Lighthouse

Wow, that journalist is selling off his credibility pretty cheap for a bit of attention. There are just so many reasons this will never happen that I can't be bothered to list them all. Over to you MLG.

I'd like to book my seat on the "JWP will play for England" band wagon nice and early. Looked an excellent prospect out there today.

Would make sense. I'd say he was a decent enough Championship player, he just looked poor in a brilliant Championship team last season.

I think you will find it's, "too all in tents and porpoises."

£500k seems like a pretty good price to me, he's a proven L1 goal scorer and I reckon could DAJF an NpC club. The only problem with Swindon is that it's in Swindon.

You didn't mind me watching last year.

We've upgraded to a tent.

Should be heading over to the Belgian GP again at the end of August. Any other Saints fans going? If you can only get to one F1 race in your life, go to Spa.

If he were to win anything in the 'normal' Olympics there would be outcry from all the other competitors, their national Olympic organisers, governments etc. Even if he won on genuine tallent and his legs didn't give him an advantage, it would still be a massive scandal. Basically he wouldn't be allowed to win, be it outright or just a medal, so there would little point in taking part.

Hooiveld wasn't wanted by Celtic, Redknapp had lots of injury issues and struggled to get a game at Spuds. Wise was a free transfer from Millwall. I know the latter 2 played for England in their prime, but they were both well past it when they came to us. It would be like signing Kieron Dyer or Jonathan Woodgate today.

I didn't think Kosowski was that good TBH but I guess you're entitled to your opinion.

There's a chance of both 'keepers getting injured. We had Niemi, Blayney and Smith all injured at one point (I think) in 2004, that's why we brought Keller in on loan. Bart and Kelvin were both injured when we brought in Kevin Miller and again when Poke let in 5 goals at Hull. I didn't crash my car last year, doesn't mean I don't need to wear a seatbelt

One of these?

Most Grimsby and Thurrock fans seemed fairly unimpressed with his performances so I doubt that. Last season we only had 5 subs and played a lot of games with no 'keeper on the bench. Next season we have 7 and will get destroyed should we need Frazer or Morgan to fill in between the sticks. Plus we could just about get away with playing Forecast in the Championship with a decent defence. If we could restrict the oposition to just 2 shots all game, Tommy would probably only conceed 4 goals.

It was a fun rivalry when we were going for the League 1 title but I think we've both moved on since then. As a derby they aren't really any more local than Bompey, Swindon or Reading. I think they're more interested in Palace since they got promoted.

That confirms nothing, if Forecast had stayed we would still need a 3rd 'keeper. He is awful to the point where I wouldn't consider him a 'keeper at all, just a leech on our wage bill.

A healthy imagination you've got there but why do you include Guly? Just because of his new contract?

Moisander... Sounds like something they use to smooth bits of wood in Dorset. I'll get my coat.

Not really, we never really played like that. We've always had 2 central midfielders who sit back, protect the back 4 and spread it wide to attacking fullbacks and wingers. That's why Chaplow never worked out playing centrally, he pushed forward too much and upset the balance. We don't play with a Lampard/Gerrard type attacking midfielder who scores 15 goals a season.

Irony - 1 You - 0

Most of the people mocked on that show, South Park and other such shows don't really deserve it. It's a satirical news quiz, I doubt she either watches it or takes it seriously.

At a guess I'd say more modern views on women have lead to less domineering husbands who beat their wives.

Christ, the village people have really fallen on hard times.

Good grief, they've got some sh*te 'keepers in Holland.

Yes, it's one of those pointless comparison threads! However, that 2005 team is the standard we have to surpass to stay up. The 2003 team is the bench mark for a top half finish, decent cup run and a possible shot at Europe. My take on it: Goalkeepers We were strongest in 2003 with Jones and Niemi. I'd say the latter lost his form 2 years later, although Keller and Smith performed very well for a brief period. Given that Grimsby thought Forecast was appalling, I wouldn't even bother including him in our plans. He will ship 10 against even the poorest of Prem sides. Kelvin's last outing was a nightmare at Sunderland in 05-06. Verdict: With only an aging Kelvin in 2012 this is clearly our weakest area. Defenders Our cup final side was build on the central defensive pairing of Claus and Killer. Bridge was in his prime with Dodd/Telfer being probably the weakest aspect at RB. 2005 was a shambles and the defense took the lions share of blame for relegation. Davenport, Bernard, Van Dammit, Delap... it still gives me nightmares. Now we have a decent back 4 in Clyne, Jos, Fonte and Fox, but no other Premier League quality, except possibly FR at RB. Verdict: We are stronger than 05, weaker than 03 and need some more cover. Midfield In 2003 we had an excellent balance with Marsden, Oakley, Fernandes, Anders, Delap and later Prutton. In 2005 we lacked leadership and direction. Unfortunate injuries and players like Fernandes losing form didn't help. Redknapp and Quashie improved the team when they came in, but it was too little too late. Now I'd say we are very strong in this area. We haven't had a player of Lallana's tallent since Le Tiss, Morgan matches Oakley's performances in the middle. Cork is Premier League quality and Davis is a natural leader. De Ridder and Guly add something different, although neither is consistent. Puncheon remains and enigma. Verdict: Stronger than in 2005 and probably just about match our 2003 midfield man for man. Strikers Probably our weakest area in 2003, despite Beattie's fantastic season. Pahars and Delgado had the tallent but were normally injured, whilst Davies seemed to have lost interest and needed a fresh start. Ormerod worked his socks off, but 5 goals was a prolific season for him. Tessem did an okay job from time to time. In 2005 I'd say we were stronger. Yes Beatts had lost it, but Crouch, Phillips and Camara were all very good players. With Lambert, Rod, Sharp, Lee and Guly I'd say we have a good blend of options for this season. Verdict: Overall, stronger than 2003 but not as strong as the proven strikers of 2005. So looking at the squad overall, I'd say we're well on our way to beating that team that got relegated. Obviously some more depth is needed at the back, but we're looking good.