VectisSaint

Perhaps he hasn't sold enough records.

I was told on here by one of the resident experts that Manure were the benchmark for how to go about business in the summer transfer window, they did all their business early and got all their important signings in before the first game. So, where are Manure this season? They have signed one player. So, based on that clearly we have signed too many too soon. Above Arsenal as well, my God we are up **** creek without a paddle. Really, we have signed 2 and plan to sign 1 more main target at least, as long as that is the striker we need then we are in a perfectly good position as far as I am concerned. Will we sign striker before first match? Possibly not, but then for the first match we have 3 strikers available, 4 if you count our hat-trick hero. It becomes an issue when one or more of them is injured or suspended, and we need more competition for these positions, 3 strikers is simply not enough. So is there a need to panic? No, of course not.

There are so many top class Belgian players around these days, we seem to have a track record of apparently signing the only ones that are not very good, de Ridder and van Damme. I'm sure there are others who have failed in England of course.

It will only be used against the smaller clubs, they would not dare punish a Manure player retrospectively, Fergie would go ballistic. Oh wait.

Is an "escape goat" the antithesis of a trojan horse?

The article is dated 19th June, 10 weeks before transfer window closes, it bascially coincided with fixtures being released. Its just a bit of nonsense.

OK, I give up, it seems you are a bit too dense to understand. But I'll give it one more go. When we signed Maya and Gaston the friendly between the 2 countries was not arranged, and it was not known that they would both have played in the Confed Cup as well. Therefore it is bad luck for us that these two events that together are unlikely would impact any team, and it is very bad luck that it impacts us. If you don't think that is bad luck then I don't know what is. Jeez.

It has much more far-reaching implications than just PL and CL. All pro football leagues will be impacted and the effects will spread over 2 seasons as all the leagues will have to change their fixture lists to fit around the WC and the 600 plus players and officials directly impacted. Stupidity in the extreme to have the WC in Qatar and compounded by moving it to the winter, all so that we can anticipate one of about 4 teams possibly winning the competition. FIFA need to realise that the lifeblood of football is club competition, not internationals.

Actually it is. As I said its bad luck that we ended up with 2 players playing for opposing teams in a meaningless friendly on the other side of the world. I bet there are not many teams who have the same problem, i.e. teams that have a Uruguay and a Japan international, I'm sure someone will come up with one but not many. Are Kenya playing Croatia the same day by any chance? [no Croatia are playing another meaningless friendly in Luxemburg]

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.