There when Franny scored

It seems fairly likely that Dan Seaborne will start for us tomorrow in the absence of an expected new centre-back ahead of the Leeds game. Personally, I'm really pleased about this. Let me explain why. As many have frequently noted, Seaborne is not the finished article and certainly cannot match the composure and athleticism of Jose Fonte. That said, I feel he has real potential. One of the most gratifying parts of the current footballing revolution at St Marys is the genuine commitment to the coaching and development of players; the desire to identify talent and potential, provide a supportive and impeccably professional environment and then watch it flourish. Football has changed. The turnover of players is so frequent, that we rarely have the chance to built an affinity and rapport with any individual players. To a certain extent, Adkins bucks this trend. I love the way he is so positive about the contribution made by the whole squad and the way that he reiterates that there is genuine quality amongst our players. This in turn makes me really want them to succeed at our club. Of course it must be a balance. There are those who simply won't have what it takes to 'make the step up' but I know that Adkins will at least give them the opportunity to try. I applaud him for this. Think back to the dark days of Redknapp. God I hate that man. From the moment he was 'in the building' he went to great lengths to tell all his media crony mates how bad our squad was. He had no intention of coaching or trying to improve the players he had and, without a cheque-book, showed just how limited a manager he really is. Fly-by-night mercenaries seemed to be coming and going on a daily basis, making it impossible for fans to get to know them and get behind them. Anyway, I digress. Seaborne may not be good enough in the end, though I think he will be. Let's back him tomorrow and whenever he wears the red and white. He does have pace, is decent in the air and contrary to what most people think has a good range of distribution. The balance of a left and right-footed centre-half pairing also has its merits. I think Seaborne also has the appetite for a fight. I remember away at Sheffield Wednesday last season. Dying moments, Saints 1-0 up and under a barrage of pressure. He was superb and did a great job on Clinton Morrison. Let me be clear. I'm not saying that Adkins shouldn't buy a centre-back and improve the squad in anyway he can. However, in the meantime, if Danny boy gets the shirt, then it's his to keep and any new player will have to wrestle it from him. For me, that's how football should be.

Really disagree with this. I like Harding, particularly his mental approach to games, and am happy to have him in the side. However, given a choice of the two, I really feel Dickson has more to offer, particularly in the long term. He is quicker, better going forward and has more potential than Harding. Agree with the other poster about Seaborne. I really do feel he is underrated on here. Of course, nothing like the finished article, but coming on nicely and has lots of potential.

Me too, I am a decent centre-back and would love nothing more than to grace the hallowed turf. Unfortunately, £200 is more than my paltry teacher's salary can afford.

Lallana Schneiderlin Cork Chamberlain Would be the best midfield in the Championship in my opinion.

Great to hear from those at the game and nice to hear Lancashire is improving and getting regular football after a fairly torrid introduction to his professional career!

How did Lancashire play?

Any chance we could have a poll on this mods? 1. Keep Kelvin in goal 2. Pick Bart 3. Sign a new keeper 4. Forecast

Surely it's now time for Bart. Davis seems to be making a key mistake almost every time he plays. Just spilled another one which Exeter almost scored from

Walking back along Northam Road there seemed to be some 'running battles' going on. Saw quite a few scuffles outside of the flats on Northam Estate - close to the Esso garage. There was a bloke in a white t-shirt (Saints fan I think) who seemed to be heavily involved. Hope there were no serious injuries. Anyone else hear anything?

Davis has been an excellent and very loyal servant to the club during very turbulent years but it is becoming increasingly apparent that Bialkowski is now the better keeper. There is a total absence of communication between goalkeeper and defence and the centre backs are constantly put under a huge amount of pressure given that they are sometimes forced to head clear from their own six-yard box where Davies should be dominating. He is still a superb shot-stopper; I was at Hillsborough earlier this season and he made two outstanding saves at the end to give us the three points. This is not an anti-Davis rant, merely and observation, though I'm aware that it seems to be forbidden to dare criticise him among Saints fans. Bart must now be first choice if we really are to move on to 'the next level'.

Completely thoughtless to have him out on loan at the moment. Firstly, I think AOC is off form at the moment. Given his age, he is better used sporadically and playing him for 90 minutes during a busy fixture period will do him no good. We have just lost Holmes for the season. Puncheon is contracted to play for us and is desperately needed at present. I would never want to play for supporters who booed me but If Adkins can talk him round then bring him back

Done

Those are the words of Adkins tonight on Saintsplayer. When asked about Cortese, he said he's been 'so supportive it's not true'. He went on to say that nobody will be brought in for the sake of it and that anyone he buys needs to be a permanent fixture this season and 'next season in the championship'. His body language suggested we can certainly expect some business before Thursday too. This interview is almost more encouraging for me than today's performance. Great day at St Marys, I'd like to mention Ryan Dickson. No disrespect to Harding, but I think Dickson is the better player and certainly the better athlete. If you're thinking about players capable of doing it at a higher level, he's got to be one of them. Richardson too

It is interesting to note that we have had the second most shots in league, just one behind top side Peterborough (http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/ClubShooting/0,,10794~201025,00.htm). As the saying goes "8 out of 10 people don't believe in statistics," however, it is vaguely suggestive of the fact that perhaps we haven't been getting what we deserve out of several games. I appreciate this is probably more applicable to the matches before Swindon (away) and MK Dons.

