david in sweden

Oh I'm 100% on that. In fact, with Connolly's (1 year contract and uncertain fitness), and Barnards uncertain future (with the judiciary)... I think we need at least TWO. A "type" of Lukas / Maynard /Sharp / A.N.OTHER PLUS an established Striker with Premiership experience who won't cost a huge fee and 60K week.

it's a free world, so if true ..we move on and find someone better ...and more loyal!

Agreed! we probably do have 5 good enough for THIS season, but I'm sure he's written off at least two of those as far as Premiership candidates - or do you disagree? Injuries to key players always seem come at the most inconvenient times, and at a time when others are out of form / injured. Of course we need more (and better alternatives) than we have now .. no disrespect to the current pairing ! I wouldn't fancy going into August next season with the same central defenders we have now - and facing up against Man.City in the first game.

We always used to say that years ago when we had a "larger Dell " and we got "disappointingly low gates" (says he who lived only half-a-mile from the Dell!) The fact is that there are a lot of fans who live in " out in the Forest type " areas, and if you don't finish work till late and are maybe over-reliant on public transport - evening games like this are a "non-starter" - not to mention the problem of getting home again afterwards if they do go. No - disappointing maybe, but not unexpected ! and besides which, sorry but HULL doesn't have the same drawing power as some other sides in this league. and as far as the comment about Guly feeling the cold...it might not have been cold for you, but if you ever studied climatic stats. for South American countries you'd see that even 15 deg C is cold for some lands, but a November night on the South Coast..is not quite the same.

lots of comments there Window Cleaner, but the fact that he wasn't a regular with that club doesn't prove anything...maybe he wasn't the manager's favourite but Chaplow was out in the cold at Preston till he came to us - now he's a key player.. and that Hooiveld fellow ..not even a regular place on the bench at Celtic , but now.... ! As you say De Grafschaap were poor last year... but it's difficult for anyone to show up well in a poor side... I think many people..(maybe not you) are convinced that SDR was a good investment. He gets a few minutes sub.times in most games and has got four goals -so far - all coming off the bench. I think he has a lot of potential, but doesn't quite fit into the present (successful) formation that NA is using. In time, he may be more regular.

looking forward to the end of the season.. Jaidi (now injured) will retire end of season. Seaborne - still not back in the fold ..may never be ? Martin - V.G. prospect but not played CC level regularly yet. May be good enough in a year ..or two. Harlee Dean ..if youre counting him ?) only recently converted to CH for the U21 side, and hasn't even had a debut yet ! which leaves us with Fonte and Hooiveld as regulars ...can't really say we have six CH good enough for next season - can you ?

SNS suggested the deal was worth a little under £2 million...probably a bit less than ..but with some eventual add-ons for promotion etc, . Great news!

I don't normally differ with your opinions Smirking Saint, but; YES he is " building " a career...in a sh*t awful side at the bottom of the league, of course he's THEIR star player. I don't believe he's so naive as to think he'd come in and immediately displace the league's leading scorer.. except when (like now) that player may be injured (or worse be out for an indefinite period). Besides NA has a sqúad concept and he'd have to get into that. ... if as you say (and I agree) he is a good prospect and likely to improve, then (in Adkins thinking) he will develop into a Prem. player...with Saints (also in Adkins thinking) . No-one has ever been BORN into a Premiership team, some develop talent early on, but most have to work hard to achieve /and retain it. Whether we are talking about Lukas, (or A.N. OTHER striker).. it stands to reason that just now we are seeing the best..that Ricky Lambert has ever been. (his words, too)...and we are glad of it, but few would expect him to get even better when entering the Prem. at age 30 ..or would they? We need to coach (I avoided the word "groom " for obvious reasons) but someone with talent who will eventually take over that role. I have no definitive opinions on who that should be, but it has to be " someone " and we must bring them in soon so as to be in place for next season. Even the "suspicion" of an injury to Lambert only goes to emphasise that IMO.

Of course that's purely a " teenage thing ". They think 26 is almost "pensioner-status", but it's when most good players are just " beginning " to peak. AS for the Kev is too old remark, from my many years experience, the " genuinely good" goalies under 30.. could be counted on one hand. Nowadays, keepers seem to get better in their mid 30's (look at the Prem.) Edwin Van der Sar didn't join MU till he was past 35, and Antti Niemi was around 33.. when he left SFC and went to Fulham, and the likes of current GK like Shay Given aren't spring-chickens either. NO sorry (young lad). When you get a bit older you'll see that experience counts for a lot more.

