Toon Saint

There are also people moaning about those moaning at the moaners. For the sake of everyone's sanity wouldn't it be easier if those originally moaning about the hashtag explained their concerns, rather than deflecting the discussion onto those who have questioned their reasons? It's all a bit circular otherwise.

No sign whatsoever.

What are people's actual objections to this? Just seems faux outrage for nothing in particular. Could do with getting wifi working in the stadium so people can actually use the hashtag, but nothing wrong with increasing awareness of our social media channels - which are a lot bloody better than almost every club in the premier league.

One of the commentators on talkSport kept referring to 'Lakookoo' instead of Lakaku last night. Made me snort everytime he said it, almost Merson-esque.

Not exactly. Obviously demands a lot of fitness - hence the double training sessions - but the idea with Poch's tactics is that the higher up the pitch you win back possession, the less actual effort you need to have to get nearer to the opponents goal. Because we win possession back so early it is the opposition that then chases the ball, often less efficiently, which then impacts their energy levels. Milner would be a great signing though, agreed.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11675/8882724/transfer-news-gareth-bales-move-to-real-madrid-is-imminent With the Bale transfer imminent, looks like we are set for a mini-windfall with the development fee somewhere between 2.5 % and 5% - which if reports are to be believed, could be worth up to £4.7million. What to spend it on?... Must say, I admire the way Spurs have handled the whole situation and the appointment of Baldini has obviously made them a bit more street-wise on that front, given Levy's usual policy of brinkmanship. Transfer was obviously agreed with Real quite some time ago, but Spurs have asked to delay announcement to finalise their own deals. This has put them in a stronger negotiating position as clubs, although probably aware of the impending transfer, can't exactly extort more money out of Spurs as they don't yet have it. They've managed to strengthen 3 or 4 positions and if they get in Lamela (who is potentially world class) then they are looking very solid for this season. At some point - hopefully a few years down the line - we will probably receive a mega-money bid for one of our current players (Shaw/Wanyama, etc.) If we can't hold on to them, then Spurs have shown the way to properly handle a big name departure this window.

Sounds like we can forget about Sinclair unless we attempt to hijack the deal at the last minute. Probably too far down the line now though. Would have been a decent signing - think his pace would have been a pretty handy asset against tired legs after we've pressed the life out of the opposition. That said, not sure how suited the rest of his game is to Poch's pressing style. His wages (£45k per week) are also ridiculous for his actual ability. Unless he took a wage cut he'd be one of our highest earners, and not really sure he deserves to fall into that bracket.

From SSN live transfer feed: More from Sky Sports News' Dharmesh Sheth now, this time on Scott Sinclair's future. It's understood Sinclair will take a medical and discuss personal terms with West Brom in the next 24 hours. Manchester City were after a permanent move, while West Brom wanted a loan. The clubs have found a compromise, with Sinclair initially joining on a season-long loan with an option to join permanently.

Adam Blackmore ‏@bigadamsport 1m I'm not sure there's any foundation in those reports linking #saintsfc with Scott Sinclair, having just finished at Marchwood #agentsatwork

Bit of a contradictory piece actually. Seems to suggest it was Puncheon's request to leave - 'has been allowed' - but then also talks about being left out of the squad last weekend and him 'seeking first-team football', which rather needlessly implies that he wasn't in Poch's plans this year. Tone of the statement is caught between trying to save face and demonstrating that it wasn't the clubs decision to instigate the loan move, as well as suggesting that he was surplus to requirements anyway.

Yeovil haven't done too shabby either. Remember seeing them with my best friend at school when they were still playing in the Ryman's league. More over the last decade or so, but an incredible rise through the football league nonetheless.

Shouldn't that read finisher bove and not finisher above? Thank you.

Refreshing to read that Osvaldo appears to have some discerning tastes in music: The Stones, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, etc. Not the most obscure, granted, and I'm more of the belief that the best British music was made between the years 1978 and 1986, but...point is that it actually gives us a bit of insight into his personality and tastes, where as most modern EPL footballers seem to belong to the same pool of insipid blandness, with very little interest in anything other than football. I'm sure there are quite a few notable exceptions, but by in large they are pretty predictable in their love for the latest r'n'b-meets-cod-dub-step fare on Radio 1, ridiculously expensive designer print t-shirts, and shocking over-sized trainers. That old adage that money can't buy taste applies to roughly 97.26% of them. I love Pat Nevin as a pundit, partly because he sounds like Wordsworth when sat on the MOTD2 sofa next to Dion Dublin, but also cos he loves Joy Division and the Fall - as a side note, I've seen him DJ a couple of times out in Newcastle. Also found out recently, via twitter, that Egil Ostenstad is a massive Smiths fan, which makes my love for him all the more strong. I love Ozzie already, not just because of his rugged handsomeness, but cos he actually has a passion for something other than his profession that isn't rearing horses or golf. Anybody else have any connections to particular footballers (ex or current) based on their tastes/hobbies outside of football? (Stan Collymore and dogging don't count ) Just interested, like.

George Mells has since deleted his tweet and no official confirmation as of yet...wonder whether Cortese has given him a dressing down.

I like JP. Gives us balance and a direct threat that we lack with other wing options. Thought that our best performances last year always came with him on the right of the AMC trio - when Lallana and J-Rod play together, by contrast, we seem to lack a bit of incision and width. Based on first game, it looks as if JWP will feature in Poch's plans a lot more this season than many supposed, so maybe JP has slipped a bit further down the pecking order. Might also indicate another winger is due to join shortly. Bit disappointed that we have loaned him out though, and hope there is a recall option on that loan.

Cheers, will listen out. Tweeted Adrian Durham to stop babbling on about Man Utd buying Luke Shaw (instead of Baines) and his response was 'overrated anyway'. Such a tit.

Double post :

The media keeps on trumpeting Di Canio's team as the 'fittest' in the League because of the double sessions he's introduced. They hardly ever mention that Poch has done exactly the same, and with a team that was pretty damn fit anyway. I hope we absolutely batter Sunderland on Saturday, can't stand Di Canio - horrible, vile man.

Ladies and gents, we have a winner! Superb effort!

Slightly off-topic, but check out Spurs fans rendition of the immortal Blue classic 'One Love': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTlOKpSrK3Y&feature=youtu.be The fella singing sounds like a sh1t version of Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip. Shocking craic.

As good looking as our team is, Osvaldo is in a different league. Film star looks, grade 'a' hunk. Caught my girlfriend google-imaging him earlier, after I showed her a picture of him signing last night. I really can't blame her.

It didn't bankroll both did it? Chamberlain was sold after our first promotion. Point is that Glasgow was suggesting we haven't received any significant transfer fees in the two years, I was saying that we have. Whats the difference in saying it covered back-to-back promotions or that it amounted to our outlay on Ramirez? All comes from the same pot and hardly meant to suggest we kept the Chamberlain money locked away in a vault, ready to splurge on Gaston. We were on topic of transfers in/out and the fees involved in both Ramirez and Chamberlain deals were similar. It's hardly a massive leap.

Chamberlain? Effectively covered the Ramirez fee.

First hissy fit?

Ta Monk. All the best.