S-Clarke

A month/6 weeks ago I'd have said no chance, ahead of that fixture run (and during the run of defeats). I didn't see us with a strong enough squad with the injuries we had, to sustain ourselves over the Christmas period particularly. But amazingly, we did. We got a good result at Palace, did well against Everton, held Chelsea and beat Arsenal. That's a pretty epic Christmas by anyone's standards. So, of course we now have a chance. That horrible run of fixtures are done. We don't face anything like that again. We have a run of fixtures which are doable, not straight forward, but we can go on a run from here. So, 12th January 2015 - Southampton are on 39 points and 3rd in the PL, with the horrible run of fixtures out of the way. I honestly don't think we'll ever have a better chance of gatecrashing the party.

We're 9 points, 6 places and +16 GD better than we were at the same stage last year. Epic. Simply how we've managed to improve on last year is quite incredible. The last 6 years have been a dream as a Southampton fan, a year upon year improvement. The full blueprint on how to run a football club from back to front.

In a weird way, this probably increases our chance of getting him on a perm. deal. Out of the shop window for a few weeks, whilst we thrash out the deal in the BG.

Stoke might as well go home, horrific.

You're pretty bad with this posting malarkey.

So frustrating to hear all the predictable bull****. ''Are liverpool back? Look at their results'' ''They're a different team now''. Yes, look at the results. They've beaten a load of dross over the last 5, they will struggle against decent sides as they have all year when they play them again. Bloody media-fest.

They don't concede too many, because they just suck the life out of every game they play. They'll get lots and lots of draws. That'll be how they stay up, but they'll still be in a battle as they are true dross.

It's a shame that Sunderland are so ****. Hopeless team who are rotten to the core.

Confirmed by Komman today.

With a new contract offer ready to sign.

Yeah, they are. They were clinging onto memories by offering him a new deal, if anything his presence around the place these days will hold them back. They need to replace him and get a much more mobile player in his place, and whilst he was there that wasn't ever going to happen. Don't get me wrong, pure class player on his day. Loved watching him. But the decline is too clear to see now.

Some of his touches in L1 were a bit special, he was clearly a level above 90% of that league. Check out his goal against Dagenham. He took the **** with that finish, on such a crappy pitch.

Horrible human being. We'll be lucky to get £0 for him.

Not as funny as the post who says they don't rate him, and wouldn't want him.

Weren't Arsenal on the brink of signing him for about £16m last summer? Not sure why he's played so little this season. Worth a pop.

Ah I'm glad I'm not the only person who gets a bit miffed by this. I'm up on row MM, so it takes a year to get out. Sometimes I do manage to sneak down the side of the queue and go through the bike railings and along the slope, that takes you to the steps quite quickly. (Although be sure not to put your head up too quickly, as you're likely to smash it on the metal bar in the dark...)

Pretty crap really, side was a bit lopsided, very little if any penetration and Pelle was left isolated - although didn't do a great deal to get himself involved in the game. A very poor showing in the final third, although the usual midfield build up was tight and tidy. Tricky, horrible away game to contend with now.

Probably because he's not stupid and realises that he's dwindling badly, and is starting to get shown up at this level. Best to bow out now before it becomes embarrassing. Top player though in his pomp, would have walked into most teams in the world - not often you can see that about an English player. He'll end up in the MLS for sure.

We're an opportunity for him to be seen as a 'top, top class' player and attract the attentions of mega clubs. That's the truth really, we'd still be seen as a stepping stone...but it's win win really.

Some good posts in here, but then a mixture of the usual culprits searching frantically for their next scapegoat as Forster and Mane laugh at them. Pelle is good at what he does, he struggles in some games...but generally if you get the movement in and around him, things will happen. His touch is exquisite and he's actually very mobile and nimble on his feet (he was a dancer, apparently). He's crucial to how we play.

I think the club have every intention to make this happen, hopefully Toby can see this as a good place for him right now. He's utter class. Reads the game so well, positions himself so well, strong in the tackle, throws his body on the line. He's the ultimate defender. For £6m it makes the Lovren to Liverpool deal look utterly hilarious. (if it wasn't already funny enough!)

toe_punt hasn't posted since Mane started scoring. He must feel like a bit of a fool.

He really did struggle with the step up at the start, and was unsurprisingly written off by the usual culprits on here. Jay is a confidence player, when he's in a team full of confidence and he's playing well also - then he's quality. I just hope we're not going to see a totally different player next month.

No, that's his style. You're just taking more notice of his body language after what happened in the summer, it's natural. He's always had a bit of a swagger about his game, and with what happened in the summer it's easy to link that with him still wanting out. I personally think he's happy enough here, he's at a side pushing beyond their level, he's playing every week, he's a regular at international level. He's got plenty to be happy about right now. He will get his move in the summer, we know it, he knows it, but he's fine for now. The decision to ignore advances in the summer couldn't have worked out any better for both parties, and I'm sure secretly he's a little bit relieved he didn't jump at the first call.

A bit chelsea heavy to be fair, I'd have Cesc in there. Between Morgan and Matic for the 2nd midfield slot, wouldn't have them both together.