You're right ...and everyone has " a bad day at the office " now and again...but as far as I can see some of the criticism might well be directed to NA who might have thought twice before subbing the injured Chaplow with Schneiderlin - instead of the more agressive goal-poaching SDR. Despite his excellent passing game / possession play, Schneiderlin lacks the aggression / and goalscoring prowess (of Chaplow and De Ridder) especially when playing away against a side determined to get 9 men behind the ball instead. We needed someone to take on the deefnce, not play keep ball. I think a couple of people also mentioned that Lambert was " almost invisible ", too.

--instead of sitting on their bench you mean, my thoughts entirely ! if he's that good we should take a good look at him....in an auction situation Cortese would win, wouldn't he ...

WELL...according to most assessments Lallana had a terrible game v Bristol City, but no-one is suggesting we drop him ..are they ? ..and against Hull they both scored ...eh !

THX. didn't see that, but it would be nice for him to get a Championship Winners medal - wouldn't it ? After all, he did come when we were down in L1 with -10 points and he was still loyal. If he gets fit by April, have him on the bench for the run in.

what's to argue?...he's our second-highest scorer this season !.... (and pretty good on assists too), I believe Is that a reason that he ...shouldn't.... be playing every game.

Your point is well made, but which is more important ...a striker who scores a goal.... or a midfielder who runs his a** off and never scores ? I really admired Brett Ormerod for his tireless work rate, but his scoring record was little better than some midfielders !

There always seems to be a minority who want to drop /sell / replace a striker who's gone 5 matches without scoring, but few (VERY few) score regularly throughout the season. Strikers are reliant on good service and without that they are about as involved as the linesmen in a game (sorry ASSISTANT REFEREES). Just take a look at some prev.records as you'll see. James Beattie went 10 games before scoring in season 2002-03 then scored 11 goals in 8 games, and later on scored in 6 consecutive games in the Spring. He ended up with 23 Prem. goals and was beaten only by Thierry Henry (when at his best). Barnard needs to get back a few 95 minute games under his belt, and getting chances regularly... then he 'll be back to form.

If Lukas (or anyone else) comes, do you really think that they would expect to come in and replace the divisons leading scorer? Surely no-one would be that naive ! IF... Lukas he's 22 , and Ricky is already 29?. ...so who do you think will finish their career first ?

Firstly I don't expect to find a " second Rickie " as the finished article, of course (whoever) will get better coaching and have to wait their turn.... and I wasn't expecting the " someone " to REPLACE Rickie either...at least not right away Go back 10 years and we had " third division Kevin Davies" and " Blackburn reserve James Beattie" on the bench for a season whilst David Hurst and Egil Östenstad were first choices, but at least we had back-up ! Now we don't ! In our present squad we have 5 full backs (NA included Dickson in his interview after Hull game). We have 5 central defenders (all of whom has first team experience). At least half a dozen midfieders and the interchangeable front pair of (Connolly / Barnard)...but there is no obvious replacement for Lambert in case of .. injury (like yesterday). All these players know that only 11 can play at any one time and are resigned to being on the bench waiting for his chance. Bart has been second choice keeper ever since he came, but isn't screaming to leave because Kel is first choice. The manager's choice depends on form / fitness / and availability. No-one is on form ALL the time, and several players have been rested for a game so far this season, but serious injuries don't go away easily or quickly: If Rickie's hip is a serious job then sh*te (say I).

I'm still on the fence about an extension, but the idea "sounds nice " if we fill the stadium, but at the end of the day (sorry season) its Cortese's vision ..and his (Liebhers investment )..all Saints fans need to do is .. ....BRING A FRIEND. Don't any of you have a mate/colleague / friend /neighbour ...whose never been to a match and might want to come and see what it's like?.....Ask someone to come FCS!

Don't be daft !..I've been a Saints fan since the 1950's .. don't you think this type of situation has occured before .. and not just with us! . Not having back-up / cover for your best player is just asking for trouble.

I don't think they are likely to get that sort of money for someone who only has 6 months of his contract left. Maybe if he was a top Prem.player..but not otherwise. Wait till June and any club can sign him for nothing..and pay him well instead !

and I seem to recall some article stating that,,, "we had not bid for him in the summer, anyway...?" (maybe just a paper / agent's story..?)

.....I wouldn't consider that he would displace either of the other two, but it would be good to have him fit /available in the Spring in the event of ...injuries /suspensions. He is on a one year contract now..surely his last ..or next to last.