edprice1984

Coventry or Birmingham away - as they are both easy games for me to get to. Other than that anyone other than City, Chelsea, Utd or Spurs at home. Preferably with all four of those sides drawn against each other. A good cup run in the FA Cup is more often than not down to the draw as you go through the rounds. When we reached the 2003 final we played Spurs, Millwall, Norwich, Wolves and Watford. Millwall ended up in a replay but all were Home draws.

That is such a polite way of saying 'talking total b*ll*cks'

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Staplewood+Cottage,+Staplewood+Lane,+Marchwood,+Southampton+SO40+4UG/@50.8880213,-1.4650072,695m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x4874763774ebad51:0x604d2d125bc3a131!8m2!3d50.8872261!4d-1.4708008 Hope that link works...spot all of those houses that will suffer from the 'run off' from the Dome?!

Seriously guys, you are getting worked up because of a random tweet from a Russian journo. I would expect that we would try to negotiate down from any release clause - that is how these things work. This one will rumble on until the last day or so (where I expect he will end up joining anyway). I also believe we are looking at other options, just in case - however they won't be his quality and likely to be on loan).

Still could be worse...have you seen Leeds Utd new club badge?

Personally don't get the doom and gloom at the moment. People comparing this to 2005 and relegation from the Premier League under 'He who shall not be named'. But unlike then, we are playing decent football on the whole. The biggest problem in my opinion isn't a lack of goals, it is the silly mistakes that are leading to conceding them. We haven't had a settled back four since January 2017 after VVD's injury against Leicester. I am a little concerned that we haven't brought someone in yet (even a loan signing would be useful) but I do think the club are doing their best. January is always a difficult time to bring in quality players, unless you throw money at the problem. Even Citeh baulked at the fee for Sanchez. We should have enough to beat Brighton as it stands - they can't score goals either. WBA is the big one for me (not only because I am going to that one), because that is a true 6 pointer! A win there would be huge. I am confident we will bring in the right players in the next few days. I can only hope that we aren't the 'featured' club when Jim White brings out his stupid yellow tie next week.

I am apparently distantly related to him. 4th cousins or something like that. Courtesy of my Grandparents being Scousers.

Look to bring in full back to replace Bertrand/Cedric (let's be honest at least one of them will be off in the Summer); If we can get Theo and one of Vietto or Alcacer then I would be happy. VVD is going this summer (unless we get acceptable bid from outside of Premier League early in January). Hoedt was bought to replace him. Probably spent more than £30m but it's all imaginary money anyway!

Like others have said, feeling emotional about this. He always made me cry (in a good way). Goals at Wembley, against Pompey at Fratton and St Mary's. His winner vs Scotland and the smile on his face at the final whistle. It's funny how football and footballers can mean so much to you. I have never met the guy but if I have ever have the privilege of doing so, I will simply say thank you for bringing me joy and giving our club its pride back. Absolute club legend!

64 year old local man called Stephen Paddock. 50 dead and 200 injured.

Fair play, WBA have had an excellent summer!

Thanks for the info. Hoedt or Gibson would be adequate replacements, although I would love us to attempt to sign Sanchez from Ajax (de Ligt is very good too, but at 17 would be a risk). I am intrigued about the 'attacking player'. Could this be Barkley?

I wouldn't say no to Barkley, but I would be looking for a season long loan with an option to buy. How many years left on his contract? Can't really see it happening, especially if we are already in for Lemina. Almeida is an excellent player and obviously we are looking at succession planning ahead of a departure next summer.

TalkSport only talk about the 'big teams' because they know that they can get the United/Liverpool/Arsenal supporters living in Carlisle, Leeds and Devon to call in. On the odd occasion that they do talk about Saints, or any other club with generally local support, those who call in are sensible and normal - this is very boring radio and therefore the producers prefer to talk about things like 'Chelsea in Crisis' or 'City will stuff United' etc etc. Hawksby and Jacobs are normally pretty good and they have a few interesting discussions about football in general - Tim Vickery is always good value for his South American coverage for example. Colin Murray, imho is probably the best sports broadcaster out there at the moment. Obviously a Liverpool supporter but not overly biased and very knowledgeable. He is criminally underused by the Beeb, although good to see he is running the show for the Football league highlights this season. It appears that VVD is staying now, unless we receive a significant bid from Chelsea in the next couple of days.

