SNSUN

I only watched up to goal 30 (I'm at work!) but goal 29 was my favourite so far. Great volley from far out, route one at its best. Probably my favourite goal of his personally for importance if nothing else was the penalty in the JPT final that set us on our way to the trophy. A great day.

Oh, That feeling of getting a penalty and knowing for certain we'd score... I miss that feeling too. My sphincter puckers when Tadic steps up...

Thanks Rickie! Best Million quid we ever paid, not only did we get his best years, but he fired us up the leagues, made his debut for England (and scored the winner against Scotland), and we still made a 400% profit on him. Get him on the banner! Oh wait...

The results don't look too impressive, barely beating a poor Palace side and a poor West Ham side, draws against Swansea and Huddersfield who we really should be beating (that can be argued I suppose but we should), and poor losses against Stoke, Watford and Wolves in the cup. Results have been poor, even if we haven't looked too bad in games. (Except for in the final third of the pitch.) It's too early for a sacking, I'm usually supportive of a new manager, but things have to improve or we could be facing the big boys with a poor points tally. Personally I think we will come good, but he needs to find a solution to our goal scoring woes soon - and that means utilising the squad he has, not waiting until January to buy someone in.

I predict a draw for this game, two team said that struggle to score. Maybe 1-1. Decent point away from home. However if anyone is likely to nick it it'll be Saints.

I just used my wildcard in the Premier Fantasy league to get him in too.

Thought so. Gracias.

Question - I'll be using mine and my wife's membership cards for the first time for the United game - yes I bought my Norwich supporting wife membership because she goes to Saints games more than Norwich games because of me - but it turns out my wife may not be able to come. If I bring someone else, do they get checked, or is it as easy as putting them in the machine and walking in? I'd hate to dump a friend outside while I enjoy the match!

Ah the good old Christmas Day nookie. You've gotta love that.

Had we beaten Watford we'd be top of the league right now! Still I'll take the 1-0! Decent performance. Lemina my MOTM as he has beast mode, such good control when he has the ball. Long worked his tits off. Davis also. I think Tadic had a decent game but not brilliant. Also credit to Hoedt and Bertrand. And Fraser who gets a lot of stick but made two important saves. I genuinely thought Palace would score but I overestimated Palace's goalscoring potential. Pleased. Forster 7: Two important reaction saves and decent kicking. Much better than last week. Cedric 6: Got forward well but he's been better. Yoshida 7: Turning into Mr Reliable. Did well, I like Stephens but I'm more confident with Yoshida in there. (Didn't think I'd be saying that a couple of years ago.) Hoedt: 8: Good heading, good long passing. Good vision. Asset. I think our defence will be strong this year once everyone is up and running and fit. Bertrand 7: Thiught he had a good game. Intelligent at times and got involved in attack. Romeu 6: Bettered by Lemina but finally a good defensive midfield duo in the making. Lemina 8: Great signing. Beast. Wins balls, controls balls, strides forward. Not perfect yet, made a couple of possessional errors, but a great signing. Davis 7: Well taken goal, was working hard for the cause. Tadic 7: Better. Good creativity but he's still quite slow. Redmond 5: I like him but not a great game. Had a couple of shots on target but often plays the wrong ball. Can be better. Long 7: Worked his tits off. A nuisance. Not a goalscorer but offers a lot otherwise. Subs: Dont deserve rating but I cheered (not booed) when I saw VVD. He's in Saints colours, he deserves our support.

Watching this on many screens in O'Connors Irish bar in Caleta, Fuertaventura in my colours as I did last week for the dire game against Watford, and I'm pleasantly surprised so far. Not brilliant but we've played quite well. Well worked goal. Lemina bossing it. What a signing he looks, Hoedt too with his vision. Long working like a beeyatch up front too. Palace will score, I just have a feeling, so we really need to get two or three. Good stuff so far. I'll take 1-0 as a final score thank you very much! Hot here. Need more beer.

I was sat in an Irish bar in Caleta, Fuertaventura watching that utter guff. Everything far too similar to last season. Maybe too early to say but revolution may have been needed in the summer not evolution. MoPe needs to get it right quick. Too many dropped points from easier games means we'll scrabbling around for points against tougher teams later in the season. Get VVD back and play McCarthy Yoshida VVD Hoedt Cedric Lemina Romeu Bertrand Tadic Long Gabbiadini or something to that effect. Yes that means 5 defenders on the pitch but we get to see Cedric and Ryan as proper wing backs. I'm off the United game in a couple of weeks. We'll get ripped to shreds if we play like that.

Since when has spending money his club don't have ever stopped old 'Arry?

I'd hazard a guess we plan on reintegrating him into the first team - he's a huge asset that we cannot really have sitting around on his arse dragging a salary out of the club. That said, I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if we never see him in a Saints shirt again. He's been tapped up, had his head turned and has been so vocal about leaving that I really think he'll sulk his way to next summer. Where, again, the club doesn't have to sell him. Loan him out to Exeter when the loan window opens for lower league clubs. For Saints, the best course of action would be to try and get a good season out of him, perhaps by "guaranteeing" him a transfer next summer. (Pending a transfer offer that meets our expectations. Which by then could be around the £90 million mark! ) Of course Liverpool fans won't be done with this saga - they'll now be mouthing off about getting him on the cheap in January (forgetting he'll still have a 4 and a half year contract) or some such craziness...

