AussieDog

At his age, you can see massive improvements over just a few months. Let's see what he can do pre-season. don't forget he was the clubs young player of the year, above Luke Shaw? who's to say that he won't do enough to be considered an equal to Cork or Schneiderlin. It would be great to have the luxury of being able to rotate 2 from 3.

All I'm saying is judge him on what he does in the next few months, rather than what he did last year. The club obviously aren't spending millions on an academy to then just ignore its brightest talents. Oh...and another reason why he might not get loaned out quite so easily...he's qualified english and he keeps the quota up in the squad!

Doesn't matter (to a degree) which person they pick to coach the U21's as long as they are capable of following instruction - surely EVERYTHING should be directed from the top. After all, these are meant to be the players of our future and they need to be playing the game the way the Senior team Manager and the idea is for them to seamlessly progress through...

The trouble is - who should be the Senior team manager? I'm certainly not impressed by Hodgson who seems too afraid of failure to be optimistic of success

The top 5 are a league apart - but Spurs really aren't that much better than Everton or Liverpool (especially if Bale goes or has an injury) and I see no reason why we can't compete with them if the desire is there. Can't see how we could step up from that though, but I'd be delighted if we did as long as we then don't end up doing a Leeds by over-committing

I think I've just invented another team....lol.....Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Everton. Not quite sure who the 5th team was!

The top 5 are a league apart - but Spurs really aren't that much better than Everton or Liverpool (especially if Bale goes or has an injury) and I see no reason why we can't compete with them if the desire is there. Can't see how we could step up from that though, but I'd be delighted if we did as long as we then don't end up doing a Leeds by over-committing

Moved here (Australia) because the dismal British weather wasn't good for my health, I was too lazy to learn a foreign language, and it was easier to come here than the US which would have been more geographically convenient.

Interestingly enough, there appears to be a huge amount of cashed-up South Africans over here in Queensland. They pretty much all say they would love to go back, but too dangerous (both financially and physically).

Homesickness was/is a big issue (but getting easier after 10 years).From my own financial perspective, I would have been far better off staying in the UK (assuming I still had a job), but I don't regret my decision as I think i have a far more enjoyable lifestyle.

That statistics bit makes no sense.

Why?

1672 were eligible to vote. Of those 1517 voted (just under 91%) , of which 1514 voted to remain a UK territory (99.73%). I'm guessing the odd one out returned a spoiled paper? Close enough for me.

So which bit makes no sense?

How do people feel about the follow on issue? It seems to have divided the commentators. Some think if you have a chance to win, you should take it there and then, others pointing towards the value of letting the batsmen have a decent innings in a match they can't lose. I can't help but feel you should always look to destroy the other team if you get the chance. Compton's failed again anyway, he doesn't fill you with confidence for the Ashes. How many did Cook get while Compton ground out his 7 runs? About 60 or 70?

Dissapointed we didn't enforce the follow-on. Of course it pretty much guarantees we can't lose the series, but it did seem a negative approach.

I don't think Morgan's worth more necessarily - six years older and foreign, which brings his price down if you're selling to an English club.

 

Six years is the difference between 'exciting young prospect' Adam Lallana and 'getting on a bit' Rickie Lambert. Amazing when you think of it that way

I'm sure this has been brought up before, but doesn't he meet the criteria of "homegrown" - in which case that increases his value significantly for an english club, but not sure what that does to his value for overseas?

In my opinion the means are more important than the end product, always - but that's just my own personal ethos.

I think Saints are still heading along the right path, with the continuing development of the Academy but it is a fine line. I have a feeling the biggest change in the next couple of years will be "between the ears". We have shown we can compete with the best of the premier League, however we've also shown that we don't always get "up" for the lesser games. Home defeats against Wigan, QPR & Sunderland have shown that. It's something most of us just shrug our shoulders and say "it's the Saint's way" but to take that next step we have to get the mindset right. Although our academies were the only ones to make both elite groups, when it came to the business end of the season they both lost out on the actual finals.

Not sure how they do it, but that's the key to the next stage IMO

He's look very composed and assured, but he is still developing physically. If he can add a bit of muscle to his frame he can definitely make an impact next season, although I think it will be a couple of years before he really starts to impose himself. I just hope he remains patient and that we can keep hold of him as he is a great option from the bench.

Is Bearsy really Cortese? Yo?

My mate took his Grandad to one of those fancy Health Spa's, where tiny little fish eat all the dead skin.

It cost him £35, but it was a lot cheaper than a funeral !!

