SaintJackoInHurworth

OK - getting ahead of myself here seeing as the transfer window has not yet closed, but... ...when do we have to submit our new squad numbers and list to the Premier League? And what happens to new players in the meantime? So, for example, some people were surprised that Forren wasn't in the squad against Man Utd, but could that have been because he hadn't been allocated a place in our official squad? Also taking into account the players that have been loaned out, where does that leave us in terms of spaces in the squad for the rest of the season? Lastly, if we have surplus places in the squad would we be able to take players on loan after tonight?

However little Ramirez and Puncheon have done in this game I can't understand those substitutions. They are the players with the flair to unlock United's defence - all they need is that one opportunity to do something and we get a goal. Davis can certainly link up play and Lallana also has the ability to do the unexpected, but would have preferred us to push Ramirez forwards and bring off Rodriguez for Lallana to come on.

Shame for him he's coming back - from what I have seen of him, he isn't good enough to play for us in the Premiership. Come to think of it, from what I've seen of him he wouldn't be good enough to play for us in the Championship if we were to get relegated! So, maybe it's a shame for us he is coming back too! That having been said, I hope that having had some game time out there maybe he can come back and prove me wrong!

Which Davis were you referring to? Steven Davis has been much improved lately - he was certainly one of our best players against Arsenal.

According to his pre-Man Utd interview, Pochettino is suggesting it is unlikely we will bring in any further transfers unless there are "any developments" in the transfer market: http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/manager-seeks-old-trafford-inspiration-624917.aspx So what do people think about that? * Is that suggesting that Coutinho was our only real target and so our only chance of signing a player is if the Liverpool transfer falls through? * Is that going to leave us short against Man Utd (and Wigan?) if Lallana is not yet fully match fit and Guly is also out injured? * Are people happy that we have enough cover in every position? * Is this good news because it means we are also not going to be selling any key players like Lambert?

I may have missed it, but I can't see anywhere that this report from Metro has been posted: http://metro.co.uk/2013/01/23/southampton-ready-to-hijack-liverpools-move-for-phillipe-coutinho-3363519/ Not sure it adds much to what we already know, but it does suggest that Saints are going to match Inter's asking price.

Boruc's performance against Everton was solid and by far his best performance in a Saints shirt so far. I genuinely hope he can keep it up. However, I am not about to get as carried away about this as some others on here. The sad facts of the matter are that in previous performances he has looked decidedly jittery at times and nothing like a world class keeper. Against Arsenal he also did really well (and probably had a little more to do than he had against Everton), but at the start of that match he made several clownish handling errors that could have been costly. It even got a comment on the MoTD coverage that evening. Confidence, however, is a funny thing and I hope that having gained some from a couple of clean sheets and the removal of the handling errors he will now go on to live up to the billing which you are giving him. At the same time, I hope too that Gazzanigga will grow in confidence and ability over the next few years to live up to the promise that he showed at Gillingham. Finally, though, I also hope that if Kelvin Davis (a keeper who has remained incredibly loyal to the club despite some awful treatment by the boo-boys) should be called on again this season, he will be given more of a chance than some on here have given him. Don't forget that it was he who performed so well for us in goal over the Christmas period and beforehand, earning a sustained spell back in the side for his consistency. It was only when we came up against Arsenal on New Year's Day that he lost his place to Boruc - for whatever reason that Adkins decided to make that change (or was it Cortese's decision?!) So, in summary: lets not get carried away, but let's also stop berating our keepers for the slightest wayward kick and get behind whoever is in goal - whether it be Boruc, Gazzanigga, Davis, Cropper or some other new keeper that we might happen to sign in the next couple of weeks!

