Lallana's Left Peg

Interesting that Burnley have just signed a striker on a 3 month loan...

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2582993,00.html? Highly recommend you go if you can make it - good fun and the team are very good too. Some real prospects in this group.

Sky Sports claim Crystal Palace are interested in Jason Puncheon. Wasn't aware they had much money, and we've made it clear what our asking price is - perhaps there is a swap deal in the making?

And as I speculated a few days ago, here it is: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/296086/Gary-Hooper-wants-new-deal-to-match-big-earners? Silly for Lennon to talk about that £35m asking price, even if it was a joke, as the player now wants to be paid more (also a consequence of recently changing agents, as I also said).

The only thing that troubles me about this signing is whether it is Iago or Yago. I see plenty of evidence for both.

Does the player currently play in this nation or does he come from elsewhere?

Leicester are in turmoil at the moment. Lots of dressing room issues, many of the players haven't taken to Pearson. They have some good players but at the moment have no identity as a team and if we start confidently we could comfortably win. In contrast, a nervous start and Leicester growing as the game goes on would be a big problem. Good time to play them though.

It's getting to the point now where if the player does want to leave then he needs to help the process. If not, lets go elsewhere. Celtic are perfectly entitled to ask for whatever they want for him. If it is £35m then so be it. He has 2 years left on his contract according to my Celtic supporting mate and has recently changed agent - and his agent has asked for a new contract for Hooper. So if they rate him so highly, then the agent can argue it is time for a new contract to reflect that worth. If Celtic say no, then they have another situation on their hands. I'm not saying we're bigger than Celtic in any shape or form but his career will only go so far with them as they are handicapped by the league they play in, which they can do nothing about.

That was a solid performance - Hooiveld was outstanding in the air - unbeatable. Martin continues to deputise well too. Great to see Connolly and his link-up play back, and something to mention about the midfield too. For a while it's been debated whether Schneiderlin, Hammond, and Cork can play in the same team. It has never really clicked, and all the time it has been Schneiderlin out on the right. Well in the second half at Coventry we had Cork on the right in the 'Chaplow' role (energy, a bit further up the pitch, and tucking into pockets of space) and it worked well. And that is what we went with today and it again worked fantastically - that is the right balance. Fox defended very well, and Forest sticking a winger on him didn't work at all. Nor did their long ball game. Lots of confidence back with this Saints team now, and done without Lambert which is a relief (and surprising to me). Managed to do this without needing to risk De Ridder (unused from the bench) and only concern is Guly aggravating the gluteal injury. Could have been 6 or 7 too. All in all, a fantastic game and great atmosphere in the away end. Hooiveld MOM - cannot emphasis how class he was today.

The team have an excellent chance of going all the way. They are well drilled and have a great understanding - and are all good footballers. The only thing to be weary of is if they come up against a big physical team. We are not the biggest and could be bullied out of a game as physical advantages make much more of an impact at youth level.

I would say about 700-1000 there. Not many Saints fans - a small handful scattered about. Locals didn't take too kindly to any encouragement for our lads

Based on nothing other than my opinion, I suspect he is a backup target - someone who we may pursue if other avenues prove fruitless. Same with Sharp.

Just back from the game. A bit scrappy, a few players off form tonight, but did well to come back and bossed the second half to be fair. Could have had a few more as well. Bolton worked hard and had dangerous wingers but little else beyond that. They tired quickly in the second half. Our lads enjoyed celebrating the second goal in front of the Bolton fans, who were all booing - they seemed to get a buzz from it. Luke Shaw - what a player. Everything looked so easy to him and his pace is pretty savage too. Much be an instinct he has to be near the ball and when we broke out of defence he was often further than the midfield. Unbelievable engine on him too. Hope he stays.

Bump for anyone in the North-West. Will be heading to this tonight.

Just been told that Neil Lennon has told the media (after Celtic's match today) that they have rejected our approach for Hooper.

