James

I hope Nige doesn't think we don't need any new blood as tonight was as clear an indication that we do that we've had all season. This January has got me really worried about our financial situation. I know we don't want to blow the budget but its been clear for absolutely WEEKS that we've needed new players yet none (bar Falque who I thought was very average tonight) have materialised. We are playing a very dangerous game signing players like Lee who are not only unproven, but have pretty much taken the entire January window to arrive. It's all well and good making the right noises about bidding for players like Hooper but that's no good if they don't actually sign. I hope to god we've got a back up plan as we might not have as good a chance to get promoted next season, or indeed the next few seasons. Tonight was the night I began to see it slipping away/actually thinking we weren't ready as if we play that team, or with those rotation options in the Prem we will get absolutely murdered. I hope this is clear to Nige and Nicola and I'd be worried if it wasn't.

As much as I like Steve, he isn't good enough - nor are any of our supposed first team replacements.

Guly just ****ing shocking

We need some other forward options, we clearly needed them when we had a gap in proceedings but we didn't get them. We won't score tonight, we havent got a clue going forward

Just dross so far we don't deserve to go back top

Not impressed with falque at all so far

Harding is poor - Richardson should have started

A lot of people worried about Brum which I find strange as they were possibly the worst team to visit SMS this season - just dreadful. They're on a good run at the moment but don't think they'll maintain it. WHU and Cardiff are the main threats but its about being in the top 2 not necessarily winning the league. I think the next two games will tell us a lot about where our season is headed. Two wins and we're well on the way, slip ups and we could be looking at playoffs.

We won't sign anyone other than Falque and Lee IMO - think it leaves us a striker short but just my view.

I've had Delap and Skacel

Sky might be wrong, they have been before - he could easily be here. I'd like to think the two clubs have ways and means of operating without media finding it all out. That said, I do find it difficult to believe he is in Southampton when all we have to go on is one supposed sighting. All the evidence points to you being correct.

Do you know that for certain?

This. He makes at least one bad mistake a game.

I think he's referring to his exemplary work in the Community which shouldn't be underestimated - there's more to being a saints player than the number of minutes you are on the pitch.

Ben Marshall from Stoke perhaps = highly rated whilst on loan at Stoke, can't agree a new contract and rumoured to be off to a Championship side. A wide player with rave reviews from my Wednesday supporting friend.

There is a distinct lack of goals in that side. That's the real worry. I have a hunch that SDR and/or Connolly will be available though - Adkins didn't give much away regarding injuries so its all guesswork though.

Would be great to get him in the squad for Forest - might be pushing it but you never know!

He really wasn't that bad in midfield - can remember some pretty decent performances from him when played there. He was however, one of the worst CBs we've had since the Jakobssen/Davenport days.

Agreed, start like that and we will get murdered.

Don't think anyone thinks we're bigger - just perhaps more attractive owing to quality of football and perhaps salary (yet to be convinced of this though)

A tweet from the Solent twitter account from an anonymous inside source is hardly an official statement is it? It's hardly surprising sharp is being debated given our interest in the summer. If you don't want to discuss it no one is forcing you to read the thread.

Davis Richardson Fonte Jos Fox Cork Hammond Morgan Lallana Guly Connolly. Anyone know how long before SDR/Chaplow come back?

Saw that. My thoughts exactly.

Fact is, Celtic are a lot worse than they were and the other teams have caught up a bit - they can't accept that because they have typical big club syndrome. Would love to see us take him and wipe the smiles of their faces! Case in point: Rangers are about to sign Sandaza - a striker released by Brighton after being deemed surplus to requirements after a season in league 1! haha

I'm getting increasingly confident about this one - if it was never going to happen then Lennon would have said as much. Question is will we deliver the knock out blow? Well, I reckon we'd rather spend money on Hooper than the other's mentioned. Young, huge potential, resale value, European experience - get it done Cortese. I reckon he might move down here too - SPL is a mickey mouse league and Celtic aren't any great shakes in Europe these days.