Lallana's Left Peg

Won't most employees bar the Manager and players have a rolling contract?

Depends on how Koeman wants to play next season and the degree to which he thinks Jay Rod can play up front. In the 4-2-3-1 I would be wary of Jay Rod's ability to play as a lone frontman with his back to goal. We know Long gives it a go but isn't great with the ball, so that would mean Pelle is our only option and dangerous. When we go two up front (either in the flat 'Atletico' 4-4-2 or in the 3-5-2) we know we can play Pelle, Jay Rod, Long, and Mane in those two so we have plenty of options there. If 4-2-3-1 is the default then it's all down to whether or not Jay Rod could cover Pelle as the long striker if required. Personally I'm not convinced but you never know.

Would be good if true - this morning the Daily Echo said Villa, Newcastle, West Ham, and Liverpool were all still pursuing him.

They don't learn do they

If Saints were aware of his contract clause, so were the big boys. I doubt this is new information for them. Saints being close to a deal could be, but it sounds like things are so far advanced it would take an unlikely turn of events for him to sign for someone else. And if he did, it says a bit for his character and we're better off without.

Yep you can include Davis too I suppose.

More than a little unfair when in an ideal world right now if the club had its choice our first team would contain Lallana, Chambers, Shaw, JWP etc.

Think the likes of Gallagher, Hesketh, and Sims would be the best prospects right now from the U21's in that part of the pitch but they are still a little way off in my opinion. Slattery from the U18's but he is very young. Other than that, I don't think anyone is anywhere near knocking on the door.

I think it gives us plenty of variety and depth, potentially the only question mark is the central role as a long striker as Jay Rod isn't proven in that role (for me) and Long isn't the best up there. But that aside we have lots of options for mixing up our style and personnel and that's a nice thing to have. Not much of a pathway for any kids though, but there isn't anyone knocking on the door yet so that's ok.

The more I look into him the more he seems like Bojan at Stoke, both in playing style and physically. And hopefully he'll have the same sort of impact too. Think this completes our work in the final third for this summer (Jay Rod extension, and Juanmi signed). That would mean the following players competing for 3-4 positions on the pitch at any one time: Pelle, Rodriguez, Mane, Tadic, Juanmi, Long, JWP.

The article states: They may or may not know this. They may or may not have been asked to publish this. They may or may not have been told this by someone they choose to believe. Whatever the case, they are saying he would like to join them.

As nice of a thought that would be, I don't think Saints are going to let a £12-15m asset depreciate in value at a rate of £1m per month and then walk away. He would 'cost' us £250k a week. I just don't think that will happen - and that is just on a financial level, not looking at the personal dynamics involved. I could be wrong, but I think the club are too pragmatic about these things.

Liverpool love briefing the press and the local rag up there are running a story that a new bid for Clyne is forthcoming, that Clyne wants to join, and Saints are privately resigned to him leaving.

Yeah could well be. Very different sort of player though from what I can tell.

Not the sort of player I thought we'd target. Be interesting to see how / where he fits in.

Except what team would he be an automatic starter for and would pay him more money?

We don't know exactly what they have been charged for yet other than breaking regulations. It could be a simple administration matter, or using an unauthorised agent in the deal etc. rather than their conduct towards Saints and views on 'tapping up'.

But you'd understand why some people would prefer us to wear yellow and blue away? It's just a personal preference based on what they'd like to associate Saints with.

What, you mean the kit we wore when we won our only major trophy has sentimental value to the fans? The worlds gone mad.

Dark green would be better than light green but I worry the navy blue means the green aspect will be quite bright and that would be horrible.

Yep. Wonder if they gave him the same deal they did Gomis? £8m signing on fee paid over 4 years! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/swansea-city/11356258/Swansea-City-have-to-pay-Bafetimbi-Gomis-8m-signing-on-fee-to-leave.html

Although irritating, I wasn't bothered from his unfamiliarity with football terminology. I was raging when he said no-one would be sold until we got a new Manager and then a few days later we sold Rickie Lambert when we didn't have a new Manager. That didn't inspire confidence!

Be interested in a double for Scheniderlin and Clyne to stay at Saints. The odds would be worth a nibble. Can see the odds of both being lined up by clubs as third or fourth choice and moves not forthcoming being longer than the chances of that happening.

Sunderland is a complete dump. Newcastle is miles better.