Lallana's Left Peg

I see no reason for wanting him to leave, however from what I can gather he appears to have mainly been tasked with two things. 1. To support better harmony in the club throughout all employees. 2. To drive an initiative towards a more sustainable future for the club with one of the primary drivers for this being increased commercial revenue which was a huge issue for us. He seems to have nailed 1., but 2. is very important as well. He references 2016 in his interviews but I don't see a reason why commercial revenue cannot increase before then.

How do you work that out? This match isn't more or less important than the vast majority we've already had this season. Nothing is decided from it, and its only February.

Of course. But there are also plenty that will stay for more money. Or maybe we can attract an ever better calibre of player. Either way a big increase in commercial revenue is very important in the FFP rules.

I think our 'native' intake for the current crop of first year scholars was quite poor (I believe it was the group that were scouted when we were in financial trouble in around 2009) therefore towards the end of last season we went out and attracted / acquired / signed a number of prospects from other clubs. I think around half of this years first year scholars come from other clubs and were only signed towards the back end of last season. Willard is one of them from what I've been told.

With this newfound popularity aboard I look forward to the huge spike in commercial revenue which will allow us to offer better salaries to players in order to keep them here. Or else someone isn't doing their job properly.

Completely forget about Christer Warren!

He's a bit of a precious flower which makes me think that a bit of grief would affect him but at the same time I think that he has a bit of an ego too which could thrive on that sort of reception and the thought of him giving some back in celebration is incredibly annoying. Would rather we get behind the lads at this stage - if we're winning comfortably and in no danger of throwing the game away then I would be tempted to have some fun.

I edited just before you posted

Only JWP and Chambers have captained the national team. So I think his point stands - that a player from Saints was chose to captain the national team ahead of others from bigger clubs.

He's definitely had one. It hasn't been signed. Why that is could be down to either party, but a contract offer was definitely made. He also had it in his existing contract that after he made 40 starts in the league he was due a new contract. He hit that target sometime around March / April last year. Whether the contract offer was token due to that obligation or a serious offer that was rejected I don't know.

Central midfielder.

A far more polished interview than those he gave in the first 6 months of his tenure. Unless I'm reading too much into it, it sounds like the Clyne situation is that he wants more money than we're willing (or can) offer. Which is a positive for me as I thought he wouldn't want to sign regardless. Come the summer I suspect we may be in a stronger financial situation but time will tell on that.

He is a fantastic talent, and his family and representatives know it as well. They are aware of interest from other clubs and I've been told they are constantly pushing Saints in order to keep him there. He is already playing regularly for the U18's and I believe made an appearance for the U21's (off the bench) already. I think the club are pushing him a little quicker than they'd like but they have people to keep happy and apparently such is his talent it is a compromise they are willing to make. His talent will either take him to a bigger club soon or fast track him to the U21's within 18 months and then who knows.

Van Gaal has been an absolute clown this season. I can't believe the lack of criticism. Man Utd playing a diamond which means that Shaw and Valencia (both attacking full backs) are getting forward well but Man Utd are not using the width at all. It's hilarious. That said, neither of them can cross a ball anyway so its all round.

I'd like to think that is the case but with the likes of Man City, Liverpool, and Spurs all at least interested in him (though to what degree I am not sure), I do not believe he will let his medical status influence whether or not he signs a new deal. I'd surprised (and delighted) if he did. But if you're receiving a 5 year contract offer in the middle of cruciate ligament rehabilitation and you don't sign it...I think that speaks volumes. Don't think he'll give anything other than 100% for us while he is here, but for how long will be a matter of how much of a gamble the aforementioned teams want to take in the summer.

Squad is nowhere near big or good enough to compete effectively in Europe and do well in the league. Every year the Premier League becomes more physically demanding and only those with the best squads can do well on two fronts. Take a look at Spurs - they play a different team in Europe and even then their league form hasn't been great for a while because even playing a different team impacts league form because of lack of preparation etc. Getting back from games early Friday morning and the playing on Sunday screws you completely. Liverpool's form has a relationship with their European games as well (it's not the only factor but it is a factor at least). That said, none of this scares me - I'd be happy enough to see us play kids in Europe. It's all a part of the adventure - and I'd rather play Academy players than see us fill out the squad with filler just because of the amount of games we've got to play. As the squad stands, and assuming no-one leaves (or is adequately replaced) and we play a different 11 in Europe (presuming it is the Europa league here!) then we have issues at right-back, keeper, central midfield, and winger. But then if players are injured we have issues again. It's tough.

