KelvinsRightGlove

Do people really not get that the money in the prem is huge now? What we spend seems a lot compared to what we are used to as Southampton, but with the massively increased revenues on offer now it's really just inflated prices. I said on another thread, that I wonder how much more Gaston Ramirez or Big Vic cost at around the £12m mark than Rory Delap did back in 2001 for £4m. By this I mean in terms of what share or percentage of the clubs revenue would this be at each point in time. So yeah, it may sound like Gaston or Big Vic cost 3x as much as Delap - but revenues have increased so much, that the effect of such a payment on the balance sheet probably is 3x what the Delap transfer was. Also why comparing Gaston's contribution at £12 to someone like Puncheon is a little spurious, or at least needs a little more thought than simply looking at the two figures and claiming how much cheaper one is than the other. Undoubtedly Puncheon cost less, but we were also receiving a much lower income. When you see clubs like Norwich, Sunderland & Aston Villa spending probably in excess of £20-£25m all in, then you have to say are we actually really being bankrolled by these wealthy benefactors seem to claim? If the Liebherrs did decide enough was enough, I don't think we would be in massive trouble (assuming PL status is maintained), but yeah maybe the signings of the Osvaldo's of this world would not still happen.

There was a thread last year on here talking about how Wenger had apparently lost it, and was "sh!t". When I said he clearly wasn't, I was told it was because I wanted to suck him off. Whatever happened to 110%?

Saw them at the emirates a few weeks back v stoke, stepdad got a season ticket this year. Was very impressed. One sloppy moment defensively, otherwise looked really good. Giroud is real handful. Flamini very alert, effective shield in front of the centre backs. Ramsey has seemingly remembered he's good at that thing he does. Ozil is just pure class. Seems to have so much time, and always picks the right ball. Fantastic player to watch, really good signing. Really baffled Moyes didn't go in for him, would be exactly what they need. Wilshire didn't have a great game if I'm honest, but he did have to contend with stoke players taking it in turn to clatter into him.

Mild criticism is one thing. As I said, I don't think he is a Prem player and do think we are a weker team with him in the XI. But there have been plenty of threads where the stick he gets is way OTT.

Oi you! Leave me alone!

Don't really get the celebration, or bile aimed at Danny Fox. Probably isn't a Prem player, but don't think he is as bad as people make him out to be. Certainly hasn't done anything to deserve such disdain imo.

Mail online are bastards for this. Basically, it is no coincidence it is one of the most read news sites on the web, and also one of the highest earners from ad revenue. They post deliberately salacious stories, to whip up a frenzy, get people talking about the article, click on and read it, comment etc, get more people coming back and so on. With each hit they get more money from their advertisers, if they are really clever they can target the ads to specific users (if they have signed up and given over certain details) at a higher rate. I agree it's nasty, but this is effectively where the DM makes money now, as we all know t'interwebs is killing print.

