KelvinsRightGlove

Proven right? Like when you said we would be too far adrift come January to get in adequate additions to help in the run in? Or when you said that no improvement could be made to the current players? Or that Adkins wasn't capable of getting more from this current squad? Well done mate, you were so right. I am definitely covered in egg. You are right to laugh about that self-awareness comment though, spose everyone gets something right sometimes eh?

I may be way off the mark, but wasn't he linked with Spurs for a fee about twice that a couple of years ago? Or was that someone else?

Because every window he makes the same moan about us having not signed 10 players in the first 10 minutes of the window. Usual toys out of the pram, red-faced, screaming and crying, p!ss-filled pampers type stuff.

I'd rather get Gaston on the last day, than any of the people they signed early doors. But back to my point. Committee out!

Isn't interested in the club, clearly doesn't want to be here. Adkins out, Reed out, Cortese out.

Ter Stegen will never cost less than Butland in my opinion. True barometer of all these things being Football Manager. Interestingly (well, not really) I singed both him and Davide Astori for Saints. Defence looks decent. Stegen set me back £21m.

I love that line.

Well said that man

All very fair points. Particularly the rustiness issue. Hate to be Adkins in this situ, probably damned either way.

Possibly. But I really think that should we survive this year, which I think we will just about, then we should be ok from there on in. Another summer of strengthening with the increased TV money should see us safe from struggles for a while I think. Especially given the majority of our squad are young, and playing their first season in the Prem - so I think even without additions the team will be stronger next season. At this point cup runs can be looked at more seriously. Just my opinion of course.

Is he really better than Sebastien Frey? I thought he only came into the team after Frey was injured, and later sold?

I do think there is something in the out of practice/match sharpness thing. But seriously, those two dropped catches were ridiculous. A professional, keeper should be catching those in his sleep.

Is he really the answer to everything? I've only really seen him in the Olympics, and yeah fair enough he looked a decent prospect there. But is he really that much than Gazza to command such a fee? Is there much point in having two very good prospects, as surely one is only likely to stifle the others progress. Still think an experienced, commanding keeper is more what we are in need of right now. Someone for now, not the future. Feels a bit odd saying that, I am usually 100% behind the forward thinking recruitment policy, but in this situation I really think someone for now is what is necessary.

Most years I totally agree, but is a good run more important than survival this year?

Good on him, after seeing the special attention he got from Fulham first hand I'm glad to hear it.

What a load of crap. They were ambitious footballers, moving from a Championship team to a team in the Champions League. Even as a Saints fan, I would probably seriously struggle to turn down a move like that. I also, don't buy this 'money grabbing' thing that gets thrown about. I'm 8 days younger than Theo, so feel I'm in a pretty good position to make certain judgements in relation to certain things. I know for sure that turning down the sort of money a side in the Champions League can offer, in comparison to a financially struggling Championship side is going to be hard to turn down. Anyone that says otherwise is deluded or just a flatout liar.

I'd be wrapping Gaston, Yoshi & Fonte in cotton wool too to be honest.

Still cannot begin to understand some of the abuse aimed at Guly. Particularly after last night. The goal was just bad luck, if it was Rickie - which it could just have easily of been, there would be nothing like the reaction that Guly got. Felt really sorry for the bloke, he looked absolutely gutted after being subbed - other than that I felt he put in a decent shift. RE: Boruc it's hard to say really. We don't know for sure the reasoning behind his spell on the sidelines. Maybe it was fitness, lack of match sharpness, that incident or a combination of the 3.

4 Games in 10 days is a lot. We've looked lacklustre at times during these games. A proper break, will imo do the lads a world of good. Realistically, we are unlikely to have much joy against an inform Chelsea side, and even less likely to win the competition. The League needs to be our priority, so why risk anything?

I think he's pretty good tactically. Even at the start of the season when we were leaking goals like infection from a whores lip the shape was pretty good, we were just making countless suicidal mistakes individually. Something which no amount of coaching or tactical astuteness can combat. In recent weeks we have in general had a very good shape, and looked pretty resolute - again part of adkins tactics paying off. I also agree with some of his selections/substitutions which others go into a blind rage about simply if Rickie is taken off/starts from the bench. Yes he is our talisman, but sometimes you need to make changes for specific threats. We are not a team that can impose ourselves and our game on every team in the League. If Adkins thinks a game is more likely to be won by us on the counter attack, Sir Rickie starts to become isolated and ineffective. Left on his own up top there is little he can do, and it becomes easy for defenders to hold a high line. Players more mobile make more sense in the instances I think. Just because we have lost these games, doesn't mean it was the wrong thing to do, these are often games we would be expected to lose.

FA Cup is frankly a distraction this year. Was glad we got Chelsea, likely to go out either way. After so many games in a short space of time, give the first XI a few days off in prep for Villa next week. I'm sure some of the elder fans will say 7 days is enough to recover, etc etc and whilst they are probably right, it is what it is, and this is the modern game now - plus I would rather we didn't pick up any extra injuries/suspensions. If Boruc is going to be the new #1 maybe give him another start to try and gain some confidence.

True, I much prefer it that way to that of reading/QPR. Even without additions, this team will only get better. That said, a few reinforcements would be very welcome.

That's fair. Some on here have been saying he isn't up to it and a waste of money, which is a different story.

True, but the lad is only human, and a young one at that. He's bound to have odd days, especially in a new league and country. I think there's still plenty to come from the guy, which is pretty exciting.