the saint in winchester

haha, laughing at the idea of Alana Lallana.

I believe Cortese and the Board have a decision to take now. We all agree that our first 14 are great, they are top of the Prem side. However, beyond that the players are Championship quality. So the decision is : A)little investment - accept we will be a lower half side fighting relegation most seasons or b) significant investment in Jan- sell/release half the squad and replace with quality players. Mr Cortese, the decision is yours. Hopefully if we can sell Ramirez for upwards of £10M, that will go a long way for Plan B.

Weak team today. A full strength team would win, but this weakened team, who knows, could even lose this one. Embarrassing, we could lose to Spurs at home.

Ramirez chose us over Liverpool ... as we offered HIM more than Liverpool did (ie personal terms). Coutihno chose Liverpool over us, why I don't know, did Liverpool offer more to him than we did? I understand we offered more (transfer fee) to his club. That ship has sailed.But let's try and get Zaha in on loan.

Haha. Ironically my choice of emergency keeper would be that American fella at Spurs! Hmm, just like Keller all those years ago! Brad Friedel - that's the name! Couldn't recall it until I saw these posts above.

He was surplus then. He isn't that now, he's a hot in form striker. They won't sell, even for £10M.

I'd like to give it to Victoria Pendleton too. Sexy little minx.

That isn't going to happen. We are still 'little Southampton'. outside of this area. Another international GK is not going to be prepared to sit on the bench, he will want to play. The reality is that we have Boruc as No1 and Davis as a backup, a deputy. Anyone thinking Begovic would leave Stoke and come to us to play 2nd fiddle to Boruc has to be joking. I doubt he would come even as our first choice. And if he did, Boruc would want out. All that happen here is that MP needs to have a word with Boruc about these antics. Confidence is good, arrogance is not welcomed.

Yeah man, open 24-7. No locks or anything like that. The 4 hour parking bays are open all night, so stay as long as you want. But I can see it out of the window right now, so don't let off any flares or fireworks please. This is Winchester, innit. We're posh. You can take your dog, but not open for doggin'.

Would like to see Lallana drift off the RM role and play behind the strikers as he does so well for us.

Might want to take you up on this. My son dropped his Nexus 4 at the gym changing room this week and the screen and workings are dead. We are claiming on insurance but he will need a replacement when they render judgement on whether it can be fixed, or BER and pay out.

Yeah,SkySports reporting that Jay Rod has already been told he is playing, as he is Welbeck's deputy (so says Roy). Of course, we demand that Rickie play alongside him. Why play Jay on his own without Rickie, when they are a strike pairing. And Adz must be a shoo-in after Roy saw that last Saturday. Play all three, Roy. You know it makes sense.

Can someone write out the team shape for me please? Listening to 5 Live Xtra, they just said Davis playing at RB and Reed at LB. Surely not?

We have Yoshida and Hoovield who can't get a game, and Martin ... is he still out on loan? I can't believe we would be looking at any other CBs right now.

I would have gone for the second string for this game ordinarily ..... but the prospect of a home game with Chelsea in the QF makes me prefer a strong first choice side for this now. If we were up against Barnsley or a lower division side then I would have sent out the fringe players, but Poyet will send out his strongest side with the QF in view and we have to match him. I honestly believe we can win this game and then beat Chelsea at home. I really do. Let's go for it.

No, but thank you for sharing your experience.

Yeah, Revolution has said it really. Stoke will 'go long' rather than play it out along the pitch. They will have Crouch and Anarticulatigo (sp.) calling for high balls, so Lovren and Fonte will need to have a spring in their step. Huth and Shawcross are rough and tough at the back and Rickie will have to contend with holding and elbows. However, I do think our midfield is way superior to theirs, so if we can boss it and dictate the play, we can take this one. I'll take a scrappy 0-1 win.

Oh, none taken, my man. We also get told that it is grim up north, but we understand that refers to north of Oxford.

Having spent much of today in Costco in Southampton where they don't have a mobile phone signal, let alone wifi, I think the OP will enjoy the 4G on offer at most public places and may choose to journey to the County Arms Inn by the hospital which boasts large screen TV, smaller screens and even external screens in the smoking area. I cannot guarantee they will be showing games run off dodgy Iranian links, but his iPad will allow him to keep up with the scores.

TerryP, you'd be amazed the facilities we have in Winchester. We have hot and cold running water, showers, public conveniences in the city centre, coffee shops (lots of them), estate agents (even more than coffee shops), we all speak nicely and most of us shave every day. I appreciate you're not used to these advanced customs in Southampton, but why not enjoy the experience. Travel broadens the mind. Try it. Here's a link to our wonderful city http://www.visitwinchester.co.uk/site/things-to-do

Be happy with a swap deal with Arsenal, Gaston for Santi Cazorla or Ozil, or with Chelsea for Juan Mata.

The point is that having paid £15M for him, we aren't going to loan him out after 8 games, effectively writing him off until anyone buys him. DO would have to declare himself OUT and we would sell him in January. However, that won't happen. He has said he is happy here and hopefully the goals will come. The off-field issues (ex-wife in Argentina with their son) may bring him to that decision at some point but surely not 3 months into the season.

Agree with you. He should be in the first choice 3 vying for the 2 places as defensive midfielders. Only if these 3 are not available should Davis and JWP be considered. I'm mystified that Cork has been frozen out and hope MP changes his stance on Cork.

now confirmed. team lists just released. Boruc on the bench, like Rickie.

Adam Blackmore also calls our RB NATHAN Clyne! Last time I checked, his name was Nathaniel. Still, worse things have happened at sea.