SNSUN

I always go along with the popular concensus of things, to stop me from being hounded out of SaintsWeb by my peers. :-D

His best performances this season haave come from playing behind the striker, and with Lallana out recently he's not had much of a chance. With Lallana back I hope it sees an upturn in form for Gaston - but I do agree, as of yet he hasn't justified his price tag.

From what I saw of the second half performance, we looked very good, pressed everything. Nonetheless Maloney's goal cost us the chance of going 6 clear, especially significant seeing as bloody Reading won again as did Newcastle, and Villa picked up a point. Keep playing like this and we'll be fine but we can't concede cheap goals. Get Forren fit, start Adam and things should click into place. It was however important that we didn't lose today, and we didn't, but it was so close to being so much better.

Everton equalise, small consolation. Gutted - 90th minute equaliser having gone 2-1 up.

We HAVE to win it now. HAVE TO. A draw is a poor result in this situation, albeit it would keep the gap with Wigan at three points, but with other results going against us, we need the win. Everton scored, It's 2-3 Villa.

Hey guys, just got in from work! What's happening? Oh. Well things can change...

I don't think it's as black and white as 'yes' or 'no', I'm still undecided. We signed a much needed centre back but are still a flair player short IMO. Earlier in the season we were concerned about our left back slot and our keeping slot, but both have been sorted by Luke Shaw and Artur Boruc. Having Lallana back is like having a new signing, but I agree with others we are short on depth. Fingers crossed we stay clear of injuries. If we do, we'll stay up. If we don't, we could go down. I voted no in the above poll, not because I necessarily think we will go down, but because I'll be a lot happier if I expect little and get a lot.

Norwich and West Ham perhaps could drop, both are in poor form and Norwich just don't look strong enough. How Becchio does is key to their survival hopes. I personally think Newcastle will be fine now - they've made some shrewd acquisitions and IMO benefitted most from the transfer window. Fulham - mmm, I said up until recently they could drop, but in Jol they have a solid manager and they've made a decent signing or two this window. The relegation battle IMO will be between Reading, QPR, Wigan, Us, Villa, Norwich and possibly West Ham. As long as we finish 17th or higher, I couldn't give a stuff. Yes we should be looking higher, but I'll be happier just to stay up so Pochettino can tinker with the team in his image in the summer. Reading and Villa will go down in my opinion, with one from Wigan, QPR or us. Beating Wigan tomorrow would make me, and all of us, feel a lot more positive about staying up this season - and even doing very well.

I'm happy we addressed the centre back problem, but frustrated we didn't add an attacking player, especially as Pochettino had two weeks of his first transfer window. If he thinks what we have is enough, great, but I still think we're short. Do we ever do business late on deadline day? Jos was a lateish signing iirc.

No, I would not take a point. This is a massive 6 pointer. Win, and the latter part of the season will be a lot more comfortable. I'd take a possible defeat for the chance we can beat Wigan - play like we did in the second half against UTD and we'll win. Simple as. 3 points for Saints.

We won't sign anyone today. (Going with the old reverse psychology trick.)

Bloody boring transfer deadline day so far! I hope the OP has changed a lot after 11pm tonight. Will Saints sign anyone? Well one signing would be nice, but I reckon we'd have heard a rumour about something before now. A shame, as I still think we're one creative winger away from really feeling secure in this league. We signed our centre back, and that's the position we needed most of all, but a winger would be the icing on the cake. It probably won't happen though. SSN have Villa linked with a midfielder, Reading signed a striker today, Newcastle have signed half of France, and QPR and 'Arry will be the centre of attention. I think all the relegation battling teams will bring someone in though, but we'll see. It only takes one spark to set things off. City could spend the Ballotelli money if they can get things sorted too.

If we beat Wigan, tonight's performance will be seen a 'epic'. If we lose against Wigan, I'm sure people will be questioning why we can play like that against the best team in England but not against 'lowly' Wigan. Irrespective, when Sir Alex said that I squealed loudly with delight. I'm not a massive fan of his, but you have to respect him for what he's achieved. One point for Pochettino in two games, but already the signs look promising. Beating Wigan is a MUSTthough - and a draw is not good enough.

I started the window hoping we'd sign a centre back and a winger. 1 out of 2 wouldn't be bad, but I just have that feeling we'll regret not bringing in a versatile winger this week. People don't like Ramirez playing on the left, so really we have Punch, Lallana, De Ridder and Guly for the wide spots, and Lallana has been out for ages. This is a division where you need a good squad - we're one winger away from having very few relegation worries.

In terms of spontenaiety (sp there), "Jason Puncheon, he ****s when he wants" was pretty quick from Saints fans.

Who played one game, scored, and then got injured! The only team, perhaps in the whole league, that's really strengthened well is Newcastle - annoyingly as they had the potential to slip in the mire. They're not safe yet, the new players have to gel, but at least they all speak the same language so communication shouldn't be a problem. Deadline day will be interesting - not least because it's obvious to everyone that Villa desperately need experience. I can see a few last minute deals floating around. If Reading don't strengthen theey're down too, and hopefully their recent couple of wins will blind them into seeing their current squad as good enough. It's not. QPR also will be looking for deadline day deals - especially as Harry's in charge. We'd be foolish not to try and bring someone else in, as I can see each of Villa, QPR and perhaps even Wigan bringing player/s in.

Just realised the thread said ex-players not just ex-academy players. In which case I'd have Peter Crouch back to add competition up front.

There's still 5 days to go, plenty of time to bring one more in, if not more. We're a creative winger short of flying up the table IMO, but another injury crisis away from the relegation zone. With Lallana, some of our recent draws could've been wins, and that's what injuries get you. I wouldn't be surprised to see MP go out and get a central midfielder, winger, striker and more cover for defence, though for the benefit of our finances, I hope he doesn't.

Irrespective of his past, Dyer has improved with Swansea and showed last year he has a Premier League player in him. He hasn't played quite as much this season though, but Punch aside we don't have great strength in depth on the right. I've always liked Surman as a player too but I'm not sure if I'd take him back anymore. If we did get relegated this season (touch wood) then I'd take both these back without a doubt and add Dexter Blacktock to that. Naturally I'd take the big 3 back without a doubt.

He's reached his maximum potential with us, and needs to move to a big club to progress. That'll also see him called up to the France squad, something that would never happen with us. Ha! Ballocks. He'll play in the Champions League. With us. All jokes aside he seems like a loyal player, but I'm not sure whether big money would entice him somewhere else. Whatever happens he''s one of the crown jewels we cannot lose (I'd add Lallana, Shaw, Ramirez, Lambert and perhaps even Cork to that list) if possible, meaning relegation is out of the question this season.

Fulham have been flattering to deceive all season,. Berbatov was a seemingly good signing (I didn't think he would be arsed tbf), but aside from that they lack quality with no Dembele and Dempsey. I can see them being dragged into the struggle, with Norwich potentially.

Just watching the FACup highlights, Man Utd looking on fire. Need to be at our very best all over the park to get anything from this game.

I missed Micky Adams, CMFG (I can't believe I did that...), and Tessem. Did anyone else see the comment for saying Ali Dia?

For sh!ts and giggles I altered the editor of one of the earlier Championship Managers, think it was the '98 version, to make one Saints player awesome. It was Duncan Spedding, who went on to be the best defender the world had ever seen. Tomas Pekhart Nic Bignall Still trying to rack my brains for youngsters that may not have got much of a look in. Jake Thomson par example.