KelvinsRightGlove

Was he not recently quizzed/charged/accused (delete as appropriate) over sexual assault?

Would seem a sensible person to at least have on the other end of the phone if needs be. Certainly a very experienced guy. I know it's cool to knock Sven, and he has become a bit of a joke, but he did achieve a lot, and in my opinion he is one of the better England managers since I started following football (el tel onwards in England terms).

Good op. certainly an interesting, and worthwhile debate. I absolutely understand an empathise with those that plump for a new CB, and there is certainly a strongly and valid argument there. However, personally, I think we have stronger depth at CB than we do at centre forward at present. Like most, I love sir Rickie, and still think he has a huge role to play. However, I do have concerns just how effective he can continue to be in our system, and with the players playing off him. I'd really like us to add a real direct, energetic and mobile striker to add us another option, and one that may look to run on behind more than SRL currently does. The work SRL does is priceless, but at times with him dropping off we can be a bit stunted in attack, with little options open to the flair players (gaston) who look to play the killer ball in behind. I have real doubts as to whether gaston and SRL are a good fit for each other. Please do not misinterpret this as a criticism of SRL, as someone who missed most of mlt in his prime, SRL certain,y ranks amongst my favourite and most influential saints players, I would just like to see another quality alternative upfront, before additional defensive cover is added. Saying that, I think I would rather a versatile FB, capable of doing a solid job on both sides before we signed another CB, again just my opinion.

Born and raised on the outskirts of London. Got into football without having a club to follow as a nipper. After my folks split up, I lived with my mum - who couldn't care less about football. Initially I was a Beckham fan, yeah I know. Dad moved to Southampton with his new Mrs, and took me to the dell to see Saints v United as a treat. That was the 6-3. I got to see my hero in the flesh, he even scored, but I was totally taken by Saints. After the move to SMS my dad got a couple of season tickets, so when I was staying with him I would go with him. I felt I might as well support a team that I actually see, and I liked Saints. It all just kinda grew from there. Don't see them in the flesh as much as I would like, but would never cease to be a Saint now.

Maybe it's just me, but I'm really not that bothered. I have no problem with the logo being revamped every now and again. If I am totally honest, I don't see why some are so precious about it. Then again, I really wasn't overly fussed by the kit, which seemed to really wind a fair few up. FWIW, I like our current badge, but wouldn't be overly upset if it was changed.

Considering they signed Ricky van Wolfswinkel, and have been linked with numerous other strikers - such as Hooper, it's not all that surprising. He didn't seem to be all that happy last season. Might well be his only chance to kick a ball in Europe too.

Still no. Many fans still fail to understand that managers do very little negotiating when it comes to transfers. It would be more likely that NC would have been dealing with whoever the chairman/chief exec is at Celtic. So no Lennon did not con NC. Either way, no one at sfc was conned by cfc.

Furthermore, if they couldn't afford him last year, not being in the CL this year certainly won't help.

Oh Lordy, who set pap off again? Surprised this hasn't hit Obama harder considering the huge noises he made about closing it down (not Boyle, GB itself). Couldn't give a stuff about that crass loudmouth Fankie Boyle. Disgusting offensive little man that thinks him calling himself a 'comedian' means its ok to say what he wants - missing the point that comedy that close to the bone should make a point, which he rarely does. Just kicks people often not in a position to kick back. Horrible and unfunny little man.

i kind of concur. From the Barca fans I've met (company I work for has offices in BCN, so I know a couple) don't seem overly bothered about them. They are just another team. They only seem to care about real from what I can gather.

Physically and mentally fragile? Falls over constantly? This clearly isn't true. He clearly isn't the finished article, and considering what type of player he is (south American 'flair' player) he is actually surprisingly resilient and resolute. Seeing the kicking he got away at Fulham, and his willingness to push forward and attempt to make things happen on Boxing Day in the driving rain shows how flimsy this criticism is. He is undoubtedly one of, if not the most technically gifted players in our squad. Those who slate him for constantly giving the ball away show a pretty big lack of understanding of the role he plays. Playing in the '3' off the striker, his job is to try that killer ball to unlock the defence. So yeah, he may give the ball away more than someone like Morgan, whose job is to nick the ball and move it to a nearby available attacker giving a greater passing percentage - but, whilst important, this is not as likely to unlock a defence a create chances. Whether or not him and Sir Lambo are a great fit is debatable. Did he have a great first season, no not really. Does this mean at 22 he should be written off? Despite countless other foreign big money players that have come to the prem and taken a season to adjust? I'd love to know how many of them wanting him sold, or questioning him would be the same ones that called Morgan a waste after his first season. Yes he hasn't set the world alight, but it must also say something that his 'linked moves' include Arsenal, Fiorentina & Inter Milan. By people, is this your standard, one person alluded to it, so I'm gonna act like this is everyone's opinion and I'm going to act like the 'mboard' hard man and argue with myself lark?