I can't believe there are some people suggesting that we were nearly beaten and fortunate to get a draw. We completely dominated the first half (all of the TV highlights were Saints chances!) and should have been 2-0 up at least by half time - credit to Everton's defence and keeper for keeping them in it. Yes, there were 2 chances that Everton should have scored - but apart from that they barely had a shot on goal. They had a period of about 20 minutes at the start of the second half where they crowded the midfield and stifled our attempts to get forward - the result of a great tactical shift by Moyes rather than Saints getting tired (though the half time break had also possibly broken our momentum). During that period they grew in confidence and got the aforementioned chances. However, as the 2nd half wore on, we came back into the game and had as much of the ball as them if not a little more. Indeed, I would venture to suggest that we ended the game the stronger side. The game highlighted what we already knew - that without Lallana we lack options down the left hand side - with the exception of Shaw (who was again excellent!). It would be good to bring in someone who can play on either flank and can provide a better option than Guly. However, at the same time, I am wary of us doing anything that might undermine the confidence of Lallana who is a vital player for us. As for those who suggest that Ramirez is not doing the business, you clearly need to watch more of the game and note who it is that is combining with the other players to create many of our chances! Similarly, those who want to criticise Puncheon really are living in the past - this season (including tonight) he has been brilliant for us. All round it was a great performance. I hope that Ramirez's injury is not too serious and I also hope that Lallana and Forren will both soon be match fit.

I wonder whether, if the new manager fails and we end up getting relegated, the Liebherr family might actually decide to sack Cortese? I personally want to acknowledge that Cortese has achieved some good stuff for the club. However, that gives him no excuses for the arrogant, stupid decision made in sacking Adkins. Just as many managers who have achieved success have later been sacked when they have failed to continue the success (e.g. Benitez at Liverpool) I hope that Cortese himself will face the wrath of the club's owners if and when this ludicrous decision is shown up as the biggest mistake made at our club since the days of Rupert Lowe. I want to see Saints successful - and I believe I can honestly say that I want that MORE than Cortese wants it. However, I do not believe that this is the way to achieve that success. I fear that not only is it a decision devoid of any common morality, but it is doomed to failure. This is a sad, sad time in the life of our club.

I'm driving to this match from Darlington if anyone wants to car-share - even for just part of the journey. I've put more details here: http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?41411-Travel-to-Liverpool-for-those-in-the-North This may apply to this traveling from the East Midlands or Sheffield and not just those going down from the North East or West Yorkshire (though if you are travelling from either of those, get in touch!) Thanks!

I haven't heard from anyone about this and the offer still stands. I could detour via Leeds or similar to pick someone up (e.g. from Leeds station) if that would help. At the end of the day I suspect sharing lifts could save somebody out there some money and could save me a little too. As well as those travelling from the north this may be of interest if you are travelling from the East Midlands or similar and wanted to car-share across the M62 to share fuel costs. Get in touch if you would be interested in this. Thanks!

Thanks - that's great!

OK, clearly the club's focus has got to be upon the Norwich match as that is the next one and as things stand they are very much the sort of team we would want to be beating - not that I am taking anything for granted mind you! However, I can't help but notice that IF we do manage to beat Norwich and meanwhile Spurs beat Liverpool, then we go to Anfield next week only two points behind Liverpool. At the same time we would be seen as the club in form while they would be the team struggling for form! Add to that the fact that both Adkins and Lambert are from Liverpool and it could become a hotly anticipated match!! I am going next week, making my first ever visit to Anfield so I hope that the above scenario will perhaps become reality and that maybe, just maybe, we can go to Liverpool, get a win and leap-frog them in the table!! COYR

Is there any free street parking in reach of Anfield? I've never been before and would like to know where I am best to head for in order to park. I am happy to park a mile or so from the ground. Thanks!

I am travelling to Liverpool from Darlington next week. If anyone who is also travelling from up north would like to share lifts then let me know. This could be: * Someone coming from further north who is likely to travel down the A1 past Scotch Corner OR... * Someone who lives somewhere between Darlington and Liverpool (along the A1/M1 or M62 corridors e.g. Leeds) I am happy to drive and receive contributions towards petrol or be a passenger and make a contribution. I will try to check back on here sometime over the next few days or message me through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neil.jacko. Cheers!