The rumour I most feared this summer has started today in The Sun. This is from the BBC Gossip section. Hopefully nothing in it. Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, 19, is a £1m target for French team St Etienne. (The Sun)

Hello Greg I currently live in Bangkok and I have listed as being on True Sport 3, 19:30? http://www.truevisionstv.com/world.aspx?key=&date=13/02/10&w=4&chid=0&pk=2&mode=3

Probably not the best idea for me to reveal it but given the links that have been discovered on another thread it doesn't take Colombo to work it out!

I have it on very good authority that Neil Danns is definitely signing today though it may not be announced until Monday. Be interesting to hear what Pardew says on Solent this afternoon I guess. Exciting times!

I know it's a long shot but if anyone can help out I'd be really grateful. All 3 of us big Saints fans and two of us are season ticket holders. I thought I'd be working but it turns out I'm not. My two friends are annoyed that I haven't sorted out the tickets. Yours in hope, TWFS

I think you'll find that the vast majority of immigrants are desperate to work when they arrive but aren't allowed to under the terms of our government's Dickensian asylum policy. It is illegal to seek or undertake paid emploment whilst an asylum application in pending though the average turn around for a case is almost 3 years. Why do you think there are Lawyers and Doctors driving taxis in Southampton? Are they trying to 'freeload of us taxpayers'?

I certainly wouldn't be averse to signing Trundle - though I think Rasiak could provde the same service were he motivated. An interesting option might be Lukas Jutkiewitz at Everton. A Southampton boy, signed from Swindon for £1mil but doen the pecking order at Goodison. I've spoken to a few in the know and he'd certainly be keen on a move back down here. Tall, strong and fairly pacy striker; although he is quite slight -does have a physical presence. Could be worth a look on loan. To my mind we need two players for every position and I would hope the team might look something like this for Millwall: Davis Murty Jaidi Perry Harding Lallana Schneiderlin Gillett Mills Rasiak Saganowski Longer term I think both strikers will need replacing. If they go, we may need to sign up to 4 strikers. Don't like Lallana at right-wing but I don't think he's done enough to be accommodated elsewhere. James would push Murty at RB Thomas as one covering CB - need to get one more - preferably a bit younger. Personally don't rate Molyneux so need extra cover for Harding McLaggon would I hope push for the right wing slot when he's fit. Wotton and a new signing to cover at centre mid. Really unsure about Schneiderlin but is ability is indubitable. Holmes good competition for Mills With that amount of surgery and some proven new additions I think we have a team capable of promotion

The bloke you have decribed must be the fitness coach - Nick Harvey. He is about 5'9 and bald. Be very interesting to see what calibre of player he is able to attract, and how quickly

Incidentally, a boy appears to announce that Godot is not coming today but will surely come tomorrow. Would that be MLT? Another of Beckett's plays is called "Happy Days."

I just rang reception at SMS who put me through to the media department. The chap said he "didn't think there was a press conference there today."

Sorry chaps, I have to say that I disagree with most of the posts on this thread. When we signed Euell I was very pleased as he is someone I have always rated. Clearly, I had no idea what the financial terms were and nor should I: it serves no purpose to publicise someone's wages like that. In his first few months with us I was really disappointed with his form as I really felt he had more to offer. The cup match away at Bristol Rovers stands out in my memory as a particularly bad day for him. However, as others have pointed out, he was rejuvinated under Pearson and embarked on his own Indian Summer. I followed him closely in pre-season and was very impressed. I really noticed at the smaller grounds just how much organisation and encouragement he offers the youngsters and technically I believe he is among our best players. I was really disappointed he didn't play more at the start of the season and delighted when he was recalled. I felt he was beginning to make an impact again when he was harshly sent off and put out of action for 3 games. Clearly if the club receives an offer then it is a different matter but certainly I would be picking him whilst he is here. If you look at his comments he isn't really whinging - only about the publication of his wages in that god-awful local rag. He WANTS to play for us and stay and help out which is more than I can say for countless others who have jumped ship when we've hit stormy sees over the past couple of seasons. That, in my opinion, should be commended. Yes, the previous board were obviously financially irresponsible in tranfer fees paid and wages offered but that's hardly Euell's fault. Don't forget his agent's job would have been to secure the best deal possible. I'm not so interested in the finances but more in having good players here who want to play for us. Euell, Surman and Schneirderlin in central midfield for me everytime I'm afraid...