S-Clarke

Rovers are panicking. They have screwed up so bad this summer (what a surprise there). The way they went about the Rhodes deal was a joke to say the least. This is just a story to appease the fans, they haven't got a chance of signing either.

I must say, I'm slightly concerned about the lack of any rumours, what so ever. That to me suggests we're not close to anything right now. It's impossible to keep transfers in the PL quiet, no matter what club you are, so if you're close a story will break to say as much. But we've nothing, no player links anywhere. I just hope next week isn't a panic buy week, and the players we target and genuinely players we have tracked for a while.

We don't need 4/5. That's knee-jerking. 2/3 was always the basis of what we needed here and now, today's result doesn't change that. If you expect more than that then you'll have a frustrating week methinks.

A bit flat if I'm honest. Never really got going. Like the game. All a bit of an underwhelming day.

Peter White ‏@peterwhite_1 According to NA it is going to be a busy week. I reckon Saints will need and will bring in at least three players

Also, Cortese wasn't at the game today (apparently). I must admit, I couldn't see him either in his usual place.

I thought Fox had a good game today. Haven't got a big problem with him at all.

Him + the Itchen lino did my head in all flaming game.

We need pace down the wide positions, sharpish. Simple as that. The predicable way we slow down to a halt in the final third is so depressing, it was the same all pre-season. The build up in the midfield and the retention of the ball across the pitch was great. Nice and easy on the eye and very composed. But we just lack the final injection fo quality and pace down either flank to make this formation a success. Without additions of that ilk we might as well go back to 4-4-2 because this will end up being a bloody frustrating watch. So Ramirez + one other, as Ramirez isn't pacey (probably as pacey as Lallana)

I think Nixon is looking for a few bites from that. I imagine we have a list of CB's that we deem are good enough and a high enough quality to improve us - but it's a case of making the call as to which one to go for. Tricky one, will probably come down to who is the cheapest! I'd imagine all targets have been sounded out as to their wage demands as well (via their agents) and the clubs have been asked how much they'd cost, so we won't be going into it as blind as Nixon is suggesting. We know what they'd cost, and how much they'd ask for - so it's just a case of making the call as to which one. If we haven't done that sort of ground work, then I'd fully agree with what you say. But I don't think that's the case.

Didn't hear much booing, all I heard was big support as the players came round to clap at the end.

Wages ££££ too. The general feeling in the press/media as to why Spurs want him out is that he's crocked. He'll apparently never fully recover from his Achilles injury - and will have to train at a similar capacity of Ledley King. One to steer clear of, maybe.

I think he's a great talent, but is still very raw around the edges - which is to be expected. I think your assessment is fair - at times, his decision making in attacking and defensive positions still isn't 100% - and he has the tendency to get beaten around the back from time to time. He'll only get better though, the player with pace in our squad....so for that reason alone, starter every week!

Had no visibility of the Northam screen, but the other one looked fine.

To be honest, as good as our journey has been, that has absolutely no relevance on us now. We want to stay and build in this league.

Crikey, if we do no business at all then it's best to get Samaritans on speed dial for the season.

Alan Nixon ‏@reluctantnicko @Jayrodfan2 @markreeves999 U don't have a clue what centre half u want. Not clever.

We'll probably win against 1 of them, that's the way we work!

What, the 4-4-2 that totally ended the game for us today? Once we switched to 4-4-2 we didn't have a scooby what we were doing. Keep the formation as it is because it is fluid, easy on the eye and is the way forward long-term - but add a bit more penetration and ''nous'' down the flanks and we'd have more luck.

Totally not his fault. If he played where he's supposed to play then he'd have made much more of an impact. I'm sure of that.

Probably just fans who've sprung back up now we're in the PL. No true fan, who has been through what we have in the last 2 years, would think any such thing.

I wonder who our new CB's will be then?? Possibly that bloke from Rennes and Dann? Although I think we'll add 1 new CB and have done with that.

He scored 23 goals last season by playing as a striker. Therefore play him as a striker. The whole formation is fair enough, but it will not work by putting square pegs in round holes. As someone else has said, I'm sure he's there until we have someone else to play there. Shows the frightening lack of options on the flanks though.

He was no worse than anyone else in terms of ball retention. He was our most effective player in the final third in spells.

I didn't realise 9 points won you promotion.