Lallana's Left Peg

What is the threshold then? Can someone who plays in a lower league not be considered to have a better 'football brain' than someone in a higher league purely because of the level they play at? Walcott is like a headless chicken at times and he is a very good player when he has to act on instinct and has no options to think about. With players ahead of him and the ball at his feet, it is atrocious at times. I see the composure and maturity in Chamberlain's game that I didn't in Walcott at the same age. Then again, I thought Walcott would go on to be brilliant and quite frankly he is a slightly above average player which is a massive comedown from what was expected of him when he broke through.

Nice. Plus £100 for an U11's season ticket is good.

Makes sense for Saints to do that. But might not make sense for Chamberlain to do that unfortunately.

Unfortunately if he stays with us this season next summer he will only have a year left on his contract which puts Saints at a bit of a disadvantage when demanding a high transfer fee. I understand how selling him may be for the greater good in terms of next season, but with respect to the long-term keeping him has many benefits off the pitch as well. It creates the right impression of the club in terms of having to sell all our best players, it shows how determined we are for our Academy graduates to have a career with the first team and not just be used as fuel to run the club, and it helps attract other players to the club when they see how we are growing and keep our best players. Chamberlain is a potentially important milestone the new era of the club. On the other hand if he determines he wants to leave then we need to let him go - but only on our terms.

Well if we can only base our opinion on what people tell us personally we're all in a world of trouble, aren't we? Adkins clearly hates him (there was a telling interview after the Charlton away game), plenty of rumours flying about but I don't think a player is made to train with the youth team unless there has been a big falling out and a sign of disrespect shown to either the club or the Manager. Puncheon's body language is atrocious at times and when push comes to shove, I'm far more inclined to support Adkins over Puncheon any day of the week. Luckily, the club feels the same way too. We know that team spirit is something Adkins rates highly so if Puncheon doesn't fit - either through his actions or he may be a bit of a loner in general, then get him out.

I base my opinion on the fact he told Adkins he wasn't 'mentally prepared' to play in a game for us when he came back from Millwall on loan and the speculation about his future was rife. So yeah, I think he is a *****.

We are fortunate enough to be in a financial position that we can take this sort of stance with talented players who have bad attitudes. Many clubs, including us for the majority of my life, have had to put up with it because what they offer on the pitch and not froze them out as we have with him. Long may it continue.

I don't want *too* much change though - team spirit is good now and we don't want to be starting again. Need the right balance.

"John Motson...was a bad choice."

Well if Forecast has the same impact on the team next season as the Waterboy did in that film then I think we'll be just fine!

I believe the Fonte award is the one we voted for as fans. I certainly e-mailed my vote to the club (as instructed by the club) and received acknowledgement that my vote had been registered.

Given we all think spirit and togetherness hasn't been this good for several years, I see nothing wrong with this trip whatsoever. A chance to celebrate together as a team (WAGS not going I believe) to ensure through thick and thin next season - and there will be little runs where we don't do well - one thing we won't be lacking is togetherness.

The blooding of youngsters is extremely important as it helps us attract talented kids in the future. Saints don't just pay lip service to their Academy - they genuinely view it for the purposes it exists: to provide players for the first team. I would definitely like to see some kids make the jump to the senior squad next year and make a contribution, but it isn't without risk. Championship football is physical and competitive, the circumstance has to be right.

Good article - pretty fair summary of the last 24 months.

While I won't argue that he has had nothing more than a 'steady' time with us and that it might be nice to think we could attract some better players due to promotion, I think assuming he won't be signing permanently is a little short-sighted at the moment. Very rarely do you sign one of the better players on loan from another team without following it through with the permanent signing in the summer. And don't forget the way he left Oldham - the way the club portrayed the move on their official website. I wouldn't be surprised if he was signed, nor would I be surprised if he went back to Oldham. However, if he goes back to Oldham, he'll be joining a club of Saints size in the summer I've no doubt.

:lol:

I'm not so sure about that - he started against Plymouth in what was an extremely important game and with promotion virtually secured, the Walsall game was about the players who had been with us and contributed over the course of the season - that is why I think it was Chaplow, Chamberlain, and Harding that all came off the bench and not anyone else for a 'runout'. I don't think the door is closed on him at all and an Oldham supporter said they all think he will be signing permanently in the summer (would certainly be hard for him to go back after the way the club went public with his departure).

Despite our squad being full of players I'd consider better on the ball, there is something quite reassuring about seeing Hammond's name on the teamsheet because you know what you will get with him up and down the pitch all day doing his bit to put the gamewinners in a position to do their thing.

I don't know about family problems, but I do know his wife and kids still live in S****horpe.

Lets not worry about Poyet - he knows exactly how much he has over-achieved this season (and well done to him and them) because he is already starting the excuses for next season. Their best player clearly knows it too as he is showing no signs of signing a new contract, its hardly a ringing endorsement for whatever is being built there. Our own prospects are much better than theirs so lets allow this to play out and in 12 months time we can look back at this silly little spat with their club with a wry grin on our faces.

If you really want to wind them up, ask them why their Manager thinks they will struggle next year and why their best player is refusing to sign a new contract: http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Latest/0,,10433~2350375,00.html?

I don't really care who does it, I don't really agree that Huddersfield deserve it because finishing 3rd means you deserve the playoffs and not automatic. They have been great this season and should win the playoffs but if they don't go up it won't be unlucky for them since the reward for 3rd - 6th is playoffs and nothing more.

Up at 6.30 7am leave Manchester In Southampton for 11am - head to the city centre 1pm head towards the stadium to soak it all up 7pm leave stadium and see what is going on back in the city centre 10ish head back up the M6!

I'm confident of winning. Very anxious but I always am no matter what our chances of winning!

We've come in from 7/10 (1.7) to about 1/2 (1.5) overnight!