Guan 2.0

There are many factors at play, and although I agree that potential injuries are a worry, it's the existing problems that need to be addressed. If J-rod comes back fit and firing, I think that we can solidify our top 4 place. If J-rod comes back a shadow of himself or suffers a relapse, and we sign Bony, I think we can solidify our top 4 place. If we sign Borini instead of Bony, I think we can cement a 6th-8th place finish. It will be interesting to see if one of JWP/Reed/Isgrove will make the step up. A real push from any of them could make a real difference to our overall strength. Or they could prove to be Kevin Gibbens/Steve Basham Flash-in-the-pans.

From the beeb... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/29366786 wanting the credit, while conveniently forgetting we were facing a full premier league side who spent heavily on recruits, while they faced a second-from-bottom Championship side with no money (and no manager), who were down to ten men for 84 minutes. It's noteworthy but nothing more, you cheeky Cherries! Good early form though. 10:28 What's going on with football on the south coast at the moment? Seven days after Southampton hammered Sunderland, Championship side Bournemouth repeated the feat with a demolition of managerless Birmingham by the same 8-0 scoreline. Cherries chairman Jeff Mostyn couldn't resist a tiny bit of one-upmanship,pointing out that his side's victory had come away from home. "It's incredible, and we had to go one better because we were away," Mostyn told BBC Radio Solent. "It's practically a life highlight. The boys have been playing with superb confidence and we've always said that someone is going to get a really good beating sooner rather than later. For Birmingham it was just unfortunate it happened to be them."

It's a shame Oscar Pistorius isn't available, this would have been perfect for him.

4-1, with a sublime performance from the mighty saints being punctuated by a bundled Peter Crouch goal, which replays will prove should never have been given. No doubt one of their 'Players' will be sent off for their enduring Pint 'n' Fight approach to the beautiful game, riling up the troglodyte thugs and mugs that laughably follow the shame of British football. Invariably our sell out crowd will be forced to witness their 11 talentless hoof merchants alternate between trying to throw our silky skilled team to the ground, and then subsequently throwing themselves to the ground to gain a illegal advantage. Expect promises of 'Revenge' to spew forth from the mouths of their misshapen and freakish 'fans' as they retreat back to their tumbledown hovels in what we unfortunately must recognise as a city, albeit one that is only first in sexism, racism, homophobia and parochial attitudes. The greatest shame is that the Britannia exists, as without a ground, no-one would ever have a reason to visit stoke. At least it keeps their women, and Mark Hughes (identical) out of the rest of UK for a quarter of the year.

MOTD had better not F8ck us over on the running order tonight. Have a nasty feeling they'll think the Palace game is more interesting... :hunt::hunt::hunt:

Only part that doesn't tally is the player 'background check'. Some of those targeted seemed more like Ramirez and Osvaldo, than Pelle and Tadic (attitude-wise).

"We don't make parties when we win, we don't make **** when we lose". The cleaners must be grateful.

Is Gardos fit to play?

points, well made, Agreed! Good points, well made.

http://www.squawka.com/news/clyne/171939

Pellè, Long and Tadic remind me of Lambert, Rodriguez and Lallana when they were still gelling .Thankfully, no-one has suggested Pellè is too slow, Long is never going to be good enough, and Tadic too lightweight. Long may it continue. Looking forward to the second half.

He was one of the names mentioned as back-up to Townsend (what a pair of heroes btw ).

I've heard Redmond, Brek Shea is a new one to me. Will check though.

As I said in my earlier posts (and FF echoed recently) I thought our first choice targets were unrealistic. When they weren't, pure dumb luck conspired against us. Look at Ings. Club were confident, good initial feedback, but as soon as Remy got injured, suddenly a move to saints was the last thing on his agent's mind. I don't think saints would ever deliberately wait until the final day, but events may conspire to force that situation. And I still am banking on one player only coming in.

Yep! Doesn't stop people making the same comment over and over though...

I think we'll see one player now, I don't see TA coming here now. I don't think anyone has come close to a good enough offer for the club to sell anyone, maybe an international loan. The trouble with Redmond is he seems a dedicated wing player, rather than be able to adapt, which has been a cornerstone of our recruitment scouting thus far.

Pretty much! Also, Clasie has been in consideration for a while. Be grateful that Vormer was only a momentary contemplation!

I have been away for a week, so will have to find out. If the Townswnd stuff is true, i will not bother to post but just save time and facepalm 100 times.

I have been away for a week, so will have to find out. If the Townswnd stuff is true, i will not bother to post but just save time and facepalm 100 times.

Everything was good, except a little bit of sharpness from Pelle, and our points total.

Everything was good, except a little bit of sharpness from Pelle, and our points total.

There's also Demographic C and D, who recognise that either A) It's a harmless promotion and anyway, their money isn't being used to pay for it, or B) It's not the first term break of University, so they have grown beyond the need to pull the wool from the eyes of all the 'sheep' with lifted insights which your second week seminar group assured you were 'wicked cool'. I found it was much better used on girls after lecture drinks, btw. HTH

It's not terrible by any means, and although yes, you can see the consultants fingerprints all over it, especially when it comes to hitting the key 'notes' and driving home the message, it's at least a production that is unlikely to inspire much mirth in other clubs fan bases. You contradict yourself with your description of the target demographic to who you feel it will appeal , then those you think will mock it, perhaps a little to keen to show your knowledge of the process (actually quite well known, no need to 'Check it out'). A good example of widespread acceptance of such would be the open letter by Lallana. Nearly every fan outside of Southampton thought it was a classy move.

No need. They already have us beat in the high concept advertising department [video=youtube;GRKcL4F-Z0U] I like our promo. As long as it stays as a single example anyway. We don't want to look like the WWF, this isn't Wrestling!

Moot point on this move! It's the new worst kept secret. But for the sake of tradition, why not!