Lord Duckhunter

I actually think we'd struggle a bit even if we kept all our players. I think the world cup will be pretty draining for Adam and Rickie and it wouldn't surprise me to see them take a while to get going. Im not saying we'd go down, but could see us falling back to 12th ish . We certainly needed strengthening up front regardless of Rickie going. We also needed another centre half even with no departures. What do people mean by competitive, we were in most games, but weren't in the cups, were nowhere near the top 4 and from about Dec never really looked like making the Europa league. Are we going to be the best of the alsorans again, probably not, but lets not kid ourselves we never looked like winning anything or qualifying for anything even with these wonderful players. Manchester Utd will be stronger, spurs probably will be. I can't see Newcastle blowing up quite so badly again. Where did people thinkk we were going to finish even with Poch,Adam Rickie and all, and wouldn't our attitude towards the cups be exactly the same with the same leadership? I can see it now, a decent solid season finishing 12th and the moaners will be out in force.

Lets see if I got this right? Poch and some of the players want to move on, basically they dont want to play for or manage us.As soon as the first offer comes in, whether from spurs or Liverpool ,they're offski. We get a new manager in who wants to be here, players that want to play for us , and they're the "mercenaries"?

My little lads completely gutted, his dog is pretty upset as well, cause I've kicked him 3 times already. Being named Lambo he's not particularly popular at the moment.

Adam already knew what he can get at Liverpool before he joined up.

Spot on. Makes me laugh. The ones leaving are the good guys and the ones staying are the bad guys. I bet some of the players and their agents were made up Poch left, gives them a ready made excuse to push for a move.

Like Poch under Levy?

My thoughts exactly. Instead of constant criticism of the board why don't people start looking at the players. Its not like they're being sold against their will.

I was out with a few lads last night who support other clubs and the general surprise from the neutrals wasn't that we were selling, but that Liverpool were buying.

Good news, it won't be Fat Sam. My mate bumped into him weds night in a restaurant in Spain ( it wasn't all you can eat, luckily for the other diners), asked him if he had heard whose in the frame and before tucking back into his meal said " no idea".

Unbelievable story really. The main reason we are in the premiership is his goals. I'm sad he's leaving but pleased for the guy. I also think the club have acted in a fair and appropriate manner over this.

Strange that Nicola never leaked this then. He knew her dastardly plan, but it didn't appear in the Mail?

Good luck to the lad, wonderful end to his career ,World cup in Brazil then a dream move to his boyhood club. Will remain a saints legend and should get a fantastic reception each and every time he returns. I'm not getting my knickers in a twist over the fee. What the guys done for the club if we've had to drop a bit to make it happen for him, then that's OK for me. With testimonials seemingly a thing of the past , I don't mind if our thank you to Rickie is ensuring this deal went through . Its what he deserves for fantastic service to the club. The saddest part of all this for me is the breaking up of the league 1 players. Its quite likely that José and kelvin will be the only 2 left come august.

Robin day will be turning in his grave. Anyone who doesn't think the BBC is dumbing down should watch that rubbish from last . Needs a radical overhaul, get Wiggy Neil to present, get serious people on the programme and no audience participation except the asking of the questions. I'm not ****ing interested in their points.

£9 mil fee agreed

Can't believe he fits Liverpool's money ball type buying strategy .

I hope we're not turning into west ham or spurs fans , always banging on about "the Southampton way". I was quite happy the way Nigel wanted to play the game, wouldn't be that bothered if we gave up the high press. Bit more width further up the pitch and maybe Rickie may get a new lease of life. Provided its not route one, there's different ways to play attacking football that is pleasing on the eye.

Its bound to be first game of the season, so "sacked in the morning " will be quite funny. Especially with levys track record. Professionals aren't really that bothered about boos, unless its like the abuse redknapp got when we played at Skatemouth. The people who are bothered are fans. If we start booing and getting our knickers in a twist, the spurs lot will just take the Mick. Personally, I think a funny song to show we don't care and we're better off without him or show our indifference. We should show solid support for the new guy in front of them, even if he's a bit of a chump. It should be a case of, "Poch,who".

My oldest lad met him and said he was really charismatic and friendly. Let's how how he gets on at Sunderland , players seem to like him.

Why with all that "good progress" were we slipping down the internationally recognised league tables? I'm not saying Gove is right or wrong, but if you think that our education was making good progress previously you are either deluded or a vested interest. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/going-backwards-uk-literacy-and-numeracy-standards-slip-down-international-rankings-8979588.html

There's nobody that really jumps out at me, but then there hasn't been anyone whose really excited me since Bally came back. I don't know enough about some of the names on here to comment, but I do think trying to find another in the Poch mould is the wrong approach. Different time, different skill set needed. There's going to be real upheaval this summer and we need somebody who can cope with that and steady the ship. That's why dismissing Moyes is ridiculous. He wouldn't be first choice, but if you want a steady hand he's got to be considered. I don't know why people are dismissing Gus either, he's a players ,manager and his side play good stuff. People I know who have met him say he's very charismatic, although he maybe a bit too volatile for the present situation. Not popular and I understand why, but I feel Glenda has unfinished business in English football. He was a great tactician, and his work with his acedemy does show he wants to bring on youngsters. If he's learnt the art of humilty , I wouldn't rule him out. Laudrap, would be popular with players and short term this is maybe what we need. Just be walking in the changing room he'll inspire respect, although I'd worry about his leaving of Swansea. If we are going for a rookie, I'd love Gary Neville. If he bought in somebody alongside him, maybe phelan or meulensteen. Even maybe Jamie carraghar would be a good rookie, but do we want another manager who needs an interpreter again? Overall my main concern is avoiding meltdown and although not popular on here the one man who will ensure that doesn't happen is Moyes. There reluctantly, if you held a gun to my head and made me choose, that'll be my choice. Tomorrow I'll hopefully have a change of heart.

I bet the Leeds supporters wished somebody had turned the tap off for Risdale.

Fantastic? Its horse pony if you ask me. What were the board expected to do? They offered him a contract and he refused to sign it. He wanted to leave, end of. There wasn't all this sheite when hoddle did one, yet Lowe was ssupposedly an able operator. FFS , we're not talking about venkys here, or Mike Ashley or even Vincent Tam. Apart from a few rich billionaires like bill gates, who on earth do people want running our club, Daniel Levy?

If we have a fan on the board, I suggest Alpine. He knows so much about what's going on, what people's ambitions are ( and even were , if they're dead) what they're thinking and their motives. He really would be worth his weight in gold.

They'd look pretty stupid if the new guy came in and didn't fancy cork as a player and they'd given him a 3 year deal a week earlier. Maybe Poch didn't want cork and was looking to move him on. Who knows, certainly not you. Why is it so hard for you to consider that these people know what they're doing?

Adam and Shaw are champions league players, can't see therm going to spurs no matter how much they love Poch.