VectisSaint

I think the issue is more about playing a meaningless friendly just before the start of the season that is really irritating. What is the point of an international break right at the start of the season, especially when it is used for meaningless friendlies. FIFA really need to get a grip on the schedule, if they insist on international breaks then at least schedule them in when teams have played a few games. I don't know for sure but suspect it is unlikely that a friendly between Japan and Uruguay had been arranged when Gaston and Yoshi signed last year, so no way could Saints have guessed they would both be jetting off to Japan. What's more don't think it was decided then that Japan and Uruguay had qualified for the Confed Cup, but could be wrong. Its bad luck, but it does show how stupid FIFA can be. Next you know they will be looking to run the 1922 World Cup in the winter, and that will feck the schedules for all leagues for 2 seasons at least.

Is may be just me, but every time I see that picture of Alps I see a passing resemblance to Saint Markus.

Fair point, I did not realise WGS selected him in June. Point still stands though he has been omitted from every WGS squad except that one, and withdrew. It is a shame when a Saints player cannot make the first 29 for Scotland though. You look at who is included and quite honestly hardly anyone is well known, and many are from the Championship. Sadly for Fox, he will never be a PL class defender, his defensive abilities are shocking. His forward play and his set piece delivery are actually good/very good, but in the end he should be judged on the main part of his role, i.e. his defensive duties. Harding was a better defender. Maybe Fox will get better when he realises he is not the superstar that perhaps he believes himself to be and applies himself to the role properly. I won't hold my breath though.

Looks like 1.5 people, Roger and half of Glasgow. ART hasn't commented on this thread but is usually very negative about AL Fortunately Saints supporters still think AL is a great Saint, those at matches seem to think differently than the few on here. Clearly was not at his best when he came back from injury, and like others I would have preferred him not to be captain, but can see why he is. Can be frustrating but has bags of skill and creativity, only really his shooting that lets him down, and not great at set pieces (but frankly who is?). I would still rather have him in the matchday squad than not any time and think he will be very good next season. Nice to see he has ditched the dodgy haircuts as well.

Yes, too much optimism by far. You can't teach an old dog fox (he is 27) new tricks. MP was a CB, Fox is allegedly a LB. But I think you are probably right in one aspect that our manager has spotted Fox's weaknesses. If he hasn't then he has no right to be a manager.

Gordon Strachan did not select Fox in his 29 man squad for the international against England next month. I think that probably shows that Gordon Strachan knows what he is doing. In fact has Strachan actually ever selected Fox, I believe Fox last played for Scotland against Wales last year, whereas WGS took over in 2013.

Nowhere, because you were trying to imply it was Llallana going off that made the difference. You forgot conveniently to mention our best player went off at same time.

That would be the same time that Morgan went off as well. So you're saying we are crap when Morgan is playing are you? Seem to recall he was player of the season last year.

They probably are fit enough for 45 minutes, but not much good if as a result they miss the start of the season through injury is it. It takes time to build up fitness pre-season. Their fitness levels probably are not too bad anyway, having played competitively more recently than most of the squad.

Clearly had all of those qualities when he was at Swansea. You don't suddenly become a bad footballer unless your name is Forren. He clearly made a mistake moving to Citeh (apart from the money) and his career will be resurrected by a move. He clearly is not that bad if Everton, West Brom and others are trying to get him as well as us. Martinez and Clarke are no mugs when it comes to realising talent. Quite hopeful that with Jake already being here he would see Saints as a good option. Surprised that he slipped through the Saints Academy net being from Bath.

Its really not difficult: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sal_Brinton Sent from my PC wireless keyboard using 8 fingers and 2 thumbs

Good post. Disappointed there is no official team fruit though.

Spot on Phil. There are some posts (or posters) on here that beggar belief, people don't seem to be able to comprehend simple English. Then there are those living in fantasy land who think we will just sign players for the sake of it even in areas where we actually have strength in depth (CB for instance where we have 4 decent options and other backups). We have released many players who played no (meaningful) part in last season signed 2 out of 3 of our main targets, promoted a few nippers into the main squad who appear to be acquitting themselves very well, put some existing stars on long term contracts and still some of the more dense posters think we are going to sign more or will be disappointed if we don't. What planet are some people on? We have already improved greatly the squad that last year finished 14th despite a pitiful start to the season (and poor end) and who otherwise would have been in the top half. We are undoubtedly still after a new striker, it is so plain to see we can't survive with 2 strikers, Bambi on Ice and Guly Hat-trick Do Prado. We may bring in one or two more to strengthen, but otherwise my only disappointment is that we still have Danny Fox seemingly as backup to Luke Shaw. Our CBs are good as long as Foxy is not playing. Even WGS realised that Fox is a liability, anyone who cannot make a 29-man Scotland squad really should take a good look at themself.

3 MAIN targets. That actually means more than 3 including some strenthening. So you only have a difference of one. Clearly striker is the one glaring gap.

Did he recommend Forren? If there is nothing he doesn't know about the Scandinavian Leagues seems odd NC didn't ask him about Forren before we signed him.

Agreed, I think this will be one of the hardcore threads on the forum.

Does he have a nice new yellow tie? I see his old one has been inducted into the Football Hall of Fame, bizarre.

I'll bet that come May 2014 Spuds will be several places above Sunderland in the PL table. My only caveat to that would be if Bale leaves, in which case Spuds may drop several places. Sunderland will be in the relegation zone in my opinion.

Danny Fox it is then, not that there is any real competition. Given he does not even get selected for the 29 man squad selected by WGS for Scotland I think his standard is clear for all to see.

Why? In 1997 Man City were a huge club, much bigger than Chelsea. Some people seem to think Citeh being major player is a some sort of new phenomenon. There is really no reason why a team like Southampton could not win the league, but it gets harder as time passes while there are megabucks for the bigger clubs, Europe and Sky are making the gulf bigger each year, but the bubble may burst. Blackburn were the last team to really break through, but even that was 22 years ago and look what happened to them when Jack Walker passed on. I would not be surprised if within next 10 years the top 4/5 teams have broken away and play in a European Super League, at that point Saints could be in with a shout. We should have made sure of winning the title in 2011/12 instead of being poxy runner-sup to Reading, at least we could have said we had won the Football League.

Well he has missed the new Prince then, he left last night with his mum and dad.

Thought Mayuka scored 32 in 55 for Young Boys in the Swiss League between 2010-12.

So lets discuss the Forren transfer then, seems like it might have fitted with this scenario.

So why don't you heed your own advice then. Because of course you don't actually believe what you write, but just like taking the **** and winding every one up.

If only that were true.