Badger

It's not solely about this deal though is it ? More about eeking out resources to cover a number of positions.

Same height as Kevin Keegan and Steve Moran. Accept Moran when he first arrived on the scene had some pace about him though. Providing we don't intend using AA as a target man I think he'll be alright, two footed and seems to know where the goal is.

Ditto. Armstrong easily the best 'baldie' we've had, ahead of (if you'll excuse the term) Chris Marsden , and according to older members of my family better than Jimmy Melia. Pleased with prospect of AA joining. Slight concern is whether he's too short but he's actually the same height as Keegan and Steve Moran, so lofty expectations already set. Plus hopefully also bring in the Chelsea youngster. Just the CB situation, back up FB, DM, and please a GK to sort out now (now that would be greedy).

Where is the upgrade coming from , have any been suggested or rumoured ? The only CB's I recall seeing linked over the last week are an Austrian UN21 from Nice, and Phillips from Liverpool (possibly on loan with an option to buy might not be a bad way to go). Sell Vestergaard for £20m though and who knows perhaps there will be enough in the pot for a GK .

I was at that match, thanks for posting it. Had forgotten about the works at the Leazes end of the ground next to where we were standing.

I would hope that if he's coming in it's as a back up third or fourth choice striker and we still have a 'Plan A' option as a starter. Can this kid be any worse than Long and Obafemi in what he might offer off the bench ?

Allied with two mistake prone GK's, and a midfield heavily reliant on Romeu, and to a lesser extent JWP ~(who may or not be injured, and may or may not be here much longer). All in all, seems a bit of work to do in the next few days.

Splitting hairs perhaps but it It was amber rather than old gold. I posted about this before and someone (I think it was probably Fitzhugh) pointed out that before the amber we had also worn white as a change strip, and on one occasion in an FA Cup tie a burgundy coloured change shirt. Personally I liked the amber and black idea as it had some local connection suggested as the colours of the Hampshire Regiment.

With the rumours of young players, and others having not played at this level, signing an experienced player to guide on the pitch seems essential.

I've heard he's rejected the move, he only wanted to play for us if we were at the Antelope Ground.

Remember that season, and Phil Boyer, very well. Unfortunately for him though I think his time with us and even that season is eclipsed by his time playing in tandem with Ted MacDougall a couple of seasons before in Division 2, and then the signing and arrival of Keegan the following season. The 79/80 season was pretty spectacular though, the most remarkable thing was that before Christmas he was the top scorer with all goals coming at The Dell. I remember seeing Saints at Ashton Gate v Bristol City on a Friday evening fixture before Christmas. Won 1-0, with Channon scoring, it was brass monkey weather and we spent the second half willing Boyer to score but it didn't happen that night. Think he broke his duck away at Anfield a few weeks later. Thought he would play well with Keegan the following season but it didn't happen unfortunately.

Signing Colin Clarke was considered an exciting move at the time coming after a fairly successful time at Bournemouth and the World Cup. Most Saints fans thought we'd pulled off a good deal and he certainly lived up to that promise in the early days especially the debut hat trick, and another a few weeks later against Newcastle I think. Not sure why he isn't viewed that fondly now although to be honest I don't think he was ever that much of a hero or cult figure whilst he was with us, in the way that Lambert was from Day One. During his second season I think there were quite a few supporters who felt Clarke had put a bit of weight on, and had lost some of his 'energy' in the games. This lead to the inevitable suggestion that he'd lost interest and was looking to move. Can't remember if he declined a new contract but it was soon in the press that he wanted to move on, and eventually did. Probably some indifference to him by the time he left.

Fair points of course. If it goes well, then excellent, but if not we should at least be able to loan him to a club in Turkey whilst subsidising his wages for the remaining three or four years of his contract.

Interesting read, but it was written (it says 45 weeks ago) before his poor season at Leipzig so I wonder if the updated version would be as promising. In fairness all we know of him and can judge him on is his time at Palace, I don't think we can read too much into his time in Turkey in a fairly poor league. He might prove an asset but on the face of it this isn't one to get excited about. I'd prefer Armstrong but it looks as if we've shit the bed in that regard. There is the unfortunate comparison with the misguided and desperate signing Carillo already, but thinking back it reminds me of another signing some years ago of a tall, fairly lumbering forward, Iain Dowie. Branfoot was at pains to point out he's experienced and a current full international, to which I think most Saints fans thought "yeh, but he's still shit..". That was without the benefit of youtube. Sorloth might offer something but I don't expect him to be the regular goalscorer we need.

Think Brentford will be okay this season, possibly a Sheff Utd in their first season up.

Can't recall who our first choice was ahead of signing Carillo I thought he was Pelligrino's out and out 'must have' option.

Sorloth does seem the Norwegian Carillo. But at lease we might save nearly £15m on him compared to Carillo.

His time at Palace stands out for me so on that alone I'd look elsewhere. Would rather we go for Armstrong but that boat may have been missed.

Yes, Mr Redknapp.

Agree, it was only under Ralph that his form got going again to put himself in the frame for England.

Think both had performed well there for more than one season though.

Think your sources are talking out of their arse pal. Good mate of mine who's ITK* tells me for a fact that Messi is already putting a bid in on either James Beattie's or Franny Benali's old pad (couldn't make up his mind which one) having already looked round and declined Martin O'Neill's proposed flat in Winchester. FACT. *he's in the know with an estate agent chain not SFC though, but he wouldn't tell me no shit, so I believes him.

bit slow there Wimborne !! Beat you by a nano-second but still takes the gold !

Bit strange really in that even Saints and Lemina parted with a common courtesy of a 'thank you' on both sides whereas you might not have expected it, and nobody would have been surprised by the indifference to each other. Ings, a top goalscorer who a few months ago could have been our top earner on a four year contract to the age of 33 leaves without any real comment.