derry

Two big forwards, and bloody narrow formations allowing the opposing defence to compact and freeze them out. Eventually the penny will drop, to cut through defences we have to have players playing down both the touchlines and crosses from the byeline. The three goals we have scored have come from wide, A Murty throw in v Millwall, two crosses from the right. We have created nothing down the left. Because there is nobody playing there.

I was told today another player has been checked in yesterday at the same hotel as Lambert. Presumably the de Vere. Anybody able to check it out?

Because Nicola Cortese stated the club is now debt free. Secondly the figure paid to the Administrator was an all in figure of approx £12.5m, finally when we went into administration I spoke to Mark Fry about the amount needed to clear all debts and buy the club, his view at that time £15m would be more than enough. We are probably the only club in the country with a clean slate. No debts, no mortgage, good gates and self sufficient.

Pardew has said that the cup competitions are important and is going to play his strongest side.

I heard last night they did double his money but that he wasn't on big money at Bristol Rvrs. Saga, Raziak, and Thomas are on much more than him. If either of the Poles go we should go for another striker with a similar scoring record to Lambert. Lallana, White etc are going to have to settle for filling in and developing, but Paterson could well come through as a substitute.

Having seen Saturday, until we get a wide right specialist I would bring Holmes back wide left, play Lambert and Raziak in the middle and play Saganowski wide right as he did in the Euros for Poland. Not great pace but plenty of craft and power. A right midfielder and a dynamic central midfielder is a must, that together with a big centre back would make us one of the strongest in the division. Pace is for me a vital ingredient and it is something we have to introduce over time. It really has to be a criteria for future signings and the academy. Without pace we can't compete at the higher levels. Players like Lallana who are undoubtably skilful on the ball will always fall short unless they are quick thinking and powerful. MLT wasn't the quickest but was immensely skilful with a lightning football brain and was big and strong.

We all rate his ball skills but it is one thing praising him but if he doesn't deliver week on week I bet Pardew will not hesitate to put him in the reserves to consolidate.

You may be right but it won't be at Southampton because we have moved on.

Our first team is going to be drastically overhauled. Powerful players are going to be brought in. There is going to be no position available to any player that isn't delivering results. Once the money has been spent there is going to be a demand for results. That in itself means unless Lallana delivers an end result, the best he can hope for, is improving in the reserves and cameo appearances from the bench in games we are on top. I can see him out on loan at some point if he can't come to terms with the reality. We haven't spent more than £1m on Lambert to use the first team to bring on talented youngsters. We are obviously going to give it a go.

You know your football.

If you read this one without prejudice he does make some valid points. It would be better to give some credit if there is validity rather than disregard everything because of dislike.

His performances just do not justify playing one up front with him as the second striker. We have to mainly play two up front and the only reason most people talk about a withdrawn striker is they know he couldn't cope with the big defenders piling in. We saw yesterday how difficult the centre backs made it when we only had one up front and anyway Lallana hardly threatened from anywhere. He needs to return to the reserves and build his confidence plus coming off the bench in the first team. I'm still not convinced that he isn't thinking of a move away from this league.

The points made were valid. Maybe if MLT had got a professional to do due diligence for him on the Pinnacle consortium, instead of taking it at face value his name may well have not been used. If it is true that immediately excusivity was established, he realised there was no funding, why was he still saying well after exclusivity ended, that the takeover was close to completion? There is certainly no doubt that the exclusivity cost Markus Leibherr close to six weeks, time that may well have seen us with a team ready to compete in league one. MLT is not being criticised for anything other than a lack of judgement in business, not an area in which he is known for his expertise. There is little doubt that the bid would not have got as far as it did, or that Crouch would have got involved, if the MLT endorsement had not been there.

To allow Schneiderlin to flourish he must have two wide outlets and two strikers together with a dynamic up and down footballer alongside him in midfield not a pale imitation of an arm waving italian cop on point duty. Wotton seems to think sitting deep, running in ever decreasing circles, giving a good proportion of his passes to the opposition or dropping his own players in it, is what makes a holding midfielder. He is part of the problem and nowhere near part of the solution.

I tell it like it is. I have no feelings for Lallana, he isn't delivering and until he does his underperforming is reducing our efficiency. The back 5 is decent, Schneiderlin looks a class act except for his bad pass leading eventually to the penalty, Wotton was pretty inneffective, The wide players non existent, but the two up front tried hard with no real support. Getting behind the team is one thing, being objective about players performances is entirely another. I don't view the team through red and white tinted spectacles. No I'm neither but I have been lucky enough to complete FA coaching courses. I have supported Saints for 55 years and the football of the last three years is as bad as it gets. I fully expect the team that finishes the season to have very few of the existing team in it which may well exclude Lallana.

The main problem for the strikers was nothing coming from James and Lallana in the way of crosses or support. Until we get proper wide players we won't get the width, crosses or enough chances/goals. The goal came from a long throw from Murty that Saganowski challenged for, which fell kindly for Paterson to take well.

Lallana is all potential and no deliver. He never seems to get into dangerous positions and seems to float around without causing problems. He is not delivering enough to be given a position such as one of the main strikers or central midfield. He does nothing wide. I think along with a few others he should go back into the reserves and sort their games out in their proper positions and then take it from there. If we sign four or five players that is going to have to happen. Schneiderlin couldn't be left out for Lallana.

They took them off last season but they had too many points to be relegated.

Asking £2m.

pm to Armitage Shanks, he is a solicitor and could probably give you immediate advice. Steve Grant also.

It seems to me selling 12000 season tickets could be a dangerous position for Portsmouth. If this immediate injection of approximately £7m is taken to pay previous debts/loans it could place the club in jeopardy with approximately 7000 gates left as the main source of income (because of the doubt about where the tv money is going).

It will be interesting on Saturday in block 4. This confirms what I was told at the Hearts game. Look out for a large Steward/Police presence in that area.

With Raziak and Saganowski there are problems which may well see them staying. Firstly we want a fee and secondly their high wages will stop them getting a CCC club unless they take a cut, thirdly we can afford them and presumably won't let them go on the cheap. The fourth option could be a loan but again a fee would be required. Having said that a final option could be a player exchange but getting them to play in the third tier could be a problem. If they stay we could benefit, because they have to perform to keep themselves in with any chance of a recall to the Polish squad and it is the world cup in June. I think there is a decent chance they will both be here unless a club pays out silly money.

Wasn't it £12.5m? Spot on Si. I think there are more options opening up the nearer we get to the start of the season. Better club's squads have been finalised, players retained now know their chances of playing, managers are now prepared to release/loan fringe players, which may well be the reason for not signing a few free transfers, no better than the present staff and ending up worse off. To improve the squad the players have to have character and quality even if only for a potential season or two. I think we are doing it right for once and bringing in key players to improve the team.

A lot on here would have you believe it's not important and there is no value in coaching qualifications. Three years in the Northam or every day on TSF seems the criteria for a football expert.