VectisSaint

Nothing to do with being Cortese's vision, but the fact is that little more than a year down the road we are much further away from realising this dream than we were. We now have no regular first team club-trained players (the last to leave being the well known Englishman Morgan Schneiderlin) and realistically only 3 academy players anywhere near the first team (JWP, Targett & Reed). Targett will not get much of a look-in when Bertrand is fit, Reed doesn't seem to be favoured much by Ronald (and to be fair I can see why sometimes, he lacks discipline) and JWP, well there is a whole thread about him so no need to stir the **** here). Fact is we have gone from being a very British-based team with young players to an almost totally non-English team of youngish players in a season and a half. We have also seen a complete about-face on academy players being loaned out. I'm not actually saying which way is right and wrong, but the facts show that we are now nowhere near the vision and the actuality which was the reason we were held up by many as the model club for England in the PL. Sadly there is little coming through the academy at the moment that is likely to change this position, at least not for another 2-3 years, maybe the likes of Callum Slattery will be the start of a turnaround.

Pretty obvious to anyone watching the u21 game on Monday. Don'the local rags cover these games? He didn't look fully fit before the Citeh guy accidently took him out anyway.

Didn't we also get some money from AM for Toby ? *Noticed that Fitzhugh mentioned the same.

If he can reproduce the stuff shown in the video, then he really does look a very good DM, and very much in the mould of Morgan. Comfortable with the ball, likes to bring the ball out of defence, available to help team-mates and to start off attacks, even some Morgan-esque passes. Apart from having a little less style than Morgan (that certain je ne c'est quoi) and an apparent lack of attacking play, he really looks like what I imagine he is meant to be, the replacement for Morgan. I like the look of Clasie, but I don't think he is meant to be Morgan's replacement, more of an alternative in the more advanced role in MF currently occupied by Davis and JWP.

With 2 long term injuries, its only 5 not in match day squad each week, injuries and suspensions will take care of most of that. We do technically still have "Sick-note" Ramirez as well.

So far has filled me with confidence. Have to say, more so than FF I'm afraid. Stick The Stek behind Morgan and our back 4 of last season and you have a top keeper. Still the fact that remains that if Forster is out until next year we are an injury or suspension away from Gazza or KD again.

No envy at all from this Saints fan, at least not of Palace or Stoke. Other than wishing we had signed that Morgan Schneiderlin chappy, the only other signing I have seen so far that would have been good has been Wijnaldum. Shaqiri looks like a disaster of Osvaldo proportions, wouldn't want an arsehole like that anywhere near Saints, thank you.

So thats one then. Now you've posted the answer even the 15 year olds here will get it right (at least those that can read). By the way, it varies some say 39k is the capacity.

Do we have a pox doctor doing the medicals?

Wonder how many on here could quote the capacity of Goodison without either looking it up first or being MLG.

Despite the hype at the time it would seem in hindsight that we were wasting our time.

Agreed, he looked half decent in a team that were being destroyed. His touch and hold-up play remains far better than Pelle's, but his time in the PL is nearing its end, such a shame that he had to ensure a season of being under utilised by the master tactician and coach that is Brenda.

He was booked after 14 minutes,otherwise no idea. Currently 5-4 to Barca. 1st goal Ever Banega, weren't we linked with him last year?

Yep, hoping it would get down to one or two aways.

It will be fine when we get drawn against Dortmund in the groups :-)

Doubt its knee, looked like ankle last night and the report of the boot/The Spire woud tend to suggest foot ss well. He wouldn't have been ready for a start Saturday, might have made the bench at a push.

About the 17th?

Think you've touched on the reason, its about whether he is going to be a disruptive influence in the dressing room, Hughes was not sure that he will integrate with the Stoke ethic, but looks like he is going to take the risk now.

I take it this is a bit of a joke, you know Stephens has gone to Middlesbro? The team will probably be: The Stek, Cedric, Fonte, Yoshida, Targett, Davis, Wanyama, Long, Tadic, Mane, Pelle Don't think Clasie will be a starter on the evidence of last night, might make the bench, but took a heavy knock and looked well off the PL pace (but did some great stuff), Everton is too soon, will probably play against Midgetland. Main worry is the left side of midfield, we need someone to protect Targett, neither JRod nor Tadic can do it. Long is beter defensively than both, so maybe we can start with him there, not sure, to me that is the only place that has a decision to be made, do we play Long, JRod, JWP or Juanmi. The rest of the team picks itself while we have injuries.

Unless of course the valuation of the player is not met, or the player does not want to move. In the short term he will not play much, unless something happens to Terry, in terms of serious injury. I'm sure he will go eventually, just not this season. We'll see. Apparently Everton are still looking for a left sided CB anyway.

Everton are apparently after Cristian Zapata (AC Milan) if they lose Stones. Personally I don't think Stones will leave anyway this season.

No. As always CL is on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Nice try at imitating Alpine, but only Alpine can do it properly.

Think we dodged a bullet with Chester (if we were in for him). Looks completely out of his depth.

Doesn't look too good, although he has limped off. Complete accident as well.