Matthew Le God

I doubt we'll find many Saints fans questioning his ability!

You are missing the point... - Those with Italian/French/Spanish passports don't even need a non EU work permit. They count as EU citizens. - Those that meet the 75% of national team games regardless of quality pass the work permit. However, those that fail the 75% of national games criteria and then have to appeal, do so on other grounds. That is what happened with Lee, and not with the other examples given thus far.

He was the captain of Equador at the World Cup in 2002 and throughout the South American qualifying. He didn't need an appeal like Tandari Lee did for not playing in enough games for the national team.

Chala - He was the captain of Ecuador at the time he joined Saints. Bleidelis - Had 106 caps for Latvia by the end of his career. A large number of them before he joined Saints. Arias - Had an Italian passport.

Examples?

It seems Saints academy sides from under 8 up to under 18's are using a 4-2-3-1 system, Adkins referred to this in interview after the Coventry game. This might be the "Southampton style" Cortese spoke of in his statement on the OS in May 2010 and may see the first team use it much more (they already have this season for spells). Makes sense to have the same philosophy for style of play from the youngest academy side right up to the first team.

Why can't you include Jos Hooiveld? Had he not signed permanently, he would have left at the turn of the year when his loan expired. Tadanari Lee is extremely close to signing now the work permit situation has been resolved and Adkins has stated they are looking for a number of other players. Neil Lennon confirmed enquires for Gary Hooper and Kris Commons so they are actively searching for players.

Having been to the 3rd round win against Sheff Utd at St Mary's, I would recommend every Saints fan that can should go to the Forest/Wigan game in the 5th round. It is a good and very cheap evenings entertainment and a glimpse at the future of the club!

If Saints hadn't signed Hooiveld he would have returned to Celtic at the beginning of January. I really can;t see why you continually overlook him. As for Lee, he has now all but signed. It is going to happen Mr Dalek. What makes you think there won't be any more signings? Adkins has said there will be and Neil Lennon has confirmed Saints enquiries for Commons and Hooper. Clubs looking to "consolidate" as you keep saying don't do that. I'm at a loss why you keep on with this, the club's transfer activity in the summer window achieved 1st position for when the next window opened. The activity in the summer was very successful and achieved its aims.

Saints have already signed two players in the January window! Which is more than can be said of most Championship clubs.

I wouldn't go on strike like he did.

Goal. Bolton take the lead through Oscar Threlkeld's header. Bolton 1-0 Saints

"Off the post! Southampton's Moore loops an effort looped up and over the wall but is denied by the woodwork. The visitors looking dangerous." This is from Bolton's Twitter feed btw.

Kellett clears off the line from a Southampton corner kick after Fielding had failed to hold the initial cross.

Subs: Johns, Young, O'Sullivan, Bowman, Reed

From the article... "his case has been approved by the football authorities"

Nope, handles for forks.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/arsenal-face-a-battle-for-saints-4m-teen-6287747.html "Shaw is understood to have agreed a professional deal with Southampton to begin when he turns 17 in July" The article isn't well researched, there is no doubt about his contract status as the Independent implies. Why have they put an element of doubt when a simple look on the Southampton OS would show this... http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2228492,00.html

Sorry for trying to help... ffs Were you not trying to also "help" by asking you "man on the inside at Spuds"? How would you like to be mocked for that?

That is how I would see it.

I beat you to it.

Not that I like defending the Daily Mail, but there do seem to be precedents for these kinds of loan deals.

The Daily Mail article does make it clear that he is on loan to Spurs and also states they would need Juventus' permission to do this. A similar thing happened with Dani Pacheco. Athletico Madrid agreed to sign him on loan from Liverpool with a view to buy him at the end of the season and then Madrid loaned him out to Rayo. Seems very strange but there are precedents for this in European football.

Are Celtic preparing for Hooper's departure...? http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2012/01/10/celtic-target-hamdi-salihi-keen-on-move-to-parkhead-as-striker-gets-set-for-rapid-exit-86908-23692920/ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2084470/Celtic-want-Hamdi-Salihi-Jordan-Rhodes.html They may not want to sell Hooper without having a replacement lined up first.

@MatthewLeGod For Football Manager and Saints news, with occasionally some itk info...