mikeyc

With the squad as it stands, we are as close as we've been for 30 years to achieving European football through league position or having a real go in a Cup. It will be a huge challenge to move from 8th to 6th next season, but it's likely to be impossible if we sell our best players. On the other hand, if we were to commit to adding to the squad with the same sort of spending as we saw last summer and having a real go, I cannot believe that AL and LS would agitate for a move now. One more season to see how high we can go, then review next summer. AL will still only be 26? Yes, our top players deserve a chance to play at the highest possible level at some point during their careers. But as a club, I'd be gutted if we blinked too soon in terms of ambition. 8th is great. 6th and Europe, and the status that comes with it in terms of future growth, would be a terrific achievement. Hoping I've misinterpreted Ralph's interview!

"We'll be speaking to other clubs from tomorrow. I hope you know what I mean when I say that we'll only be doing what's best for Southampton."

Absolutely, Steve, but when the Club has gone so far as to release a detailed denial and clarification in direct response to stories circulated by certain newspapers, it's frustrating when the same newspapers effectively choose to ignore it.

Based on homepage coverage (at the time of posting), press reaction to Reed's statement very enlightening... Guardian - not reporting it but Shaw story removed from football homepage. Telegraph - not reporting it Independent - not reporting it Mail - not reporting it, still running £55m Shaw/Lallana story Mirror - running Reed's statement Express - not reporting it Star - running Reed's statement Can't see Sun or Times as they're behind a pay wall. Disappointing but not surprising. And tells you all you need to know about editorial agendas.

Surely J-Rod deserves a Smiths song? Even if it's just 'Jay Rodriguez' sung to the tune of the 'hang the DJ' chorus from Panic?

The Eight Bells is a Fulham 'away' pub. Small pub, very friendly, normally very busy with visiting fans. If you're coming down Putney High Street from the overground station, it's just over Putney Bridge on the right, behind/opposite the Premier Inn. It's also 30 seconds round the corner from Putney Bridge Underground if you come that way. Either way, it's on your way to the ground. There's two other pubs within a hundred yards (Temperance, Larrick) but they're not as good as the Bells IMO. Not sure about their policy on away fans. Golden Lion on Fulham High Street will not let away fans in. Some of the pubs in Putney High Street won't let you in with colours on either, but I think the Coat and Badge is ok (half way down Putney High Street, turn left down Lacy Road).

Surely a Johnny Cash - Walk the Line?

Pretty much this. Plus Chelsea. Arsenal Chelsea City Man U Tottenham Liverpool... ...are light years ahead in terms of ability and squad depths. IMO realistically we're scrapping it out with Everton, Swansea and probably West Brom and Villa for 7th - 11th.

The problem is not with adidas. There are plenty of nice adidas kits worn by other clubs, including some with stripes! No, the problem is with whoever it is at the club that chose or approved this one.