S-Clarke

The key at the start of this season was to see some progression, and the evolving of the club into an established premiership club. That is now happening, ''It's happening''...etc! The key with us over the last 5 years, is that we do it properly. The way we've built and evolved this team over the years is a model for any club. Fair enough, we've had some money to spend, but we've done it right. Even though we've had some duds, that happens at any club in any situation - but the majority of additions we've made over the last few years have evolved and improved us as a club. A few years back I thought NC was a complete nutter when he suggested 50% of our team being home grown in the PL, but credit him - he's not far wrong. We've invested a lot in the academy and we will continue to churn out PL ready youngsters. I think his dream of us being the English Barcelona is a bit nuts, but who knows? He's not really been proven wrong on any of his other statements thus far. There's obviously a real drive and ambition internally. But overall, I think this is season is where most people hoped and expected us to be. Middle of the table, no real trouble and an outside chance of a little European chase. Progression is the key, and we're doing it in the right way.

Yeah, Manchester isn't exactly a place I'd look to move to. The drizzle city of the world. At the end of the day, I don't imagine Adam will ever push for a move. If we don't want to sell, then he won't go anywhere.

I can imagine this is about as attractive to him, as would be a move to L2 portsmouth. They are an ugly club to play for. Cannot see any sort of pull what so ever. I cannot imagine Lambo playing for another team, it would just be odd...and wrong. Can't ever see it happening!

Good timing for us, for a change! Needed to happen sooner rather than later to be honest, his position - no matter what was released a few days ago - was completely untenable. He's not a bad manager, but him staying on would have probably relegated them, as the vibes were just wrong. The chairman obviously has a bit of ambition, but is a bit of a nutter as well......wouldn't suprise me if he names himself as manager!

Class act in my opinion. Technically very gifted and uses the ball so well. He's a steady eady, that's for sure - but he's so much more than that as well. You will not find a better squad player than him.

At least spell his name right.

He did what was expected of him today, but is still worth 1 or 2 clangers a game. He was let off the hook once or twice today.

Rodriguez is twice the player. He's got so much more to his game.

£10m for Ings, are you serious? What in holy **** is going on with football..

I'm not sure Rodriguez will go, but I think something drastic will have to happen between now and may for Lallana not to be included. Best english AMC this year by a mile.

That was a win we desperately needed, and one which was never in any doubt to be honest. We did alright, but Cardiff were the worst side I've seen us play all year. Utterly horrendous, and it made it a pretty easy afternoon for us all being told. Next game will be the bigger test...

You're very, very odd and sad. It's Christmas, yet you have time to do that. Weird.

Ah yes, our relegation season. Cheerful comparison

I've never known a season of injuries like this one. It's relentless

I'm really not making a knee-jerk reaction, this is a reaction which should have been made months ago. It's been clear to me since the start of last year that Jos, Fox and Gazzaniga are not good enough and will never be good enough. When you continue with players of their level at backup, you're asking for trouble. We've had a very unlucky season injury wise so far, thus we've had to call all 3 into action. It's no coincidence that we're conceding goals and losing games, they are the reasons for that because they are pretty **** at their individual jobs at this level. It could well be that Fonte, Shaw, Clyne and Boruc all return shortly and calm is restored - but I still can't see the issue in going out there and getting a better CB than Jos for e.g, there are plenty out there..... It's also true that the injuries have killed us in a run of fixtures against some big sides, but in all honesty it's just highlighted the inadequacies of our backup players. I must admit though, I'm completely perplexed as to how you think any of them are doing an adequate job.

There's no unsettled weather forecast? Boxing day will be the best day of the lot, bright and sunny but cold. On friday/into the W/E it could be interesting, but I wouldn't expect any games to be called off.

How can you say they're doing an adequate job? Both are gifting goals in every game, for me that suggests they're not good enough backup and my expectation of a backup player is obviously higher than yours! It's an area which needs a close look in January. You say you have to question how much they'll play, but that's kind of like sticking your head in the sand and saying we'll get no more injuries. What if Lovren gets kicked and is out for months, along with Fonte? What on earth happens then? A slide towards a relegation battle I expect. I'd consider ignoring this area much more 'foolhardy' If we are serious about progressing, then we cannot have them as backup, as we then get periods of the season such as this where we have to play them. And it never ends well because they're not good enough.

Yep, completely. What would the money give us? We'd be weaker and I don't think we'd be able to attract a player at the same level of Shaw. £30m or no £30m.

We'd be a hell of a lot weaker for that. Bertrand is pretty awful. And it would be hollow money really, and would go against everything the club is trying to do.

He's an accomplished player, so the sort of player who could put in a shift anywhere if you asked him to. He's not spectacular, but an excellent squad player to have.

Try harder, it's oh so obvious.

What on earth are you on about?

Sorry, wasn't referring to you. More so the poster just underneath who posted at the same time.

A very positive year, in 12 months we've progressed into a very competitive premiership team. We've got some top class players here, and this is now probably the best team in my saints supporting lifetime (when they're all fit, obviously!). But nothing to really moan about to be honest. The future is certainly very bright.

We should have signed a new goalkeeper when we were promoted to be honest, that along with an experienced top level CB should have been a priority. But unfortunately we spent all summer chasing attacking players it seems, or players which were out of our reach at that time. I felt we left the CB till the last day (although I'm sure Maya was a target for a while, but it stank of us missing out on who we really wanted) and the GK as a bosman signing mid-way through September. Should have shown a bit more urgency back then. I don't think we'll get a new GK in January though, maybe just a loan to tide us over - but it's a position we do need to 'evolve' for next season.