Fitzhugh Fella:

I take it you missed the poll that was done on this site? While Saintsweb can't be taken to represent all fans, it certainly represents a significant sample and the poll clearly showed that over 50% did not like it. I imagine, however, that there will have been many who bought it anyway as it represents Saints return to the Premiership.

Just think what our sales would have been like if they had chosen a kit that the majority of fans like! I can't believe that it has outsold last season's kit, though maybe pricing has something to do with it. I loved last season's kit and bought it as soon as its price was reduced at the end of the season! In my opinion, it strikes me that the club's claims are either a complete fabrication or that the Premiership glory-hunter factor has come into play and we have also sold a lot abroad in the light of buying Lee, Yoshida, Mayuka, etc.

My reason for resurrecting this thread was not in any way to suggest that Martin was the answer to our defensive woes. It was written as some have rightly noted in the light of Seaborne's untimely recall to the squad against Leeds (a match which I had the displeasure of witnessing) and in the light of the change of manager at Palace. Ultimately, whether or not Martin has a Premiership future, it is doing him and us no favours if he is rotting away without any chance to play for a team in the Championship. I hope that either Holloway helps him to get sorted or that it is possible for the loan to be cancelled so that he can be loaned out somewhere where he might get some experience (or in a worst-case scenario, that he can replace Seaborne as our fourth/fifth central defender).

I don't think Adkins should go just yet as I don't think any manager would be able to lick that defence into shape tbh! I think we need a bit more loyalty not less and I think it is shameful how we treated some players in the summer - especially as some of the players have not been replaced with players who have shown themselves to be of any better quality than those that have left. That having been said, I do have my doubts about Adkins and always have (I have always believed we made a mistake when we let Alan Pardew go). Adkins certainly has a great ethos about how to play the game, but he needs to instil some more drive into the squad as well as a dose of Premiership nouse! Sometimes we are a poor man's Arsenal, passing ourselves to death without any finished article. I understand why we bought Rodriguez and Ramirez in the hope of doing something about that, but I think it has got to be more than having the players with potential. There has got to be some fresh ideas, drive, passion and intelligence too. Reflecting on our transfers in the past year or so, Mayuka. Lee and SDR have not been good buys and the jury is still out on Yoshida, Rodriguez and Davis. Ramirez looks like he could well be a great star of the future, but he is far from the finished article yet, while Clyne has imo been one of the better buys, but also has much to learn. Alongside this we sadly let a few players go in the summer who in hindsight may still have something to offer. I am particularly embarassed by the way we let Billy Sharp go. While he may not be the highest quality, nevertheless what he may lack in quality, he more than makes up for in workrate - something this current squad is lacking! Of course, we do not know to what degree Adkins has directed the transfer policy or whether this has been left up to Cortese. Either way, mistakes have been made and these must be rectified in January. At the end of the day, I am not convinced that changing the manager now would be the right option and, like under Rupert Lowe, it could be a fatal decision which further destabilises a fragile position. If, however, Adkins does go then personally I would love to see Joe Jordan as manager or coach, but would not want Redknapp anywhere near the club! Gary Neville may be able to do a job, but he has zero experience of Premiership coaching.

I'm listening to 5Live. Must search for a TV stream! At the start Savage was saying that Wbrom were the better team, but within a few minutes he is now saying Saints playing well and a poor start from West Brom!!

In the light of the change of manager at Palace, I thought it might be timely to resurrect this thread. I wonder if Holloway might give Martin the chance of a game? He hasn't done so today, but I guess time will tell. Can I just clarify... is he on a season-long loan or just on loan until January? If he is on a season-long loan I hope that if Palace don't play him this will be cancelled so that he can either: a. be loaned somewhere else where he can get valuable experience, or b. be added to our squad instead of Dan Seaborne - I personally think he would present better back-up than Seaborne, though hopefully we will sign a couple of better first-choice defenders in January, in which case it could be that there will be no space for either of them this season.

