Lighthouse

I would suggest our intelligence services have seen rather more evidence, which they can't make public without compromising their sources.

He certainly didn’t injure it taking that penalty.

I think whether it’s under or over, he is one of the most -rated players in the history of Saintsweb.

I've never thought he was as bad as a lot of people made out but saying that, I'd still go with Yoshida.

He’d be replacing Shane Long, who goes to bed at night dreaming of that kind of marksmanship. It’s not like we have anyone better.

Gabbi. He's nothing amazing but the next best striker we have after Ings. Give the pair of them a run of games together, with some decent service and see where that leads us. Austin is slow, unfit and we've had some very poor performances with him on the pitch, due to his lack of movement and putting no pressure on defences.

Mock all you like, it’s largely true. We really aren’t intelligent enough as a team to create the kind of chances Gabbi would be scoring. If nothing else, he’s got to be better than Austin. I’m not saying he’s great but we’ve already resorted to Long starting and telling ourselves we’ve ‘given it a go’. Once every now and then it’ll pay off, against a crap team like Palace (minus Zaha) but that doesn’t mean it’s working.

Everything crossed that Gabbi comes in as a straight swap instead of Austin or another midfielder. Doubt I’ll get my wish given that he doesn’t even make the squad for some reason.

His contract is up next summer, I’d say he’d be more willing to take a pay cut in January in exchange for a longer term deal at Rangers.

TBH, it's not been a great month for people I sort of thought were dead already. Nevertheless, RIP Burt.

Betting companies pay the PL to mix things up every season. The house always wins big if there's an upset.

I clicked that and just about managed to close the tab again before the song started. Honestly, would rather you had posted some goat porn.

You're an odd bunch.

Mike, Baj and I aren't going all the way into London for a curry. You'll have to lower your standards for X-mas, Corriander Lounge was fine last time. I'll admit you and alps are a bit off a loss, one less round of Cobras probably.

1. Gabbi’s equaliser at Wembley, went ape sh*t for a good minute. 2. Lambert’s penalty to beat Millwall in injury time. 3. Lambert at Fratton 4. Phillips vs Villa in 2005, first goal I saw live. 5. Barnard’s winner against MK Dons Honourable mentions to: Chaplow in a Cup tie against Man Utd in league 1. The o.g. Against Inter Milan

Having re-watched the highlights, you’re right; the keeper was in a much more favourable position than I remember.

I do think there are situations where a goal should be awarded, like with the penalty try in rugby, if a foul prevents a certain goal. Can't remember the exact position of the 'keeper but as I remember it that was 100% a goal without the handball. If not in this situation, then some others like the Suarez vs. Ghana incident, a goal should be awarded.

The same? He doesn't offer any mobility. I'm baffled as to why he was our only striker on the bench and why Gabbi wasn't there. He's the absolute last person you'd want to bring on when you're winning away from home, he puts zero pressure on the defence and runs like he is carrying a piano.

We haven't won a home game Long started since we beat Palace in April 2017, under Puel. Bournemouth - Came off the bench when we were already 2-1 up. Everton - Came on when we were already 3-1 up. I guess you could argue we won 1-0 after he came on but Everton we're dogsh*t and already well beaten. West Brom - Technically we did win when he started but he played 80 minutes in which both teams were dreadful. Boufal scored 5 minutes after Long was subbed off. West Ham - Came on at 2-2. Was nothing to do with the winning goal. I've no doubt he is a key part of how we play but how we play is terrible. Too many people want to give us credit for putting a shift in and putting pressure on defenders, when that's the bare minimum we should be demanding of our team. Long running around after defenders doesn't help us defend from the front, we leak goals like a seive and as a striker he couldn't hit the side of a phonebox if he was stood inside it.

Long is a Championship striker, no matter how hard he works. His scoring record is absolutely pathetic and we have put in many abject performances as a team, despite him 'putting a shift in.' Better than Austin isn't saying much as Austin offers very little. People always say he takes his chances and is a natural scorer but he isn't even doing that any more. He missed a free header against Everton and a penalty today. I'd go with Gabbi and Ings. We just need to play better in the build up to spot Gabbi's movement.

That was certainly my concern and nothing will be proven otherwise until we are well into the season. If he plays to February/March without picking up a serious injury, then my fears will be eased somewhat. If, on the other hand, he does he knee ligaments (for the 5th time) in October and misses the rest of the season it wont look like such a good deal. Having said all that, 2 goals already, which is pretty much Long's average for the whole season. 4 more and he'll probably win our golden boot, regardless.

Gunn will be worth £135m sitting on our bench? Quite the prediction but even if he displaces McC (which wont be happening in the immediate future) I can't see him being a big cash cow.

Get in!

I wish we were Brighton.

Here please.