saints_is_the_south

I 4 1 am delighted with how Oxford United started their season. Anybody going to stay up for the Football League show? I 4 1 will be.

Scored a shed load to earn himself a contract, and then largely looked like he couldn't be bothered once he'd done so. Agree with Saint Charlie, vastly overrated.

Having watched both, I don't see anything in Gazzaniga to suggest he is any better than Bialkowski, certainly not £2m better. Unfortunately Bart's confidence got shot to pieces after the error against Blackpool and he was never able to recover. He had some fine games for us in both the Championship and League 1 though, and his penalty shoot out show against Norwich at SMS in the JPT was superb. He'll make a decent career for himself in the lower leagues of that I am sure.

Surely Bresnan must realise he hasn't hit that?! Not a good day for us. We need a 200 partnership somewhere to get us back in this.

My mate who was trying to book online was also having the same problem. Worked eventually, but hasn't charged him any booking fees which seems odd. Saints in ticket system problems shocker!

1. Chelsea 2. Man City 3. Man Utd 4. Arsenal 5. Liverpool 6. Spurs 7. Norwich 8. West Ham 9. Everton 10. Saints 11. Swansea 12. Villa 13. West Brom 14. Fulham 15. Stoke 16. Sunderland 17. Hull ------------------ 18. Newcastle 19. Cardiff 20. Palace Had Sunderland going down a few weeks ago, but the longer Newcastle go on without signing anybody, the more I worry for them. A lot of people predicting Swansea to finish high up again, but how is Europe going to affect them? I think they'd struggle to get a top 7 finish if they progress through the EL group stages. 10th for us at the moment. Add another 2 quality additions, and I'll raise it to 8th.

Train tickets purchased for this weeks ago, should be a good one. The Compleat Angler by the river looks a good bet, hopefully the sun is shining.

You weren't lay the only one. Was mainly based on Naughton having PL experience already. Agreed he'd be a very good option for us, we'd be sorted at full back then with Naughton and Clyne for RB, Shaw and Fox At LB with Clyne and Naughton also being able to do a job on that side.

Look how much it has cost City and Chelsea to turn themselves into regular title contenders. We'd need to spend that and probably a bit more to get close.

True story - Emperor Totti has his own office at Roma's training HQ Trigoria.

Excellent couple of posts there, and I largely agree with everything you've said. I don't think Swansea will finish that high. They've strengthened well enough, but assuming they do make it through the qualifying stages to the group stages of the Europa League, then I'd expect that to affect their league standing. Don't see them getting themselves in anywhere near the same trouble that Newcastle did last season, but I predict mid table for them, 11/12th. I've been very impressed with the business Norwich have done them this season, I'd put them up in the top half. I think Villa will have a better season this time around, done some astute business and convincing Benteke to stay is a massive boost. The experience of last season will have done a lot of their players some good, and I can certainly see them pushing towards upper bottom half, maybe even top half. I think West Brom will struggle to replace Lukaku, don't really get the Anelka signing and the added expectation from an 8th place finish last time out could weigh them down. Lower half for them, but got enough to stay clear of trouble. As you've said, next season will be a period of transition for Everton and it could open up a top 7 place for somebody else. My prediction for Saints at the end of last season was 8th. We've made two great signings so far, and I think we just need another couple to be in with a very good chance of achieving that. As things stand, with no further signings I'd say 10th.

Roma played a friendly yesterday, they won a penalty, Totti let Osvaldo take the penalty to help him try and restore some confidence. Despite scoring he was still whistled by a certain section of supporters.

Pattinson ruled out of the rest of the series. He's shown he's a fairly decent bowler, and he can bat a bit too. Can only be good news for us, weakens them even further (if that is possible )

Walter Sabatini is the main man in charge of transfers at Roma, doubt Baldissoni's appointment changes too much in that respect.

Southampton Central to Birmingham New Street. Birmingham New Street to The Hawthorns changing at Smethwick Galton Bridge.

Easy, say you'll go but you'll make it up to her. Then take her out the Friday night before, make it a surprise.

The Americans aren't that wealthy, Roma are buying young players and selling them for a huge profit. They don't have financial issues though and don't really need to sell, despite not being in Europe. But one thing Garcia made clear when he arrived at Roma, was that any transfers in or out would require his final approval. Given what he's said today, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Osvaldo stay at Roma.

Roma's manager Rudi Garcia also said this after the game: @asroma_uk: Garcia - "Osvaldo made a mistake to respond [to fans], even if it's hard when you're insulted. But Roma will be stronger with him" #asroma @asroma_uk: Garcia - "Osvaldo is a great striker, there aren't many like him. He has character and talent, and I prefer players like that" #asroma

After the 1st test, Shane Warne wrote this in one of the most deluded blogs I think I have ever read. Normally respect his cricket views immensely, but he was well wide of the mark writing up this dross. And so it has proved. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/10181374/Ashes-2013-England-were-lucky-and-Australia-can-still-win-this-series.html Still lucky Shane? Australia still with the momentum?

Shambles?! You are too kind sir!

Don't think money is the issue for Osvaldo. Read earlier today that Zenit were reportedly willing to offer him €5m per season, but he is turning them down too. Think he wants to stay in Italy, but a) Roma don't want to strengthen rivals and b) those that want him, Inter mainly, don't have the money that Roma want for him.

As I have posted elsewhere, the football environment in Rome is like no other in the world. The pressure put on the players from the fans and media alike is incredible. You have to be such a strong character to deal with it and succeed there (hence why more have failed than not). Osvaldo's personality clearly is not the right fit for a place like Rome. At times his attitude on the pitch is questionable, and he has reportedly been involved in disagreements with team mates and managers alike, that's what the fans don't like, but I also feel the fans there have been OTT with him. His goal scoring record is second to none. Having said that, as Giordano has posted above he is largely popular in the Roma squad, and with the main man in particular, Totti. I've yet to be able to find any reports of him causing problems at Espanyol under MP though, or at clubs before that. I really do believe it just the Roman environment, and I think he'd be absolutely fine here.

Decent partnership between Khawaja and Clarke, but an amazing final 20 minutes or so before tea, and Convict wickets are tumbling again! On the verge of victory and a 2 nil lead now.

Yesterday must have been humiliating for the convicts, out in the field all day struggling to take wickets whilst England plodded along at 2 runs an over safe in the knowledge that they have absolutely no chance of turning this game around. Would have liked to see us declare last night and have the final hour or so bowling at them, knock a couple down then. Michael Vaughan's just tweeted a photo of a very grey and overcast looking Lord's, looks great for bowling. This lead is plenty, I suppose they'll let Root go for his double hundred then declare.

I vote for this. Whether we can actually make it that far is another matter. We'll win regardless, this test is already out of sight for them.