S-Clarke

Those were the days.... I remember thinking that was actually a good side based on our ''talented youth'' and we'd do good things that year. How wrong was I.

Don't think it's a 2pm start. The club haven't actually announced a time

Nothing to fear! I think we've got the better CB in the end. A 2nd top class CB will probably come next year, we're steadily building something. I reckon next years transfer targets will revolve around upgrading the GK (can see a big bid for a GK on the horizon), a top class 2nd CB and a top class attacking winger. After that, I don't think we'll spend a great deal over the following years, as that squad should see us through a fair few seasons.

Not sure where he'd play? He's a right back for me, we're well and truly covered there.

Was either him of Lovren, get the feeling that Lovren's availability came out of no where and quickly become our first choice.

You can't really say yet, give everyone time to settle (including us) and we can judge it then.

I don't think it's the height, he's a very slight frame - he's not a ''Bulky'' CB. That can let him down at times.

Over the course of the season he improved dramatically. He's still a little rash at times and his distribution can leave a lot to be desired. However, he's reading of the game and positioning are international level.

If anything, he showed more of that in his brief cameo on Saturday. Held off a couple of players and attempted to go on a bit of run. If he's improved his upper body strength over the summer, then he could have much more of an impact.

I'm absolutely gobsmacked at the author of this thread, never thought I'd see him say anything like this. What a dullard.

It's not like Gaston plays a great deal anyway.

Sturridge is a good player tbf, would have him here in a heartbeat.

I didn't see us ever going for loads of new faces, just 2 or 3 clever additions which is what we've done. I think we've got good deals on all 3 as well, certainly not overpaying in my eyes.

To be fair to Jovetic, he's not an out and out striker.

Don't think so, we needed an additional striker full stop. Only Rickie really got the goals for us last year and we do create a fair few openings which are often spurned. I think they'll both play together. Osvaldo has also been known to play in a wide-attacking position in the past. I can see a 3 pronged attack of Osvaldo - Lambert - Rodriguez. It will be fluid and dynamic, so all 3 will interchange at points.

Stop being a WUM glasgow.

Probably. Anyone who spends £15m on Andy Carroll and matches his wages will be in debt. To think Osvaldo cost less than Carroll. NC is a genius.

I think you are. He was a beast, the best player out there for large periods of the game.

You do have to wonder WTF arsenal are doing.

Probably Wanyama, he owns every blade of grass. I wouldn't try and get it off him either.

lol @ ''WHO?''. I think they kind of shows up their football knowledge rather than who we've signed. Silly fools.

The A. S. Rome S.p.A. announces that it has signed an agreement with the SOUTHAMPTON FOOTBALL CLUB for the outright sale of the rights to the player Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, along with the recognition of an amount of 15.1 million euro. The agreement also provides for the recognition of a variable fee, up to a maximum of 2 million euro, bonuses linked to the achievement by the Players Club and English certain athletic goals.

He won't post, usually how he deals with good news!

Did anyone sense a tone of ''bitterness'' in Golds comments? Maybe a little bit of panic at us actually overtaking them?

Holds no prisoners, isn't everyone's cup of tea and is very ruthless in how he works. But you simply cannot ignore the relentless level success he achieves in all area's. I think the ''pipe dream'' of a top 4 place isn't a pipe dream at all, the money we're putting towards signings suggests they're actually very serious to make this a possibility over the coming seasons.