VectisSaint

I suspect it was as much to do with the club helping him when one of his close family members died back in 2012/13 season. Recall Adkins granting him compassionate leave at the time.

Actually he didn't. McCarthy (last season's captain and defensive leader) has gone out on loan since the last u21 game.

He will go for nothing, but we won't need to invest in a direct replacement. He is effectively surplus to requirements at the moment.

You're right. They have updated the highlights, and removed that play. Maybe it was too embarrassing for Pelle :-) But it was there. The latest version was published at midnight and is about 3 minutes longer in total. Bizarre. 45.39 in the link that Coxford_Lou posted (Complete 2nd Half) http://lasthighlight.com/liverpool-v...ts-full-match/

It was on Saints Player immediately after our goal.

Agree with your sentiment but why would anyone play 4 of Wanyama, Clasie, Davis & JWP, that is far more defensive than we play away in the league with only Tadic and Pelle offering any attacking threat. I believe Targett is "unavailable" (but no confirmation, just been noticeably absent from anything recently, including the us21s tonight) and Wanyama is nursing some serious knocks from Sunday, and of course Mane is out. JRod is also out until at least Sunday. So Romeu for Wanyama and either Juanmi or Gaston for Mane.

His defensive qualities are at least equal to Tadic, don't think we have structured our squad to take care of his defensive frailties. But Ronald's structure/formation means that we can deal with a player who offers little in defence because of our strong defensive midfield. Gaston used to get shown up when Nigel was in charge, because we had a relatively open middle. I just watched the highlights again, ignoring Gaston's assist (which was a terrific header), the passage of play afterwards when he picked the ball up just outside of the penalty area, surged forward and made a great opportunity that Pelle wasted and then even more importantly Gaston's follow up afterwards really was a remarkable piece of play, some elements of whichweare very much at odds with the "old" Gaston. Perhaps after all Ronald and his coaching staff are instilling something into him which is beginning to have an effect and which may, just may result in a much improved player.

I was thinking someone else to be fair...

So we need someone with an eye for detail and pedantry to let us know all of the players who are wearing Nike instead of Adidas. Then we need to get someone to nick their boots and sell them down Pompey market.

Amazing that people forget his goals and assists. It has not "cost us" £20m, the money we paid and the wages were budgeted, and he gave some return, especially in his first season. Of course it would be nice if we could get some benefit from him leaving, but we won't.

I thought that was a fine.

Actually, he did get his pre-season delayed due to him not being fit when he returned to Staplewood, missed some of the friendlies as a result of being unfit, not so much injured. No-one is going to take him before the end of the season, and no-one will pay a fee for him, so seems sensible to me to continue to make use of his undoubted talents, especially when we have a few injuries/suspensions. Ronald seems quite impressed by the effort he is putting in, and maybe if he does well he might earn a new contract, otherwise he will just leave next summer when his contract expires. I really don't get why people are comparing him to Juanmi, so different in their play, and Juanmi was bought as one for the future. Gaston is available as an option here and now, this season and clearly we are already needing such an option, even with the bigger squad we have this season, and before the traditionally harder part of the season as we hit the winter months. It is good to see a player with some flair in the team, apart from Tadic perhaps it is something we are sadly lacking, Gaston has always had that but was let down by his inability to defend and his ability to give the ball away cheaply in the middle of the park. Perhaps in Koeman's formation he will not be as exposed to that as previously with Davis, Wanyama and Clasie (and/or Romeu/JWP) in behind him.

It could turn out to be accurate if he fails to score against West Brom and Watford. Maybe they are just into predictions these days rather than reporting facts

Arsenal used an unauthorised agent in Chamber's transfer.

Is anyone serious suggesting they will start? Pretty sure you will see Seager on the bench though, and probably given a chance in the second half. Not so sure about Reed, though he may be on the bench.

He was clattered several times yesterday, and looked near to coming off in the first half. We will probably rest him on that basis. We have alternatives in this department, and it is more important that he is fit for the league.

Have a suspicion that Targett is not fit/available, no sign of him in training. I don't expect any major changes to today's team, obviously Mane will not be playing, and Vic must be a doubt with the knocks he took today. Expect to see Seager play some part. I would go to start: Stek, Cedric, Jose, VVD, Bertrand, Romeu, Clasie, Davis, Ramirez, Tadic, Pelle with Caulker, Yoshida, Seager, Reed, JWP and Juanmi on the bench (and Davis or Gazza).

I assume that there was more than one Koeman post match interview. The one on the OS is very different to what you wrote: "Gaston is working hard, he is part of the team and of course he was not the first option in front but OK he is working hard, he's trying to take his opportunity, with some injuries to players like Shane Long and Jay Rodriguez he's knocking on the door, then I give Gaston that opportunity". No mention of his contract by Ronald (only by the interviewer in his question). Ronald sounded and looked quite positive. Different perspective.

So your head is there, do we get a transfer fee when the rest of you joins them in January?

Was Saganowski South American?

Deserved point. Nice assist from Gaston, should have been 2 but for Pelle's **** up. Decent start by Clasie, looked comfortable. Silly 2nd yellow, but he only misses Villa, so no harm done.

You seem to have missed the word "historically". Usually this means players like Delgado, McLaughlin, even Delap himself. You could also add Forren.

I would put that down to rust in the foot well. Had the same problem with my first car, a Morris Oxford.

Bloody annoying at the time that we were the first team to be caught by the 3-down relegation rule.

73-74 season I remember it well (sort of)