Really? Perhaps you could enlighten us as to what I wrote that was inaccurate? Do you doubt the statistics about how many goals we have scored and the comparison of that with other teams? Go check the facts and you will see they are correct! Or maybe you don't think we are usually slow starters, in which case I would suspect you must only be about 8 years old having started to support Saints a year ago when for a change we did actually start really well? Or perhaps you still doubt our financial situation despite the fact that every transfer window we outspend what the doubters proclaim? Please do share you superior knowledge with us...

Spot on! This is just complete media nonsense. It goes a bit like this: * Hmm, 'arry is without a job - who could he go to? * Hmm, Southampton have spent loads of money and are near the bottom - they could sack their manager. * Hmm, 'arry seemed to do very well at Spurs and we thought he was going to be England manager - surely he will get a job in the Premier League. * Hmm, 'arry lives in Bournemouth and doesn't want to move from there. Working in Southampton would be very convenient for him. * Hmm, 'arry used to be manager at Southampton - perhaps they will sack Nigel Adkins so that he can go there. * Aha! (Journalist's brain whirrs slowly) Maybe 'arry could get a job at Southampton!! Wow! Of course... that's it! * Now, when would this happen...? Hmm... (brain continues to whirr slowly..) * Perhaps if Saints fail to beat QPR that will be that for Adkins... * Hey, look at that...! The next match after QPR is against former Saints manager Alan Pardew's Newcastle - that would be a great game for us to talk about! Imagine the column inches... * (Brain slowly whirrs some more)... yes! It's gotta happen! Redknapp to be revealed as Saints' manager in a home match against Newcastle in about three weeks' time. * Wow! I'm a genius I think! They might give me a pay rise if I have guessed this one right! Cue: article in press...! Incidentally, FWIW, as many have pointed out apart from his spell at Spurs, 'arry has been a dreadful manager at many teams. He has been particularly poor at working with younger players - hence at Spurs he decided he would let someone else do the coaching for him and then just take all the credit. I think getting rid of Adkins would be counter-productive and would create the same sort of uncertainty we experienced in our relegation season. Incidentally in that relegation season, 'arry's record was worse than all the previous managers we had employed that season and he at the end of the season he sacked Jim Smith to make him a scape-goat for his own failings. He then appointed Kevin Bond who was even worse and we made an atrocious start to life in the Championship. Some of you will point to 'arry's success at Spurs and the development of younger players that has taken place there, but I refer you to my earlier identification of how Redknapp has achieved this success... he has got someone else to achieve it (namely Joe Jordan) and then taken the credit for himself. With this in mind, if for some crazy reason we decide to sack Adkins then my personal preference for successor would be Joe Jordan and not any of the other names that people have mentioned. If we are to change anything in the club's coaching staff, I would personally be pleased if we could keep Adkins and bring Jordan to work alongside him - that would be an amazing partnership!

OK - I am fed up with all the wrist-slitters on here! Let's look at some positives... * We have scored more goals than any other team in the bottom half of the Premiership. * We have scored as many goals as Arsenal. * We are the joint 8th highest scorers in the Premiership so far this season. * We have got as many points at home this season as Arsenal. * All of those statistics are despite the fact that we have played 6 of the top 9 clubs in our opening 8 fixtures. Reading and Liverpool have only played four of these teams, Stoke City and Norwich only five. * We are not bottom and are only one point behind the two teams directly above us!! A win against Spurs could potentially see us jump up to 15th in the table. * Our players are inexperienced at this level. They will get better as they grow in experience. * We have maintained a (numerically) great level of support despite our difficult start. * Unlike many of the teams towards the bottom of the table it seems likely that we will be able to spend money to attract better players (especially defenders) in the January transfer window. * We were only narrowly beaten by the Manchester clubs who dominated the Premier League last season and were close to drawing against them or even beating them. * We are usually slow-starters and get better as a season progresses. My advice to you all is this: 'Keep The Faith!!' and 'In Nige we trust!'