The Kraken

In that respect Goaty, I can guarantee you wouldn't. The titbits I've heard about his peculiarities on a day by day basis just crack me up, he's such a bizarre little man!

We've already failed in that regard Glesgie, with further departures expected.

Anal? What are you on about son? You either like a kit, or you don't. God forbid a message board should exhibit differing opinions. F*ck me...

Adidas really are a shower of sh*t. That's the worst sash kit I've ever seen, they normally look classy (as much as a football shirt can). That one is hideous.

Less talk more positive action.

Yep, agree with that. It's all very well saying "build a bigger stadium and redevelop the surrounding area"; but last year, despite having the most successful season ever in the Premier League with a brilliant brand of attacking football, our average attendance fell by 600 from the previous year, and was around 1,500 down per game on our all time Premier League high.

Ask Tottenham or Everton just how easy it is to break into that top 4, Champions League elite. Spurs and Everton are historically big clubs, but are still on the outside looking in compared to the big fish of the division. The Premier League is over hyped, and only serves as a money making exercise for all but 3 or 4 clubs who can actually compete for the title.

Are you accusing shurlock of making up opinions just to suit an argument that he wants to have? Never. He would never do that. There's no evidence he ever does that. Ever.

Unless there's a personal agreement in place to let Lallana go, there's no reason at all we'd let him go before the WC. If he does go, then IMO it's fairly clear we've known about it for a while. His value can only go up during the WC, not down.

You're right, Bern. I apologise.

Well of course not. You're Simon, at one point from Dibden Purlieu. Or not.

As I typically do, Diggers, I totally agree with you.

Even St. Chalet admitted that Jeff is a return poster. Maybe just a massive coincidence.

There is a certain "Brett from Camden" symmetry to the denial!

I'll be honest mate, I'm worried now. There's just little point in expressing it all so often as the reputable others do; we know entirely nothing right now other than that we'll lose a few players (which I expected to happen anyway). Meh. Que sera, and all that. I'll still be there next year; I just may have to get more drunk on a game by game basis to numb the pain of it all!

Yep agreed. And a move to your boyhood club (probably the last club he'll play for) after they've qualified for the Champions league is a complete no-brainer. Of course he'll want that to happen. Who wouldn't? Legend of a player for the Saints, and I only have fond memories. I don't begrudge the move one little bit. I do begrudge the fact that we've just let him go so easily, for such a paltry up-front price, and with only an 18 year old or a stroppy Italian malcontent as his only current replacement. The fact that we "might sign someone" gives me little comfort right now.

As ever, I'll judge the transfers in and out when the window closes. Until then it's all Alpine-like speculation. I can't say I'm enormously optimistic, mind. But we shall see. If we're starting pre-season with Omar Rowe, Lloyd Isgrove and Sam Gallagher in the starting lineup, I might start getting worried then.

Fabregas, all day long. He's been an immense player over many years, and is only 1 year older than Lallana.

I agree, Arnold.

Calm down, Trevor.

According to Lambert himself, it would appear so. He gave an interview on TV where he admitted he'd been speaking to Steven Gerrard about a move for a few months.

Haven't seen wages but I reckon £40K is probably not right, surely? Not for a current England international at a Champs League club. If we're not offering more on a short term deal but (arguably) have Ramirez on his £2M a year net (up to £80K if that's anywhere true) then I guess it says "something". Quite what that is, I don't know! It was rumoured that in the lower leagues we were paying Lambert and Lallana £25K a week. If their wages "only" grew by £10K or £15K in the ensuing rise then it's an indication of the challenges we will face recruiting anyone decent enough to retain a top ten place.

God knows we absolutely need to. The perception right now is that we're spinning out of control with no direction at all; it's hard to feel comforted by the current situation; no wonder the players are getting agitated by it all. The Klingons are definitely off the starboard bow, the shields are up and they're shooting at us and every time they land a punch they are sapping our power.

We didn't announce that until 21 June last year, Diggo. Don't get me wrong, I think we're a shambles at the moment. The perception is terrible, and I'm losing faith by the day. But the idea that all would be rosyy if only Cortese were here is limited IMO, and very assumptive.

No Nick, I'm not certain about anything. Neither are you, or anyone else. What I'm pretty much convinced of, though, is that Cortese was on a spending spree that wasn't sustainable and it was a primary reason of why he walked away / was given the shove. he banged on for year on year about living within our means without actually achieving it. then the new board take over and make various references to overspending and the general financial situation that needs reigning in. If Cortese was still here and had the authority to spend as we was before, then I'd agree we'd likely still be in much, much better shape than we actually are. I just choose to ask the question of why he is not here, and the answer of "a perilous financial situation with unsustainable losses" keeps coming back.