Badger

Ok you win the John Motson award on this thread...

Yes. Saw it desribed as a 'free header', and so it might have been, but Pelle would most likely have hit the post, Long headed over. And just for £4m as well. How much have Brendan and Van Gaal spent on forwards in the last two seasons ?

Playing regularly as well if he'd stayed. Wonder if his move has jeopardised his place in the French squad.

Excellent result. Austin scores on his debut, another clean sheet. Expect RK is trying to hold it in having stuffed his old foe Louis .... Son has already exchanged texts with the glory seeking saps at his school, delighted to see plastics meltdown.

Exactly. (along with another two - John Sydenham). But since these two, who have actually been able to cross a ball ? I recall a relative describing a few crosses from Rod Wallace as a 'Terry Paine type cross' , but other than that there haven't been many. Danny Wallace was a hit and hope crosser, and too many wide players now (and for the last 25 years) have been regarded wingers because of pace, nothing else. Their idea of a cross is to launch it into the penalty area in hope. Mind you, Paine & Sydenham if playing now would tear their hair out, without someone like Big Ron to aim for and take advantage of their crosses. Lambert aside that is.

I like RK and hope he stays with us , but fact is though he hasn't really shown at any of his previous clubs that he is a manager likely to achieve a great deal more. Be very surprised if Abramovic would be that interested given his track record, and no experience of Champions League as a manager. If you look at the possible names they've been linked with, Pep, Simeone, Juventus bloke, there will be quite a few ahead of RK in the pecking order. Unless of course Hiddink has worked himself a senior role as a DOF, and RK would work with him (but given RK does not like working undr others - LVG for example - this seems unlikely).

Bit strange how that came about though. I think he decided to leave us, and a manager who didn't appreciate him, for one that did, Hoddle at Wolves. Hoddle left Wolves at the end of their season, and with that he joined Derby, and the poison dwarf who managed them at the time Billy Davies. Oakley had the last laugh on us captaining them and beating us in the play-offs. Although Derby were awful once promoted, at least Oakley ahd made it abck to the top some years before we did.

Last seen in Carphone Whorehouse

Played his part in an exciting time for Saints, new stadium, team seemed emerging, WGS, and the Cup run. Certainly played his part in that, and of course the goal v Wayford in the semi final. Good memories of his time with us, so wish him well on the retirement. Had one of the more original and amusing songs too.

I'd be surprised if Frank Worthington didn't manage it. I saw him score for Birminghanm against us, so that leaves Bolton (probably), Leicester, & Huddersfield. Dib Dublin for Man Utd (rarity), & Villa. Did he score for Coventry also ?

Ruddock - stomp

Dozy

Result caps a good day for us - 3-0, JWP, FF two clean sheets out of two, & Charlie Austin signs for £4m ! And it gets better ... Chelsea equalise v Everton, we're back up to 10th.

Excellent news, proven scorer,and it appears a bargain price. Just hope he stays fit, and we don't have months of waiting for him to get fit to play. Shame the deal wasn't done 10 days earlier, we might still be in the Cup. Agree, I hope Pelle stays until the summer, although if we could use him in negotiations with Juventus for the midfield player we were linked with for a deal sooner, then fine.

vaginal

If you go back to my original comment: Unfortunately we don't have the £££ to compete in attracting Sanchez or Messi. There have been some outstanding players fromSouth America, but our experience of them is far from encouraging.

Think we may have a bit of a polarised opinion here boys. Sorry if you find it a little offensive, but as you'll see from the list of names above , signing South Americans has hardly been a roaring success for us. I don't see much of a "burning desire to win" as much as players with a high tendency to sulk , and often show an indifferent attitude when on the pitch. I don't disagree with you that others often conduct themselves in similar fashion, and even our 'home grown' talent is happy to bugger off when chance arises. Yes, our scouting and recruitment has something to answer for also, esp with Osvaldo, but given the track record from South America my view is we'd be better off scouting elsewhere. A for Gaston, I like what he could bring, but he's had numerous chances and has never really grasped it. No wonder RK has no trust in him.

Take it all back. Glad you didn't mention Guly though...

We had been linked with Bas Dost at some stage, but looks like he'd only join the injury list: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3397376/Newcastle-target-Bas-Dost-ruled-six-weeks-breaking-bone-foot-Wolfsburg-training.html so can rule that out.

Do you expect two good games from Long in a week given the intensity he tries to play at ?

We should avoid South American players like the plague. Unless you're buying the top drawer players theres too much risk involved. Surprised we haven't learnt that - it has been a costly mistake in the recent past.

I think we were linked with him whilst Poch was here.

Although Pelle is available again, we do need other options. Long's run of form is over what period ? His last game v Watford perhaps. His track record suggests he is unlikely to keep that up for the next match, and probably won't score again for 3or4 games.

I'm surprised we haven't pursued this one as we were meant to be keen in the summer of 2014, although at that time Leeds were meant to be seeking £6m. Perhaps we don't think he has developed since in the way we'd have hoped, or perhaps Ross Wilson has just gone to sleep on the possibility (or just trawling Football Manager stats to find another cheap ill-fitting recruit from the continent).

He's probably fully aware that he's not getting a virgin bride. But then again at his age he probably doesn't matter to him.