Haven't we been linked with this fella previously?

Thanks bud, interesting stuff.

As I'm seeing him on Sunday, this dude is on repeat at the moment, and I'm loving every minute. [video=youtube;r8BPyc1ve-4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8BPyc1ve-4

It's my understanding that the 2 (VW & JWP) are quite different players. VW playing in a much deeper role, ala Cork/Morgan, whereas JWP is a more advanced player - making up one of 'the 3', as it were. I personally wouldn't see the signing of Victor as a hindrance to JWP's development. I hope to see a bit more of him this season, I think he has the potential to work well in MP's system - where from what I can tell we play quite narrow - with 'the 3' playing just off the striker, and moving outwards into the channels, along with whoever leads the line (as opposed to wide players/wingers cutting inside from wide), I think the extra burden then falls onto the full-backs to bomb forward - hence the effectiveness of Shaw & Clyne in this system - who both have pace, decent technical ability on the ball and stamina, the DM's (or one at least) will then sit deep as the centre backs split, covering for the full backs. Well, in my not particularly tactically astute opinion.

Yeah Celtic are a big club, but it counts for nothing really. They won the European cup? So what? That was about 25 years before VW was born. Notts Forest won it too, big players are in no rush to join them. As has been said, it's pointless being such a big club in such a small league. Hartson talks about adulation etc, but lets remember the stage VE will be playing on next season, the most watched league in the world, by some distance. If Hartsons inability to join up his thinking, I.e. big budget + quality signings = staying a relegation battling club FOREVER, doesn't show his lack of understanding, watch him on tele and see him be unable to say penalty. He's clueless.

I don't get where this idea that we can only conduct negotiations with one club over one player at any given time has come from? Surely the fact that the most prominent links we've heard this summer are Banega, Nainggolan & Wanyama shows that perhaps we are in talks with multiple players at the same time - especially given as the 3 play in a pretty similar role so signing all 3 would be extremely unlikely. So, no, I don't think it is wasting time at all.

As you keep saying. My counter argument would be that since the takeover, we have finished every transfer window stronger than we started it. This is also couple with their being an improvement in performances, and league position every season since the takeover. So in my opinion, despite the repetitive nature of your moaning about transfers we actually do quite well. Of our strongest XI last season, how many of those players were at Saints prior to the takeover? I would think it's fair to say 2 (Morgan + Lallana), so the other 8 starters (hard to include Shaw in there really) have been transfer signings. So tell me, was a 14th place finish in the premiership in our first season back not good enough for you?

So, been a bit busy of late, haven't updated this for quite a while. Saw The Strypes about a month back. Unbelievably good. How a band can be so polished and accomplished whilst being made up of 2 16 year olds and 2 17 year olds completely baffles me. Definitely set for big things. Stone Roses in Finsbury Park was mega. A really great day out. Miles Kane, was first on, and absolutely smashed it - his new stuff sounded great live. Next up was Johnny Marr, who was ok, I was fairly tipsy by this point and singing along to his Smiths covers (Bigmouth, How soon & There is a light) was good fun. Public Image Limited were absolute garbage. Stones absolutely smashed it. Sounded so good, played all the classics (except Sally Cinnamon unfortunately, which is a shame as it's a personal fave) and even a couple of newies that sounded pretty cool, if not particularly new. Went to Night + Day at Hatfield House at the weekend. The xx's day festival event. Was a really great day out. Had some good bands supporting too. Kindness were really good fun. Polica were great live. Solange Knowles (yes, Beyonce's little sister) was surprisingly enjoyable, much pop-ier than her sister, but just as good a performer. And The xx were brilliant. Simple, understated but just fantastic. There was something just so enthralling about it. Would certainly recommend them. Next up is a big one for me, Richard Hawley @ Somerset House on July 14th. Absolutely buzzing for that one!

Missed this, have been away a lot of late. I'm not really bothered, just thought it was LOLs.

You saw this on here did you? In January? Despite joining in April?

I thought they have stopped doing them for health and safety?

I've said a few times since he signed, along with a few other posters, that I really think Yoshi would look better with a better partner, preferably a big nasty bruiser type. Hopefully, Lovren is that man. Don't know too much about him, but seems like it could potentially be a good signing. I feel a back 5 of Boruc, Clyne, Yoshi, Lovren & Shaw has the potential to be a pretty solid back-line - that could stay together as a unit for the next 3-4 years. There's still Forren in the frame too, who may yet come good. I want to at least see him before writing him off.

At 23, there is still plenty of time for him to improve as a cb.