lickierambert

I've seen Newcastle live a few times this season and it's hard to overstate how bad their defence is. They've got a third choice keeper, a non left back at left back and the centre backs are really poor. Janmaat, whilst talented, looks like he doesn't want to be there They'll win 1-0 then

So, we get underway this Sunday at home to Warwickshire. It looks a really tough start as we play the best three teams in the first three games, and then play Lancashire complete with Jimmy Anderson. Warwickshire look to have a really formidable team and a very long batting line up, especially with Bell back. A few questions to answer in the first game: - How fit is Topley? - Will the youngsters get a game? I would like to see Alsop given a go in place of Adams who really didn't look up to it last year. I hope we go: 1. Carberry 2. Alsop 3. Vince 4. Smith 5. Dawson 6. Ervine 7. Wheater 8. McLaren 9. Crane 10. Topley 11. Edwards Looks like quite a long tail. We really need Vince to step up this year and score 1200 runs plus

It's also reasonably likely neither team will have much to play for. I can see why Sky are hedging their bets though

No, just really hesitant with and without the ball. Standing off Mahrez

Targett looks like a rabbit in the headlights at the minute

I'd oddly very confident for this one. 2-1

Yep. He must also be thinking: 'Christ, last time I was at this level I had Lambert, Lallana, Schneiderlin, Chamberlain, Fonte etc'

Nigel's really at a crossroads at his career if he gets sacked. Two bad jobs in a row I know it's easy in hindsight but the move to Reading just felt wrong. He should have kept his powder dry until summer 2013 because his stock was really high

I love how the spurs fans on the comments believe he'll never want to leave them. They are just another stepping stone for him, just as we were...

I should also say that we've done the double only once (Swansea)

We've beaten each of the 12 teams we've played twice, and none of the 7 we've still got to play. A very quirky stat

To be fair, the games away from home have been dull as anything this season. 11 goals scored and 13 conceded in 14 games and I'd say only 2 games (Chelsea and Newcastle) have been anything close to interesting In fact I'd say this is the most dull season since 2005-2006

http://http://www.theguardian.com/football/picture/2016/mar/01/david-squires-on-football-and-the-oscars The David Squires Guardian cartoon has a wonderful panel on Lallana

I have a feeling Koeman is going to change things up quite heavily. 4-3-3, Martina at right back, and JWP, Mane, Pelle up front

At the risk of jinxing it, we have a fantastic record against bottom 6 sides since we got promoted. Since 2012/13, against bottom 6 sides (using finishing positions and 2015/16 current positions): Played 44 Won 28 Drawn 6 Lost 10 Points per game= 2.05 Win percentage= 63.64% Easy win then.

I'd agree with this. I think everyone knows he won't be with us by the start of the new season

We're going to park the bus in the 2nd half, aren't we?

Good team. A lot of strength on the bench

I see Afridi has signed for us for this season's T20. Always an exciting player to watch. I was worried by Briggs' departure and the affect on the t20 side, but we could put something like this out: Carberry Vince Adams Smith Wheater Ervine Dawson Afridi McLaren Edwards Topley That's a very good bowling line-up and batsmen 3-9 are basically interchangeable depending on match situation

I see Afridi has signed for us for this season's T20. Always an exciting player to watch. I was worried by Brigg's departure and the affect on the t20 side, but we could put something like this out: Carberry Vince Adams Smith Wheater Ervine Dawson Afridi McLaren Edwards Topley That's a very good bowling line-up and batsmen 3-9 are basically interchangeable depending on match situation

Just imagine, with our 5-2-3 formation, we could have the following competing for those front three places: Mane, Long, Austin, Rodriguez, Pelle, Davis, JWP, Tadic. Exciting stuff and provides longer term options if/when Pelle and Mane leave this summer

It looks like the saints stadium from FIFA too

I can't stand Henry Winter. A journalist stuck in 2006 His Times adverts were embarrassing (although presumably not commissioned by him)

Whatever happens Henderson and Rooney will be in the starting XI

Here's what I'd do: - Scrap the League Cup - 4th Place PL team plays FA Cup Winner in Champions League play off, week after FA cup final. Loser gets Europa League. Play the match at Wembley - Scrap replays but keep extra time - Take the semi finals back to neutral venues that aren't Wembley. There's at least 6 or 7 potential venues This way you incentivise winning, create additional money spinner to offset lack of Wembley semi finals and would create additional pressure for top clubs to compete, especially like Chelsea/Man Utd this year, who are going to miss out on Champions League