Red

Inerrrland to get to semi's, and maybe final's is my prediction. Had a dream about England v Germany final, with us (England) losing in extra time or pens - who knows?? Might place a small bet on finalists. And yes, I've send had my meds :-)

Did you ever post the picture from Kenya with the current day's newspaper and Kenya national iconic place as you promised? Sorry if I missed it. I was born in Kisumu so be glad to have a genuine "brother in arms" on this insane forum if you are indeed legit.

Since when did gossip emanate first in Kenya, prior to UK or even China, not to mention Russian hacking??? Really? There's wannabees and there's ....... If after Mr. Fits like a Glove comments, Hughes does not get appointed, it's because he turned us down, and that's the time to be concerned - not when some random Kenyan who has just emerged posts. BTW, I am Kenyan by birth, and no Kenyan would refer to themselves as "half British and half Kenya"

Problem is going rate for Wheelie bins in today's market is £10M+, although his brother Garbage is available for half that - but we already have one of those in FF :-)

Only reason we "might" be looking at alternatives is if Hughes is not interested with the terms offered - most probably (and yes IMHO only) not enough say in running first team and transfers. Let's keep Reed and Co. well away from first team affairs, as they have proved truly lacking in that department last season. Can't we f'off Les and Ralph to run the new B team in Europe or China or better still the Moon????

Nothing, but I said around 10th meaning probably lower, and the lower you aim the lower you might end up. My main worry is what I took from that (and could well and hope am wrong) is we'll make a few minor twinks and it'll all be fine - we need a lot more than that. I don't mean spending loads, as we clearly will not do that - would be good if we spend wisely and slightly more that we get in. We certainly need more accountability within the management team, and if Les is staying let's get someone else with footballing experience as there is a lack of that.

This! From that it seems nothing is going to change - no interference from China and carry on as you were boys, and oh and generate your own transfer kitty - no additional funds from new owner! All too easy to say we made mistakes without being specific about which ones. Mr. "Fits like a Glove" will take us to around 10th and that is the new Southampton Way and ambition. Feel good factor is high as we stayed up (and did he really mean, it's like winning the PL title?? Think he is confusing Championship with PL), but there is no way this season can be excused, and if we don't put things right we might not be so lucky next time. BTW - where's the 5 pledges Ralph - promised in Feb and still no where to be seen??

Think (and hope) we have got over the live coverage curse - for what it's worth Saturday's gave vs B'mouth was live on Sky outside the UK - which I am, and watched it - been looking for my fingernails since mind!

FYI - live on Sky 402 for non UK viewers

Remember it's Google translation of Chinese - so a lot can be mistranslated (it's bad enough in some European languages!). Bell = Bale. Gist of it for me was that there is more value in buying a small to medium club in England than inflated English top teams or other European Leagues (where other than the top teams who would be too expensive, rest are poor and hence not good value). Brexit makes UK easier to deal with, and UK more welcoming. Want to expand Saints brand and the "Southampton Way" to China (excellent record of bringing through/developing young players - good luck with that one!). Don't expect any Chinese players to play for Southampton any time soon as it's too difficult to get work permit (unless China national team suddenly become world beaters, or UK relax rules after Brexit). Looking to generate commercial/sponsorship deals with Chinese companies (good if some/all is re-invested in Saints). They realise PL is much more competitive now and gap is closing between "best of rest", as exampled by all three promoted teams staying up, and well established (WBA, Stoke and maybe us) going down - boy did Ralph/Kat/Reed do a job on these guys??? Seems to be a committed long term project - even if they will not invest massively in new players, but think they will invest some and want to get us back up (all IMHO). What really scares the pants off me is that they somehow believe our management team have done a good job!! Bottom line is they have invested in us to promote Chinese football development and gain expertise quickly from more established markets (bit like the Americans a few years ago) - this is not necessarily a bad thing as we need to be successful for that model to work best. Just hope they appreciate they need a top (well at least very good) board at Saints to achieve that!

Sadly not the ones we will be looking to bring in!

Yep, agree with that! So much for VAR - doesn't help the small teams. Ref constantly gave decisions in Chelsea's favor - not saying we would have won, but come on. How was the disallowed goal a foul on the keeper by Austin?? Other way round and a cert goal for the top elite side. Just goes to show our rotten luck this season - and one of many reasons why we are going down.

Thanks Simo - was wondering myself?? Was just trying to be funny, but I guess that's too PC these days? I realise our (Saints) situation is no laughing matter, but there I go with the stereotype again - if only this wasn't a do or die situation, or even black or white - **** done it again

Go on admit it - you've just made that up haven't you? Would be great if true! Gao: Les you are sacked. Les: Why? I am the best football god in the world. Gao: Apart from being a total idiot, you just cost me £37M for a player worth less than my takeaway by getting us relegated!! Les: I guess I see where you're coming from, but still this time next year we will get £80M for him - just like that Dutch chap. Gao: This time next year, you will be swimming with the fishes - oh and say hi to my Triad bro's.

We probably will go down but stranger things have happened and we might however unlikely win 3 out of 4 to stay up. Anyway that doesn't stop us trying in the cup. Agree we should play Austin, but he cannot be the lone striker - Thursday showed without Long we have no out ball, and Austin needs it on a plate in the last 20 to 30 yards. So 2 upfront, or fast runners (wing back or midfield) to do the "Long" role. Let's be brave here - so what if we lose?

You?

Good effort. Just need to keep it up. Unlucky, and Ref a definite Gooner, and why did Cr*pbeck decide to play for a change?? Still if we go down with this type of effort I can accept it a bit more (still kick the cat to the next world :-))

No one should be encouraged or discouraged - let them decide. I have supported Saints for over 40 years, and whilst it's been very challenging at times, I haven't regretted it one bit. It's a bit like life - it's not always rosy, and that's what's wrong these days - people expect instant and constant gratification, but sadly it doesn't work like that. The current malaise will pass - hopefully whilst I am still able to enjoy/attend. I have moved from the area now, but still attend as often as I can. I don't have any grand kids (yet) or boys, and my girls are not in to footy at all, but I go with my god son and he stills loves the Saints - bless him. Such passion and is actually quite good at football himself - hoping to trial with Saints soon, and I would give anything for him to play for them one day!

It's going to be embarrassing if we don't seriously up our game, and Arsenal play like this!

To prolong the agony, it will be a spirited 1-0 defeat to give us some hope IMHO.

Ok, if you say so Clearly reasoned debate is beyond your comprehension. BTW - I'm not your pal - I am particular about the company I keep.

O'Reilly?? Where has it come from then? And more to the point who will eventually pay for it?? My bad - Gao borrowed money to buy the club, and of course as it's a personal loan he will never (no never) want to recovery it or indeed sell the club for even more. Silly me - wish my daddy left me a footy club in his will. Money I got from selling my house wasn't from my house because a Bank's mortgage paid for it, not the supposed new owner???

£210M so far - hope that helps? Put nothing in for purchase - loans fully repaid - sold 80% for £210M. If you think she made nothing from SFC, then would love a similar deal from you any day!

Just one game - but he was absolutely pants. Can't believe the Russians didn't bit our hands off for £30M???? On that performance I won't pay £5M for him. Oh and where is that electric pace he is supposed to have. Walcott an absolute bargain in comparison - just a pity he didn't want to come to us.

Agree - was too late to think of a better example :-) I am still concerned why the Echo (presumably led by the club) are trying to play down the profit? We all assume this is the model moving forward, and we are not going to spunk it all on player sales etc. so why bother? May just more spin for the "dumb" fans.