SaintRobbie

And Taider. I predict we'll be wearing Taider wigs within a month!

Head tells me you're right, heart's holding out for a 1-0 Saints win with Fonte doing a Lovren to them!! Saints 6/1 to win. Pretty poor odds if you're heart driven, but worth a punt as its the start of the season and ANYTHING can happen!!

I agree - Boruc will be in for Forster I suspect. Schneiderlin will not be on the bench. Gutted though - Koeman's right, we need him to add the passion into the team, but I fail to see how he will play for us again. Oh, I would blood a CB in favour of Yoshida, no question. I would fairly confidently predict that one or more of Liverpools goals will come from Yoshida aimlessly hoofing it straight to a Liverpool player.

Leverkusen had done their homework and put 2, sometimes 3, good big full backs on him. It was hard to shrug them all off to be fair to Pelle. But, if we play that way we need midfield goalscorers.

Hernandez. We need to go all out for a ruthless box player. Pelle needs someone to take one of the two full backs that will be on him week in and week out. He'd do very very well at Saints in the Premier League.

I think he means that Lallana brought passion and leadership as well as a technically good player. I agree with you that you can technically replace him but it will take a year or two under Koeman for a dressing room talisman to emerge. Takes time to build low level leadership as it relies on peer acceptance through personality as well as example. So, I can see smirking saints point.

Because he gives us the option to switch to 4-4-2 not just as an impact player from the bench but to to set up before kick off if necessary. Have to be able to switch tactics. Mayuka couldn't achieved that yesterday, he looked uncomfortable in his role and spent too long on the ball trying to set up others. Needs to be greedier and better drilled with Pelle.

Oh and I can't understand why Isgrove is not attracting more praise. I thought he stood out in the first 20 minutes as one of our better players. Reminded me a little of Shaw, physically he's changed - looking like a bloody good rugby fly half! There's potential there.

Having reflected on the performance yesterday it seems very clear why we are being linked with the players we are: CB. Rojo. Clearly can cover on the left if needed, but looks a strong prospect at the back. Desperately needed. CB2. Vlaar. Leader, Dutch so may come, and someone that Fonte can rely on to concentrate on his game rather than leading the back four. I love Fonte to bits, but he's no captain. We were missing pitch leadership/passion (granted it was a friendly and we may see that at Liverpool). Striker: Hernandez. Outstanding box player. I think he'll score a pile of goals with Pelle dragging in the defenders - clearly you need two defenders to neutralise Pelle, he is immense. Hope we get him, the next Kevin Phillips to Pelle's Niall Quinn?? Right Back. We need a cover man - hence interest in the Derby RB. I thought Clyne was excellent yesterday, he usually makes one howler per game and didn't put a foot wrong we looked very dangerous on the right with him and Tadic linking up. Oh to have a box man target for them like Hernandez! But if he is out we are weak. If we can secure those four we may finish mid-table this season if we can gel them fast, and I am impressed with our coaching staf, very impressed. There are also players we should then look to offload too. Mayuka, either Hoeveld or Yoshida, Ramirez ? Probably in January for some hungrier players. But for now - four more Krueger, four more fast.

Really good news. Now bring on the Centre Backs and Strikers.

I thought we needed Schnederlins passion and will to win today. I wish he would swallow his pride and put on a Saints shirt again. Can't help but think that the teams on pitch motivation would be increased with Morgan wearing the armband. Oh well, hope he enjoys his new club, wherever it may be.

Hypo, I think we'll be 12-14th with a CB and Striker added I'm afraid. BUT, with time and the obvious managerial excellence that's now in place we can kick back into the top half next season.

Good summary. For me, glad we've signed Forster. We must must must sign a Centre Back and Striker urgently. There was something missing today, a ruthless desire to win - something Lallana brought - but then it was a friendly. My impression on Pelle and Tadic was that they were pulling out of clashes more than they would in a League game, understandable in a friendly. Not sure Pelle's assists and heading is as good as Lamberts, but he is huge! Lots of potential. Shock of the day was how good Bertrand was and Taider, who grew more and more comfortable as the game went on, there's potential there too. Overall, steady. Nowhere near as good as we were last season, but with the addition of 3 or so more we should be safe and pushing upwards next season. Biggest positive? Our management and coaching staff, already well gelled, left me with the feeling Spurs have been done a kipper and we have the far better manager and staff. Biggest negative? Mayuka. Not anywhere near the standard. We need a Kevin Phillips to put on with Pelle!

I think it helps Les Reeds performance portfolio - as does Koeman. But I am still struggling to see what Krueger brings to the party; still, he's asked us to judge him on 1 Sep.

Watching Fontes interview, wouldn't do the club any harm if some of our senior players started to say we'd bought 'better' players than we have sold.... Even if the jury's out. Talk positive. Attract talent. Build confidence amongst players AND fans. Simple PR really.

SSN reporting he setthe Scottish league record for longest period of time withou conceding a goal. OK I know it's Scottish footy and he had a good defence, but... can't ask for more than that!

Does he kick it straight out of play from goal kicks 4-6 times a game? If not he's an improvement!

I think there's just as much chance you'll be apologising Jeff, but by goodness I so hope you're right. I really do hope you're right.

One or two?

There aren't many naive bookies in my experience. I think you make an interesting point. I hope we sell him anywhere except Liverpool Arsenal or Spurs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsBdCskFv4A this was on as a link to the video above.... very funny! i can't actually believe how much they look like the muppets.

Is it too early for OWTSGMI followed by WTFIGO?

Train with the under 10s! LOL. How funny would that be, although I suspect the PFA would sadly appeal that one!

I think someone said Snidey-Lynne had been seen with Potty-Chino before the WC

Was there any call for this line Wes? 'then they really are as naive and misguided as you are'. Honestly, there are some unpleasant posters on here at the moment. Misguided for stating an opinion? I think Schneiderlin is going and I am pretty sure (as are every set of Bookies) that he's heading for Spurs. I just hope we sell him elsewhere. Its called a viewpoint Wes, something we are all entitled to voice without inane comment back.