Midfield_General

I really, really hope you are Daniel Agger.

In the comments underneath that article is an equally interesting preview by a supporter who goes by the username Consortium11. Interesting not least because it must be 10,000 words long. It's literally the longest web comment contribution I've ever seen. Whoever it is has dedicated a LOT of time to it. Does Consortium11 post on here?

And the flight, tbf

We're reported to be offering a big hike in wages. That normally does it.

Celtic have already got Craig Gordon but would need a replacement no. 2 if Forster went. We should offer them £6m + Gazza. They get their backup, we'd have Boruc/ Forster to fight it out for no. 1 and 2, with KD as emergency no. 3 in the unlikely event the other two are unavailable. Win win.

Ezequiel Matías Schelotto (Italian pronunciation: [skeˈlɔtto]; born 23 May 1989) is an Italian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Parma. He is nicknamed El Galgo ("The Greyhound" in Spanish) because of his running skills or, less frequently, El Mosquetero ("The Musketeer") because of his peculiar look.

So what we have heard so far this afternoon is that J Rod and Spider are staying, and that we are working on 3 signings before the weekend, which are a GK, defender and forward who will be 'young, english talent'. So let's speculate and say it's Forster, van Dijk and Ings coming in. That would mean, if Krueger is true to his word, a side/ squad more like: ------------------Pelle-------------------- ---J Rod------Ramirez------Tadic---- ------------Spider----Big Vic--------------- Targett—Fonte—Van Dijk----Clyne -----------------Forster------------- Subs: Boruc, Yoshida, Davis, JWP, Cork, Gallagher, Ings Squad: Gazza, Hooiveld, Sharp, Mayuka, Isgrove, McQueen, Reed + youth players Still need a proper LB, and another forward of PL quality. And bearing in mind J Rod won't be fit until October, probably a wide player too. And the wider squad is very weak once we start getting injuries. But it would look better…

It's Koeman's home It's Koeman's home St Mary's It is Koeman's home

Mirror: "Southampton line up French youngster Timothée Kolodziejczak to replace Luke Shaw" http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/southampton-transfer-news-timothe-kolodziejczak-3496292

Talks about his theories for improving penalty-taking, how he tested those theories at Saints, and how he thinks they could help England in the World Cup: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/may/19/clive-woodward-england-penalties-brazil-world-cup

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.