Saint-Armstrong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrTxz2CJiK4

I'd expect Osvaldo to be welcome pre-match, start on the bench and get 15-20 minutes at the end. Just make sure you welcome him well...

At roughly 2pm, the club YouTube channel will be broadcasting Osvaldo's presentation to the media. We are due to hear from Pochettino and Osvaldo, as well as Osvaldo's squad number being announced. Thought the old thread was massive so this one would be good for those of us hoping to watch it, and it flags it up to others.

Yes - the Wanyama one from Celtic was going well at the back but didn't make its way forward. Lovren - nope.

Welcome Pablo. Couldn't give two-hoots if he gets other clubs' feathers ruffled. He's a class player and MP must be sure on him.

I couldn't give a stuff about him talking in Spanish and wearing a blue tie.

Gianluca Di Marzio: Osvaldo, there's still ok to Southampton: the latest - http://www.gianlucadimarzio.com/calciomercato/osvaldo-non-ce-ancora-lok-al-southampton-le-ultimissime/ TRANSLATION

You were stalking someone in Dune's Bar? Barry will be here soon...

Lugano was a decent players but his legs are long gone. He was utterly terrible in the Confed Cup and has the turning speed of a bus.

Saints will be broadcasting the first pre-match press conference of the season live on YouTube at 3pm. Broadcasted here: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxvXjfiIHQ2O6saVx_ZFqnw

I'd like to start the motion to update the banner. A recent Lambert picture, or can he be the first to have one with an England shirt on? Awesome celebration pictures knocking about.

New additions to his Wikipedia page...

VS KICK-OFF: 15:00 First game of the 2013/14 Premier League season. I'm going to give this a trial go, and see how it goes and how it's received. West Bromwich Albion - A Potted History West Bromwich Albion Football Club, affectionately known as 'The Baggies', are a Premier League club and one of the founding members of The Football League. The club have been in existence since 1878 under the name of the 'West Bromwich Strollers'. They were founded by the workers of George Salter's Spring Works (now known as Salter - the company that make the kitchen accessories!). Just two years later they adapted their name to 'West Bromwich Albion', becoming the first club to be known as 'Albion'. The club were initially known as 'The Throstles' before adopting the nickname of 'The Baggies'. There are several alleged reasons for this nickname, one being that it was bestowed upon them by Aston Villa supporters, in reference to the baggy trousers of the foundry workers who supported the club. Another claim is that it grew to infamy in the area as a result of the bagmen who would carry the gate fees in large bags. In March 1888, William McGregor (Director of Aston Villa), wrote to the top five clubs in English football in order to set up what we know today as The Football League. West Bromwich Albion were included in the invitation to join the league, which was issued later that year, and thereby became one of the twelve founder members. Albion won their only ever First Division title in 1920, when they smashed two records. West Brom scored more goals that season than any other team had previously (104), and amassed more points than any other in the process (60). After promotion in 1949, the club spent a club-record 24 years in the top flight of English football. The club gained a reputation for being a cup team whilst under the management of Jimmy Hagan and Alan Ashman in the 1960s. They reached back-to-back League Cup Finals in 1966 and 1967, during Hagan's reign. In 1966 they were the victors, after defeating West Ham United 5-3 on aggregate over what was then a two-legged final, but in 1967 they came up short after a 3-2 defeat to Third Division side Queens Park Rangers. As a result, Hagan was replaced with Alan Ashman, who led the club to their most recent FA Cup victory at Wembley Stadium in 1968. Drawing 0-0 in extra-time, the game was decided by a single goal courtesy of club legend Jeff Astle just three minutes into the added time. It gave Astle the record of having scored in every round of the competition. Even today you can see 'the Astle gates' at the club's home, The Hawthorns. In the following season, the club reached the FA Cup Semi-Final and the European Cup Winners Cup Quarter Final. Where do they play? West Bromwich Albion's current home is The Hawthorns. Based in Sandwell, the stadium holds 26,272 and has been home to the club since September 1900. It was the last Football League ground to be build during the 1800s. Until 1900, The Baggies had inhabited five grounds in 22 years. Their first home was Cooper's Hill, which the club remained at for just one year. Moves to Dartmouth Park, Bunn's Field, Four Acres and Stoney Lane. It was Stoney Lane that is perhaps most embedded in the history books. Stoney Lane played home to the club between 1885-1900, during which period the club won the FA Cup on two occasions, also finishing as runners-up three times during this spell. Saints fans will be housed in 'The Smethwick End', which plays host to just under 6,000 fans. Built in 1994, the stand houses both the away and home supporters within the ground. It is here that the most vocal Albion support is found. The stadium is served by 'The Hawthorns' rail station. This serves as both an overground rail station as well as a Birmingham Metro stop. The stadium is a 5-10 minute walk from the station. Trains depart every 10-20 minutes on a matchday in order to provide adequate transport for both home and away supporters. The Hawthorns is visible from the M5, and is situated under half a mile from Junction 1 of the M5. POSTCODE: B71 4LF History of the Colours? West Bromwich Albion are commonly associated with a navy blue and white strip, in a pattern of stripes. The club's most common away strip has been an adaptation of yellow and green stripes. The stripes by which the club are known today were not used until after the First World War. During the Second World War the stripes were dropped, as rationing meant that having a striped shirt was deemed an unnecessary luxury. The club switched to plain navy blue shirts during this period. In their early years, the club experimented with many varying designs. They wore red and blue quarters, brown and blue quarters, yellow and white quarters and even red and white hoops. For this game West Bromwich Albion will once again be wearing their navy blue and white stripes, accompanied by white shorts and navy blue and white hooped socks. Their kit, like Southampton's, is supplied by Adidas. Their away strip is currently red and black stripes with black shorts and black socks. Recent Clashes 27th April 2013 - Southampton 0-3 West Bromwich Albion - PREMIER LEAGUE 5th November 2013 - West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Southampton - PREMIER LEAGUE 28th April 2008 - West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Southampton - THE CHAMPIONSHIP 6th October 2007 - Southampton 3-2 West Bromwich Albion - THE CHAMPIONSHIP 10th February 2007 - West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Southampton - THE CHAMPIONSHIP 12th August 2006 - Southampton 0-0 West Bromwich Albion - THE CHAMPIONSHIP Match Details This game is being played at The Hawthorns on Saturday the 17th of August 2013, and will be the first game of the season for both sides. ADDRESS: The Hawthorns, Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands - B71 4LF. Pre-match press coverage is expected on Thursday the 15th of August. The game is NOT televised in the UK, but streams should be available. TICKETING: Our away allocation of an expected 3,000 tickets has SOLD OUT. Just a trial run, but let me know what you think and what could make them better. Also, posted this one early in order to work out what works for people and what works best. If you have an idea on when to post, please do let me know. (I was thinking a Friday morning?) Thanks SA

