UpweySaint

As someone born in 1991 I can empathise. I certainly feel, though the best often left, the financial kilter was not as far gone prior to the 'sky' days. A title challenge, perhaps not. Establishing ourselves amongst the likes of the Spurs and Evertons of this world? Who knows. That is honestly it, we are dealing with massively hypothetical scenarios. The 'bigger' clubs all had to start somewhere. Sadly your assessment is realistic, if perhaps a tad pessimistic. I would agree with you about expectation but disagree about ambition. I don't think the fans, or the board, are foolish enough to believe we can go toe to toe with the big boys on their terms but we do have a plan, an idea about how we might be able to compete in sporting terms despite lacking the financial muscle of other sides.

About to post this one myself. The first paragraph sums it up for a lot of us ... in a different time it could have been the start of something brilliant and I imagine the writer speaks for most of us who, at some point over the summer, have thought "what the point of all this is if a team is dismantled as soon as it threatens to smash the glass ceiling." Seems like a fairly reasonable assessment of our chances but let's hope Roko has a couple more surprises up his sleeve.

Chuck him on ignore pal, does the trick. He's entitled to his own opinions of course but it can get rather repetitive.

The implications are clear but is that not a risk of making any new signing? It is part of football, it is a squad game. A new player comes in it us up to you to prove you are a better candidate for the position.

I'm worried they are going to find out he's not been painted with ronseal.

Wow dog with bone ...

Cheers, interesting read as it goes! Insights from those actually in and around talent recruitment and youth coaching are often fascinating

Fair enough, looks like a decent enough deal for us on the face of it, looking forward to seeing how he adapts to the premier league.

Usual question about a twitter source, any idea if he is credible?

I agree we are a sideways move and see Bony going onto bigger things than us but should we sign the likes of Rojo, Gardin, Redmond and Byram I think it shows more ambition than Swansea and we may be seen as a better option with forward momentum. Certainly not saying it is likely but stranger things have happened in football. Ings added to the other four on the list would be incredible! It would really show we mean business and, I think, we would have a far better squad than last year.

Head says they should win comfortably, I would guess at 2-0. Heart says we will win 2-1 with after going one down with the first Pelle volleying in a Tadic deep cross just after half time winner scored by Fonte getting above Dejan for a corner in the 90th and heading into the bottom corner. Living the dream eh!

Has Afellay not joined Olympiakos?

I'm having no luck with any of the links provided above, or with other usual sources. Any radio commentary or text commentary that does not require a saintsplayer subscription?

Don't blame Nigel too much for not playing him, his first season he had off the field issues, injuries and was always going to need time to settle. Disappointed he saw so little game time last season but may be related to a falling out with Poch as somebody alluded to earlier. Expect to see much more from him too but see him as likely to play deeper than AL did.

You missed the boat there. He told Viking off for using the term then backtracked admitting he may have jumped the gun a little after reflecting on peoples views. You seem rather confused ... As it goes I made a point about the context of the terms used earlier. I don't mind people using terms so long as they are not deliberately trying to be derogatory based on race (which, despite not knowing Viking all that way, doubt he was doing). Anyway blue line and move on.... Have an opinion on Ramirez scotty?

Cheers ART!

Can have three players over the age of 21 as it is a replacement for the old ressie leagues - so expect to see fringe players short of game time or those recovering from long-term injury in need of match fitness. Not sure if the designated three includes keepers ... where is MLG when you need him?

Top post. We all make mistakes and it is great to see somebody showing some humility. You are correct though, of course it can be seen as offensive and we should consider what we say and why, but in this case it was perhaps rather harmless.

He may be a good signing and may well want out but i'm not optometristic of us going back in for Lens.

I know it is not quite equitable but Pellegrini has came out and said, with the signing of Cabellero, that City have "two number ones" and that both have a chance at forcing their way into his first eleven. I appreciate Cabellero in the cheap to City aged 32 with Hart to compete with is not an exact parallel of our situation but I see no reason why the arrival of Forster can't force Boruc to work even harder. Up to Roko to keep both happy I suppose but, anywhere else on the pitch, it would be bizarre to have guaranteed starters.

That is rather black and white. I think it often depends on the context - I don't know Viking personally so would not want to pass a judgement either way but saying it must be a racist statement because 'paki' is deemed to be one is a simplistic notion. Are we offended by the short-hand Brits? Or are Americans by Yanks? Often, no. It's about context and intent. If he uses the term Argie as shorthand for Argentine and then refers to Poch as a c**t, that's fine. If he says he is an Argie therefore he is a c**t, it's not .... Anyway like others still hoping Gaston comes good. Have always thought he would come good and has the ability but this season really is make or break for him in the English game.

He's not been 'picked on'. He has simply been told to fulfil a contract he signed. Jesus wept! Let's face it. We don't know what is going on. Saying KL wants to sell the club is pure speculation and in no way a fact-based judgement. You say precedent has been set but, with all the transfers that have gone previous, potential suitors have met our premium. No club has apparently done so for Morgan.

Add in - would Reina actually want to come to us? Moreover, petty as it sounds, I would rather us not hand Liverpool any monies after the classless way they signed up our mob!

Is a four year well paid contract not, you know, some sort of promise ...? Maybe we backtracked, maybe we didn't. Nobody actually knows. What we do know is the lad is contracted to us and is behaving unprofessionally.

Come off it that is a bit of a stretch. We are bedding in four new recruits, some have been here longer than others, and the fringe lads have been around the first team for a while and each other for many years. All is not perfect but we're not Blackpool ....