Badger

Is a decent GK too much to ask for as well ? (Probably is I suppose).

I'm with you two on this, the view we're well stocked is not my own view but have read it a few times on here in recent weeks. Of the names mentioned, and likely to be here next season only Romeu seems to offer a physical presence in MF, the others are a bit lightweight. Unfortunately OR does seem to have more than his fair share of injuries and is likely to have a suspension at some point. I think we can see that Jankewitz is on his way out, and I don't see Smallbone as a DM. Waste of Armstrong's talent to take him out of the attacking role.

Probably a story his agent's fed as a final throw of the dice to secure a more lucrative move.

Is this a joke, or a barbed comment about their off the field summer antics ?

Agree about Grillitsch. Although he looked a good DM and distributor not too sure about him breaking up the opposition. Would improve us though. Despite the view that we're well stocked in MF I'd like to see it upgraded with someone like Grillitsch or Delaney (probably the less expensive of the two), but doubt we'll seek either with our limited budget looking to plug gaps elswhere.

If only we had the resources to back him doing that...

Mings said that was the case in an interview.

If there's any truth in this at all I suspect it might be as a Plan B to signing Willock.

True to a point. Although as Saint Garret pointed out in a later post the fixture (and losing to them) does have a feeling of familiarity about it depending on how old you are of course. Not sure of another opponent we have a a track record of going out to, Argentina (twice as I recall), and more recently (well this century) Portugal were our undoing at a couple of tournaments. MLG disclaimer added - to save him the trouble - previous results have no bearing on the outcome of the next fixture...

Even if we have there's no reason we can't be 'gazumped' until it's all signed and delivered. Not that we'll ever admit it, await the press release of a frail and weedy 5'2" new signing when we say he was our first choice whose career we've trailed since he was a foetus.

I'd overlooked this as well. Thought Dyche was lined up for the Palace job at the end of the season. He was an ideal fit for them, obnoxious prick whose teams play a brand of Route One and 'ugly' football

You missed out 1970 lost 3-2 (after being 2-0 up) in the Mexico WC. Think this was a QF, certainly the most painful of the lot as I recall although may be because I was much younger and we had hopes/expectations of playing Brazil again in the final. Wasn't 1972 a qualifying game ? If so thought we lost one leg (at home),2-0 or 3-1.

Hence the comment with apologies to Crouch for putting him in that bracket with the other two.

Fair point about the confidence, and building momentum of course.

We're loosely linked with Nat Phillips in a (less than relaible article) on BBC Gossip Column this morning. Also West Ham and Spurs interested in the Fiorentina GK we've been previously mentioned with. So, nothing of substance.

Interesting point, but what would a minority investor gain from this and motivation be ? Putting money in whilst hamstrung by Gao in pushing the club forward. Unless it was a 'gradual' takeover, but that would rule out the serious buyer we're probably hoping for. From fan point of view a triumvirate of Gao/KL/AN Other would be a concern, remember the last time we had the three wise men at the helm (Wilde, Lowe and Crouch - with apologies to Crouch for putting him in that bracket with the other two) ?

Am pleased we came through the group and are into the knock out stages. Hopefully we'll see a more exciting 'cup tie' type of performance as opposed to the group stage which has appeared a bit of a going through the motions of a pre-season friendly at times, we couldn't even raise our game v Scotland. Whilst we 'won' the group, and that along with no goals conceded is an achievement, I can't see the benefit of this knowing we're likely to face France or Germany (or Portugal) next round. Is there any reason we'd have not been better off playing for the draw last night to finish second with the more likely route of Spain, Sweden or Slovakia (think that's right) next ? Has Southgate been naive in this ?

I think when we were linked with Maehle he was playing RB as well. Agree, shame we didn't get him when we had the opportunity.

It's a toss up between him and Cosimo Sarli as to the greatest striker who never made the grade with us* Honouroable mention to Andrei Peroplotkin or whatever his name was as well. * as opposed to Oliver Bierhoff, or Drogba as the greatest striker we didn't sign

RB Leipzig.

Yes but in all likelihood the rumours may have just started on the mongboard.

Always felt MLT's prospects with England probably diminished when he rejected the chance to sign for El Spiv at Tottenham. That and the fact he didn't look to spend two-thirds of his disposable income in Scribes nightclub.

A voice of reason, none of which I can strongly disagree with if I put my rational (rather than a tribal football fan) head on. Have met many Scots, generally a great bunch especially over a few beers. The football chat has been great, but the international fixture does change the stance of both parties. I'd also accept the Scot's annoyance at the media and when they make reference to "1966" at the earliest opportunity in the commentary- I think we Saints fans realise the 'certain match' syndrome does get on your tits - although on these occasions I expect it's deemed 'the English press'.

We should look to bring in their Head of Recruitment, although unlikely to be interested as RB Salzburg invariably is on the career path to Leipzig who probably operate on a better budget than we do.

Agree with you, probably summarised in a caption on the Telegraph this morning "Scotland brave hearted, England half hearted". Yes, nauseating. We take the piss out of TCWAB down the road for dressing up, yet the news is full of grown men in their 50's and 60's going to a football match dressed for a walk on part in a historical recreation of Bannockburn ( or Culloden but they won't mention that one) complete with head dress etc. I admire their sense of patriotism but grow up ffs. Galling that they display a hostility to the English yet the English media lap it up. Souness was in full flow last night before the match and let it slip saying about the significance of England v Scotland "we don't like each other..." . He didn't qualify it to say it was about football.