saints_is_the_south

06-07 - 6th 07-08 - 5th 08-09 - 5th Then went 3 seasons 7th, 7th & 8th. And then 6th again last season. So top 6 in 4 of the past 7 seasons.

Everton average around 35K, not much more than us. Yes, they're a bigger club, but their revenue can't be much bigger than ours, and they've managed to finish in the top 6 on a consistent basis. I think top 8 is a good initial aim, and I see no reason why we could not mirror Everton & break the top 6. Anything above that is going to require significant funds, and possibly out of our reach with the FFP rules.

The lack of football knowledge out there is quite startling.

The drive he has shown to get Wanyama and Osvaldo this summer has been extraordinary. Both looked doubtful at coming, but he simply would not take no for an answer and kept going and going until he'd convinced them to sign. So I guess it begs the question, just how far will that drive and determination take us? How far is he prepared to go? Discuss.

Did the clubs accounts for last season not reveal a 47% wages to turnover ratio? Could be wrong, but with the additional TV money from this season, even with the signings this summer we are not likely to be much above that figure, possibly the same or maybe even lower.

Roma announce that Osvaldo has cost #saintsfc €15.1m + a maximum of €2m in bonuses. That's around £12.875m + £1.7m. http://t.co/KDVGh3O6Au

Time for the ITKs to find out where he is flying into tomorrow. I'm off, so if it's Southampton then I may pop along to greet him.

@dimarzio: Update: @danistone25 will sign for @SouthamptonFC tonight or tomorrow morning, then medical and announcements #osvaldosaints

@AlfredoPedulla: Osvaldo quadriennale con il Southampton: lo stanno aspettando per la firma 4 year deal for Osvaldo with Saints. Waiting for the signature.

@dimarzio: Accordo totale tra @OfficialASRoma e @SouthamptonFC per @danistone25: si aspetta solo la firma del giocatore, ci siamo. #calciomercato Agreement between Saints and Roma. Missing only is his signature, and its done. We are there.

Asked Espanyol fans for some views on Osvaldo and whether he caused problems there. Got a couple of replies. @negrorevolution: @Lee_R1989 One day he wants to be the captain, one day he wants to be out for money. Looks like it's the same in Rome. #rcde #saintsfc @negrorevolution: @Lee_R1989 Also asking for his salary when the club had no money to pay and the captains had an agreement with the owners. #rcde #saintsfc @negrorevolution: @Lee_R1989 Also he didn't go to some trainings. So what it is happening with Rome fans and him? Money? #rcde #saintsfc (Then explained Osvaldo would be taking a substantial pay cut to join Saints) @negrorevolution: @Lee_R1989 his attitue is painfull. although he is an outstanding player. Forza #rcde, forza #saintsfc and forza Poche! @CircleCeltic: @Lee_R1989 not at all, but it was 'cause Osvaldo was feeling happy in Barcelona, more than Pochettino's merit, i think. Great player, anyway @rcdeandtuits: @lee_r1989 He had a bad exit, but (almost) every #rcde supporter would like to have Osvaldo back #saintsfc

I'm going with 43.

Incorrectly called offside, I was gutted. He went and did it again the following season though, and it counted this time...

Osvaldo will be taking a pay cut of nearly €1m a year to join Saints. Was set to earn €3.97m gross this season with Roma. http://www.asroma.it/pdf/corporate/operazioni_di_mercato/2011-08-25_acquisizione_a_titolo_definitivo_dei_diritti_alle_prestazioni_sportive_del_calciatore_pablo_daniel_osvaldo.pdf (btw when Roma announce the transfer, it will be on a PDF document like this one)

@AlfredoPedulla: Osvaldo-Southampton mai così vicini. Tra poche ore la verità Osvaldo-Southampton has never been closer. In a few hours the truth.

Yeah, I think that'll be that too.

After Osvaldo signs, would it be greedy for me to request the signing of another top class centre half? Toby Alderweireld would be a fantastic signing, and available for around £7-8m based on Norwich's accepted bid a month or so ago.

Mainly in the box, but he is more than capable outside too, he scores all type of goals. It's YouTube, I know but here are all of his goals last season. http://youtu.be/v8Dru4zsx2w http://youtu.be/yh1zYzvTn70 Man I am excited, he's so good.

Roma pal on twitter says this: @Daniel741L: @Lee_R1989 Hope you enjoy Osvaldo though, I'll miss his ability. @Daniel741L: @Lee_R1989 MP has the character to keep him under control and Saints fans are certainly not hostile like the Roma ultras.

@MarioGiunta5: #calciomercato Osvaldo-Southampton, sempre piu vicini Osvaldo-Southampton, always closer.

@dimarzio: Today @danistone25 is close to @SouthamptonFC: parts are talking, positive sensations, deal could be closed in the next hours #osvaldosaints It's happening....

@angelomangiante: @Lee_R1989 @Zoggers87 #Osvaldo is really so close to @SouthamptonFC. Pochettino is the key for his decision. I guess no sorprices this time

Sunderland didn't look too bad against Fulham in the highlights I've just seen, certainly had plenty of attempts on goal. Probably a good time to play them whilst their new recruits are still all bedding in. Won't be easy, they'll be full of energy and we'll have to match that, if we do and maintain the same resilience as we showed yesterday, then we should put another 3 points in the board. Another hard fought win, I'm going Saints 2-0 Sunderland.

http://www.ilromanista.it/images/copertina/copertina_20130818.pdf Front page of this morning's Il Romanista (yes, there is actually a daily newspaper in Rome dedicated to Roma!) says: Osvaldo towards Southampton. Going to see if a friend in Rome has picked up a copy and can tell me more of what it says on page 5!

50 goals in 104 games over the past 4 seasons in Serie A & La Liga, more or less a goal every other game. I guess you've got to have something about you to be a regular for the most successful international footballing nation in Europe!