NickG

Would that make us 6th?

Strangle post? Just commenting on what I thought was a surprising and noticeable change in the profile of iphones in the largest phone retailer. I prefer android, my daughter won't look at anything except iphones - personal choice. (So I can afford an iPhone for my daughter but buy android for so doesn't fit in with your theory!) Apple are great company and far from in trouble, but I don't think they will ever have the automatic lead / prestige in the market they once had. "iphone" was automatic choice for many - now phones judged on their merits.

Went in carphone warehouse today. Used to be half a shop of iphones. Now displays of HTC, Sony, Samsung etc - then in far corner a stand saying 'best of the rest' - halfway down.. Iphones. Think they are miles behind android now; spec, user friendliness and even more value. For example, Nexus 4, £150 plus giffgaff....how can apple compete? Looking at first phone for son at secondary school - he sneered when my wife suggested an iPhone, saying they are old fashioned. I was happy as she hadn't checked prices!

Thanks will look at that one.

Looking at first phone for son starting secondary school. 12 year old, loves IT, has nexus 10 so used to Android. I was trying to persuade him copy me with nexus 4 + giffgaff ( nexus 4 now reduced to £159 amazing price!!) But he thinks its too big. Carphone warehouse recommended three of Samsung's - Ace (free £7/month) Fame blue (free £8/month) S3 Mini (free from £13/month) Although s3 mini clearly nicer not convinced worth £5/month for child's phone. Tempted with fame. He won't need more than min allowances and will have WiFi home & school. Anyone (or anyone's children) used these?

Personally think Shaw is probably up with Baines for ability, but behind on reliability and experience. By summer it maybe hard choice, particularly if Cole remains first choice, who offers alternative or better cover? Would it fit in with current thinking to take the future to a tournament (if we go!) Baines may lose his place, but bet if had gone to Man U he would have been guaranteed.

Nexus 10. Great screen. Gets android updates long before other devices. Good price for spec. We've got nexus 4, 7 and 10 and pleased with them all. Only -ve not 3g

Agree with that. Personally would go for; Boruc Clyne, Yoshida, Lovren, Shaw Wanayama, Scheiderlin Lallana, Osvaldo, Lambert, Ramirez. Front four fluid, pressing taking game to WHU. just sort of game reckon VW was bought for. Jay Rod on at half time to keep energy going. Agree wouldn't start JWP but don't see where you got that he has played due to obsession with youth

Many put JWP as MOM for the Sunderland game - doesn't that justify his selection in that game and the next, rather than an obsession with youth?

What loan fees are they paying? Lukaku will surely have cost them a couple of million for a season loan? At end of the season they will need replacing (and no fees coming in). We will still have Osvaldo and VW - or maybe even selling for a profit. Transfer fees aren't just money spent, they are investment as well

I thought the transfer window only started 02/03? So your best ever was about ten years before. Guess maybe you feel this window was our best ever?

Agree, hard to see this as anything other than great window - and done early. Only comments on that squad list: Reckon Clyne looked a better LB cover than Fox second half v Sunderland, although we were comfortably camped in their half. ST cover - you can include Lallana, Guly or Gaston depending on how you shape your attack. Only position I think is possibly bit behind others is 2nd CB - will Yoshida or Fonte perform to a higher level? Aside from GK and ST, my first choice team is young - likely to be inconsistent but exciting times. Defence 18, 24, 25, 22 DM 23, 22 AM 22, 24, 18 further young players to move up during the season? Best window for years. Lightening quick sub for end of games would have been ideal but squad pretty big.

Give it a rest, so boring

I don't understand some of the overly negative views on here, but posters are entitled to share them. I do wonder why some spend excessive time following saints and writing here when it isn't making them happy?? You live once, if it gets you down so much..? The posts yesterday, writing off the new signings were unbelievable. Current Italian international slagged off after full debut, VW described as £20m players after game one is crap after game two...bizarre. Console yourself that the negative trolls are wrong time and time again. Facts show which school of thought has been the realistic ones. This forum has been great for news, particularly learning about new signings as I don't follow any overseas leagues. There are probably only five posters who seem to want to hijack threads. When they discuss football, all but one, can give reasoned intelligent views and I genuinely respect their opinions. What gets tedious is wading through the repetitive digs, sarcasm, calling others that disagree deluded, trying to start arguments when they don't exist, making up / twisting posts. I've seen loads of posts mocking the deluded happy clappers for thinking we would finish above Arsenal, but not noticed single post saying we are close to Arsenal??!!

