eelpie

We might have lost 5 mil, but it has given an opportunity for big Sam to show us what he is capable of. I'd say that is a plus.

Amazing -sign him!

lol, sad to see him finally go as he was always entertaining when he came on, usually raised the tempo and was often instrumental in helping us to a win. So it will be odd watching him play against us at CP in March. Good luck, Punch, but don't score against us.

Unfortunately he would be the only one in the team

Well we have needed a supersub to replace Punch. Ok so Sam's a forward and Puncheon is a midfielder, but he could have a similarly positive impact on games.

Starry, starry eyes.... Some of us have an inflated and complacent view of ourselves atmo I'm afraid. Our current form guide is terrible, and worse than most clubs below us. Make no mistake, we may have a first team capable of beating the best when all are present, but we have been consistently failing to beat many below us in the table for ages.. I am not confident at present that we will easily get results against Stoke, Hull and West Ham, let alone Arsenal. Our priority must be to fight for another 14 points to secure safety, not dream of a mid-table fantasy which we are not at present deserving. Getting points will not be easy. The team are currently making too many sloppy mistakes in the latter stages of matches I don't despair, we can regain something like our early form. But only if everyone in the club from the top to manager and every player - to us ordinary supporters realise we have to graft for every point from now on. Or else.... Get real, everyone.

Hush. Don't let the players hear you. They're here for European footie, don't you know?

There could be some very interesting conversations on refereeing decisions between our new CEO in-waiting and MoPo if this appointment is confirmed..... "Liebherr is seeking a chief executive to replace Cortese and she is expected to turn to the former Blackburn Rovers chairman John Williams, who hails from Totton in Southampton. Williams left Blackburn in 2011 and he enjoyed a spell as a Manchester City executive. He has remained in football as the chairman of the referees' body, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited."

This needs to be heeded by the mods. It is time that serial 'slaggers' are infracted because so many interesting threads are bogged down by these irritating posters, putting many of us off reading further. But back to this conjecture, Kingsland Red may well have a point. It's because we are all desperately needing KL to come up with a strong mission statement. We need it, but most importantly MP and the players need it. They are here because of the long term vision set for the club by NC. The vacuum is dangerous for morale.

But sometimes major threads get bogged down by all the handbagging between 'warriors' and it is necessary to have a new thread to focus on specific aspects. (I for one get turned off). Thanks Duncan for opening this aspect of the debate.

It is in Katherina's interest to sell Saints when the team and club are at a peak. The club is worth ten times what Liebherr paid for it. To get the best price she needs to sell with all the best playing staff signed on. So she will undoubtedly resist any player departures this January. Luke, Rickie, Alan, Morgan and co need to be offered big inducements to stay. This will be the greatest business test of her skills, and more.

If Cortese resigned three months ago because he disagreed with Katerina's wish to sell the club, Katerina will have had time to consider her short term and long term plans. It is in her interest that Saints do well in the coming weeks to maximise her asset. She may not be a professional football administrator but she has the clout and money to appoint the best available sooner rather than later, providing she is getting the best advice now. That is the nub.

Thank you, thank you Pancake. If there were ever to be a Saints museum this should be in it!

Does it have the memorable reaction to the new statue (yes that one) topic? And Art's Sergeant Pepper LP cover skit? Two of the great's so sadly lost from the past.

Except we wouldn't stay where we are without Shaw, unless you rate Fox more highly than most. Have November and December taught you nothing?

Crazy. Without our best prospect, Shaw, we will resume the dive down the table and we will be fighting for our lives to stay in the Premiership. We will find it difficult to recruit top players and our talent, including the best in the Academy, will see their futures elsewhere. All the Liebherr's investment plans will be wasted. We are an ambitious club, NOT a selling club.

We are where we are because we haven't beaten the teams above, except only one. And we also find it difficult to beat teams below sometimes. As somebody has said they will now be fighting for their lives and have had time, like Sunderland, to improve. It is very important that the team sees that 8th place is a real possibility if we win. Then we must have a plan for catching up the next twelve point to get in the mix again. We can do it, but not if we are content with a midtable position. Nothing stays the same. We either go up, or we cede places. Saints have gotta have belief and ambition again! On Saturday we did not play with much confidence in the first half. West Brom wanted the ball more than we did. This must not happen at Sunderland. A complacent Saints will be disaster. A fighting Saints will set us on the upward road again. Beautiful football is useless if we don't dominate the Sunderland box. We have to come out of the traps fast and graft for the win. Then 2-1 Saints!

Isn't that what NA said?

The paciest player we've got on the right is Puncheon...ohhh

What's our average goals conceded over the last ten matches? 3? and our average goals for? Whatever, that will be the result.

Why were Cork and Davis taken off? That's when we lost control of midfield.

Why spend more when we have Puncheon out on loan? I guarantee that he would come off the bench and score a few goals, as he has done in the previous seasons. Without his contribution we might not be where we are today. The trouble with our strikers at present is that unlike Puncheon they lack a direct approach in the the final third, are indecisive and fluff chances when it matters. Punch is in top form at present. He is positive, has guts and character and does not lack confidence.

No need to panic yet. However If things get worse sign Miracles. Very highly rated in Roma circles. .

Bring Punch back

Chelski were fluent and dangerous last match, hitting top form. Let us hope they are their inconsistent selves again. Crossing fingers and toes for a draw, and that our frontmen are on target.