redkeith

Thought we played Ok today, Kelvin did well in goal, and we created a few chances, but unfortunately Long wasted the best one at nil-nil. I liked the way DJurcic turned and ran at them, much better for a no10, but his end product wasn't there. Before they go on holiday they need to practice playing against a team playing offside on the 18 yard line.

Brilliant first half, should have been more really. Mane was just brilliant, cue the Newspapers now linking him with all the big 6 .

Athletico can call him back, but they can't make him sign for anyone else. If he doesn't think he will get a regular game at say Utd City or Chelsea, then I don't think that he would be interested. He would be better off doing a Winston Bogarde, wait till his contract runs out and the pick his own club.

Les Reed has mentioned the fact that Saints have a strict wage limit both on individuals and as a total wage bill for the squad. This is all perfectly reasonable for a business, see QPR for an opposite point of view, but does have some issues. Jay Rod has missed the whole season, meaning that the playing squad has been one wage short. Added to this, the award of such a long contract by Cortese to Kelvin Davis, going long past his retirement date is another wasted wage, even though he has been a great servant and top bloke in the dressing room. Next season we have to carry Forsters and Davis's wages I just hope the board can book these as 'exceptional items' so that the squad is not two places short next year.

New keeper this summer, nailed on.

I can see them getting more than the release clause for Jed Wallace, but only if Brendan Rodgers is interested in him!

If you swapped the keepers and Davis for Ericson, we would have won 5 nil. Good performance, but we need a goal scoring AM for next season. Plus, Michael Owen is so full of sh#t . If I had the time, I would get a video package of all the dubious free kicks (eg Penalty versus Pochetino) that he dived for.

Sorry, but this just seems like a 2 + 2 =5 story to me. Saints may have had a scout at St James Park yesterday. So that means they must be watching a player. Clyne is thought to be off, so lets say they are looking at a right back, oh , and the keeper is out for a year so lets say they are looking at a keeper too. Or, maybe Saints were just watching Spurs who they play next week ? I like both players, but I don't think that he would be happy as number 2 if Fraser gets fit. Also if Ashley sells Janmat , one of Newcastles only decent players, after just one season there will be a riot up there. These sort of stories pop up from time to time when, if the Journo could be arsed to check the fixture list, it is obvious that Saints are just scouting the opposition.

Ellias was very poor today. At times we got into some good positions, but only put in one half decent cross, the one Howard made the worldie from form Pelle. Other than that, and the JWP long and Free kick , that was it really. Please Mr Reed can you get us a proper Number 10. Someone to score goals, create goals and also take free kicks and corners. However much everyone likes JWP and Davis there are no stats that suggest that they are remotely suited to that position, unless you want them to do a job, like JWP marking Carrick at Old Trafford.

On football weekly they suggested that anyone caught diving should have to wear a "bib of shame" for the next few matches, so the officials can be wary of them. I'm sure that refs do this to some degree, as players like Long and Pahars never seem to get a penalty unless the defender has got in his car and run him over. On the time wasting issue, adding enough time on to allow for it would help a great deal, although some matches would go on until 6 30 on a Saturday. Also action should be taken against clubs that take the p@ss, such as the ball boys sitting down after WBA had a 3rd minute lead. When Villa won the league in the early 80's , the ball boys would give the ball back quickly if it was to Villa, but if the opposition had a corner, they would wait until Villa defenders were all back until they returned the ball.

Athletico can buy out the clause and take him back, but they can't force him to sign for anyone. He could just sit on their books for the next 2 years. By the sound of things, he has been bitten once by a big club, losing his first team place and now he wants first team football. Maybe he trusts Ron to give it to him.

I hope to go to Bordeaux, but not if England are playing there. I went to see a world cup match in Toulouse with a mate, and we were going to go on the lash and sleep it off on the car, but all the bars were closing early because England had a game there in two days time. No fun.

Shane Long

West Ham had 2 lightweights up front today and Palace just sat deep and countered, and they weren't bothered at all until Valencia his a belter from 20 yards ( no one on our books looks capable of doing that ). If we put Long in for Pelle they will do the same to us. I think Filip should start as we need someone to run at the 9 men that they will have in their Penalty box. Pace won't be an option , as they defend so deep that there is no space to run into.

Nothing up front at all, apart from Bertrand really. If Shane Long is the answer, then I don't like the question. Long works hard, but is never going to end a goal drought. WBA did a job on us and , apart from the City and Chelsea away games, everyone is going to play like that against us. We need something to go in of someone's arse. Also this summer, the number one priority must be someone who can take free-kicks and corners.

Out Gaston - 4 million Osvaldo - Breach of contract - court case Clyne - 15 Million Morgan - 25 Million Ins Gourcuff - Free Transfer Claise - 15 Milllion Byram - 5 million Trippier - 8 million Toby - if he wants first team football

One bit of magic from Couthino and a complete cock-up from us for the 2nd. Can should have been off in the first minute, but who would haver taken the Pen ? Also JWP and Davis should NEVER start in the same team .

I know some of you were worried about the ref, but Christ on a bike were you right! Need to get Mane on for JWP. Liverpools Mo 10 is a constant threat, ours just takes corners .

He handled outside the box, so it doesn't matter whether it was a goalscoring opportunity. Mane and Adrian were both man handling each other, we could have gone either way, but that shouldn't influence the sending off. What next. Will Big Fat Sam appeal his next sending off because the lino gave a throw in the wrong way in the build up.

No soup for you!

Clear plan to get behind them which worked well, but still the final shot/pass was off. Not Sure what Elia did when he was one on one in the first half, as the stream dropped, but we had enough chances to be comfortable at half time. Yoshi did well at left back, with a god break forward and assist for the goal. Lets hope for a Wham win against united, but with lots of injuries and a few red cards .

I read somewhere that Juve were going to pay a €375,000 loan fee to Inter for him, which is a bit cheeky since Inter never paid Saints a loan fee. Maybe Saints just want the loan fee. or maybe they can get another forward on loan from Juve ?

I'm no tactical genius, but if I was in charge of a team playing against Spurs, I would put a man on Eriksen, particularly for the last 10 minutes. Take him out of the team and they would be down with Everton in the bottom half.

I was hoping that Bertrand and Toby would be signed this window, but does anyone know if loan players still get bonuses if their parent clubs win anything? That might explain them waiting until the end of the season, particularly Bertrand.

Genius management. Ron's tactics are up there with Trappatoni . It was like watching the away league of a champions league semi final. Brilliant display.