Badger

Nothing much has changed then. No proven goalscorer we can rely on, good job we signed Redmond, and an error prone defence.

Did the trick then Ralph. Unless you were telling them they were playing for Puel's future.

Wouldn't be so bad if it actually worked Claude.

Howe - might be good if we could entice him away. Only concern is that just as the club previously looked at continental coaches to see if there was any track record of working in more than one country, Howe's sucess is only at one club. Who's to say he isn't the new Alan Curbishley, "great job at Charlton" as was always pointed out, but a disaster elsewhere. Dyche - not convinced, although he is doing a good job at Burnley. Rowett - no particular track record, and sacked from a championship club. By comparison with the last two, Adkins does not appear such a bad or unrealistic option. (although personally I think that would now be a mistake to go back).

Dave Jones I think.

By which time the transfer window will conveniently be closed.

Wish I could share your optimism. A GK who is often rooted to the spot and always likely to concede the first shot on target, a defence with uncertainty over their futures, a midfield with little bite (Romeu aside), and a pitiful and toothless attack seems pretty ripe for a relegation struggle to be honest. I have been of the view, end of season and review it, and ideally I'd like to see that, unless we can attract an outstanding coach now (which I doubt), or things continue to plummet (which seems a more likely prospect after the Christmas-New Year fixtures, and displays).

Unfortunately Puel didn't have any option but to play him with VVD suspended. It does blow apart the suggestion that we could sell either Fonte or VVD this window, and cope with Yoshida and the remaining one of the two.

One unproven, the other unfit.

He might as well be as we've just about the same amount of confidence in the current back up.

or, rephrased as "but to be honest I just see a big culpable goalie" ?

Too early to change in my view, 8th in the table, SF coming up, he has given youngsters a chance. Would be absurd to change unless we have a proven candidate lined up to meet all the club's requirements including a more exciting brand of football,but such a candidate is unlikely to be available mid-season. i'd certainly give him the season before its reviewed, unless results spiral out of control.

Especially if its with the Keegan era shirt ?

Good selection of near misses there, I'm sure we could do with a few more of those to go alongside Long & Rodriguez. Takes a fairly weak and tame penalty as well. He'll clearly fit in well.

I think Poch's stock has risen amongst Saints fans since the end of last season for one particular reason - he isn't Ronald Koeman.

Yes - he was linked as a left back. Don't think we'd need him for this but the article says also plays as a CB.

Had not heard of him until he was mentioned on here a day or so ago. The initial write up sounded promising but he doesn't look too clever in the opening of this clip. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland/38394301

Yes, but not even we do this mid-season, or at least haven't to date.

If Nice are currently top of their league why would they start to dismantle their team at this stage of the season ? Unless they are in financial turmoil, or the player throws a strop and sulks to leave of course.

Some perhaps think it was a stitch up, see Lets B Avenues's post after mine. I'd forgotten the significance of the BHA last match at The Dell in connection with the rivalry. A very friendly affair between the fans. The Archers Road end gave them a chorus of "you're just a town full of faggots..", which was taken in good spirit, before both sets of fans joined in for a "if you all hate Pompey.." chant, which I think BHA started. After the match both sets of fans mingled on the pitch together without any hint of bother.

I expect Everton will be lurking with their Arab money, and Koeman will want to be seen to spend it. That would be more palatable, and if he went to Benfica then I wouldn't begrudge him the move. Just very strange that a grown bloke who seemed to have his feet on the ground, and seemed content with things at SFC can have his head easily turned by his international success and a new agent.

Did you think it was a carve up then ?

As Colinjb says the Brighton fans( or at least some of them) are more embittered towards Saints than the other way round. As well as the recent rivalry dating back to L1, for fans with a longer memory some of it dates back to 1978 when we were both going for promotion to the old First Division. Last game of the season Saints played Spurs at The Dell, and drew 0-0 for both to go up. Had we beaten Spurs, Brighton would have taken the third place (no play offs in those days). Some Brighton fans believed it was a stitch up, and that we purposely played out the draw. Personally I think thats b0ll0cks,having been at the game I recall us hitting the post so I don't see it as a team not looking to win it.

And next week I'll even be willing on Nivea to knock a few past the dugout pioneers... Lose the next couple and 'the bluenoses' - another fine example of scouse wit at it's best - will not be happy with Ronald MacDonald

That was last season's Jose Fonte before Euro 2016 and a new agent got inside his head.