Just noticed that I hadn't even bothered to see their results lately. Most my life I didn't see them as rivals as were at a lower level - just team to take the p1ss out of. Guess, without even noticing, they are back there! However, pleasantly surprised to see how low they are.

That's what great about this forum. People more exciting lying and childish spats than talking football. I didn't think last season's squad would finish top 6, I don't think this one will. I think we will be top ten so relax as much more likely to be right than the unrealistic doom and gloom merchants. Listened to Solent who seemed to think we deserved to win more than Norwich?? Interested to hear from those who went. Thought fox was strange choice after Clyne's performance. Looks like we are a way from knowing best side and way of playing which concerns me but still early days. Young squad is likely to be inconsistent. Sounds like unlucky with key decisions again. Lacking clear chances. Not clinical.

Last two games I have seen him play, WBA home, and Sunderland we looked a much better team when he was on the pitch. TBH haven't got a clue who I would pick for front four out of: Osvaldo / Lambert / Lallana / JRod / Ramirez / JWP. I want to see Osvaldo / Lambert together, - Lallana / Ramirez looks creative and exciting. But JWP has earnt his place, JRod has more pace, good work rate. Good problem!

Lukaku?

You serious? I honestly thought it was a wind up when saw their kit and found it via their OS to check. At worst ours isn't unique, I can understand those preferring stripes although personally prefer other red/white kits. But ours is hardly on the same scale as that fashion students bit of camp fun.

Agree. Played reserves midweek. Every outfield player at least U21 international. 5 full internationals. 2 international captains - we have never had a squad this good. Only gap I can see in first team squad is the player I hoped Mayuka would be. I would rather aim slightly lower and use players like Clyne, JayRod and JWP who are developing than buy a ready made top 7 side at their peak. For a team finishing 6th/ 7th/ 8th most of our players are right sort of level. Between them : Boruc , Clyne, Lovren, Yoshida, Shaw, VW, Morgan, Lallana, Ramirez, Lambert and Osvaldo would all have got decent amount of games for WBA, Liverpool, or Everton. Probably 2nd CB is weakest. Agree. Intelligent choices , young and quality. Linked with Liverpool so link with us follows. Love fact team is so young with exciting prospects coming through but means likely to be inconsistent.

They were lying, clearly trying to be positive following their realisation that we are now a step up for a player.

I don't get this obsession with the fee (posters in general maybe first time you mentioned it! ) 1) £12m isn't huge....look at fees quoted for Bale or Suarez. 2) The fee, for a 21 year old player is, in the main, for potential. 3) fee is less relevant than the profit / loss. My opinion is when he leaves the net amount we would have paid (transfer fee paid - received, rather than wages) would, at worst, be small, more likely a profit. 4) it is obvious to anyone who has been to see him that he is very talented but has lacked consistency. Common in young players, particularly skilful playmakers, even if not moving country. 5) his first season wasn't easiest with joining a team in a bad run (strange our first win came in his full debut with him providing the assist for the winner ). He had an injury requiring stay in hospital (not speaking language). Did he also have family bereavement? 6) we maybe paid over the market value as NC wanted good young players here quickly - we would have had more choice and more bargaining if a top 8 side rather than newly promoted. 7) fee seemed high after our previous spending. If we had to buy our squad now - Shaw, Lovren, JWP, Morgan, lallana, VW, Osvaldo, Lambert, JayRod - would you expect them to cost so much less than he did? (Attacking midfielders tend to cost more defenders). Would you judge him so harshly? Having said that his free kicks and corners we f£%&ing crap for player costing that much!

Saints best player gets our 5th

Every outfield player either international or U21 international? Think, from memory, 5 U21 internationals, 3 full internationals, 2 full international captains.

Didn't you describe Shaw as a ponce last week?