trousers

Yep, Koeman said all three of them should be back next week.

Ok. Some fair points there.

No mention of Sneijder in the press conference

@bigadamsport: #saintsfc boss Ronald Koeman says despite Long's injury he is no longer looking for another forward - may look for midfielder if Cork leaves

Koeman: "If Cork leaves then we will need to get another midfielder in, other than that it will be a quiet window for us" Confirms interest in the two we've been linked with (Vilhena and Djuricic). "There's a good chance that one will join this window. Maybe both (Koeman smiles)"

Koeman confirms he's in Swansea and likely to leave. "He was offered a good contract but I can't guarantee him the game time that he wants" (or words to that effect)

@bigadamsport: #saintsfc boss Ronald Koeman: "Jack Cork is in Swansea. I don't expect him to be the team this weekend".

Koeman: "Mane and Yoshida are available for Sunday. Yoshida was back on Tuesday and Mane had his first training session today"

I agree that it should be made clear why the winning bid was successful and other bids weren't. For example, maybe the successful bidder are going to buy a better scanner than costs £7m more than the one that the public sector bid were proposing, hence the difference in price. Unless we know what gave rise to the different costs then it's difficult to judge one way or the other whether it's a good deal or not.

Not quite an accurate reflection of my position on these sort of things. I'll clarify: On balance, I believe that companies specifically set up to run specific services are more often than not better at running said services than politicians/governments are. There are of course exceptions, and this particular case that's just been raised may well be one of them, who knows, but that's my general belief. In reply to the question "does cheaper mean 'the best'?", perhaps a more considered answer would have been "it depends" or "no, not always". Something costing £7m more may well end up being a better service. There again, it may not. It's not about the absolute cost, it's about what will be best value for money. If I buy a new pair of shoes for £20 that last 6 months are they better value for money than a £50 pair of shoes that last me 24 months? (copyright Dodgy Analogies Ltd). Unless we have sight of the tender process (which I assume we don't? which, if not, is a fair debate to be had of course) then we're not really in a position to comment on the pros and cons of each bid. Of course, that won't stop social media land jumping to the obvious "party line" conclusions....

How would he know the answer to that? Batman wasn't involved in the tender process (to my knowledge)

No, of course not...

Alderweireld Toby ‏@AlderweireldTob Getting stronger!! @movetocure

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/captain-s-pompey-pride-tempered-by-form-1-6551409

Always good to see the Pompey new signing report template given an outing.... http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/kit-gives-blues-passley-boost-1-6551362

Hmmm.... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2932104/Furious-West-Ham-Newcastle-consider-joining-forces-bring-players-African-Cup-Nations.html

Maybe there was a mix up over the announcement time... Serbian FA to SFC: "So, when can we announce the transfer?" SFC: "7pm" Serbian FA: "Okey dokey. We'll do that." (I'm assuming they are only 1 hour ahead of course) No? OK then. Daft theory.

Surprised SaintBob40 hasn't contributed to this thread yet...

This. Doing something "special" on Valentines Day has got to be one of the least romantic things you can do.

What stadium is that...? Edit: Stoke City

Phew.... Gary Lineker ‏@GaryLineker Thrilled to report that the BBC retains the rights to show @premierleague highlights. Long live Match Of The Day.

http://www.fanatik.com.tr/2015/01/29...undemde-410825 (Credit: Original link from Saint_Ash on HCDAJFU thread)

A better translation here: http://www.fanatik.com.tr/2015/01/29/koeman-karar-degistirdi-sneijder-yeniden-gundemde-410825

Laugh out loud indeed. Jolly good fun this. So, going back to my unanswered question, how well do you know the store manager? Cheers