Luke has just tweeted this.... message for the fans?

We know about Le Tissier, we don't need telling! What is this about, it's just covering old ground...

Star of Africa: How a middle-aged mum of six helped develop the top flight's first ever Kenyan ... the 100th country in our amazing League of Nations http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2389078/Victor-Wanyama-make-Southampton-debut-Premier-League-Kenyan.html

Kevin Phillips was on Goals on Sunday this morning and Kamara and Shephard started talking to him about Southampton. He said quite a lot about us, so I went back and typed it up. Kevin Phillips: "I've gotta say, I get horrendous stick when I go back there now. But six years of my life were spent down there, two years as a pro, two as an apprentice and two as a schoolboy." "I've got to say, I made a couple of remarks when I left, and hence the reason I get a lot of stick, but I had two fantastic years there, scored some good goals and the supporters were brilliant, I can't speak highly enough of them." "I'm absolutely delighted they're back in the Premier League, because it's where they deserve to be." "Whenever I pull on a Southampton shirt, I always give it 100%. I enjoyed my time there." "Me and Beatts struck up a great partnership there, Gordon Strachan signed me there and unfortunately Gordon didn't last long." "It was unfortunate when I left there that we had been relegated and Aston Villa, and Premier League football, was too hard for me to turn down." "Really enjoyed my time there, six years of my life spent down there. It's a fantastic place." "I'm delighted to see them back in the Premier League, and delighted to see Rickie Lambert getting called-up, Rickie's earned it." "I don't really remember what I said to be honest, but I stepped on that pitch and got horrendous stick, I thought I was going to get a good reception!" "I apologise to them for whatever I said, but six years of my life were spent at Southampton Football Club, and I still hold them very close to my heart. It's a great football club." "Pochettino's done a very good job, it's always difficult when a foreign manager comes in that doesn't speak an awful lot of English, to get your views and your thoughts across." "He's putting together a good squad, he's made two good, strong signings this year. Particularly Wanyama from Celtic, I think he'll adapt to the Premiership very well. Rickie Lambert again, this will give him a major confidence boost, playing for your country, just before the season starts." "I expect good things from Southampton, it's a great place to play football and they play the game in the right way." "Whether there's a right way to play football, Southampton always seem to play it."

http://rutube.ru/video/a7cac27b47665696de1de27a4143d39e/ Rickie would've been red carded competitively. What's that about? A head-butt attempt?

I'm disappointed more of you didn't pick up on the Barry Sanchez shout-out.

I wasn't, no, as I'd imagine the current format would be a bit boring due to most people already knowing a lot about the Premier League clubs. For starters, the anthem section has been dropped even for the pre-season games due to not finding an official anthem for many clubs. Then, the stadium talk would be a bit boring if it's a place everyone knows. The kit, well, the same again really. I could do the backstory of the club and discuss their most successful period, but that's about it before I'd be pressed for original content. If anyone has an idea or just wants the backstory, let me know.

Best memories?