S-Clarke

Yeah, had someone in a pretty clear headlock. He struggled. Although I still don't quite get the booing towards him.

Looks like a player to me, has an edge to his game and isn't afraid to get stuck in. He will add a lot more dynamism to our midfield.

Nice to get off the mark with a win early doors in the season, I must admit after 35mins I thought this was going to be a routine win. We played well from the off, better use of the football and after a 10-15min settling in period, you could see Lemina's presence out there and our midfield was well on top. We were heading for a 2-0 HT lead, which would have been well deserved on the pattern of the game - but we gave away such a rubbish goal, just on the break. Antonio wasn't closed down and was allowed to shoot, Forster parried and there was the ultimate 6 yard box goal scorer. The game changed on that moment and the 2nd half was now a completely different game. We started the 2nd half nervy, and allowed West Ham to get a real foothold in the game - you wouldn't have had any idea they had 10 men. We lost control in the middle and our two centre backs were being quite clearly targeted by long balls, as they'd worked out we weren't winning anything in the air today - and low and behold, that's how they got their 2nd. Ball whipped into the box, Sacko rises above everyone and heads towards goal - to be fair, it was a brilliant point blank save by Fraser....but who was following up, mr 6 yard box again....good finish as well. We'd somehow contrived to throw a game away which at 35 mins we were coasting, frustrated was an understatement. There were periods as the remaining 20 mins went on that you felt they could get a third, they still continued to target us in the air and Yoshida and Stephens were not dealing with anything. Fair play to MPe for bringing on two strikers, that allowed us to stretch the game a little more - JWP played on the right attacking midfield slot and really made an impact I felt (our midfield was tiring, and he added freshness), always looking to get onto the ball, probing, using it well etc. No surprise then that the goal came from his cross into the box, which was a terrific delivery - Yoshida at the back post coming in and for some inexplicable reason (not that I care) the experienced Zabaelta decided to pull him, from where I was it looked like he allowed the ref to make a decision - it was silly defending at that stage of the game. Charlie may not have done a great deal when he came on, but fair play to him for standing up and taking that pen - it was put away with aplomb and all is well in the world again! We got the win we deserved, but not without trying our hardest to throw it away...! Quick note on a couple of the players - Bertrand was totally off it today, what was up with him? Couldn't keep up with the ball, was lacking pace, kept giving the ball away. He really didn't look quite right, hard to say what was wrong. Redmond, especially in the 2nd half, was frigging garbage - his place in that team is hanging in a balance, we're targeting another wide attacker and we have Boufal on the bench....he should be looking over his shoulder if that's the level he's going to be putting in for us! Onto the good points......after about 10-15mins adjusting for Lemina, during which he gave some rubbish balls away, he settled down - he started playing a more sensible game. Hard to read a great deal after 60 mins, but he looks very athletic and is a bit of a beast, not afraid to go in for a tackle and does have a bit of an edge as well.....him and Romeu could be quite a partnership. He gives our midfield a lot more of a dynamic aspect. Gabbiadini had a great game I felt, he was making terrific runs all afternoon and was well picked out for the first goal - which was a great finish. He was a threat all afternoon with his running off the ball and it was a promising appearance by him. Pretty clear that we lack a presence at the back, that's no surprise - hopefully the signing of Hoedt will fill that gap and at least give us some presence in terms of winning the ball, which we severely lacked today. But lots to be positive about from the first two games in my opinion, carrying much more of a threat and the rest of the team is getting up with the attack a lot quicker (well, in the first half anyway...!) Onto the next one...

He doesn't know, he's a little dim. Just check out his post history.

They've gone underground a bit, which is understandable, but it's still absolutely fine. At the moment you need to make sure you've got a VPN in place though.

Good ol' arry at it again. Has he never heard of coaching players? "I need to change a lot of them because they are not good enough for Birmingham City. This is a fantastic football club and if it's the last thing I do in football I will give their fans a good team."

It's just an article to sniff out bets, nothing more than that.

Either him or Firmino.... In all seriousness, I think he's more of an Iniesta type replacement - he's certainly not a goal scorer like Neymar. They'd be better off going and getting someone like Dybala. Hell, they could even go and grab Sanchez and re-sign him from Arsenal - he'd fill a void.

Third bid for Coutinho rejected..

Update over on the Hoedt thread, seems all but done.

http://sportwitness.co.uk/southampton-see-bid-wesley-hoedt-finally-accepted-defender-wave-goodbye-club/

We all know Wenger, he will never fill the most obvious positions with the best fit. Will be a same old season for them, groundhog day.

For some reason, Arsenal are considering moving Mustafi and Gabriel on. Hey, it's OK gunners fans......Mertersacker is back fit now....umm

.

That will be a really good signing for Spurs, adds real depth to their team.

Errr....he isn't decent what so ever. He needs to land back in the NPC.

Southampton are in talks with a number of clubs over a loan deal for striker Sam Gallagher, according to Sky sources. Sky Sports News understands Aston Villa, Derby and Birmingham have held initial talks about taking Gallagher on loan for the season. Gallagher has not featured for Southampton so far this season and manager Mauricio Pellegrino is willing to let him leave on a temporary basis.

No they aren't.

This is when he confirms that he's actually landed in Liverpool.

Barca have now lost Suarez for around 6 weeks with an injury, they are in a right old mess. If this doesn't speed up any transfers then I'll be shocked.....time for Liverpool to say cheerio to Coutinho.

I think the main worry for Everton is how they're going to replace Lukaku's goals. They've not really bought what I'd class as a 'top class striker' - so you get the feeling that they're going for the 'sharing goals around the team' approach, with the likes of Klassen and Siggy, Rooney. If I was an everton fan, which thankfully I'm not, then I'd be a little nervous in terms of lacking a goal scorer.

Sigurdsson is about 26, so right in his prime. Pretty sure Klassen is of a similar age too? Pickford and Keane are both young english players, Sandro is a young Spanish striker that Belgium guy they bought (henry whatshisname) is only about 19/20. Cuco Martina and Wayne Rooney are the only over 30's they've bought. Their transfers have been pretty young in the main, if you look at Lookman and Calvart-Lewin from last season as well.

Southampton are in advanced talks to sign Lazio defender Wesley Hoedt, according to Sky sources. Sky in Italy have reported that the club have made a £15.5million offer for the centre-back but the deal is not yet agreed.

I must say, Barca are acting like a bunch of dicks to be honest - but it is funny, as it's a taste of their own medicine. Barca's general manager has come out and said that they're 'close' to both Dembele and Coutinho. Cue meltdown. Still, a pretty back handed way for a club like Barca to act. I think they're in a bit of a mess right now, just been done 6-1 by Real Madrid and they have a Neymar sized hole to fill. Could just be chat to appease the fans, who knows.

1st post. But thanks for the info..!