Just back from the game. Bit of a peculiar one today. We played a lot of senior players who are a little out of form along with a very ineffective strikeforce of Lallana and Doble. It was a diamond formation with James Ward-Prowse (who only turned 17 a few months ago) at the tip of the diamond. And it was ****. No out ball (Lallana and Doble in the air...) meant the defence messed about with it more than usual in a bid to keep the ball, but not only didn't they have an out ball, the midfield did not seem to be organised to determine who was going to be doing what. It was really frustrating. Coventry also rested several players and came out of the blocks quickly, thanks in no part to us encouraging them with some very sloppy play. We had Białkowski to thank for us only going in one down at HT. Not that Coventry carved us open, but it was basic things like defending set pieces and balls over the top that did the damage. At HT we changed it, going 4-4-2 with Lallana out on the left and JWP up front with Doble. JWP did more in 5mins than Doble did all game in terms of running, keeping the ball, showing, and competing. The change in formation worked and after 60mins until the end we bossed the game and Coventry ran out of ideas and couldn't cope with the passing and movement. They still countered well, but that was after we would mess up rather than any sort of methodical tactic. In the end we saw the game out easily and a lot of confidence and belief came back. I was happy to take a draw for the extra game off Lambert's suspension but the confidence and comeback for the win means more for the team and so I am still satisfied. Thought Jack Cork was MOM today - outstanding and took on a leadership role with the kids.

His is press conference today apparently Lennon confirmed Saints interest in Commons but said he wants to keep him.

Lots of people are very anxious because of recent form and they see promotion slipping away. So they are in a bit of a panic and because this guy doesn't appear to be a sure thing like a known commodity already playing in this country / division, he is not being given a fair crack of the whip. I do not see him as a panic signing, I have more than enough faith in Adkins that he would scout someone properly - both in respect to talent and suitability for our team on and off the pitch - before making a bid. Yes it would be fair to say the settling in process for foreign players can be assumed to be longer than players already based here, but at the same time I am sure Adkins and Cortese are acutely aware of how big the opportunity is to go up this season and will be doing everything they can with the resources we've got to give it our best shot with no regrets. Adkins deserves the benefit of the doubt with this one based on his efforts thus far.

I didn't know that - interesting. Well as a free agent I think it definitely won't be the only signing we make up front.

Aside from Leicester and West Ham, I doubt you'd find any other team in our division about to spend £1.8m on a player this transfer window. People are understandably a bit cautious as this could be our only striker signing this window. But even if it is, Lambert, Connolly, Guly, and Tadanari is a decent stable of strikers to choose from. Plus Guly, and it sounds like Tadanari too, can play in other roles. I've discounted Barnard as he has hardly featured due to injury thus far. We have to trust Adkins with this one. Cork, De Ridder, Hooiveld, and Fox have all been decent signings in my opinion, so lets hope this guy is one too. I think this takes our spending since promotion up to about £5.5m - £6m?

Great interview with the commentator bloke. It sounds like he is a very 'Adkins' type of player. A bit of guile, sees a picture, and good technique. The downside of all that positive is the inconsistency, otherwise he'd be going to a much better club. As long as we with enough options to cover injuries and loss of form, having a lot of these players is no problem as when they are flying they can't be stopped in this division. My only concern is our pressing need for a massive contribution now - in the last half of the season. We saw with Guly last season, and De Ridder this season, that it takes players from foreign leagues a little while to settle down and be in a position to tangibly contribute. And if it does take Lee a while, I sincerely hope fans do not get on his back as they panic about us going up. That said, I obviously hope he hits the ground running!

He was just being professional and doing his job. Not very nice but it happens in football. Lambert should not have given him a chance to react in that way, even if the Ref was not doing his job properly. Poyet clearly encourages that sort of behaviour as the ill-discipline is prevalent throughout the team and is reflected in their disciplinary record. But we knew all this before, so no point moaning about it now. If that is how they need to behave to get on then good luck to them.

Yes but I would think Adkins has more than earned the trust from the fans so it is disappointing to see them react with a 'actions speak louder than words' response to that. The transfer window has been open 48hrs. If no movement by the time the Leicester game comes around then fine, but for now put a bit more trust in a Manager who has given the club an outstanding 18 months.

Agreed. Most reassuringly, it suggests the wheels have been in motion for a while, not just as a knee-jerk reaction to the last few weeks. So hopefully the guys brought in a long-term targets rather than short-term panics.

From what I can tell in the first half it was only a matter of time until we scored. In fact we did but the Ref didn't give it. Then the red card changed the game. What is disappointing is then conceding 3 goals in 30mins. That isn't acceptable even when you have 10 men. We should have been better organised to deal with the situation. We now have Guly injured along with Chaplow, Fonte, Jaidi, Barnard, and De Ridder (who I assume is injured). The lack of options today harmed us and it is definitely time to get a few new faces in who must be familiar with what is required and can hit the ground running. Remarkably, we're still top after one win in six. A nice 2 week break from the league now and I expect the reserves to play next week. Our form is a concern but it is not unexpected. The big picture still looks very positive and I hope this place doesn't become a hive of negativity. Be concerned about our form but do not treat it like the end of the world.