Polaroid Saint

All a bit mental but thoroughly intriguing (I like it). In your scenario, the FA Cup/League Cup winners would have to play a lot less games to get into a parallel league to the one for League winners, is that right? Seems to me that would not be very popular with the Premier League!

At Chelsea? Few. But that's well known - they have a fantastic youth (kids and schools groups) set up across the entire south east, but for the senior squad they focus on purchases and WAGES to win. Very difficult for them to make the gamble of turning to their academy, and why should they? Wages win matches and Chelsea are one of a few clubs that can pay a squad of 20plus players an average of 90k a week (the first team averages around 120k) this gives their current manager the pick of the worlds best. Why bother giving youth a chance? Other managers might (Di Mateo did as he knew the youth players) but they tend to get sacked!

Love it. Let's hope Supermarket FC have a no-returns policy: "I am so sorry Madam but if you let your shiny new left back get fat, that is not covered by the warranty" "Oh no sir, that particular model of centre back is not suitable for use in the Americas anymore after they were recalled earlier this year" "Yes Mr Rogers, you always pay the higher fee on a BOGOF offer"

Mirror saying Pochettino wants Bertrand... http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/mauricio-pochettino-haunt-southampton-again-3633022 Full Disclosure: careful lads and lasses; the story is TWO months old! Transfer Rumours eh? What fun!

Been chatting all morning with a very savvy Chelsea fan and he would agree that Bertrand has limitations but also thinks he has as just as much in his locker as Shaw (from what he has seen). He has the attacking qualities of Shaw, or maybe more like classic Cole, crossing is good but is a beat-yer-man-first type (unlike Shaw, who can whip it around almost magically, sigh). But yes, can be a bit hasty playing out of defence, "Doesn't like to stand around" was the direct quote (I have been told to write that), basically a cracking defender of breakaway attacks, but can look a little static if he is too deep, and excellent in attack but maybe needs to pick his head up a bit and play the ball a bit brighter in midfield. Hopefully (for him, us and even Chelsea) all quite coach-able by Koeman.

See the below posts. In was being generous as said a Change Of Playing Style, but Windows has it right too. Farming out VERY good players on Loan is a Chelsea (and recently ManCiteh) speciality. They don't always make sense. See Lukaku on loan last seaaon whilst Torres was still being sh!te.

I think Cole outplayed himself in the 2012/13 season, where Ryan was beginning to get a look in under Di Meteo (sometimes as a midfielder?) can't remember if Benitez rated him or not, sorry, and then Mourihno has played RightBack Azpillicueta as LeftBack (somewhat bizarrely, but hey, he does seem to known his stuff ☺ ). Aside from that I'd say Bertrand has come close, a virus kept both him and cCashley out of the first team a bit too and the style changed under Mourihno. Honestly, I dont think Ryan was good enough last year to help Chelsea's cause when he had a fully competitive Cashley ahead of him as the backup LB (yep, Cole - last season - was IMO as good if not better than Shaw, yet still not good enough for Chelsea or England. Yeah right!) Oh yeah, did you watch the 2012 Champions League Final? Ryan Bertrand was more than an adequate relief! I think, as has been mentioned, Chelsea see a loan out as a good way to keep tabs on a (often homegrown) player before either cashing in on him or giving him a shot at the first team. See Lukaku - better than Torres surely, but finally offloaded for 28m: even Chelsea are a selling club! or our own Jack Cork. Cork nowhere near the Chelsea team thanks to Lampard et al But who would you want NOW?

Can we give some credit, as I believe it is due, to Les Reed and the 'football school' at Saints for this 'signing'? I know that all depends on whether you think its a good signing or not, however... ..Bertrand has been on our radar for some time; pretty sure he was one of those three or four unnamed players mentioned by Reed as a key target (you know the statement that was supposedly all lies?!).