Need to be strong at the back against the aeriel onslaught so I still expect Hooiveld to play. I would have liked to see one of Academy/U21 step up...maybe Isgrove? but Puncheon deserves a place after his little cameo yesterday. Be nice to have a surprise on the bench too, like Seager, but let's not have too many changes. The fans deserve a good performance to end the season, so lets hope the players haven't started their end of season party already.

is there a fancy dress theme for this game?

Yeah, apparently everyone is going up in 90's Nottm forest shirts

Hooiveld's worst games also seem to coincide with Fox being in the team. I don't think that's a coincidence. He's not a bad player but obviously having to keep one eye on what Fox is doing, and getting absolutely no support from him when we are under the cosh highlights the weaknesses that Hooiveld has.

Or maybe it's just that his better games have been with Shaw in the side as he can concentrate solely on doing his own job.

Either way, I think it's pretty safe to say he won't be a first choice CB next season.

don't think we will mess around much with the midfield..Cork, Schneiderlin & Davis. Up front will be Rodriguez. I think Fonte will be in for Hooiveld, Yoshida will stay put as will Clyne. We'd miss Lambert but something hasn't been right with him for the past 2/3 games and maybe he might only make the bench. Along with Boruc, that's 8 of the 11 sorted. I have a feeling Forren will come in for this (he didn't play in the U21 game last night - can't think of any other reason why he would have missed it). with either him or Yoshida at LB. I think Puncheon will be back, and with Gaston out I think it's fair to say Lallana will be in, even if he was fairly ineffective on Saturday. Pretty much down to the bare bones though, aren't we!

Apparantly that Sainsbury guy is off to Bolton because we want him to go on trial first before deciding anything.

No disrespect to my fellow Australians, but I don't think there is a single player out here who would succeed in the Premiership. Championship at best.

One of the easiest scoreline predictions of the season with two teams playing similar style football at about the same tempo. Not sure what went wrong today 'though as we never offered a goal threat all afternoon.

Apart from Lambert's free kick. And Cork's shot. And Lallana's "goal". And Mayuka's shot at the death. I think Rodriguez might have had an effort saved too. Apart from that you're right.

I wouldn't even swap the JPT Final win for Europe next year. Surely the whole point of playing is to win, so why would you not want to? It's like saying would you rather get to 20 finals and lose or get to one and win it. The answer will always be the win.

England for the World Cup or Saints for the Premiership? Neither is really likely, but I wonder which is the longest shot?

Either way, if I was given the choice, there is no contest (and yes, I am English) - it would be Saints every time. Of course it is probably every players dream to play for their country....or is it???? If Rickie (or any other English Saints player) was guaranteed a place in the England team or the Real Madrid or Barcelona team for a season (we're in fantasyland here...bear with me...) which would he/they choose? Playing with either Spanish team is likely to bring more money and more glory. An England cap he can keep in the trophy cabinet, because he won't win anything else playing for them....

man with huge invisible cock on the right of the photo

you think his is big...look at the guy on the left in the middle!

You're entitled to your opinion, but it's sh!t!

I'll wear one until I die, and if it wasn't such a waste I would wear one to my cremation too! Everyone has their quirks and mine is I choose to wear Saints shirts and clothing whenever I feel it. In fact, I think I will write it into my will that anyone who wears a Saints shirt to my funeral has free drinks for the wake and everyone else can get f*cked and buy their own!

IMO, the minimum we need to sign is:

 

Boruc, or another top class 'keeper

An outstanding, top notch, CB

A good ball playing DM to rotate with Morgan and Cork (plus allow Cork to be used as cover for RB, which could also allow Clyne to be the cover at LB)

A good, fast, attacking player able to play on either flank (would love Lens, as then he could also be used as a central attacking option/cover)

Spot on (assuming we don't "lose" any of our better players in the summer - every player has a price!). Maybe I lack ambition for Saints, but there are 7 or 8 players I'm more than happy to retain in the 1st team squad. Lambert, Rodriguez, Lallana, Cork, Schneiderlin, Clyne, Shaw, Boruc, maybe even Yoshida. I wouldn't be bothered if Ramirez and S.Davis are moved on, but also quite happy for them to stay as squad members. I would love Ramirez to prove his worth, but if he had to be used as a bargaining chip for a better player, so be it. Forgot about Forren and Mayuka. Our squad is a bit bloated at the moment though, isn't it!

You cannot lose what you never had - points only count at the final whistle.

 

If we draw a game, is that 1 point gained or 2 lost ?

BOTH - or neither if it is a cup game:)