I think West Ham will be trying to do to us what Palace did - attack and be direct and take their chances at the other end defensively.

So on the premise that Clyne and Schneiderlin seem likely to go, and looking at existing playing staff: Players leaving this summer: Clyne - sold for £15m Scheniderlin - sold for £25m Boruc - out of contract Jos Hooiveld - out of contract Contracts worth considering this summer: Victor Wanyama (expires Summer 2017) Jay Rodriguez (expires Summer 2016) - believed to be sitting on a 5 year deal. I can't think of anyone else important (or of sellable age) that has a deal expiring in 2016 or 2017. Any ideas? So that would be an extra £40m in the coffers and an immediate first team need for a right-back and central-midfielder with no heir apparent internally for either role (Reed I like but he has a way to go still). I doubt Alderweireld will stay so we'll need another centre-half too unless Gardos improves significantly and / or the club have earmarked one of Turnbull or Stephens to make the step up, but whatever none will be as good as Alderweireld . Elia seems an easy decision to make based on his contribution thus far. A potential European campaign may change the way we think about the balance and depth of the squad (and obviously whether that is Champions League or Europa League impacts financial status as well). I also make that we're going to be at least £10m 'up' on last seasons TV money based on expected league position and the number of times we've been on TV. Whether or not that (along with the Cork money) was already accounted for in the Bertrand deal I don't know. I presume we'll look to shift Osvaldo and Ramirez. So contract wise this summer we're not in a bad place (in part because of so many new players this summer), but with potentially lots of money to spend I can see Koeman continuing to build a squad in his image.

The amount of money that Premier League clubs will receive now is crazy - regardless of how good they are, they will be nudging close to £100m of income. I've no doubt most of the money will find its way to the players, which also means that the league will continue to attract most of the best players in the world. I think the national game owes it to itself to distribute some of this money down the pyramid, specifically to safeguard the national game really in terms of player development and overall welfare of the game. I don't think it matters whether or not Championship downwards contribute directly to the Premier League, they do so indirectly in so many ways that if they were to disappear then the national game would suffer massively. This money also screws the English national team a bit more, but that is an argument for another day.

Morgan and his dodgy groin. Keeps flaring up and not good news that on his comeback at the weekend there is another problem (though to be fair, it may not be his groin). Lets hope another 10 days of rest and he is ready for Liverpool.

The statistics show they are as direct and long ball as they ever have been - the difference is that they now have better players / more quality on the ball in playing that way so are having more success. I don't think there is a wrong or right way to play football personally, and that teams should give themselves the best chance they have of winning a game - I don't mind the way West Ham play at all but they don't set-up to pass the ball. They are direct and strong.

I'd find that hard to believe given we started the season with a loss and then a draw. And then I think we dipped out of it a little while ago too. Two sounds far fetched.

Dave Watson is Uber Serious. I love that he is a GK coach but that isn't enough for him. He wants in on the substitutions. He wants in on the tactics and briefing players on set piece responsibilities. He wants in on doing the whole handshake thing on the pitch at the end of the game. And I wouldn't be surprised if that earpiece he has on doesn't even work. He wants to complete football and will not sleep until he does. Also, regarding the goal celebrations, I love the **** eating grin on Harrison Reed's face as he passed the QPR bench on his way to warm up

West Ham look very tired to me, there was nothing in the tank for the last 20mins. If we start brightly and get the first goal I think we can win this one without too much drama. Get dragged down into playing the sort of game that West Ham want and they are a real danger. All down to us I think.

How does he measure whether or not the cost of the sponsorship of the club is an investment that has provided profit for Veho?# I have no idea how any sponsor can do this as so many other things impact business. Do they just write it off as some sort of investment without knowing whether or not it is worth it?