Lallana's Left Peg

We need to be careful though. We need a striker as backup, so it's going to be a player on loan. But how many established players go out on loan to be backup - it goes against the principle of going on loan for them. So then that leads you down the 'loan a prospect from a better club so they get more of a chance of first team football' route. But then you aren't loaning a known quantity that will definitely do a job for you. I can see why the club may want to sit tight and manage Pelle's fitness closely. If the opportunity arises to bring someone in then of course it makes sense but I don't think that circumstance will present itself personally. Not sure when Gallagher is back either.

As others have said, the need to sign a striker has existed since the start of the season as if we lose Pelle then the complexity of the team changes entirely. Long can't be relied upon to score goals and he is a different type of player to Pelle. Long's injury may prompt more movement in this area from a numbers perspective but the real need for a proper backup to Pelle has existed since the summer.

Same as at Newcastle except that Cork comes in for Reed.

Why would you think that? I don't think that would indicate anything personally - Koeman would be well within his rights to stick with the midfield three who did well at Newcastle. If Cork wasn't in the squad at all that would be more of an indication.

Isgrove Reed Gape Rowe

I don't think putting a deadline on it is going to go down well with Cork. It's taken the club the best part of a year (if not more) to sort out whether or not they want to keep him, and then they want an answer within a month or so? I'd hold out until the summer - refuse to leave if the club accept a bid, give my all for the rest of the season, and watch the offers roll in and compare them to the Saints offer.

I'd say he'd wasted plenty but made us far more in the grand scheme of things.

The 'best' new song I've heard recently was the Status Quo Toby Alderweireld one someone was hammering away with at Newcastle. It's so bad it's good.

A bit late with my reaction after a good weekend in Newcastle but just to say a special word for Pelle in the game. He is finding goalscoring chances increasingly hard to come by in some games but what impresses me so much about him is his spirit and teamwork. He clearly loves scoring goals, and he's been used to it for the last half of his career, however we're seeing a different side to him the last month or so. But while he can be frustrated he is never negative, he is always encouraging his teammates and putting his body on the line for his team. When the team scores he is making sure everyone celebrates together. I think he is very influential with all of the intangibles he brings to our team. He looks shattered and isolated at times, but I can't help but think he is always putting the team first and doesn't think a second about it.

I started a thread on him last season. I see his value and he has a lot of qualities but his best position is still unknown. In this system it is being furthest forward of the three midfielders - I don't think he has a 'presence' to play in the defensive two. But he needs to generate a goal threat, and needs to influence games more. He is clearly an intelligent and diligent player, and when he plays in his age group for England U21's he plays deeper and always looks good. There is more to come, and he deserves the opportunity to be able grow in that respect as well. He has developed nicely over the last few years and as long as that continues I'll be delighted. At a time when the fitness demands of the Premier League increase year on year, to have a player as adaptable as him is valuable - as well as his in game intelligence.

Based on what I understand from information that is out there (or rather, reports that claim to know) Schneiderlin - may be back for Swansea, should be back for QPR. Wanyama - early diagnosis was around 5 weeks, there hasn't been an update since that so on that basis he's back for Liverpool or West Brom JRod - no-one knows, no timescales given. Alderweireld - may be back for QPR, should be back for West Ham Mane - not sure how good Senegal are but the final is 8th February. So worst case (and assuming he doesn't come back injured) he is back for Liverpool.

"The Shaka Hislop Power Rankings" I don't think I even want to live any more - we've made it.

It's an absolute goldmine. Assuming our revenues are about ~£110m this season I estimate an increase of around 50%. Quite what the club would do with the money I have no idea but what a great task to have.

Enjoy watching the professionalism of the youngsters in our Academy - we seem to 'manage' games really well overall have a maturity to our performances which often eclipses that of our opponents. I think it's those sort of things which allows the club to blood them in the first team so easily as they have that level of refinement to the way they approach the game.

Would we not get a % of that fee for his development again? Or was that just when he left the club that signed him from us?

He is offensively ugly and would compromise our standing as one of the more aesthetically pleasing teams in the league.

He has all the cards - he has 12 months left to run on his deal and clubs who can and will offer far better terms are after reportedly after him. Even if he didn't play this season, he has 12 months to prove his fitness and get back upto speed before leaving on a free transfer and pocketing even more money. And if there were doubts over his fitness then surely Saints wouldn't offer him such a big deal? I am afraid he holds all the cards.

Crazy how yesterdays result makes me care less about this game, yet really I shouldn't as the chances of us finishing Top 4 didn't significantly improve and we really should go as strong as possible in this game. Yet in the back of my head I am just starting to wonder what the priority should be. Assuming no-one is carrying an injury we don't know about, I'd like to see us go 3-5-2 in order to get Long and Pelle working together up front but with only two centre halves fit and McCarthy playing tonight I suspect we'll be 4-3-3. On that basis: Forster Clyne Fonte Gardos Bertrand Wanyama Reed Schneiderlin Long Pelle Isgrove Maybe Tadic instead of Isgrove if Elia is to play at Newcastle.

I think Arsenal and Man Utd will sort themselves out but we'll make then earn it which will be pleasing.

How many of them looked like Victor Moses?

Bridcutt Outpaced by Can Poyet

Dzeko's conversion rate isn't particularly good either. And just to play Devils Advocate, Dzeko too is capable of absolute shockers and doesn't show a level of consistency that a player of his talent should. That doesn't mean he isn't good enough for Saints, and he is a better finisher than Pelle, but he isn't that much better in my opinion - or at least, wouldn't be for us. Plus his overall play for the team isn't that good - the sort of things a team like us need perhaps more than Man City who just need their strikers in the right place at the right time more often than not.

But that doesn't mean he might not have the opportunity to better himself based on his performances this season. Toby would be mad to stay - I think we all secretly know that. Morgan will be off too in all likelihood so that'll be three first team spots we need to fill this summer - perhaps Morgan replaced by Cork leaving the defence needing major investment, moreso if Clyne doesn't sign a new deal.

If we make Europe, then it would be awesome to sign him back on loan for a bit. Imagine the reception.

He wants to leave Man Utd as he doesn't like sitting on the bench every week. I doubt he'll be keen on swapping their bench for ours.