Crazy Diamond

Guly in another away game. I'm prepared for disappointment on that alone, to be honest.

Lee isn't even 100% signed yet. No OS announcement = no deal.

Hamdi Salihi is deadly. How do I know? Scored for fun at my Sparta Rotterdam side in FM06. I think it was 06 anyway.

Dunno. You ask him, you're closer to him than me.

Four days ago, yeah.

No Sam Vokes, Lukas Jutkiewicz, Brian Stock, all Southampton lads we DEFINITELY NEED TO SIGN... Skacel hasn't signed either.

The way he sat was unacceptable. I swear I saw him yawn as well.

Well spotted!

I don't think Chris Baird is all that good, though he's played a lot more games at Premier League level than I'd have thought. How many appearances has he made because of others being fatigued from their constant European runs though?

Yes, Mark Chamberlain certainly didn't help matters, I quite agree. Very good point.

I'm not sure about that one. If I had to say yes or no? No.

Whilst I agree it's nice to hear, how many times have we heard it before? And yes, this is different to Walcott and Bale because we have money, but we also had money when we sold the Ox. Then again I suppose it's different in as much as he's barely played for us. Not trying to be overly negative or anything, just pointing out the facts.

I could be wrong but I imagine £6 million could buy him a lot of Scottish prospects, and there are a few out there. It does sound like it would be an offer that would be too good to turn down, question is, will we offer it?

The phrase 'don't shoot the messenger' comes to mind.

"CHAMPIONSHIP leaders Southampton are set to test Celtic's resolve by upping their bid for Gary Hooper to £6m. Saints boss Nigel Adkins signed the striker when he was boss of S****horpe and reckons the frontman could fire his new side to the Premier League. (Daily Mirror)" http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2012/01/13/transfer-talk-january-13-2012-celtic-star-hooper-could-become-a-saint-rangers-move-for-jaager-dons-ace-arnasson-in-demand-86908-23697453/

Apparently we're willing to go up to £6 million, as opposed to we've offered something and it's not good enough.

De Ridder was getting on for £2 million wasn't he? Could be wrong though, especially given Forest who are skint also wanted him

As someone else pointed out, Delap has played most of his football at Premier League level, fair play to him. For what we got out of him and the hype surrounding him, was he worth it? I don't think so. This is a new era for Saints, as we're all so delighted to point out and enjoy. The transfer market has moved on, so maybe it is time to break that record, even if we're in the second tier. Should it be done at a cost of £6 million and for Gary Hooper? No idea, but if we're going on the basis that we aren't interested in signing back up players and only better than we've currently got, I reckon it's worth a punt. Now, does £6 million on Hooper mean no money for the other positions we need new blood in? If it did you'd have to think very carefully.

'Tommy' was partly inspired by Townshend's abuse as a child by his uncle, I believe, so you're probably not far off, jjsaint. Great band. I think they should have called it a day well and truly when Keith Moon died, but then I wouldn't have been able to see them live twice, on both occasions I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Probably better the first time at the NIA than the second at Beaulieu Pops though.

£6 million in the Championship. Wow. On the plus side, I'm sure Hooper is a better player than Rory Delap, who unfortunately holds the record.

Sounds like a signing the Skates would make. Don't ask me why.

What did you do to Ken Bates this time?

Ryan Noble, the Sunderland striker, is being sent out on loan to either the east midlands or the south coast. One to keep an eye on.

The curse of being top of the league. This may well happen a few more times before the end of the season.

Zaha, for the price Crystal Palace quoted Newcastle? Good Lord no. Curtis Davies? I've heard nothing but bad things about him. Beyond this country, as I said, is where the club needs to look. This goal of having 50% of the team from the academy is a brilliant idea, and I like it, but that's a dream. The objective is promotion, and we need to use all the tools at our disposal to achieve it. If that means ignoring English talent for now, so be it.