Midfield_General

Now that's not quite true is it. Fox doesn't have 88 international caps, isn't currently the captain of his country, and hasn't played 60 times in the Champion's League. The point was, in an area where we have a clear first choice but not really an automatic second choice, that's pretty handy experience to bring in as cover on a free. Targett hasn't actually played for the first team yet so in the event of Shaw getting injured there's an element of risk throwing him straight in. Also, there have been occasions where going with experience has actually delivered better results than going with youth. Bringing Boruc in to replace Gazza springs to mind. However, given where we are in the season, looking pretty likely to finish mid table, maybe it's a good opportunity to let Targett show what he can do if the need arises.

With Fox gone our options as cover for Shaw at left back look to be either Clyne or Chambers playing out of position, or Targett who would need to show he could step up. Razvan Rat left West Ham on deadline day. Mutual consent as he had played 20 times this season but wasn't holding down a regular first team place. Now a free agent. 33 years old, a lot of Champion's League experience for Shakhtar, and current captain and first choice LB for Romania. Something like 88 caps. West Ham signed him on £35k a week 6 months ago but would think that was negotiable if he's currently without a club. CHDAJFU as a proper LB who could come in for Shaw in case of injury or if/when he needs a break?

Signed. Best of luck.

The club are bigging up the press conference on Facebook etc. Very much doubt they would be doing that if they thought he was going to resign. Suspect this is good news.

Vidic not being offered a contract extension by Man U, free to leave at the end of the season. Only 32. HCDAJFU (though not at £90k a week which is what he's reported to be on): http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/07/manchester-united-plan-contract-talks-nemanja-vidic

West Ham announce they are "close to securing a striking target". Please no http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/06/sam-allardyce-west-ham-open-letter

We've got Britt/ Omar Rowe We've got Britt/ Omar Rowe

Yes, Grey Goose is premium. It would fit the mould of aspirational brands that NC is going after - Sunseeker, Eterna, etc.

...this is how the table would look. Irrelevant, but I'm bored of the closed season already, and it hasn't even started yet.

Signed. Best of luck.

If it's the same gaffer in the 3 Kings as it has been for a few years, I believe he's a Saints fan. So if it's him, and he's got the dodgy channels, he'll have it on

Got mine in the neutral bit 2 seats away from the away end.

OK, it's like 'You are the ref' but it's 'You are the embattled manager'. Put yourself in Nigel's shoes. You've potentially got one game to save your job. You simply cannot afford to lose, and are playing away against a manager who's going to throw the kitchen sink at you, as he'll most likely get the boot himself if he doesn't win. Bearing in mind your livelihood could rest on it, what decisions do you to take in terms of preparation, motivation, formation and personnel to get the result? Let's say three key things.

Absolutely, 100% this.

I was sat in the Arsenal end as I live near the Emirates and a Gooner mate got me a ticket. Couldn't watch any more as it got toward the end of the first half so I went for a pint, and missed our goal. Great day all round really.

Absolutely hate everything about it.

I agree with your point earlier that it sounds like it's going to come down to desire. Big pay packet for a cushy number in Oz, or less cash but a final real challenge over here. From everything I've ever heard about the guy, he seems like someone who truly loves the game, and if he put in the best part of a full season last year for Juve it would suggest he's still got the fire in his belly. Time will tell I guess but I'm actually now starting to think we might get him, simply because he'll want to play football at the top level for as long as possible. Which would be remarkable, really.

Guardian reporting that he has not decided yet - not clear whether this is based on any new info though or just rehashing what's already been discussed: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/sep/04/sydney-southampton-alessandro-del-piero

Blimey the old fella in the middle's done well. I dread to think what's in her glass.

I'm not saying he's perfect, he's not. Just that neither of the goals yesterday were his fault so it's a bit harsh to point the finger at him for those. To your point about over the last few seasons, all players, including keepers, make mistakes from time to time, and just looking at the first two games of the Prem, Given, Federici, Cech and De Gea have all made howlers already, and you could very nearly have added Al-Habsi to that yesterday. Nobody's perfect. So while I realise that we can chase more than one position at a time, and I agree that we should always be looking to strengthen wherever we can, if we are in a position where we have to prioritise time, budget or resources for transfer activity in the last week of the window, personally I think we have bigger priorities than a keeper right now.

Agree with most of those, but Burridge? Entertaining obviously because he was such a mental case, but I remember him erratic for us to say the least. Apart from anything he was about five foot six. But then Flowers came through and Lo, we had a proper keeper. I was gutted when he left. Woods was toilet for us as well (though he was good for Norwich and Rangers). Still remember his horror show when we shipped seven away at Everton. I was on a car journey with 3 non-Saints supporting friends and there was about a 15 minute spell on the radio when there were five goal flashes and every single one was that we'd conceded another one. Not sure he played for us again much after that.

For goodness sake neither of those goals yesterday were down to Kelvin. The first was smashed in from about 6 yards after the defence was split, no keeper in the world would have saved that. The second he was left totally exposed and Kone is a quality player who was never going to miss a 1-on-1 when given that much time and space to pick his spot. Also, for those banging on about Al-Habsi, with the exception of the shot from Lallana that he tipped onto the bar (which was a great save), the rest were total bread and butter from distance. If any of those had gone in it would have been put down as a serious error. Plus, he was very lucky to get away with the one that he nearly bundled into his own net at the near post, and nothing stuck to him all game. Kelvin's not perfect but to blame either of yesterday's goals on him is unfair. It's the defence in front of him who were culpable for both and that's where our priorities should lie.

I didn't say he did - I said he may have had more chance of making an impact if he had, instead of JWP.

Norwich who lost their opening game of the season 5-0?