DuncanRG

About the same as anyone else, I think. For every Saha there's a Berbatov, every Sinclair there's a Suarez.

I think it's fair to say we were propelled pretty far up the league in the Championship season.

They're head and shoulders above the rest, I think we'd give most a run for their money. Norwich could manage: Ruddy X Turner R Bennett Johnson E Bennett Howson X Redmond X Hooper Which is half decent, and easily filled in if you include other British players. They've only got a handful of foreign players around the first XI and a couple of them are new signings

Not sure why Anelka would be more problematic for Jos specifically than Vydra or Long. His weakness is pace, isn't it?

Yeah - I agree this is nigh on unreadable and should be written with longer paragraphs. Every professional news organisation in the English-speaking world agrees that paragraphs should be kept short in newswriting. One sentence = one paragraph isn't a hard and fast rule but it's often about right for meeting the accepted standard that each significant point of interest, piece of information or small group of these should have its own par. This MLT piece has line breaks in the middle of sentences, which is different. Believe me, the newspapers are right.

That's for news, this is an opinion piece. News is about disclosing information as clearly as possible, whereas other kinds of newspaper writing are about expressing more complex thoughts in an attractive way, which is what paragraphs help with.

I don't think any of our other players are good enough yet but I expect some of the younger lads will improve and see themselves in contention in the future. Clyne and Shaw certainly will.

Liverpool vs Stoke = 2-1 Arsenal vs Villa = 1-1 Norwich vs Everton = 1-0 Sunderland vs Fulham = 2-0 West Brom vs Saints = 2-1 West Ham vs Cardiff = 2-1 Swansea vs Man U = 1-3 Palace vs Spurs = 1-3 Chelsea vs Hull = 3-0 City vs Newcastle = 3-1

Good to see. Expect one or two of those players might get a friendly call-up in the next few months.

Yes

Not sure why it's shocking to predict a 2-1 loss away at West Bromwich Albion. A+ post

Pochettino, probably. He wants them all in top condition.

I think I was more excited last season, back in the Premier League and going away to the champions in the first game. But this is up there with all the others, including 03/04 after the FA cup final when it seemed Strachan might have been able to make a real team out of us.

There's a sentence I never thought I'd hear!

I'm aware!

He's nowhere near fit enough.

There are 800,000 potential reasons why they turned us down and none of them reflect badly on Mauricio Pochettino.

Well, that and he is a good player with tournament experience, and I think he'll flourish at West Ham. If he has an injury-free season and matches Lambert for goals then it will be difficult for him, but if Lambert gets another couple of call-ups and can prove his worth as a passer and mover as well as finisher then I think he'll do it.

Calling it now, England strikers to go to Brazil: Rooney, Welbeck, Sturridge, Lambert.

The fixture list isn't random, to be fair. It's adapted to maximise watchability on TV and suit the weekend schedules. Wouldn't surprise me if the early-season 'clash of the titans' games were put together to get an early look at all the new managers.

What I mean is we all know his allegiance to the club, but I'm sure he would at least consider a move to his boyhood club and his praise for Southampton wouldn't really change that. His love for the club would make it a very tough decision, not a very easy one. Anyway, between Liverpool actually wanting him, Liverpool offering enough money, Saints accepting that offer and Rickie himself wanting to go I'd be amazed if this happened.

They're also reporting that we've gone in for Osvaldo again.

'I'd like to thank Celtic for everything they've done for me...but this is an exciting new challenge I'm taking up with Southampton' ~Victor Wanyama But no, he won't go to Liverpool. Not a Rodgers player at all.

Only just registered that Northern Ireland beat Russia tonight. What an incredible result! Well done to them

Or is that too animated compared to the others? EDIT: For a recent non-celebration one.