alpine_saint

When did I say I believed it ? I think I described it as "ridiculous"

Oh f**k off you attention-seeking gimp.

I like the look of your squad. I dont see weakness anywhere, except possibly RM where I hope Puncheon's new-found resolve is maintained, and SDR hasnt convinced me. I would also find a place for Connolly if he could prove he can make a contribution when things are going tits-up. Barnard probably needs to move on and have a fresh start, sadly. The only player I would definitely change is Forecast.

You are probably right, and it seems Billy has just explained his position on Talksport (wanted us to come back in for him). My theory is that we decided to break the wage structure for Hooper, and when we had to give up on that, we transferred that willingness into upping the summer offer for Billy.

Well, he was almost a Leicester player last week, so this has happened fairly quickly.

Dalek, you and I agreed about the summer and early January transfer activity, but now NA and NC are getting their sh*t together, as many advised us they would. Even I dont get your persistence. I cannot imagine how with that squad we could or would conspire to end up 17th........

Sounds ridiculous at first glance, but there is this little voice at the back of my head wondering what NC and NA did to attract Sharp when he turned down Leicester, and more to the point, WHY they suddenly did it.........

OK derry, keep your hair on. I am of the same opinion as you, but if I put it so un-diplomatically, I get torn a new ars*hole on here....

This game is too important. Lee, Falque and maybe even Puncheon will be on the bench, available to spice things up, if Fonte, Chaplow and Lallana are fit.

Probably because he's a loan. In fact, if Puncheon keeps applying himself, maybe Falque will go back.

Probably just as well we drew against Millwall then. Brings Rip-Snorting Day one match closer....

What ? How can you leave out Hammond and have no defensive cover ? I think its a bit previous to assume Lee is going to work out yet, and the jury is out on SDR for me.

Did they send NC a fax ?

Sorry, I am a Saints fan. Habits of a lifetime are difficult to shake. I am used to there being a cloud to go with the silver lining...

Worry ye not..

Big, big signing. Provided Lambert doesnt disappear somewhere tomorrow, I'm delighted. 24 hrs to do something about the defence still. Just hope NA can get these players all integrated and the team running like a well-oiled machine.

I dont think there is. Whenever someone writes "this is a must win game", one or more from a select little band comes on and dismisses the notion. Sorry, turning point games or moments DO exist. I give you Exhibit A - the second half of MK Dons at home last season. At the moment our form is patchy, we've lost the last 2 at home after previously invincible home form, and our squad has been devastated from injuries that we are only just recovering from. If our season is going to recover its giddy heights of November, tomorrow is the best time to start that process..

Nope, you still dont get it, clearly. I was talking about the response of the supporters, not ingrained characterisitcs of the team

Beginning to look like a good window on paper. Fingers crossed that NA has a decent integration plan...

What do you mean by that ? I have 3 kids, two below the age of 10, and a fourth due in May. I know how devastated I would have been, and how I would need to change a few things in my life. I dont know Billy, but its an area where I can feel empathy for him. Sorry to be a baby bore

Wow, sounds like this has legs and teeth this time.... What did we do, smash the wage structure, or did something change for him ? Maybe after the past traumatic 6months, him and his wife have decided they need a change of scenery.

Do the team take their smart phones on to the pitch and get demotivated by the rantings of Dalek and Alps, then ?

I think you missed the point completely.

Considering just how bad a time of it Saints fans have had with the simple notion of winning games over the best part of the last quarter of a century (we used to have the worst winning record of the 92 league teams, though the last year might have changed that), I dont find it in the slightest bit surprising that when we have a superb run and then it declines again, there is a certain amount of anxiety hereabouts concerning our form, especially if we stand to risk losing a hard-fought promotion if the bad run continues. Taking on a superior judgemental air and calling people bed-wetters just reveals you to be a sad individual obsessed with p*ssing contests. No-one is slating the team. You sound like Illingsworth.

Extra match only helps get the team back in shape for the more important games to come, but cant help being concerned about our defensive strength.