S-Clarke

As a position we could add to it, but personally I'd want to throw our cash at other positions which are a little more problematic for us. (cover at CB/ GK and winger)

It was a priority at one stage, but all credit to Shaw who has stepped up to the plate - and then some. Fox is absolutely fine backup for this league. - and Clyne can also play LB if required.

No surprise to see Alpine take a glass-half empty view on everything.

What should he have done better for the Arsenal goal? Paused time, traveled forward, just to see what was going to happen? As that's the only way he was ever going to stop it. He woeful at the start, but grew into it. Stop looking to blame a goal on someone.

Poor start to the game, for sure. Looked nervy and edgy, but grew into it. Got a great claim in the 86th min, which he could have easily flapped. I'm keen just to stick with him now, fed up with all this GK chopping and changing.

Getting better and better and better.

A lot is being made of the fact that Arsenal looked flat, but we didn't let them play. Simple as that. Our tactical shape and balance defensively was spot on, as good as it's been all season. Whenever they picked up the ball in the centre, we got close...and midfielders also dropped off to close the space in front, so you often saw them passing backwards or sideways. So no threat really. But we also retained the ball very well, and it soudns simple - but as long as you have it, the other team can't create chances or score goals! I'll go with what i've been saying for the last few weeks, we're now a PL team. Competitive in every game we play, and I predict that 2013 will be better than a lot expect. I think we've got a new found resolve, as well as retaining our attacking threat - and against anyone we've shown we can score goals, and cause problems. We still can't ignore the January window, as it's an excellent opportunity to build on what we're doing and enhance the area's which we're a bit short in. But there's not much wrong with us, a couple of tweaks in the window and the 2nd half could be a lot of fun. Overall I felt it was a decent point today, and it keeps our head out of the zone again.

At the end of the day, no matter if we're in the PL or not, if a top club really want one of our players then they will go eventually. Everton are a pretty decent side at this level, but even they struggle to keep hold of their good young players. I don't think he's going anywhere imminently, as he'd be a completely misguided fool to do so, but he will do in the near future if he keeps progressing as he is. There's not a lot we can do about that. The 50% of young players in the first time is a good idea, but realistically only the top clubs will get success from that method - as they can keep hold of their young quality players.

I don't think it's massively risky, as there's very little cost involved, but it's an odd one. I don't think he's any sort of world beater for a start. If we signed him, imagine the melt down on here....'''OMG we have no money!!!'' ''Oh christ, we've gone for the cheap option''

Not playing for Roma, wants to play games, other clubs interested inc. Fulham

GK options. What about maarten stekelenburg? Not playing at Roma, 30 year old Dutch international. Fulham want him. Could get him for as much as we'd pay for Butland.

To be fair, he's been playing well for the last few weeks. But as you said, with Kenwyne it's always been his mentality that holds him back. When he was at Sunderland he could have made a big move to a top club, but he didn't get it, sulked, and then ended up at Stoke. He's unplayable when he's on his game, but he's not on it enough.

A player I haven't seen mentioned, and is suprisingly avaliable, is maarten stekelenburg. Fulham want him, so why don't we go for him? Will cost similar to what we'd pay for Butland. I guess it's a toss up between a 30 year old, or £5m for a young player whose value will only rise. I like Butland alot, I think he's going to be as good as Joe Hart - easily, but he's not quite there yet.

Jeez, Kuzscak. The definition of trash, which is why he's now playing for Brighton.

This is what I don't quite understand, what has he done when playing that has been so bad? He's played, what 2 games? Didn't do much wrong in his last game against Spurs, apart from answer back to some fans who decided to boo him.

Amazing really, if those deals do happen, then we'd have committed to spend something nearing on £45m on players in one season....! And that's not to say we'll be after even more.

Incase you've forgotten, Adam is out for a while...so we do need another player in the wide area's.

If they did, you'd have to launch an investigation into match fixing.

They're as good as relegated, just waiting for the confirmation now. No way in hell a team can survive when they only have 10 points by January.

3-0 now, men against boys. QPR look as pathetically bad as reading. Surely we can almost write off 19th and 20th positions? Esp. QPR, only 10 points by January...they haven't got a hope in hell. They need to turn into Man City to get out of this, it just isn't going to happen. At least Redkrapp will have another relegation on his CV that the media will conveniently ignore.

Isn't he already on loan at WHU, from Chelsea?

He clearly isn't a **** goal keeper, as he showed with his time at International level, as well as his excellent 2 seasons in Serie A with Fiorentina.

He can't sign a pro contract until the summer anyway, as far as I know.

He'd be a moron to leave.

More on this, from our resident Saints mole....Nixon Birmingham need to sell. Unless there is a takeover. And you are back in.