positivepete

I will depend on whether I get a birthday cake tomorrow

You won't want to read this article then http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/09/adam-lallana-england-world-cup-2014 Henderson or Rooney to push up on Pirlo? If Rooney could stay disciplined it would be an interesting battle. I read one article saying that England will put pressure on Pirlo by adopting a high tempo game, that will be tough in Manaus, but could suggest that the three subs could all be from the attacking midfield group.

They are playing Honduras in their first game, so there is a chance!

Neither has shown they can play the lone striker role, Rhodes was left on the bench when Blackburn chose that set-up, so unless we change our style Rhodes in particular is a non starter. Ings has more movement of the two, but I would still think he was a long shot.

We employ coaches not managers. The strategy is set by the club so it is normal for the coach to move on every two or three years in the system we have adopted.

No need for that Adrian. Have to make sure I can pick up a ticket for their game in Rio. Great to see so many Saints players at the World Cup

Good news for Jamie. Hope he can help bring the Gas back to league football. Jamie has had terrible luck with injuries. Those who saw him at Tyro level knew he had the potential to go on to play at professional level. A couple of years older than Danny Ings. Danny never stood out in the same way as Jamie although Danny always looked the best player of his age group. Danny has worked incredibly hard and had the breaks at the right time. It just shows how turning potential into the real thing is a fickle thing. Good luck to both of them, it is great to see local lads do well.

The other issue that Gaston has suffered with is that he has not yet had a full pre season at the club, first the Olympics, then the Confederations Cup, and now the World Cup. The good pre season the others had last season certainly made a big difference to the start we made

That is the problem with trying to do your deals in the press rather than quietly behind closed doors and only announcing the deal when it is done. I prefer our quiet approach, it shows strength, dignity and professionalism, although you would not believe that judging by some of the hysterical reaction to every headline on this forum.

Being a consultant in master data I have to agree with that! The old adage applies, garbage in = garbage out, no matter how good the software.

The film of Hitler implementing SAP on YouTube is worth watching!

Scouse gits have nicked his watch already! Cheers Rickie, good luck and thanks for all the pleasure you have given us. It has been inspiring watching you improve during your Saints career. Hard work pays off.

The whole story may come out in due course but one thing remains true, when players from "lesser" clubs go on England duty they are often tapped up by players from "bigger" clubs. Mind you the same was true in the Tyro league, the rep sides were recruiting grounds for the successful clubs!

Might get confused with the new Pimpley training ground. Hope he didn't go there instead of Staplewood.

Thanks Guan. Puts a lot of the publicity flying around into perspective.

With his red card record, dirty Leeds seems about right for him.

If we are going to lose three players I would rather they went to one club, at least we are only strengthening one club not three,and then if they win the league we can claim it's our lads what done it!

This article better describes our situation than some of the hysteria on this site

Agree, plus JRod

Thank you Monk. It is quite normal and acceptable for team to be adding and losing two to three players a season. It is the stated philosophy of the club to bring players through, buy unknown or good value players and sell them when their value is at the maximum. That is why, although I am disappointed to see players I enjoy watch leave, I have no problem with losing Lallana or Lambert to big moves at the stages of the career that they are at. I would be disappointed to lose Shaw, but it is not bad business to let him go if we are getting 30 million for a player with 60 odd starts. If we can keep the departures to those three and spend the money wisely this helps the sustainability of the club, and until we can get more revenue from other commercial sources, selling players for a profit is not a bad thing. I started taking my grandchildren to some matches this season, they loved it. I have been watching Saints for the best part of fifty years, I want my grandchildren to be able to do the same.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/28/the-fiver-tottenham-mauricio-pochettino Humorous take on the situation.....

Moyes and Strachan! The dream team for insomniacs everywhere. Rather have the Dutch duo, at least they tried to play football.

Are you sure that is what not Les that found Pochettino?

I have to agree with that!

Buy a fifth of a Pompey share