can be great but is also prone to a blind pass that puts us in trouble. Personally I would rather have him than not. I don't get the Stephens love in. He may have been good today but he's another one who gives the ball way needlessly far too often. I really struggle to rate him. Cedric gets himself out of trouble - but he is wasteful in attack and weak in the air. Personally I think we need a new CB for Stephens and a striker who can hold the ball up and bring others in (Pele / Lambert). That said, a crucial three points.

.. But have you seen the thread you wrote in that alternate reality that slags Cedric for closing James only for Mata to score... There are plenty of flaws in Cedric's game but this situation isn't an example of it. If he'd kept James on his left foot, Mata would have been open to shoot or square. Cedric is comparatively poor at crossing, and in the air - but overall defensively he is probably a bit more solid than Yan Valery hence why he was selected over him.

With Liverpool seemingly out of the Champions League and the Premier League title in the balance, I reckon we will miss out on a significant payday. Lovren, Lallana, VVD, Mane and even Clyne have all featured this year. I wonder how much their deals would have totalled to in add-ons? Pity. On the plus side, at least we'll have a few minutes silences and a charity single to look forward to....

Confidence is such a key factor here. We have a recent history of conceding later goals - therefore it plays on player's minds and they perhaps play a little deeper and then history becomes reality. A few years back the opposite was true, we saw out many games when the pressure was on. Having a quality CB partnership (e.g. VVD + Fonte) helps install confidence that flows through the rest of the team.

A lot of effort here on a argument with little point.... Welcome to the internet.

Always sad when someone dies but as usual football takes the level of pathos to a ridiculous level. There are too many minutes silences in my opinion. I blame Princess Diana for kicking it all off; they cancelled Liverpool vs. Newcastle and set an ever increasing precedent. I'd limit it to heads of state, club legends and maybe two or more of the Spice Girls.

Ahhh. Came here for the latest info, found a load of reactionary bedwetters instead. We have several players who can fill in adequately at RB and clearly Cedric was not first choice. He wasn't part of the plan so needs to go, similar although less importantly (and only if a replacement is lined up) is Austin. That's why we want to sell rather than loan.

Playing with a smile on his face this season - even when things aren't going 100% right. Does anyone know what the agro was in the second half that earned him a yellow. He was very angry about something an Everton player did?

A good chant needs to be short and sweet so our knuckle dragging fanbase can remember the lyrics and arise deep throated.... So I give you two options and a third for the gospel section of the Northam. To the tune of Wild Thing: Wild Ings. You make the Saints sing You score every game Groovy! To the tune of Old McDonald (for Elyounessi) Old Mohammed, plays for Saints Ely, Ely, O And for our team he'll score a goal Ely, Ely, O [Optional verse] With a left foot here, a right foot there, here a left, there a right, everywhere a left right. Old Mohammed, plays for Saints... Ely, Ely, O To the tune of the 90's classic - Something inside so Strong - Labi Siffri. (too long for a chant but what the heck) Whenever you give freekicks away, Up to the ball he'll run. You can't deny him, you can decide To turn your face away. No matter 'cause there's, someone in our side, Armstrong. I know that he will score it Cos' his name's not Shane Long. You thought that our pride was gone, oh no There's someone in our side, Armstrong. Oh, there's someone in our side, Armstrong. ---------- CDs on sale next to the ice cream van....