Arsenal are walking in to a disaster of their own making - they're a shambles. Sanchez and Ozil, their two most gifted and valuable players, are out of contract at the end of the season and it doesn't seem like they're in a hurry to sign new contracts, meaning Arsenal either sell them now or lose them for free at the end of the season. They have no Champions League this season because of Wenger's stubbornness to do the decent thing and leave, meaning it's tougher to attract top, top players. They have had poor recruitment for ages, already shipping out Mustafi and looking to ship out Elneny - Lacazette goes against that flow but even he was being linked with West Ham until this year. Their players regularly get played out of position. They have 3 centre backs, two of whom are old, and one who is young and raw. Oh, and Chambers who has not been trusted for some time now. It's very possible Arsenal could lose their 'top 6 membership' over the next couple of seasons - which is annoying as they're the most tolerable top 6 club IMO. As for Walcott, not that I think he'll leave this summer, but I'd have him back here if we could compromise on his wages, but as for all players with pace, his shelf life is limited. It's interesting to see what will happen with them over the next couple of years. My mate, an Arsenal fan and well known bedwetter, is extremely worried. I'm seeing rumours of VVD bids of £75 million+ online, though I'm highly dubious of their authenticity, I'm pretty sure that would be the kind of money that our club wouldn't turn down. Even if it is to Liverpool, which would be a bitter pill to swallow. 53 hours to go to find out...

Two days to go and Liverpool, their fans, their ex-players, VVD, his agent and no doubt the entire British media will all be doing their best to force this to a conclusion which sees him ending up at Liverpool. I still feel, long term, that it's his most likely destination, and they'll be on a high after securing Keita (albeit for next summer) when they thought that deal was dead. Chelsea don't really need him for the money they'd have to pay and Arsenal notoriously under-bid for players and I don't believe they'd stump up the money we want for him. City are a possibility - the link for Evans seems to have gone cold since he's been linked to Leicester and there's no denying they have the money, and he'd instantly improve them, but they already have 3 good centre backs. I've expected him to leave all summer for the right price, especially when his toys started being thrown out the pram, but I'm hugely proud of the club for getting this close to September with the courage of their convictions. The issue about whether he'll knuckle down and play or train with the youth team is a question for Friday. The next two days will drag.

The window shuts on Thursday, and we now have a break for the Internationals. Will we sign anyone? What do we need? And will we see the end of the VVD saga? IMO we blatantly need a number 10, an attacking midfielder who isn't selfish and can link midfield to attack. We have a decent crop of strikers for our needs IMO, but we need that attacking midfielder that can play a good through ball and shoot. Get one and we are in for a good season. What do you think the week will bring? (Besides a raft of fans wanting to smack Jim White in the chops...)

If this isn't the biggest advert that we need a decent number 10, I don't know what is! And Boufal on the bench still. After this performance, a point would be a decent result away from home.

Bournemouth fans can thanks me, I took Daniels out of my dream team and put in Lascelles. Wait - Sterling nicks it!

Good news, he's been a model pro since he has arrived, and has improved for having a run of games in the side. As a "3rd" centre back he's as good as we can hope for, and I wouldn't be averse to seeing him as first choice alongside Hoedt, if that's how the VVD situation ends up. In a team full of young players he's a good older head to have around.

Mickey Mouse cup etc At least it seems Saints are looking for an attacker. It's been clear since the start of the year that we lack something in attack, a number 10 that can shoot. If only there were a Mané-esque gem out there waiting to be snapped up... Still think we can snatch extra time, but it doesn't sound like a good game...

Physio Room have us down as having no injuries (Targett being a very recent one) and Premier Injuries only list Lemina as injured from last weekend. Bit worrying about Hojbjerg. If him and Clasie are on the way out, we again look fairly weak in midfield. Hopefully it's an injury that neither sites have picked up on, I like Hojbjerg, I think he has potential. (And I don't mind Clasie though I see why he will probably leave.) Strong starting line up though as I suspected. Should win this...

Feeling Hot Hot Hot by the Merrymen, surely! (With Hoedt, not 'hot' obviously) Get the Chapel singing "Ole Ole, Ole Ole" etc Then squeeze in something about hating Pompey.

I know nothing of Hoedt other than what I've read, but it seems he adds aerial presence to our defence. A seemingly typical signing for Saints, mid-teens millions price tag, right age, potential, not first choice at a big club. Long may we pick out these gems. Will he partner VVD? We can only hope but I'd still be massively surprised if we see VVD play for us again. Irrespective of that, Hoedt, Jack, Maya and Bednarek should be enough to see us through a season. Now over to RAWK to see the Dipper idiots treat Hoedt's arrival like the second coming of Christ...

Koeman just said he's looking for a left footed centre back... Announcement please Saints!