SaintBobby

Nope, I'm suggesting 5 centre backs and 3 CFs. I guess the definition of a CF changes, but Long, Redmond, Boufal and even J-Rod are sort of winger/forwards. As far as I'm aware, you can register more than 22 players, so on average you'd expect to have more than 2 per position. A squad of 22 wld be very light indeed. (I also think youth players don't count towards the total, if my memory serves, so Hesketh and Olomola can stay in the squad). A back up player who can play right back would be useful. Am not adverse to having a utility back-up player who can cover a number of bases (didn't Jack Cork play in about 5 different positions for us?). I stick to the view that out biggest problem isn't quality, it's squad depth. Doubly so if we progress in Europa and put together a cup run.

I think we're one injury from a crisis up front. It's also a mystery to me that we only have 4 established CBs in the squad (compared to 3 keepers and 3 right backs). If Pied is out for the season, we probably need RB cover too. I don't have any names in mind - but, against our usual recruitment policy, I'd look for established players in their 30s to bring in on loan to cover CB, CF and RB positions.

I think we're one injury from a crisis up front. It's also a mystery to me that we only have 4 established CBs in the squad (compared to 3 keepers and 3 right backs). If Pied is out for the season, we probably need RB cover too. I don't have any names in mind - but, against our usual recruitment policy, I'd look for established players in their 30s to bring in on loan to cover CB, CF and RB positions.

If we have to win 2 and lose 1 of the next three games, I'd chose to win against Sunderland and Inter and lose to Chelsea. However, there has to be a good chance we'd beat Sunderland with a second/third string side.

If we have to win 2 and lose 1 of the next three games, I'd chose to win against Sunderland and Inter and lose to Chelsea. However, there has to be a good chance we'd beat Sunderland with a second/third string side.

Bumping this thread in the interest of truth. Certainly based on the last few games.

Bumping this thread in the interest of truth. Certainly based on the last few games.

Agree he is very unlikely to return. But I think it's a real shame when very good players get buried in some mega-club's reserve team. I guess he might move on to Monaco or some other French team, no?

Agree he is very unlikely to return. But I think it's a real shame when very good players get buried in some mega-club's reserve team. I guess he might move on to Monaco or some other French team, no?

Really pleased with that. The Saints defence really is superb. Romeu just ahead of Fonte and Virgil is so solid.

....your pace in a crowded place And they don't know what to do Cos....something something something....

Is anyone actually going to this?

Annoying injury for Bertrand...especially if hamstring....

I'm up for joining a team

Try to get an early goal or two and then slow down and kill of the game. Just wan three points here, don't care if it's dull and scrappy.

Isn't the dilemma that, in some ways, ticket prices are actually too low? Sounds a bizarre thing to say, I know. But if clubs wish to reward loyalty or longevity of support (and three cheers for that), you're bound to get a situation where a select group can access tickets for, say, £30 a pop, but there's a load of less loyal fans willing to pay £100+ to get into a certain match. At some point, loyal fans are going to be tempted to trouser the £70+ difference rather than attend themselves. This means long-serving fans get rewarded with cash, rather than access, which isn't the intention at all. It's getting mental at Real Madrid. You can recoup most of the cost of the entire season ticket just for selling it on for the home game against Barcelona. God knows what the solution is unless you go down the grim route of ID cards/fingerprint access at the gate etc.

Have we ever won 3 home games within 7 days before?

Terrible signing. Cortese out! In seriousness, delighted we have him nailed down - good player and we haven't seen the best of him yet by any means.

This isn't going to end well.

Lively??? Is that the new PC word for "violent". FFS...what utter ****s.

Commentators/pundits demanding "consistency" in one breath and then demanding referees show "common sense" or "allow the game to keep flowing" in the next breath. You can have consistency OR discretion. Pick one.

Must win, game. Obviously a must win. Hard to imagine otherwise. Everything hinges on the result of the next 90 minutes. Virtually everything.

have you considered a career on MOTD?

Around about £3m a year sounds about right for Saints manager. Would be nuts to pay 2x or 3x that. Would be weird if we found a successful manager for a half or a third of it. So, somewhere between £1m and £5mpa. With a big assumption that in anything like sane or normal times that it's somewhere in the middle of that range.

Very good performance. Still lacking teeth up front. Result not good, of course, but I think we look pretty tidy. Man Utd are exceptional. They may well win the league. Great to all those who travelled...heard you loud and clear on Sky.