david in sweden

I like to watch Liverpool games - just to see how Brendan is coping with his " bag of frogs " - but I'm sad to see what's left of Rickie Lambert talent and skill being pressed into the last 10 minutes of a game. He looks a mere shadow of his former self, and I don't believe he has suddenly become a worse footballer in the last six months. Rickie was most successful at SMS, compared with his other clubs because he had people who really believed in him, told him so and encouraged him. He looked a far more confident person in his time here than in the last 6 months at 'pool. We all know it was his dream move, and surely no -one at SMS would begrudge him that, but I sense that Brendan told him from day 1, that he'd be on the bench whilst they chose (less talented) players to start games, with the net result that throwing him into a losing game in the last few minutes does nothing for his confidence or appreciation by their fans. Of course, the major tactical mistake that BR has made is failing to realise that Rickie's success at Saints, was in no small measure, due to his 5 year partnership with Lallana... but having bought both of them, he rarely plays them together. Still whilst BR struggles with his own problems, we can still " look down on them " in the Prem table. .......and watching some of at Lovren's performances.... I'd be almost inclined to invite Jos back instead. ( I said... almost). I told myself at the beginning of the season ...that every day that we were above Arsenal, Liverpool and Man U in the table would be a good day, and I haven't been disappointed too much - so far.

here's hoping.

I think that the Senegales ' definition of " being fit " probably differs somewhat from that normally required in the Prem *. I do hope that Mane's outing(s) for Senegal haven't made his injury worse.... otherwise we'll be without him for a while longer. Quote from Alan Shearer * (in his playing days) ..." there's a lot of difference between being match fit, and being.... fit enough to play ".

How many of us don't bother with house insurance because we are non-smokers and always lock our front door properly?...or don't have the best car insurance (or any at all )because we drive carefully? None, I hope but **** happens in this World and if we have no other choice / cover/ alternative to Pelle, we are taking a real chance. OK (some say) we won't get relegated, but surely we will never have a better chance to get into a Euro .competition than we have now. 16 games to go and if we blow it now ......we'll just end up looking mugs ! We all know the "predicted" return dates for those on the injured list (and whose to say they will come back playing at their best and 100% fit). Long will be out 4-6 weeks minimum and JayRod is well past his predicted return date last December), and the worst prognosis ..maybe not at all this season-who knows?.....and all because we are relying on Pelle, not getting injured, or sick..or suspended ! Get a striker in NOW Les, a journeyman / loan ..whatever the insurance we need to get over the line in May...if we miss that it'll go down in our history along with the infamous Wayman injury in 1949.

.......think VERY seriously about what might happen in the next 16 games, and just pray that Pellé stays fit :scared:and gets away without any more cards:scared: we'll never have a better chance to qualify for Europe than now, because by this time next season MU will have spent another £150 million and be back up near the top fighting it out with the other "Big teams"

OK but he can't have no.21shirt... .Ryan Bertrand's got that .....

it's only a joke... between me and Lets B Avenue. I wrote a text some time ago, and mis-typed 3-5-1 ...instead of 3-5-2 , and he's been making a joke of it ever since. The text you read was my joke reply to him. OK ?

I would have thought that they should have won by a bigger score. West Ham are bottom of that league ....and we are top .

oh now there's a difficult question...

that's purely because of the injury situation, and having a man carried off after we'd used all three subs...but maybe Ronald can get himself international clearance and play in the back four....?

both sides will be smarting over their Cup defeats and (in some ways) both have a striker problem. Beginning to have 0-0 draw written all over it, but is really a vital 3 point game, if we are to continue our push for Europe.

The situation isn't only in Greece, Some other EU countries are suffering, too. Busloads of Rumanians are flooding into Sweden, only to sit begging on the streets. Greece has allowed their people to work shorter hours, pension themselves whilst still in their 50's, and set a ridiculously low rate of tax (which most people just ignored). Now (we / they) have seen the result. I genuinely feel sorry for them, but the average Swede, who pays a 50% tax rate shows little sympathy. The question is now, will the EU continue to throw money into the " Black hole of the Greek economy " - knowing that it won't be re-paid? - ( that's a reported statement from their new government.) If the Greeks try to look elsewhere for their money where will they go?. Russia has it own problems but would surely trade extra finance for a naval base there, I'm sure, Another alternative might be to borrow from the Middle East, but what do they have ....to offer the Arabs? The average Greek holiday resort doesn't sound like an attractive proposition for them. Sadly, this may only be the start. Italy has been papering over the cracks in its domestic economy since before Berlasconi's time, and it looks no better now. There's no quick fix to this problem. Cue- the next Finance Crisis.

Well - the manager has found a reasonably successful system which we are playing. Must he change it to accomodate another formation that might not work, or get in someone who will fit the system. Surely a no-brainer?. What do we have the Black Box for?.If Pelle was " Koeman's first choice " last summer, we can't say he got it wrong-can we? , but who was no.s 2nd,3rd and 4th choice .Check them out.

yes I'm sure that RK wanted time to look at him, (but said in advance that he was going to get a contract offer in December) which I believe he did . Every player has a price (to sell)...or so they say, but likewise we can't afford to pay everyone 40/50 K week. It's his choice whether he accepts, or not. I can't believe that he's been playing FIFA 15 every weekend and hasn't given it thought and doesn't have some idea about what he wants to do in the future. His agent has had mentions on this site, and it's his job to get the best deal for his client, and we are well used to agents playing both ends against the middle and " leaking stories " to the media etc, etc. Several previous interviews I've seen suggest that a great many transfer deals are " set-up / agreed " sometimes months in advance, and so I can also see Koeman's point exactly. Jack a grown man - if he doesn't know his own mind, let his girlfriend decide, but now is the time to put up or shut up. I hope he stays (I like him), but if not...let's know ASAP and he can plan a replacement. I'm sure that Koeman is much more concerned about whether Schneiderlin and Clyne are still Saints' players - come August. Jack can be a part of the squad.... if he wants to.