My first opportunity to see the team under Pellegrino. Hopefully a better performance than wednesday and maybe even a goal!? Also, taking my 5 year old daughter to her first game. Wish me luck

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40710224 Poll to rig!!!!! Lloydie was that one of the 'Play with a Legend' events? Waiting for the 2018 event at St Mary's as I really want to get involved in it - but would love to find out if it was any good from someone who has played in it.

I predict a similar league position - 8th most likely, but with an increased points tally. We will play more attractive football and score more goals (provided Gabbi and Charlie stay fit). Another cup run, preferably in the FA Cup, will follow and we will continue to be the number one club on the South Coast. Outside of Saints: City to win the league Chelsea (2nd); Man Utd (3rd); Arsenal (4th) Liverpool and Spurs to fight over 5th and 6th - Everton 7th Relegated: Huddersfield; Brighton and Bournemouth Pompey to just escape relegation from League 1

Monk is only passing on info. He has been right in the past and he has been wrong. Thanks for sharing what you have been told. However I think there is a lot of wishful thinking from the Liverpool side at the moment, particularly in the wake of the Coutinho rumours. As I said earlier, I am increasingly confident that VVD will stay - but IF he does leave, it won't be to Liverpool. The comments on this thread over the past hour or so show how untenable Les Reed's position would be if a sale to Liverpool took place. This forum doesn't necessarily represent the majority of Saints fans as a rule, but on this topic it is pretty close to the mark. I am going to the Sevilla game next Saturday and it wouldn't surprise me to see VVD in the squad.

I am increasingly confident that we will keep VVD and although this has been a quiet transfer window so far, if you look around at other teams and the signings they have made I am not sure we are that far behind the curve. Hudderfield, Watford, Newcastle, Swansea, Man City, Everton and Brighton have all made 5 or more signings. But with the exception of Man City and Everton, would any of the players signed by the others improve our squad? Everton are splashing the cash which has been boosted by the sale of Lukaku (and likely Ross Barkley). I do think there are areas that need improving, we need a creative midfielder and I would like another Striker - however buying players for the sake of it (see West Ham over the past few years) doesn't automatically bring success. Also, despite peoples protestations, there are a few names being banded about - Roberts (from City); Bitton and Armstrong (from Celtic) and Allan (from Napoli). What would people prefer a West Ham style 'everything done in the full glare of the media'; Saints current style which is largely played behind closed doors or a mix of the two?

Would you class a Monkey Chicken Petting Zoo has stadium or training ground redevelopment?

I understand why many share the feelings of the OP. However, with the exception of VVD, it appears we are not going to be offloading 3 of 4 of our best players this year (unless someone bids silly money). If you look at the contracts being signed by players, they are 4/5 or 6 years - we are doing our best to hold on to talent. In respect to signings, I think the new money is a double edge sword. It allows us to attract better players, certainly when you compare the wages and fees to what the more traditional 'big' clubs of Europe can offer. But the selling club knows that they can drive up the price too. The club know where the limitations in the squad are, but throwing money at the problem is never a good solution. West Ham, Sunderland, Palace all spent big over the previous seasons and they haven't improved. Gradually clubs and chairmen are operating in a similar way to how Saints have been. A long term strategy which super cedes individual managers and coaches. I hope we do sign a couple of extra players, a creative midfielder (Sigurddson would fit the bill); A defensive midfielder and depending on VVD, one more Centre Back, or if he stays another fullback.

Ah the Pompey approach.

Nonsense, if we win who the hell cares!

What has win % got to do with anything? MoPo had a poorer win % than Adkins. But I would argue most on here would say MoPo was a better manager. Adkins (who I thought was great for us by the way) benefited from having a relatively expensive squad in a lower league - we were going to win more game than not. Alaves were expected to be relegated last year, they ended up in the Copa del Rey final and comfortably mid-table. The issues relating to the style of football with Puel could have been solved if we had been a little more 'gung-ho' towards the end of the season, but he wasn't willing to change - that is why he had to go. Once we were safe, we should have seen a more attacking style.

Obviously taken a look at rugby and decided to copy a few elements. Rugby games often finish around the same time as football games now on a Saturday, when its a 3pm kickoff. The only way you can realistically do this is to take the time keeping out of the refs hands.