Give it to Ron

Depends what your expectations are and whether the Prem is the be all and end all. Personally I think it will be a tough long slog and we could see a change at the top, however I quite enjoyed the Championship going to games expecting to get a result and bing able to afford to go. Anyone expecting us to be up there competing for Europe after this pre-season may have a few shocks. On the whole most Saints fans are realistic and can see that we haven't yet recruited what we needed. I think we will be Ok this season...just but we will have to learn a few lessons upstairs and realise if you want quality you have to pay and promising youngsters are fine if you mix with quality experienced pro's. Steve Davis aside we are too short of quality and experience to do anything but struggle in midfield. Not one fan disagrees the central defence needs strenthening - that was clear after Coventry yet 7 days away we still have not addressed that. We still have time its a long season and no doubt that Fonte/Jos would of started that game unless we bought someone in at the time we got Rodriguez. Not enjoyed pre-season I hope the season is better.

Not trying to hijack this but a little tip. I have re-seeded the lawn and to keep the birds away I bought one of those cheap little windmill things http://en.onccc.com/productDetail/ENG/137155.html we haven't had a bird in the garden for a week they sit on next door garage roof fluttering but won't come in. Weird we normally get loads woodpeckers, pigeons, blackbirds etc

Lukaku gone to WBA on season long loan - bugger makes them a bit stronger

Me too the little gits have eaten my new turf I paid a fortune for!

What was all that candles to light the way home business? Now if one of mine ever disappeared god forbid I wouldnt be lighting a bloody candle!

Huw Jennings was who I was thinking of.

He had a very bad cancer scare....think that was what made him go back in the end.

I always like Malcolm Elias at Staplewood - he seemed to have the lads respect and knew the game well. I am trying to think of the name of the youth team guy we had here that went off to a job at the FA he seemed really good at his job as well.

Remember our old mate Nineteen Canteen...check out his latest posts...comical. The one at Steve Brookstein was brilliant

Wow thats some negotiating but guess Liverpool are a top draw for sides abroad whereas we are not yet. Can't see us getting anyone near that level for years although we should still be able to get some decent ones in if we can stay up for a few years.

£5m down...cripes that was a good deal then A precocious talent and on Roma's books from a very early age, Aquilani was tasked with filling the void left by Xabi Alonso at Liverpool and moved to Anfield in August 2009 for £20 million, although was soon shifted out on loan to Juventus and then AC Milan.

Ok another example Aquilani at Liverpool they paid loads for him top European player rubbish at Anfield. Its hit and miss and why going British in our situation is why I think we may have that idea...however having said that its obviously not our practise going by bids for Buttner, interest in Lens, that Senegal defender etc

But its a hit and miss I'll give you Delgado, Chala, Arias, If you want British you have to pay the premium - Fletcher at 12m...really? We are looking abroad as well...guess we are all just frustrated and can't do bugger all about it but whinge on here.

Just to add Gazza the new goalie isn't British. When we were in the Prem before I always thought if we had 20 points by Christmas we would be Ok - the season we went down we were way under that. This year that again would be the target I think. I watched Swansea against City at the start of last season and although they played well got well beaten. I am expecting that again for us and anything from 3 of thoe 4 tough games will be a bonus. Its teams like Wigan we really need to beat - draws against them will be the problem as thats what undid us as well in our home games in relegation year.

TBF he did play one half that fantastic Spurs prospect that all their fans were raving about.

I listen to loads of fans on here after the game...I sometimes wonder if they are at the same game as me! Rose has made the sum total of 13 games since 2007 at Spurs and been put out on loan every year sometimes twice to lower league sides - yet obviously will be missed at Spurs. I will stick with my thoughts about him rather than listen to you and your mate. If he comes then he will get my support as do they all...just that I personally don't rate him highly.

Oh do f8ck off you conceited tw8t....its my opinion...how many times have you seen Rose play? I have in the flesh 3 times and he has been abysmal each time. No end product, headless chicken. Dickson for me is the one defender who actually get to the byeline and delivers a cross and not lumps it in from deep.

Personally don't think he is any better than Dickson! Not sure our targets have passed us by yet we still have a week to go until first game - not been that much movement yet. I expect next week to really see loads move. I don't know one fan that believes we are ready yet and everyone I talk to agrees we need a defender and am sure the management do too.

We are...it says we will only take him on loan if our other targets fail.

Saves a few calls to the Samaritans

I watched an interview with one of the riding selectors/coaches he said that the reason she wasn't picked was that she did not gel as well with the other two riders as the one picked.....in other words she is a moany ***** whose ego is bigger than her talent!

Is it building to the left or to the right.

Sorry I am not into grooming :-O

So some wind up merchant with 18k posts on a numpty forum reckons people who qualified for one of the greatest sporting events is embarrasing whilst sat on his arse......yep suppose so!

Down to 3m