a1ex2001

2003 seems like an age ago, I still remember watching Chris Baird stealing glances at his runners up medal like a kid who got the cake while a lot of our other players could barely touch them. we had some good players in that team but I think todays crop are generally better, what we wouldn't give for a mid twenties James Beattie absolute quality striker and would surely bag plenty in the current team.

You've contradicted yourself there if Chinese fans are likely to follow multiple sides across Europe then there clearly is a market if we become one of there multiple clubs it up's our visibility in china which in turn ups our potential revenue generating ability. Just because they aren't 'Southampton until the die' doesn't mean they can't be milked for a few million! My general feeling about this is one of concern, it worries me that a Chinese property development firm is anywhere near the club, it worries me that we might be loosing our stable ownership and it worries me that Kat and her people have felt the need to issue this rather vague statement. Personally I'd be happy if the Chinese investment was blocked.

Martial on a 6 month loan is an interesting one, usually I'm anti loans unless there is a buy clause if they work out because they just block first team opportunities for our youngsters and are not a long term solution. In this case though we are short a striker and our top prospect is out on loan so he wouldn't really be blocking anyones progress and would be great competition/cover in the meantime. Sadly it won't happen though! I'm not convinced on the Jesse thing either, there is a reason he is looking likely to land up at Boro and that's not because he's a world beater on current form.

Needs game time and looks like he is going to get it at the minute the options fro rotating our central defenders have disappeared. Quality performance last night making a mockery of those who said we should play Bertrand out of position his tackle late on for the 'penalty' was spot on and a great example of a youngster taking responsibility and not being afraid to commit. He still might not make it but he's certainly doing his chances no harm at the moment!

No doubt there will be plenty available outside of the official routes there is nearly 30'000 tickets going to other thing for starters that always land up in the hands of 're-sellers'

If this is true then assuming we are playing utd the club has to release a one off yellow shirt.

Would have been one of the harshest handball decisions ever given it hits him on the shoulder! As an aside watching that gaol again Shane Longs first touch is fabulous the pass from sims very nearly got away from him.

Could this be a turning point in our season?

Difference is klopp generally plays exciting foortball, has charisma and is revive a club that hasn't won the league in 20 years!

Can we play Liverpool every week? Massive night for Stephens he looked solid.

Get the fook in deserve that.

Getting him to sign a new contract was a seriously big deal!

Pretty rare for a cup semi in England! Fraser will get one if he keeps the ball again!

Probably knackered they've put in a shift tonight!

Lost our shape since JWP went off come on lads this is so close now. Heads held high what ever the outcome young stephens has come of age tonight.

Really need to take one of these chances but all good so far!

Shoe horn if Bertrand in at centre back would send a terrible message to Stephens if the club think he might make it at this level he had to play tonight if a left back who has no real experience as one of two centre backs was preferred to him then we should sell Stephens tomorrow this has to be his time he is to old to keep waiting to see if he is good enough! Good luck to the lad and the rest of the teams everything crossed for the result we want tonight!

if he wants to go ant the money is right they will sell, it's how football works most of the time and we are hardly rivalling hull for worst tem in the league title!

I must be a rubbish fan I go once or twice a season and have attended away games sat in a seat and not singing sorry everyone I know how much my lack of commitment effects the club. Plus points I did watch an academy side featuring jay Lucas in the fa youth cup in Derby, was there for the dire game at Sheffield united when Lancashire got sent off after sbout 5 minutes and enjoyed the 'pleasure' of our more committed fans yelling racist crap at akinori nishisawa in Bolton the same night keleber Chaka was seen wearing a saints shirt running up and down the touch line! Ooh Almost forgot I saw Sarmiento's debut at Notts county what a game that was, I don't go often but I don't go for the glory of a cup semi final but then I don't sing so might as well not go anyway lol

Lol love comments like this they have hardly been delivered with a massive fanfare, I'm confident things are happening behind the scenes besides which Romeu signing a new contract is a massive relief and one less player on the shopping list this summer!

Never believe a price in the media! I think we will get him on loan on the last day of the window with a permanent deal agreed for the seasons end if things work out and we will be paying less than 20 million with nothing like the full amount upfront. The lack of interest put's us in a strong position and i suspect Liverpool will be keen to stay on good terms with us given there need of a left back and our apparent surplus!

Now that is a result loosing him would have been rubbish as he really seems to have kicked on this year.

Must be a photoshop? As an aside he's gone down in my estimation for owning that hideous car with that finish on it!

Maybe he won't be as good as bale but maybe he'll be as good as any number of decent premier league players who do a job week in week out for the club. Not every graduate of the academy has to be a world beater if they were you'd only moan when they got sold. Sims could go on to make 100 international caps while playing for Chelsea, he could spend 10 years in our first team delivering solid performances or he could fizzle out nobody especially a bunch of Internet warriors know the answer yet! Congratulations to the lad he has taken the opportunities given to him worked hard and achieved another milestone along the way to a career most of us would give an arm just for the opportunity!

Which is the standard answer he will give if you ask him about anyone and quite rightly so.