alpine_saint

For me, its self-financing. Reinforce properly now, immediately, we have a good chance of staying up and keeping our share of the TV rights. Prat about until 31/01/2013, potentially lose another 6-8 points, we probably go down and lose the TV money.

Mate, you are preaching to the converted. For me, every window is an urgency. Look at the summer, and how long we've taken to settle (if we have even now...). This stuff about poncing around until 30ms from the window closing in order to save a couple of quid, despite 12 more points being up for grabs during the window, gets on my f**king tits.

Oh, the irony of questioning my intelligence... We have known the squad shortcomings for MONTHS, so its safe to assume that the club management know them too (otherwise we have bigger problems with going forward than this season...) Why does the effort of identifying targets, preparing proposals, clearing the way on the financials, not start until the window opens ? The club should have a target list based on weak positions, back up targets should the clubs or individuals not agree to terms, numbers for fees and pay they are willing to go to, and this work should have been done weeks ago. Then, when the window opens, the club should have been making the phone lines coming out of SMS glow red-hot, going through the target and back-up lists. If enough preparation had been done, I am 1000% certain this club would have a new CB by now. But no, the club is playing clever-d*ck games, trying to scrimp a few 100Ks on million-pound deals, despite risking a PL berth worth tens of millions. If you really believe that transfer deals all have to be as complex as Gaston, when it is as plain as the nose on your face that its money that talks, as exemplified with the zero-fuss lightning speed by which Chelsea were able to sign Ba in good time to destroy us, than I contend it is YOU who has the intelligence problem.

You do realise that we play a game at least once a week, including during the transfer window, and that the number of games left is steadily diminishing, dont you ?

Oh for heavens sake, another childish response. If your lot's support is so fragile and doubtful, that my expression of my lack of conviction about how we are going about things manages to bring you lot down, you'd be best facing up to the fact that there are genuine issues at the club. FFS. Oh, and Hypochondriac lecturing about trolling is about the funniest thing I've read on here. WIFRM or children hospital visits anyone ???

There were definitely high points to enjoy, and that final run-in in L1 was really fantastic, but what always takes the shine off is the overall feeling I get left with that we invariably find a way to make life as difficult for ourselves as possible. This season was always going to be a steep learning curve, but we didnt have to tie one hand behind our backs as well with a naff unbalanced summer of transfer activity.

A sense of humour - superb

Nope, I am a life-long Saints fan. Deal with it. And I couldnt care less about the "90%". I come here to discuss my team and there are a few capable of doing so in an open and respectful manner, amongst all the hysterical old women and meat-heads.

Oh come off it. Thats a load of cobblers that fits the facts. Bottom line is : money talks. We simply are unable or unwilling to match the big boys. This whole PL experiment is a house of cards because of it.

If there is any mod about, is it right that anyone who does less than gush over a good result or make whining straw-clutching excuses for a bad one, gets called a troll, a skate, or has their sanity questioned ??

Highly doubtful.

What an arrogant post. We contribute the same as you, and are as entitled to post our general opinions and reactions to a result as much as you. Yes, we post something persistently, because there is a game every week ( ) and its the same old b*ll*cks - totally out-classed in a game or making a good start, getting our noses in front and either giving it away or not having enough to hold out or extend the lead. Grow up and accept the fact that not everyone agrees with you, some can see fundamental issues, and that doesnt make them trolls.

Nah, the management are too clever for that. They are going the tried-and-tested "Lowe Transfer Policy" route, which involved buying in loads of Johnny Foreigner to avoid high wages and fees and hoping they make the grade. When did we last buy experience from a fellow PL team ?

Do us both a favour and drop the smiley. Be honest.

Oh-so-easy to be smug in hindsight..

Until you consider how many we've won, and view it in terms of points dropped.

Yes, I did.

Probably there is one, maybe two in the pipeline, but a long, long way from completion. We probably havent even approached the club involved yet, the person probably hasnt passed the "committe stage" yet. Which means bog-all chance for completion. Therefore he is right to keep schtum, in case he ends up with egg on his face. The news that we are not in for a PL-standard GK disgusts me.

No. Horrendously wrong is predicting 6-0 thumpings and winning 3-0. I did no such thing. A few defeats I predicted were draws. Still 2/3 of the points were dropped. But hey, you go exaggerate like a teenage girl.

Quite easily, old boy. We are fighting relegation because of persistent weaknesses since August. Resolving them with transfers, before 4 more games go by without wins, should have been straightforward. Theres been enough time to prepare during the closed window. Ba was signed by Chelsea in time to play today, and that was one of these oh-so-complex-multi-millon-pound deals... Oh deary me. First of all, Arsenal were outside the top 4 when we played. Secondly, they were sh*t last week. Thirdly, one good effort does not make a season. We have lost 19 points following taking the lead. Absolutely criminal. Your rationale is b*ll*cks. Who said anything about thumpings ? I am talking about losing points, even games, after taking the lead. So what we are unbeaten in 4 ? We are dropping home points more often than a whore drops her knickers, including Sunderland, which for me is crime of the season (or maybe that was Fulham home) Thats their choice. Me, I pity them that they are so unable to view things objectively.

Not so bad, I seem to recall. I predicted a few draws and the rest defeats. And wow, f**k me, guess what ?? I am sure you can provide details.

Nope, its time for NC to stick a size 10 up his jacksie. Problem is, I reckon NC needs one too.

Wow, pots and black kettles come to mind..

Oh, drop it with the persistent whining. Skip over a quote if you dont like it. Are you a big boy or not ?

Anything about transfers ? Even a couple of wishy-washy platitudes ? Thought not.