And here I was thinking it is 'trendy' to say Shaw is the greatest LB the country has ever seen. Let's be honest with ourselves shall we? Shaw has had a cracking season (and I will missed bellowing Luuuuuuuke at him) but Ryan Bertrand has been, until last year, regularly quoted by 'those in the know' (coaches, england setup, Chelsea staff) has being the natural successor to Cashley. Sure, he (RB) might have had a virus which kept him out and found himself third choice at CFC thanks to Mourihno playing a RightBack at Left Back; but I believe we have made something of a coup with this signing.

Fonte was the better 'Team CB' last season IMHO. CB I know that it is all about communication... ...Lovren may well have a better natural footballing talent, I know he has a cracking tackle and header and charges out to clear things; but Fonte was able to 'let him go' and drop. When Lovren played with A.N.Other we lost shape. When Fonte played with an other we held our shape. FFS Jos and Maya were actually a better combo in terms of team shape than Lovren + one!!! Fonte is class, which is permanent, Lovren had good form last season... ...we shall see!

Not sure why everyone gets hung up on this 'proven in the premiership' thing. A few years ago maybe, but not now, not for me anyway. Saints did alright with an entire team unproven in the premiership two seasons back (except Davis)! A team that has played a bit together and gelled, THAT is another matter, and I accept that as an issue. But 'proven in the prem'? A fallacy these days: five or six Championship squads (plus Celtic) could compete (for survival admittedly) but compete they would, in the EPL. This time last year (before a stunning year for Shaw and a poor one for Bertrand) mist people in football (outside staplewood) would have said RB was a much better prospect.

Obligatory quote from Chelsea supporting friend. This guy bleeds football and I thoroughly trust his opinion on a player (but then again, so do some of us and look at the cr*p and ill formed opinions we have sometimes): "He is quite good. Quick and good in the tackle. Not really good enough for us yet though. Still do think, considering it was his champs league debut, he was motm in the final." Given that Saints have something of a track record with LB it could be a great deal around; we know pace is important to Koeman and maybe the Saints LB finishing school can do its job.

! :-) !

From some of the rumours over the last year, one might be unkind enough to suggest he would quite enjoy that! :-o

Well, I still feel good about Saints. But then, of course, it is my club and I will love it, come-what-may. Still, this is how Football seems to me in 2014: Players hold all the cards. Agents pull the strings. Managers have little influence in club affairs (with a few unusual exceptions). Press have no obligation to tell the truth. Fans have become guileless in their gullibility and, sadly, complicit in their clubs demise by demanding instant success (or 'ambition' ffs). Sponsors know to associate their products with players, who may have ten years success, and not with clubs; which may not. The various football/player associations are legally powerless, directionally rudderless (and often either downright corrupt or so symbiotically linked to the status quo they cannot influence it). Club Owners/Boards are doomed to repeat the same mistake of believing the fallacy that football clubs can be competitive and financially sound.

Like this DM.

Did you really just spend minutes of your life writing that? Bless you.

Tribute to the fact I was in Byker yesterday:

And to think I called you a Skate the other day for saying how much you hate the club crest!? I am so sorry, here you are displaying your love of Saints again so clearly. You are a right old c*nt aren't you?

As WG says, a bit crude! But yes, I am staying away from the main board; what a bunch of depressing w@nkers! Only happy w@nkers on this thread.

My era. I will take this gently. Let's start with a left field option (rather than a more obvious choice).

Because Saints will not play anyone else in those positions. None at all, obviously. Instead we will play a five-a-side team.

Hurrah! Like it

At Stadium of Light today (considering an offer, don't tell Giordano!!!). Adidas shirt is thin as f*ck. Stitching dodgy. Has airtex style bits on shoulders. Horrible collar. Away kit is nice though.

Please don't try to compare Fulham's league position two seasons after that summer (2012) with our current situation... ...Fulham spent over £20m before last season began (2013) and bought in a lot of free agents and loans - I understand Fulham were relegated with the highest wage bill they have ever had in the EPL. Although it appears that's what everyone wants Saints to do?!