NickG

agree think it will go to the wire - would love for us to start pulling away for relaxing last few games but it can't be that easy for us can it! Those stats tho show we don't need to improve to go up only to win the league - although some of those teams are likely to have very different form, some dropping off and someone going on great run. Proves little except we are there, or there abouts as we need to be, and meant as bit of interest to see how Adkins has done.

Brighton - no reason why won't carry on Saints - Adkins no had chance to influence team, signed Chaplow, N'Guessan, Forte, Guly hitting form, Lambert improving - would hope could improve Bournemouth - lost manager?? Not sure if others have strengthened / weakened?

Since Adkins took over (including the MK defeat) the league table is: Brighton played 20 points 39 Saints played 20 points 37 Bournemouth played 21 points 35 Huddersfield played 20 points 32 Oldham played 20 points 31 Mk played 22 points 31 Charlton played 18 points 28 Colchester played 19 points 28 Peterborough played 19 points 27

and Forte's was at higher level

Appears signed only thing we needed, at as high level as we could expect - impact pacy subs

My guess has always been the club didn't consider a bid for Austin

I'm happy looking at how it has left us: 2 good keepers - both good enough for top team in league 1 4 fullbacks - all four good enough to start in promotion side 3 good CB - one just behind who is young prospect looks very good. CM - could we do much better in league 1 than Chaplow and Morgan? plus Hammond (cover of Gobbern, Butterfield, Dickson, Lallana, Guly etc depnding on shape) wide players - first choice Lallana and Ox-C (suggest good enough for top CCC side) Forwards Guly and Lambert - again can't imagine any league 1 side turning that down. Impact subs N'Guessan / Forte - playing every game in first 11 in higher league! Cover for forwards: Barnard - would get in all other sides, good scoring record Connolly Doble All of: Lallana, Ox-C, N'Guessan, Forte can play as a forward.

Our subs should be better than players who are regularly starting in higher league!

that maybe a good answer - but I have no idea!

such as Guly who is keeping Barnard out of the team?

so 8/10.

First 11 hard to improve on at this level. Squad was already excellent. Added CM - position with least cover - a player good enough for higher level. Signed guly on perm - imho one of best forwards in this league and who is keeping Barnard one of this leagues top scorers out of the side. Kept Ox-C and Lallana - both tipped for prem. We had plenty of cover in defence and upfront. Last season's wide players were Lallana and Puncheon - this has been improved with Ox-C replacing Puncheon. Only thing not stronger than our squad (which performed well once assembled last year) was speed off the bench. We signed N'Guessan - who Brighton's forum had long thread saying how keen they were to sign him for first 11, and Forte who is apparently lighning quick and has been nearly ever present as a winger in league above us and is prob coming to be sub here.

wasn't that what was supposed to happen? Poor.

ALL FINISHED from saints both in and outs - official

ALL FINISHED from saints both in and outs - official

who was that pacy winger all the top four prem sides were fighting over? Perhaps we should have him? .....oh yea - we do.

who was that pacy winger all the top four prem sides were fighting over? Perhaps we should have him? .....oh yea - we do.

idiotic the moans. Have a look at the squad ffs - and compare to anyone in the league! All we were missing was impact pace / winger - and have signed two from division above!

Two out are Forecast to Eastborne and Puncheon to Blackpool

Forecast thank f

Late Deal For Puncheon Comes Off Blackpool have signed Jason Puncheon from Southampton on loan until the end of the season. The 24-year-old midfielder is the third Pool signing of the day, joining James Beattie and Andy Reid at Bloomfield Road. Puncheon has been on loan at Championship side Millwall where he has been in sparkling form, scoring five goals in seven games and arrives on the Fylde Coast with a view to a permanent move. Meanwhile, Sky Sports are reporting that Charlie Adam will be staying at Bloomfield Road. Their reporter outside the ground, Peter Stevenson, has said after heated discussions between Adam and Karl Oyston, the chairman has told him that he will be staying put until the summer. Expect more news to unfold before the 11 o'clock deadline, with possibly two more signings expected.

4 this season. Going from first to regular in CCC to sub in League 1 - still some moan!

Excellent prep for Championship - signed three championship level players - none of them straight into first 11. Good squad planning.

Its a saints squad, good one with good manager.