I think one of the reasons he came to SMS was that he wasn't playing for Athletico .....(or not often enough anyway).

The third quote up there is mine......and although we seem to agree that " Academy is good ", things have to be kept in proportion. Nothing would please me more than to see Ryan Seager score the winner on Sunday, but to expect him to be up for it for the next 6-7 weeks is most unlikely. With rare exception, the majority of the " successes from the Academy " have been introduced into a stable side on a one-off basis. Right now, we have a major injury situation with at least 5 players who can be regarded as first choice players. In addition to which, we played with a very lightweight midfield on Saturday, which is exactly when we need players like Schneiderlin and Wanyama now. Trying to patch up the situation by throwing in kids sounds fine,(and most seasons we would have done that)....but now we are top 3, with Arsenal and MU breathing down our necks we can't afford to lose a single point if we are to maintain a Euro challenge, just at a time when those clubs are going through a bad period. We might never have a better chance of Euro football than now. Our first team squad is " very small " (Koeman's words - on several occasions) and with the current crop of injuries, we must have a ......journeyman /stop gap / loan / call it what you will, for the next 16 games to see us through till May. Long and JayRod are the only other experienced Prem. strikers we have, and we are likely to be without them until Easter, whilst Pelle is the only fit striker. If we lose many of the next 12-15 points.. we might as well go back to being satisfied with an 8th place, and await the next exodus of players in the summer. Harsh words? yes....and I really hope I'm wrong, but this is a heart / head question but common sense says - get in an established striker to help " see us over the line " come May.

I agree, but all he needs to do is ......sign the contract. If he wants away, better that we can plan for that eventuality now ....than in June.

Think you made a lot of valid points here, "phil" ....except that at the moment Pellè is the only striker available to us, at a time when we cannot afford to lose any points whilst in search of a Euro place. Whether he scores, or not (thanks goodness he finally did on Saturday).. we must be grateful every time that Pelle comes off the pitch uninjured, and without getting booked again. The injury list is getting dangerously large now , and the suggestion that Wanyama and Schneiderlin " may " be back in 2-3 weeks is little comfort if we drop points along the way whilst waiting, especially when we see that we have a very lightweight midfield at present. The JayRod situation has taken on serious dimensions. Koeman said he was looking forward to getting him back in December, but with February just around the corner, he's not even back in training. The ultimate fear is... will he recover enough to be a real threat in attack ...by the end of the season, let alone recover his " goal touch ". Now Long is out, we have no other alternative as Gallagher is still out and Seager (though good at U21 level) has had about 20 mins. of senior football. This is not the time to experiment with boys. I always wonder how new signings will adapt to the dressing room environment, but surely everyone in the squad realises it's not the time to be complaining about team selection. Another striker THIS WEEK is priority, and another CB if poss. otherwise what we all considered to be " an easy run-in " to the end of season can develop into a nightmare. Saturday's performance v. Palace should have rung a lot of alarm bells at SMS.

I can see Woking memory / viewpoint, but Lets B Avenue's stats. are correct. In his first two seasons MLT started just 22 games, and was used as a sub. 21 times. Hardly a regular. Nor had he attained his goal legend status by then, either. He did score 6 league goals in his first season, but managed none in his 19 games (in second season). (Around that time, many fans would have most likely to be noticing goalscorers like Colin Clarke and Danny Wallace ).

OUCH ! We shouldn't laugh. I damaged my ribs some years ago, and asked the doctor what sort of discomfort I might expect ...and what sort of recovery time? He said it starts to hurt more after a couple of weeks, but I'd only feel pain ....when I laughed, moved ....or breathed ! (he was right). No joke, though.

OUCH !

As Koeman said..there is a lot of interest in Premier League football in Holland. This is obviously a good laugh for the Dutch fans, but so far the two managers have tried to be " polite " about their rivalry, but sooner or later one of them will lose his cool. My guess would be LVG. He has more pressure on him - having spent all that money and failing to deliver , however Ronald seems a little more " laid back " and is exceeding all expectations. See how they both react (to each other) come end of the season....

Agree with that, Milton Aggro Not sure if Pellé was top of the list from the Black Box in the summer, but Koeman's knowledge about him must have tipped the balance. The real answer is perhaps not so difficult ..who was no.'s 2, 3 and 4 on the list? - and can we sign one of them before 2nd. Feb.?

P.S...........and above all ...a proven goalscorer, with a decent history not some promising kid who's scored a few spectacular goals last season. Get another Lambert / Pelle from Europe. O.K. We've got Gallagher (injured) and Ryan Seager (V.G. at U21 level), but we need someone who can hit the ground running. It surely can't be a money problem... with the CL in our sights.

Ah, but you missed the small print. The £20 million is only for his left boot, the right one will cost them a lot more.......