S-Clarke

Referee playing the occasion there, no way was he going to give the opposition a penalty in Gerrards last game. In which he has been totally invisible by the way. Incredibly cringe-worthy Liverpool-loving claptrap, and what the hell is the player-cam all about?? seriously.

He was being absolutely destroyed. I think BT Sport will think about having their coverage in front of us - especially when they had an ex-skate in their ranks, what were they thinking

This game is an example of why pace in the final third is important for any team. Villa played into our hands though, why on earth they decided to play a high line with defenders slower than me is beyond me. It was damage limitation from the off for them, and they failed quite miserably in that. To be honest, I lost count of the amount of times we got in behind them through balls over the top, or round the corners. They made Pelle look like Usain Bolt and that's saying something! For me, Mane will be a world superstar. He has everything in his locker. He's got a bit of arrogance, a bit of bite, he's fast as hell and very technical. His finishing by the way is so good....that third goal was a wonderful strike. Also, Long - take a bow. Best game I've seen him have for us, not just his goals, but he moved Villa all over the place all game. They could not handle his pace or movement, and that second goal is a thing of beauty. Pelle was very, very good as well - unlucky not to have had more goals, but that 6th was the cherry on the top for me - what a flaming goal. If Arsenal had scored that, they'd be creaming over it. One touch, one touch, one touch, goal. Wonderful. The front 3 of Pelle, Long and Mane were electric. They pulled them all over the place all afternoon long and it was a pleasure to see. The perfect way to end a season, couldn't have asked for any more. So now, in every single aspect, this season has been better than last. Better points, better GD, more goals scored and less goals conceded. Let's just make sure we finish the job and finish in a higher position than last. We're making a mockery of this meltdown malarkey. Let's hope for another this summer, eh?

Are we still going on about this? Ronald did tell him he was in his plans and he wanted him to stay as part of the squad, he was even offered a contract. He didn't want to just be part of the squad, he wanted to be a key member of the 11 and play every week. He wouldn't have got that here, fair enough he could have waited around for 6 months to see if injuries popped up, or they were sold in the summer.....but he's a bit better than that, and to credit him he chased football rather than being a squad player. As has been alluded to above, we're in an impossible position to have players of Corks' ability as squad players, in my opinion. We're not a big enough club for that, so we will always suffer from the ''lack of quality squad'' depth argument.

He's getting his excuses in early, preparing Spurs fans for either a truly inept summer of cheap buys.....or slightly more expensive signings financed from the sales of Harry Kane, Eric Lamella and Hugo Lloris. One of those 2. Or both, that would be a laugh. Have a bit of your own medicine.

You're right, it isn't just the centre backs, it's not just the full backs, or the GK, or the DM - it's all of them combined in a tactical shape which plays to all of their strengths. I remember the Brum team you were referring to - Roger Johnson and Scott Dann were their centre backs. Scott Dann is doing ok at palace, but Johnson has fallen off the face and was released by Charlton last month.

Yeah, this is top marketing to be fair. Not just aiming at your own customers, but reaching out and getting interest from others who would otherwise not batter an eyelid. I remember last year it was mentioned that we'd appointed the former Apple Marketing guru - wonder if they're the brains behind this.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3080386/Southampton-hire-expert-colour-pattern-psychology-help-players-adapt-new-kit.html Have the Daily Mail been living in a hole for the last season?

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/12951404.Clyne_could_sign_Southampton_contract_next_week/

Slightly less urgency with Morgan given that he still has 2 years and a bit to go, and even if he didn't sign this year and went next summer...we'd still get decent $$. I would imagine, if possible, that Wanyama and Morgan are next for talks.

If Atletico decide they want to keep him, they give us £1.8m to buy out that clause.

We just did, Jay has signed.

We probably did, we probably wanted to keep Dejan as well, but they acted like utter prats for some reason, so they both put the club in a rubbish position. I don't think either had any intention to stay, especially looking at both of their interviews when they first joined. I would also like to think that the ''success'' the defectors had this season will play somewhat on the mind of the players.

Yeah, at the time that lost me as well, but if you look at the situation now....ourselves from the outside couldn't predict how it would go, but maybe the club knew a bit better. £16m for Chambers was terrific in whatever situation, and he doesn't even get in Arsenal's match-day squad these days. I think the club knew he wasn't the finished article and still needed real work, Arsenal gambled and threw the money, we probably fell over at the fee they offered and from what I heard from certain places at the time - can't remember exactly - but Koeman described it as a 'present' from Arsenal. So make of that what you will.

Actually, if you listen back to these interviews now (which I've just done) it's nothing like I imagined, most of what both Ralf and Les said seemed far fetched and fan pandering at the time, but it happened. The talk of pushing for Europe I think riled a few people, but it's actually happened. The fact that they kept saying that we wanted to keep the level, or push on, was lost on a few people...but actually, that's what happened. So maybe, it wasn't as much waffle as we thought at the time. Having time to look back now is very interesting in terms of seeing where we are now, it does make me a lot more confident in what they do say.

And at that time we were also seem as being pretty rudderless without a manager, that would have a big impact I'm sure.

Who else is gettable for us though? I mean with Austin we're talking about a 17 goal PL striker for £10m. That's incredible value for the return. I guess some people would like us to go and flash the cash on someone like Dybala - but I doubt he'd hit 17 goals in the PL. I think buying Austin is like buying goals, and £10m for guaranteed goals is something I'd try and get wrapped up asap.

Yeah, and that.

There's been some significant movement on the Clyne deal over the last week I reckon, even Peach seemed to believe that we'd reopened discussions (although that may be down to the change of agent, which is odd in it's self, but is even odder that you'd mention that...so they must be confident) Still have to wait and see though, as I do remember similarish video's of Les last summer prior to our mass sale....but the whole structure does seem a lot more stable now.

Probably won't be on Soccer AM. I reckon it may get an airing on fletch and sav though, given that they're covering our game from 10am and their producer is Saints fan chris nutbeam (who used to produce soccer am for what it's worth).

It's still early days, but I must admit it looks a lot more positive this end of season / pre-season than it last. There was way too much uncertainty last year, mainly down to a certain manager, and that wouldn't have helped convince the players. So now we know where we're going, we know who our coaching staff and management will be next year....and we're not going to be in a position where we're chasing our tails. Over the last 2 or 3 days I've become very confident that the next announcement will be Clyne's new deal. At the moment I think Clyne is a top 6/top 7 player, I don't think he's a Top 4 level player yet.......so he's better off continuing his education here, keeping his regular england place and see what the future holds. There shouldn't be any urgent rush for anyone to leave this summer, we're in a good place.

Other than that, he makes a good point. MLG 1 - 0 CaM

Bales, from his first team debut v Millwall I believe.

err...

This is made by the same company who did the ''we are the saints'' at the start of the season I believe, and it's the same guys as were behind the ''academy promo'' video back in November which was on sky news etc. Hope we have a long-term connection them! love the quality.