I've said on here before about my 2 years of unemployment. I won't go over it all again, but it really was a horrible, soul-destroying experience. One I would not wish on anyone. From my experience, I found contrary to popular belief, that I was actually pretty busy. Looking for, researching, and applying for jobs is a time consuming process. I was applying for jobs of all kinds. Having just recently graduated at the time, I would spend hours filling in applications, and doing tests for graduation placements, internships etc. Or on other day wonder around town going from shop to shop, cafe restaurant etc etc asking for work (usually just to be told to go on the website). I would have to sign on once a week, because I was under 24. I would walk (an hour each way), as the cost was a £5 return on the bus, not a huge amount but when that equates to just shy of 10% your weekly income (£54), which is already stretched massively by making up the discrepancy between my rent and housing. On top of this I also had to go to weekly meetings with a group called Working Links, who were supposed to help me get back into work. Whilst I cannot speak highly enough of my case worked, Emma, who was lovely and extremely conscientious, there simply was not the support on offer for my situation. The group claimed to tailor their service individually to each 'client'. They invited me to attend a session for help on filling in application forms & CVs, when I got there this was actually aimed at people who could not read and write, or who had poor English Language skills. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking these sessions, they are clearly valuable for many people and I'm sure very helpful - but as someone who had just finished an Arts degree at a Russell Group uni - this hardly smacks of "Tailored Service". Not to mention this was located a 90 minute walk (opposite direction to the Job Centre, so I couldn't even try and do these back to back). The one thing they did manage to line up was a placement at the NHS for 2 months. Admin, unpaid, 4 days p/w. I was also to carry on looking for work, as normal, and could still be subject to the usual punishments or having my allowances docked if what I did was not deemed enough. The point of this was to 'gain experience and learn new skills'. I spent nearly all day every day stood at a photocopier, pressing copy - effectively slave labour. Then I was also enrolled in the Work Programme, which does nothing to boost ones confidence with it's almost Nazi-esque connotations. Again another 2 hour round trip, to basically be asked what you are up to, what you are looking for etc etc, without offering any actual help. The most ridiculous part of this, is that because I was compulsorily placed on this scheme, and then subsequently found a job, off my own back through unpaid internships (where you have to stop claiming JSA and can't even get travel expenses £10 a day) and then working at yet another company as an intern. It may sound like a good idea, but it is just another populist bash those that can't do much to defend themselves policy. It makes good copy, and those that are lucky enough to have never been in this situation are bound to get behind "making the lazy job seekers work for their £50 p/w". This is a clever, albeit satirical simulation of the cycle you easily get yourself stuck in, and the attitudes of those unable/unwilling to empathise: http://toys.usvsth3m.com/iain-duncan-smiths-realistic-unemployment-simulator/

Oi!

I can't believe Walt Jr banged Marie. That's just all kinds of wrong.

Teams in the top 4 have bad results too. For example we beat 2 of them last year, and gave Utd an almighty fright, and could have won against Arsenal at home (they did destroy us at their place granted).

On second listen, the second track "We Exist" has hints of 80 MJ in there. Bit Billy Jean?

We've improved our points total at this stage last season, kept 4 clean sheets how long did that take last season?. And also improved our results year-on-year against WBA away, Sunderland home, Liverpool away, matched our result against WHU home and well we didn't play palace so it's hard to compare like-for-like. Not a single person anywhere seriously thinks we are in any danger of relegation. In fact pundits are tipping us for top-half and even dark horses for european places. How can that not be viewed as progress?

Willfully ignoring the wins vs WBA & Palace then?

It's Malcolm Tucker-esque in it's beauty.

I think you coined one of my favourite insults ever on here. I have started using it, only to close friends, as it is probably quite offensive. For that reason I shan't repeat it.

Shaw looks to be getting closer to breaking his duck of late. Hopefully it's not too far of for the lad.

I like Swansea. They have a good story in recent years. They have a good team. Some very good individuals. An all round class act for a manager. And most of all, they play some really good football. Hopefully it will be a good game. Haven't been able to watch the last two games, so wondering if I should swerve this one? Obviously hoping we win, and I think we can, but don't think a draw would be a bad result (certainly not suggesting we play for a draw though).

You're clearly incapable of reading anything other than what you want to. Missing, or deliberately ignoring every post I've made saying how crappily the I think the club treated Adkins, and my wishes it had all been handled better. Nice to see you proving me right though, here you are acting all jimminy cricket, telling everyone how awful they are, and even having the audacity to label them holier than thou. You couldn't make it up.

It probably won't last too long, but I am going to enjoy it whilst it does. Love winding up the Man Utd fan I work with. It just feels so sweet after those dark years. Yeah, we shouldn't keep looking back at that, and it's a fair point those who say it - but I can't help but just think wow sometimes.

Is that Jose himself?

I do wonder if teams are actually spending more in real terms. That may not be the correct way to term it - what I mean is yes, transfer fees & wages have increased, but so have ticket prices, sponsorship deals & of course the main one, TV deals. I wonder if Saints spending £12m now is actually much higher a % of the clubs turnover/budget etc than the £4m spent on Delap in 2001. I suspect that yes, it is of course more - but not a great deal so. I think basically, all the figures in Football are just now inflated.

Ambition is embarrassing FFS.