Junior Mullet

...BTW I thought Rovers were very good yesterday - tactically spot on (including the way they cut off Kelvin's favoured distribution route to James and his backup of rolling the ball out before kicking - whcih they did from the outset) and they ran at our defenders with pace and skill time and time again - it is no wonder Lambert scored a hatfull with that calibre of player supplying him. Please take note Pardew.

The Rovers fans cheered him at the start of the game and sung his name and clapped him throughout. His head did not seem to be in the right place in the first half, but was more focussed in the second half, I thought because he may have had a bolloking at half time but it may have been because he was attacking away from the large Rovers contingent. His header did indeed cross the line and I saw the lino give the goal before Papa put it away. Reminded me of BT - he always played below par for Sheff Utd against us and mysteriously went ill the day we beat them to stay up a couple of years ago.

Our service has to be better. Lambert hasnt scored to many from open play has he. It will come with time.

Sounds just like Pards.

LOL, why did you 'thrown' him in the first place? For his football talent and the way he entertained and kept us up for years or for his morals? If you 'throwned' him for his morals I would seriously question your judgement - MLT is far from whiter than white. If you 'throwned' him for his skill I'm not sure what's changed. Seriously poor judgement on your behalf and others on here it would seem. For me this episode does not detract from the man's talent and if anything it adds to my perseption of MLT as a bit of an unintelligent, cheeky and endearing chap.

Big deal. In a completely different league to match-fixing etc. Anyone that thinks Matt is saintly and whiter than white is a fool. He's just an ordinary bloke with a talent for football. Most people in his shoes at that time would have done the same.

It's just like Rocky - we now have a nice stadium, excellent training facilities, players are well paid and have nice homes here in God's own land. I bet the players would play with a bit more grit and determination if that were not the case. Rocky. Eye of the tiger and all that.

Always reminded me a LOT of Kenwyn Jones when I saw him play. He's a quality young player and I am still gutted we lost him, regardless of the reason.

Spoilt *****

Hmm strange one, but then so was the decision to let Hatch go at the start of the season. We're a bit short of right backs now and the thought of James filling in at RB now that Murty is out doesnt exactly fill me with confidence.

Lallana first in line for the Hairy Harding reach-around, which is proving popular at St Mary's following the 80's throwback's recent arrival

More interesting that the rubbish above - Jaidi was there with his wife and young girl. He was in the second row and was talking and smiling at length with Cortesse at half time.

Great thread. Sitting in my office smiling like a loon. Wotte is dipping his wick in a local bird, which is probably why he's still here.

Hmmmm, interesting but it aint quite that simple. The whole team has to be good, with no weak links, and we need good tactics that the players all understand and play to. Problem at the moment is that we have weak links. Our centre backs give the opposition too many chances each game, we do not attack the aerial balls, we lack cohesion when attacking, we lack shape (we really should be playing two wingers - proper wingers, not attacking midfielders out of position - wingers are very specialist) and we have a so called ball-winning midfielder at the heart of the team who neither wins balls nor is capable of passing to his own team. I have faith that AP will sort out these weak links. The signings to date are pleasing. Our lack of proper full backs had been a glaring weak link for years and he's put that one right already. It's going to be a slow painstaking task putting Saints right, but I'm happy to wait.

Therefore perfectly sound to only bring him in on loan. I'm sure we'd be able to return him if he got badly injured.

Absolutely right. AP and ML took us oiver at a time when we were at our lowest and when staff etc at the club had been cut right back to the bare minimum. The rebuilding process will be slow and thoughtful. I for one would not be happy to see 11 new faces sign today unless they were all very good. Unfortunately some people just want signings, regardless of how good they are. I have been saying on here since seeing Bournemouth play last season, we are going to find most games tough and there is very little difference in quality from the CCC down.

PaTTERSON MUST NEVER PLAY RIGHT MIDFIELD AGAIN - PLEASE PLAY HIM IN THE ONLY ROLE HE CAN PLAY AND WHICH HE HAS BEEN PLAYING WELL - STRIKER

..and the lad from Chelsea. Problem is we can't afford any passengers in this league. I would therefore pick four in midfield, focused on work rate, tackling, aerial ability etc. For that reason I would go with, from R to L: Holmes------Gillett-------Hammond------James/Chelsea lad Still looks light though and in need of a couple more signings.

Yes and the same one who played so well for us for the majority of last season. Unlike Wotton he is energetic, seeks possession of the football, can pass and retain possession in tight spots and generally pleases the crowd. I accept he runs out of steam after 70 minutes and for that reason we do need to be looking at a better long term CM player, as my previous post suggests. I don't know how anyone can say he's not better than Wotton simply based on Millwall game!!! IMO Wotton is only in the team because of his height. But what use is that when he gives the ball away every bloody time he gets it.

"Abrakadabra"

Quality player who possesses the technique, motivation and committment we need in a midfield currently made up of lightweights.

I think that's right. At the moment Ads is like a square peg being pushed into a roubd hole. Problem is I'm not sure there are any square holes in Southampton's plans in which case we should consider either selling him somewhere where they do or we make a square hole, bearing in mind what the consequences of doing so might be. At the moment we lack balance as a result trying to accomodate Ads out of position.

We aint been able to defend from set pieces for ages. I really hope AP can get this sorted. Signing Seize would help IMO. I also think Thomas should be replaced - he just isnt good enough.

Pardew - get rid of wotton please! Worst player to wear the shirt for ages. Cant even pass the bloody ball to his own teammates. Get rid. Get gillett in until a replacement can be signed.