SNSUN

Rappers are cute.

Michael "Mick" Mills

Jenkinson and Dier are the right backs, Jenkinson in particular is going to be a very good right back. Dier is versatile and was linked to Chelsea in the summer. I think Clyne is too old now to make the cut. If he keeps playing as he is, he'll be in the full England squad before long. As for that England U21 team, the future's bright for the full side, as there's a lot of good potential there. Lingard has been banging them in recently for Birmingham, Redmond has started brightly as Norwich, Bearinho has looked brilliant since his U21 debut recently, and we all know about the likes of Zaha, Ince, Shaw and Ward-Prowse. My tip on those players to be KEY to England's full team in the future though is Nick Powell. Irrespective of his two goals tonight for Wigan, I've been singing his praises since he was at Crewe. He's absolutely class - if I were to describe him, he's a modern Matt Le Tissier. The goals he scored at Crewe were sublime. I've got one eye on Will Hughes too, only 18 but already a Derby regular. Will be a cracking player if he keeps progressing under McClaren.

I work at Paul Gascoigne station. :-)

I didn't think they'd do very well this season, but Ozil, even at that price was a top signing. Add to that Flamini, one of the bargains of the season, and getting the best out of Ramsey and Giroud, and they're looking a good bet. Question marks remain over their defence but as long as they can outscore their opponents, they could do very well. (Man City are still my tip for the League though.)

Just reading about recalls - I take it this means he can be recalled after a month if necessary? Nowt to worry about then :-)

This old rumour been going about since pre-season. Fox is good enough to cover at left back, even if I don't rate him as Premier League quality, he's far from terrible as cover. Sending him on an emergency loan does mean we can recall him if necessary too. Other than that we have options, either to put Clyne there, or Yoshida, or the left footed Jos, or even Cork who seems fairly versatile. Is Targett ready? I haven't seen him play to know...

The first two lines of the most recent post translated read: In my time when the kids wanted to be playing the ball Ronaldo (phenomenon) or Figo. Now everyone wants to be the José Fonte. Not quite sure I'd go that far! ;-)

I just don't think we have the attacking prowess to finish too high. We're a hard working, committed team, and I've been impressed with how solid we look defensively this season, but I think we lack a quick attacking edge, which is why we've scored only one goal from open play. Maybe that will be addressed in January, and we'll power through the league in the second half of the season, and maybe we can steer clear of injuries, but with the talent we currently have, I think 7th-10th is what we're looking at, and that will be a good season with the personnel we have. That also marks an improvement on last season's 14th. Perhaps not the improvement £30 million of talent should bring, but it's a start. If, and it's a big if, Ramirez can truly become the player we thought we'd signed, then I'd raise my expectations of our finishing position, but I don't think 10th is bad at all.

He's been on the funny fags! I'd be happy with top ten personally, and a run in a cup. Our first team is nearly there, but we lack a consistently creative midfielder, someone that can quickly turn defence into attack, and our squad is nowhere near as strong as other teams'. Unless that goals dry up for any extended periods though, I don't think we should be concerned with relegation at all. Top ten will be a fine season, with a chance to sign the right players to progress next season.

Not true. I forgot which poster it was, but reckoned we'd be topping the league by the end of September. I still think we could've done better with a bit of creativity and a bit more luck. We were one goal short against West Ham (which we nearly got) and how we're the only team Sunderland have won a point against I'll never know. I will agree that better teams will go to Carrow Road and lose, but they're still not showing as much potential as their signings in the summer suggested. On the other hand, the WBA and Liverpool wins were unexpected, so we've perhaps picked up wins where we thought we wouldn't. It's balanced itself out really, and that's why our start has been good. It could've been better but I'm still happy. I'm hoping the goals become a bit easier to come by though, but Osvaldo scoring on Saturday should give him some confidence.

They're a good team that play some good football. I'd say we're better defensively but they edge the attacking side of the game. To that end I think we'll nullify each other's threat. 0-0, although one moment of genius could win it from either side.

This isn't new news, but no-one's going to tell the Northam to change the song lyrics! It tends to be commentators who try and use the right pronounciation for every player's name, even if it does sound ridiculous. I heard Dany N'Guessen's first name pronounced like "Dhani" on the FL Show. Just say Danny! (Hashbrown# pethates)

Good point I meant to add. Palace fans turned up in numbers and didn't get disspirited even after going 2-0 down.

Annoyingly I think we could have done better against West Ham and Sunderland, but what we've achieved is still excellent. We're one, in-form, creative midfielder away from being a near-perfect team, be that someone we already have a la Ramirez or a new signing. Tough games to come though, we need Liverpool-esque performances to get points from the Manchesters, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Crazy decision, Jol is crud and should be sacked. Terrible signings. Nigel Clough was rightfully sacked at Derby today too. :-D

I rate Martin Jol, and they've made some decent signings. Seems to be the case, a short period of poor results now and the manager's gone. Nigel Clough went today at Derby too. Another strange decision IMO.

Surprised about that. Can they really find better?

Back home and content. A good, but not great performance, built on a solid defence, hard working midfield and hoping we can make one or two chances creatively. I missed Osvaldo's goal (just got a text from my Dad mentioning the fire that closed one of Heathrow's runways, which was dangerously close to my house) but Lambert's free kick was exquisite. Pleased for both though, that'll do their confidence the world of good. I think a few too many touches went astray, which better teams could punish us for, and while I accept we build from the back, quite a few passes in midfield that could have gone to attacking players ended up back with the defence or Boruc, because I still think we lack that creative maestro, but who can really pick fault today... I thought Davis was a cracking choice, and had a good game, and would have got MOTM but Lovren edged it. He was outstanding, and fair play to Fonte, who was also very comfortable. Pleased to see Saints win, and happy with 4th in the League. Contented.

I've been looking forward to this. I love my A-Z of Saints - but when Francis Benali is the most recent entry, you realise it's time to update it! :0)

What's he worth, £3-£5 million? Hero though he is, and will always be for Saints, for a 32 year old that's not bad business, and if we want to progress as a club, there's little room for sentiment. That said I'm a big Lambert fan, and I hope he stays and can adapt. Mark Hughes became a midfielder at the tail end of his career - I still think Rickie can do the same, especially as he started out as a midfielder.

I can see a stronger team being put out for this but probably still not full strength. One of the strikers will almost definitely start for this IMO.

Is that the sound of someone cracking one out I can hear in the background? :-)