revolution saint

Don't normally agree with you on much (except monarchy and Gaston Ramirez) but I do agree with you there - the moral thing to do would be to hold a by-election. Morally speaking, I also think Boris should hold a general election though (and no I'm not saying they're the same thing).

Well, it's all about opinions of course but mine is that the old European Cup was far, far superior to this champions league guff with it's ten billion boring games per season. Any tournament is a non-event until the knockout games as well.

Anyone suggesting a chant based on a song by the Killers should seriously think about whether they want to cement our position as the most middle class mundane fans in the Prem. It's dinner party music for bland people. You may as well search the Dido and Norah Jones back catalogue.

As a complete aside, I'm surprised Jarrod Bowen hasn't moved this window (at least so far). Entering the final year of his contract, goal scoring wide midfielder and young as well - you'd have thought he would have been snapped up by one of the mid to lower prem clubs by now. Not exactly a priority for us (especially if we keep Boufal) but decent championship player that could thrive in the prem.

You didn't read the part where I said sometimes we're good at it and other times we're not, did you? For the record, no I don't really rate JWP, Targett or Stephens. Vallery has been OK so far and Obafemi, Slattery and Vokins have barely played so unlike you I can't really form an opinion on them. Luke Shaw was years ago and again, like I said, sometimes we're good at it. Now be a good boy and bother someone else.

Problem is the club has been saying this forever - it's not a new concept and probably every club says developing young players is a massive part of their business model. We're not unique at all. Sometimes we're pretty good at it and other times we've not really produced anything at all but during all of these periods whether good or bad we've banged on about our youth system. I'll reserve judgement until we actually get some decent players through again.

Well, clearly this is all guesswork on your part. Any evidence they would go into coalition with the Tories again? Nah, that's cos you made it up. As for Labour there's no evidence they wouldn't (or would) go into a coalition either so that's another thing you just made up. Why would the Lib Dems, who want to remain, go into a coalition with any party that offered a "softer" Brexit though? Would you expect the Brexit party to go into coalition with a softer version of remain? Course you wouldn't.

To be fair to them they're representing the half that want to remain and make no pretence about it. Least they're not promising cake for everyone whether you want to remain or leave.

Whoosh!

Does he also have a goal for an eye, a hammer for a right foot and wand for his left? Sorry, but I hate those cliches which amount to absolutely nothing at all - what professional player doesn't know where the goal is? Blindingly obvious innit? Cue lots of jokes about Shane Long.........

Always makes me a bit sad when a player is criticised for an alleged attitude problem when no one has any idea or clue what the player is actually like. Of course we're entitled to an opinion on their performance, level of skill, stamina etc - basically anything that happens on the pitch but outside of that and it's just guesswork. Add that to the double-think scenario where player A is slagged off for supposedly wanting to leave and player B is slagged off for wanting to sit on his contract and not move and it's just bizarre.

Trouble with doing deals like that (not that they ever happen anyway) is that you get a player who isn't motivated and looks at Southampton as a step down (or at least sideways). Much like Lemina would have when he arrived from Juventus.....

I watched all the first game Mali played and the second half yesterday so not a huge amount and it's difficult to judge him (especially as Mali seemed to continuously ignore him and favoured attacking down the right instead). My thoughts are that he's certainly quick (probably not quite as quick as Mane but not too far off) and he likes a step-over or three. He should be good for us when he's in tight spots and evading challenges. I think he's the type of player that will benefit from having strict instructions on where to be and what to do because, like a lot similar players, he didn't seem to have much of an idea once he'd beaten a player. To be fair that could have been because Mali didn't really give him many options. Given his age though I'd be quite excited about his potential. Oh and his tackling in the first game was very reckless but yesterday he was much better - didn't leap into anything and realised that he was better when he harried the opposition rather than sticking his foot in. He's not going to have too much time in pre-season so I think initially he'll be on the bench - it's going to be a huge step up for him anyway so that makes sense and will give him a bit of time to settle without too much pressure (especially if we start slowly again). Expect him to win lots of fouls and to have a ten minute YouTube video of full of skills and tricks that don't result in goals by Christmas.

I remember this as well - think it was against Derby or Coventry and he was shooting towards the Archers Road end. The Barry Horne first against Bolton in the cup was my favourite though.

Wouldn't surprise me if it was us in for Jansson. Doesn't fit the age profile or pace side of things but by all accounts is a leader which we've been crying out for at the back. Might be a safer bet going for him instead of a younger kid from abroad - least he'll be able to settle in quickly.

Back on topic, I see Adam Blackmore has tweeted that the next priorities are CB, RB/RWB (I think but it could have just been full-back) and possibly a number 10. The number 10 seems unlikely to me but would provide a few options. Anyone got any ideas who might fit the bill? Oh, and apparently we're still the bookies favourite to sign Bowen from Hull - again I'm not sure we will given he's predominantly a winger. He's in the last year of his contract and fits the age profile (although not exactly pacy). Personally think he's a great player whenever I've seen him play. Price-wise Cardiff offered 12M for him in January so you'd think that would be around the right price to get him if we are interested.

People who take football far too seriously.

I've read some utter pony in my time but that's the biggest load of pony ever. I wouldn't be surprised to see it win a world record in pony. It'll probably be serialised in that pony-peddling Daily Heil and dished out to the masses of pony eating illiterates that make up it's readership. They'll lap it up and have more of that pony for afters. Oh, and Universities don't have half term either so that puts a big pony sized hole in your pony plan!

I was really impressed with Jarrod Bowen from the bits I saw last season. Not sure that position is a priority but would definitely add to the squad and also think this type of signing is much less of a risk than going foreign. Also far better than Harry Wilson from what I saw as well.

Spent time with both Red Bull Salzburg and New York Red Bulls so is well known by the Red Bull "family" and I guess by tenuous extension might also be known to Ralph as well.

Turnbull's agent is Liam O'Donnell (well, officially it's the the prolegal group but he heads it up)- same as Armstrong so he's used to dealing with us.

Does that mean JRM is 200 years old?

Alban Lafont

My sources tell me it's because of a swap deal for Lemina. Actually I just made it up but it's plausible - weren't PSG sniffing around last season? Rabiot story is obvs total rubbish and it's the kind of thing West Ham would try (and fail) to do.

I dunno, I tend to over analyse things like this but I have a sneaking suspicion that Ralph simply wants another striker as well as Ings.