Saint Fan CaM

Not read all the thread - anyone else notice he was wearing the no.5 shirt at one time? We've left the no.5 free - for him perhaps? Seems a good fit in terms of what we need and as others have said there are good links (Jaidi/Swiss). I would be very pleased if he signed for us.

I would suggest that the 1st team is settled now. Any further additions will be to strengthen options from the bench.

Well done Nige - keep up the good work and get Saints up in the top 6 this season.

Great news to see Barnie staying with us. Let's hope his trial ends up positively.

Sounds like the perfect Jaidi replacement and partner for Jose. Welcome to the spare no.5 shirt Ammar. (:

Given that this is an Echo report, while accurate it might be slightly old information. What this might tell me is that, given Puncheon is still here reportedly working his socks off with the youth team, PERHAPS there is a chance that he will stay if OxO is sold? We've know that often there is a long line of player transfers lined up which depend on the first one acting as a catalyst for the rest to happen. Get the right offer for OxO come in and we could see Puncheon back in the red'n'white next season.

Oh dear - not good, but then what else can the club do to retain discipline within the ranks? The strategy of the club is to utilise the best youngsters in the 1st team to push the club forward. If these players are courted by the 'big' clubs, how can the strategy be fulfilled? Frankly I place the blame at the door of the FA for not having the balls to sort this problem out. If a club develops a young player then there should be a ruling that the player is tied to the club until their 21st birthday. If that is clearly understood from the start then the arguements, bitterness and wantaway attitude of these mercenaries will be significantly reduced.

Anton Ferdinand would be a good signing for us - can't think of too many other CB's that have his experience that we might realistically capture unless we're looking abroad.

Perfectly capable if fit. What about Forte?

I bumped into NA when doing a SMS tour with his Mum & Dad. NA took a photo of them on his phone and I think I was in the background. He took time to say hello to everyone in the party and shook my hand when I wished him luck with the game. Seemed to me to be a perfectly ordinary, well adjusted and likeable chap who obviously commands great respect from his players. His Mum and Dad were very pleasant too. (:

This thread had legs then... ahem.

Well I like it, but frankly would have been more than pleased to have retained the sash until we reach the Prem. Not sure if I will buy it - at £45 I'm not sure replica shirts offer great value for money in relation to the amount of wear they get to be honest. I might wait until we get into the Prem and celebrate with a new shirt then.

This. So long as its not in front of me and ruins my view of the pitch. (;

I think the OP has a very valid point. If I buy a ticket with a seat on it, then that's where I expect to sit. FFS, nobody on here would be happy if they'd bought Take That tickets for centre stalls then ended up in the upper circle on the far left. Actually - not a good example - nobody would be happy buying Take That concert tickets, but you get my drift.

Absolutely ******* top post.

I agree with your assessment of Cork to a point, but think he is more defensive than you suggest. I think many would like to think Schneiderlin is that type of player too, but he isn't. That's why when he was played alongside Hammond our central midfield was on many occasions ineffective for being too defensive. I'm not against Schneiderlin, just don't think he's a good match to Cork necessarily. However, perhaps Adkins can train them to work well together - if I'm wrong and they start consistently together, I'll be pleased to admit to being wrong TBF.

OK, let's deal with this line by line... Can't beat experience in the spine of the team. Not only that, but name me a youngster in the senior team right now that can act as lone striker replacing Lambert? And even if we did have someone, let's not forget we tried that before with the Dutch and it delivered what benefits? If you think Connolly is a Rickie replacement then yes, you are delusional.

I think some are confusing Cork being a better player than Schneiderlin with more in his kit bag to offer, with them being different style players.

You're right - we didn't lose the 1st half. I am not making a judgement on just that game though, but on video clips I've seen of Cork and of course the manner in which Morgan plays. It's only my opinion sure, but I really do not believe we will see them start together and as such meaning Hammond gets left-out. Personally I would prefer to see Cork and Chaplow together. While I think he's useful, I do not subscribe to the hero-worship view some have of Schneiderlin - not yet anyway as he has much to do to convince me he has what it takes to be a success in the NPC let alone the Prem.

See above...

Experimental - meant next to nothing I would suggest. Plus we lost and scored how many? Mmm, dynamic midfield that worked really well then?!

LOL at Saints fans dissing BT. Not good enough now? Delusional. If he was brought in and made match-fit he would be as good as any other LIKELY candidate we might sign.

Cannot see Cork and Schneiderlin playing alongside each other in a 4-4-2 TBH.

What is a "no 10"?! The issue was who would play in the central midfield position in front of two deeper lying CM's. It's never been Lallana or Guly to the best of my knowledge. Chaplow is far more capable in that role - he knows the centre of the park and can attack the box - with pace. I'm not confusing anything. As I've said above, Lallana or Guly don't play that CM role in a 4231 formation...why? Must be a good reason. And I would argue that with Lallana out on the left, Oxo OR Guly on the right (as he normally is), Chaplow would be the best player to link the deep CM's with the striker(s) as he has the ability to get back and defend the CM area if Lallana or Oxo/Guly get forward. If we play at home, I would not advocate 4231 anyway.

Sorry, but I can't agree with that nuts statement atall! Particularly wrt Chaplow who has a great box to box motor and if you watched him carefully last season, you would see that he was one of the first players to attack the opposition penalty area (typified by his excellent goal against Manure). And if Guly and Lallana would be best at CM, why are they NEVER played there? It's because either they're not suited and/or we have better options - like Chaplow and Hammond for example!