The Kraken

I suppose if we get relegated we could have him back.

I understand what you're saying; but Billy Sharp is now a "victim" of his own success. He'll surely be on a decent wage, with bonuses topping it up etc. But he's deemed by us not good enough for Premier League (or at least not in our system). So this is a way for him to play. Forest may go up, and may decide he is actually one for them. But I think he's destined to be a Championship player on near Premier League wages; and we'll probably end up writing off the fee we paid for him. Which will have been worth it. And Forest have played the game well to get a top Championship striker with little risk.

Alpine, you're off on a wrong tangent here. We bought Billy Sharp as an aid to get us promoted. He did that. We then moved on. Notts Forest are looking for a striker to get them promoted. Exactly as we were. Why would Forest care yet about their Premier League team, they have to get promoted first don't they?

saint_clark mixing it over there and calling people "tard". Hope he infracted himself for it. The general feeling of indignation over there is quite something to behold though, they're absolutely apoplectic about it!

We also scored 2 goals in 30 minutes rather than 0 goals in 60 minutes, if you want to be that simplistic. In any case, I thought Guly was the better player on the left, and Saints were a better team with RL on the pitch. Its just my opinion, so you carry on and disagree with it. I'm off out.

I didn't think he was impressive against City, actually. I thought Guly did a much better job there when he replaced him. My point stands; if he's "not ready yet for it" then £7M is a hell of a lot of money for a newly promoted club to spend, and then play him out of position (not sure how that is going to help him become ready for it, if I'm honest).

If you figures are correct, then apparently Mayuka scored 23 goals in 21 games in season 2010-11 for Young Boys (Wiki lists his stats as 32 league goals in 55 league games over 2 seasons).

I say bizarre as we spent an awful lot on him (some might say overspent) and he's being billed as "one for the future". He may be a replacement for Lambert, yet against man city when Lambert was dropped it was Guly who played up front. JRod has only been played left wing where he is clearly out of position. For a newly promoted side, a transfer the size of Rodriguez's is a very significsnt investment for someone who apparently isnt yet going to be a first team starter in his chosen position. If that's the case that he won't usurp Rickie just yet, I think I'd have rather us looked to invest a significant sum in a first team keeper and to strengthen the defence. We'll see, of course. But for now I'll continue to see it as a bit of bizarre signing for us at this point in time (of course if we sign another left back, another centre back and a keeper before 11pm then I may change my mind!)

1 goals every 2 games at top international level is pretty impressive. And its not spin, I stated a fact. In any case, where have I said he's God-like or any other similar description? Simply that I'd prefer to have Mayuka than a Championship level striker who I seriously doubt would step up to Premier League level. How controversial. Sorry, next time I'll qualify my thoughts with an MLG style analysis.

Get yourself another 2 or 3 bottles in; Nigel Adkins has already said he expects to be at the stadium until gone 11pm tonight.

IMO there's no denying at all that the J-Rod signing is a very bizarre one. That said, I view Billy Sharp as a separate case entirely. And I just don't see him as being good enough to make an impact in the Premier League. Having Mayuka and Lee on board perhaps pushes him down the pecking order anyway, we've got an abundance of forward players now.

Who for? Mayuka or Ramirez?

Top scorer in the African Cup of Nations, and played for the winning side in the tournament. Against an obviously Championship level player. I know which I'd choose.

One for the Saints Player fraternity again.... Southampton FC‏@officialsaints Emmanuel Mayuka's first interview as a Saints player is now on Saints Player: http://www.player.saintsfc.co.uk/latest-news/article/2906499/date/20120831170200/page/0/name/Mayuka-Delighted-With-'Dream-Move …' #saintsfc

Southampton FC‏@officialsaints First Team Manager Nigel Adkins says he is expecting a busy final few hours of the summer transfer window.

He's not Satan; more like the guy who pops into the newsagent to pick up Satan his cigarettes.

I should think so too; I'm his number one fan. I'm thinking of getting his name on the back of my shirt, but I d on't know which number to get.

Jordan Sibley really is a shameless nomark on a power trip, isn't he?! Such a relentless tool.

NA with Emmanuel Mayuka at St. Mary's

If anyone has Saints Player they can see the interview. Southampton FC‏@officialsaints Nigel Adkins talks transfers, Gastón Ramírez and Manchester United with Saints Player: http://www.player.saintsfc.co.uk/latest-news/article/2906351/date/20120831152800/page/0/name/Manager-Talks-Transfers … #saintsfc

Official Saints Nigel also confirmed Maya Yoshida will link up with the #SaintsFC squad after the international break but Emmanuel Mayuka joins up tomorrow.

Southampton FC‏@officialsaints Adkins on transfer deadline day: "Before 11pm, I'm sure there could be a little bit more activity. You'll have to wait and see!" #saintsfc

Sky Sports just reporting that West Ham won't be signing Benayoun; they're put off by his wages, Chelsea won't subsidise it. I'd suggest if WHU won't pay his wages then we definitely won't.