DuncanRG

Not a chance we'll talk down a £22m asking price if the top four are all in for him.

Jay was very effective centrally when we played on the break away from home. Whether that's the type of game he's training himself to play again is anyone's guess.

What makes you think it's a case of a reporter 'covering themselves' rather than...the truth?

Hope we have kinder fixtures over Christmas this year - big aways the last two seasons during a dense run of games and that will only be tougher if we're still in the Europa.

Que? Plenty of smaller clubs than Arsenal have won it, and Arsenal themselves have only been a game away themselves on occasions.

Not many ways to spin this: "I know personally I should still be there, I have the capabilities, and I should still be playing but it is no drama."

Not sure where this perception comes from. He evidently wasn't ready/good enough for a top club like United, and has admittedly notched up more than a few poor performances, but he's had a half-decent season for Villa. Don't think I'd want him at Saints, though.

What a great post. Can you post it every time a transfer speculation thread comes up please?

Telegraph reporting towards the bottom of this that Chelsea are more interested in Miranda, adding that Spurs fancy Toby: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/diego-costa/11644513/Chelsea-to-give-Diego-Costa-time-to-rest-his-mind-and-body.html

Agree with this. Struggling to remember any time a club has benefitted from selling their captain.

Far from being old school, I think hostility to players who socialise with people from other clubs has grown with social media.

But Liverpool have a better chance than us, and in the absence of an offer from a CL club he may see Liverpool as the best option.

I'm sure he'd prefer a move to a club in this year's Champions League but if Liverpool come calling he may (rightly) see them as having a better chance of breaking the top four than us. That plus the money, prestige of the club etc.

He's a piece of work, and his age doesn't help either. It would be fabulous to have some goals from midfield, though. Still amazed we didn't go for Sigurdsson when he left Spurs

I'd be more than happy to consolidate this position. Seeing what has happened to clubs bigger than us when they've reached the Europa League shows what it an achievement it is to stay competitive domestically. The ultimate ambition has to be silverware though. I hope this season's experience against Sheffield United has redoubled the squad's resolve to go further next time.

We could be on for a trip to the San Siro if Sampdoria lose today and Inter and/or AC win. Seventh place in Serie A gets into our round and Sampdoria are three points clear.

You can get about 20 different papers in different languages from the Soup Library up past William's Green. That's where I spend my hangover-free mornings before the music starts. Glastonbury may not be as carefree as it once was but the contrast with all but a couple of other major festivals is pretty obvious on that front.

I should point out that Leroy Fer has been relegated two years in a row now.

Forster - 8 - instils confidence like Boruc, dealing with crosses his only weakness and some point-winning saves over the season Davis - 7 - some monster saves when called upon Gazzaniga - NA - haven't been able to watch any of the game he's played in full, though some of the goals conceded have been nasty Clyne - 7 - I haven't seen this as a high watermark season for him. For my money he was better when competing with Chambers (and better than Chambers) last year. But he is, of course, a cracking player who we should aspire to keep Fonte - 9.5 - player of the season without a doubt. Half of our early-season fawning over Alderweireld should have been directed towards Jose, took us a while to recognise the step up he's made this year. Alderweireld - 9 - that said, a classy, classy player and one of the best defenders I've ever seen in a Saints shirt. A joy to watch, which is high praise indeed for a centre half Yoshida - 7.5 - Fabulous luxury to have him in reserve. Tougher than last year, infinitely smarter than the year before Gardos - 5 - Hasn't settled yet. I'm rarely confident when he's on the pitch, though he has put in some very good performances. Quite a few mistakes (Ipswich at home comes to mind) which we mercifully didn't concede as a result of. Bertrand - 8 - very good indeed Targett - 5 - dependable but that's about it for his short time on the pitch Davis - 5 - his worst season for us. We still miss him when he's gone but nothing's worked for him since Christmas. Even his normally perfect passing was prone to sloppiness Wanyama - 8 - outstanding in early season and pretty bloody great ever since Reed - 6 - done well when called upon but will naturally struggle to cement a place JWP- 7 - really pleased to see him improve. Leaving more of a mark on games as a passer and mover now, though the mark we all want to see in future is goals and assists. Morgan - 8 - the usual excellence Tadic - 7.5 - his early season contribution was worth its weight in gold so can't score him down too much for a fairly anonymous time of it post-January Djuricic- 5 - Good feet, but still finding them. Pelle - 7.5 - Great signing. He's taken Lambert's contribution to the team (i.e. more than goals) and adapted it for the way we play now. A real shame his confidence nosedived after a few games without scoring. Mane - 8.5 - An absolute pleasure to watch and 10 goals for the season. Long - 6.5 - Delivered exactly what we should all have expected - a few handy goals, space between opposition lines, game-changing ability off the bench Ellia - 4 - thanks for winning us the Newcastle game. After that - ?????

The prospect off those three on top form makes me tingle a little bit. I must admit I've not watched enough of Austin over 90 minutes to judge how he'd work in our team. We'd have been marooned without Pelle's hold-up play on several occasions this season - how do we do that with Austin alone up top? Could he and Pelle play together? This is spot on, too. He's had a good season and would have had an unbelievable one with a bit more composure/luck in front of goal.

One of the best things about this season is, seeing the way the club is going, I don't doubt we will be happier in future. It has been quite remarkable though

Might be a good deal for both parties - we get a good keeper without having to sign anyone permanently, he can put himself in the shop window for the bigger clubs who won't be interested in him at the moment.

With you on all but one of those choices - I'd rank the Emirates win well above the Villa 6-1. That was a real occasion.

Bit of an anti-climax after the season we've had to rely on other results and a July qualifier to get into Europe. Ultimately has to go down as a disappointment considering the amazing position we had got ourselves in, but doesn't quite feel that way. Great time to support this club. Has anyone looked at who our Europa qualifying opponents could be if Arsenal win the cup?

Hasn't someone at the club already said we're going to go for a young keeper who can grow into the role and challenge Forster when he's back?