The Kraken

They were about the most robust socks I owned. I was left distraught when my mum washed them after yet another kickabout in them and somehow turned the white parts a devastating shade of dark grey.

Yep, that's a nice shirt. I don't mind conventional red and white stripes but much prefer the variations we've had (1976 and Rank Xerox). That said the 1989 red and white stripes were our best ever "normal" stripes and IMO looked superb. I also got the socks for 99p in Sportskit...

Dunno what "historical stats" you're looking at Dave. But 1 in 3 over 38 games is roughly 13 goals a season, which would have been enough to get into the top ten scorers in 4 of the last 5 league seasons. If that's what you consider average then fair enough.

This and Hypo's original post are about as balanced a statement as you're likely to see regarding Cortese. Quite how it has developed into a "get some perspective" accusation and various other claptrap is somewhat mysterious. Or not, I should say.

Sounds like a fair comment to me.

When did you grow up to not see Saints in stripes for a period of 13 years? 1885?

I should hope they would.

As opposed to what, Bradders?

I genuinely have no clue who he is, or if his name is Rod. I hope it's Rod.

Rod Rodriguez is a good left back, we should sign him if Shaw leaves.

I voted for the purple one, it seemed like the most disgusting one of the three (they're all sh*t though, to be fair).

He took this one, Bear.

Benteke has 29 goals in 59 games. That makes £7M a bargain. Bony 11 in 29 so less good, but better than a 1 in 3 ratio so still pretty decent.

Glenn Johnson has done ok this season, and he's playing for a side that look like they could win the league. That said, liverpool's strengths have not really been in defence, and Johnson's best work has (as ever) come when he has been attacking. With England looking likely to be up against it in all group games, having a right back who isn't very good at defending is going to be fun. Kyle Walker has been utterly atrocious this season and taken a real step backwards. If Clyne had kept his place i think he could genuinely have challenged for a spot on the plane, he was definitely in Hodgson's thoughts. But the emergence of Chambers has added a new dimension, and knocked Clyne back in the England reckoning. It's also far too early for Chambers to be getting capped, he's not quite there yet and still got plenty to learn (although hugely impressive so far).

Wouldn't have thought he'll be back, a mistake of a signing, we didn't and don't play with that sort of player. Same reason, to a slightly different extent, that Billy Sharp wouldn't have got a look in.

Agreed, Davis was superb today and has been for a while.

Jack Cork is possibly the most under rated player in he Premier League IMO.

Top work Glesgie

Completely this. Some individuals stood out slightly but overall it was a completely dominant team performance.

All reasonable points and good ideas IMO.

I was thinking around the same. Of course it's all about how you spend and who you bring through; but Spurs got through their Bale money and then some and haven't really made a dent on the top 4, so simply displacing them would be a huge effort. Man United too, they're in a slump at the moment but they won't get any worse than this, they should be higher as it is. The problem I see is that's it's not just throwing a suitcase of money at it one season, it has to be done season after season after season to really get to the promised land of European places. It's possible without matching the spends of the top clubs of course, but made more unlikely.

I agree somewhat, but it's a difficult trade off when you have a stadium that's just about the right size for right now. I do favour Wes' idea of cheaper inducments for cup games, which would make a small start. It's not first team related, but I also think the proposed new reserves league could make a difference in attracting young fans by having games at more accessible times and in the media spotlight a little more.

Just wondering Baz; how much investment would it need to bust into the top, say, 5 or 6? I ask, as it's not as if we haven't been bankrolled quite well so far. How much on top of that is a realistic amount to first off get into the minor European places?

I don't particularly like the pricing policy but I'd find it difficult to disagree with the business sense of it. Even though attendances have fallen this season, we'll still hit over 90% sold out paying premium prices. There's definitely an argument to be made that that's better than 95% and above sold out but at significant discounts. The corporate boxes, though, I agree. They've been overpriced and outdated for too long and need a rethink and price drop. You also make a good point on cups, I can still remember playing Millwall at home 2 or 3 years ago and getting about 7,000 fans at St Mary's.

4% rise.