Mr_Red

Although I agree with the general view that the subs were a mistake, I think you can see what Adkins was trying to do. He was trying to get more men behind the ball, and cause united trouble on the break. It just didn't work very well. Hopefully he'll learn from it and do better next time. Slightly concerned by our defence, and Kelvin put us in trouble a few times which needs to stop. As for players, I only caught the second half but was impressed with Puncheon - nice to be proven wrong about him. Lallana and Lambert looked really good too, nice that the taters mentioned England a few times. Got to start getting points now, hopefully the new boys can help us out a bit. Looking forward to Ramirez's debut.

I've 'scouted' him out on Youtube too and have to disagree with the diving comment above. He's gunna do it, but like C.Ronaldo he's the type to draw a foul so I guess in some ways it's self-preservation, trying to get the refs to protect him and scare defenders into not tackling him in fear of a card. Of course I could be wrong, it's just Youtube after all! Seems to be able to make chances for himself but doesn't always take them, but the backheel (against Fiorentina I think?) does remind me of that flick Zola did not too many moons ago - if he does that for us I'm going to spray everywhere. Just really really hope the guy doesn't turn out to be like Rebrov/Carroll/Luque/Aquilani/Pavlyuchenko/Mutu/Shevchenko/Downing/Henderson/Delgado to name but a few!

To stop this well managed thread going off topic I went to Wiki... Well done to those that said Di Natale and Totti. List includes all time scorers so won't put them all up, here's a sample: No. 1 Silvio Piola (1929 - 1954) 274 goals No. 5 Totti 215 goals (still playing) No. 6 Baggio 205 goals No. 8 Signori and Del Piero 188 goals No. 10 Batistuta 184 goals No. 16 Inzaghi (only just retired in 2012 apparently or at least he's left Serie A so I wasn't far off with one of my guesses!) No. 21 Di Natale (still playing) and Crespo (retired from Serie A in 2012) No. 25 Gilardino (still playing) Now come on, lets sign Ramirez!!!

Not sure where to start with this?! Gartson?! Hazard was something like £32M, RVP £24M so no, not by a long way. BBC sport now saying Bologna are after Gilardino... "Only two players currently still active in Italy have scored more goals than the 30-year-old throughout his career in Serie A" Quiz time then, who are they? Guess Del P doesn't count from today so Inzaghi? and... is Crespo still around?

I'm sure that this question has been asked a number of times already, but 90 pages take a lot of sifting. Who is this Simon Peach guy and how does he know so much about the deal? Is he there as part of the negotiations? Or is he just reporting what the Bologna chairman is saying? Considering he keeps tweeting left right and centre, and therefore seems to have loads of time on his hands, I guess he must be a journalist? (That or he's winding us all up)

... Or was he?! (reading between the lines) Anyway, hope we can get Ramirez. Don't want it to go the way of the Buttner deal. I guess we will see just where we are come the end of the window - not going to expect anyone to have any patience, I know I don't! Just hoping for one of those 'Saints have signed x, y and z' type stories like when we were first taken over.

Inclyned to agree with nearly all of this... A bit harsh with Fox (as nearly everyone seems to be) I think he will prove to be a good squad member throughout the season. I'd give him a 5... Fox was ok for the start of the match when JRod and Lallana were covering more, but City definitely exploited the right side. Felt JRod had been given the covering job specifically, not his normal position I would hope. Can see him doing well, had some nice touches. Didn't know Puncheon was on the pitch first half but pleased with his 2nd half display. Nice to see Guly get some praise. Adkins - Excellent. Nice to see so many positive responses on here considering we lost. Hope this can continue!!! (Can we stop the 'if we play like that this season we will be fine' phrase though please?! Heard it too much the last time we were in the prem!! A few additions here and there and we've got a team capable of mid table.

Great challenge by clyne. A few more of them and we're laughing! The boys don't look overawed but perhaps a little hoofy from the back. Guess that can't be helped.

I would have thought Young on the left, Ox on the right and Welbeck and Theo up front would be best. Not a lot of experience I guess. Still wonder what happened to Adam Johnson this last season, looks to be a quality player whenever I've seen him.

No comments when I posted this on the promotion thread... I spent at least 10minutes making it! Can someone please at least humour me and tell me it's not funny. Many thanks.

I'll try again... [/img]

Balls that didn't work at all

Very rushed and not as hilarious as I first thought... oh well. Woohoo, we are Southampton, we are Premier League!

I have sweaty b*llocks already. Today is going to drag. Come on lads, top of the league is where we belong.

It will be Rickie, he's close to being the top scorer since the 'Championship' began... *if the info provided on another thread about this subject is correct!*

Can someone remind me what odds there were on Rickie being top goalscorer at the beginning of the season please? Was it 22-1? Can someone then remind me why the **** I didn't stick a tenner on it?!

Think that's normal tbh, unless you're from Portsmouth of course...

Quality vid. Had to look for Tadanari but cracked up when I saw it, brilliant. Love the team spirit, and Kelvin just amazing. Seems to be a genuine bloke just playing football. Love it.

The Godfather (Part II)

Michael Ricketts... I'm sure someone will prove me wrong, but Beatts had a similar story. Shame he had a crap team around him for the Australia game.

I thought you were just making up what the tater ('Chappers') was saying off air! Just listened to the censored version, not easy to make out what the swear words were, p155, bollix and f*ck I understand. He had clearly been on the sauce, a-wee day... away day etc and a high voice at times. Lolopage. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b01cdnlb (about 52 mins in) Re: Saints. Played badly and won 3-0 - That's what it takes to win leagues. Looking forward to taking on the 'big 4' next year... It has taken a long time, but I think I've finally dropped the negative viewpoint that we always do things the hard way. The old saints did, but now I have confidence in the team. We can definitely win this.

Love that film, Arnie films from around then were amazing. Twins for example was brilliant. Awful actress: What did you do to Sully? Arnie: I let him go (after dropping him off a cliff) Quality stuff.

Really like the Saints team at the moment, first time I can say that since we had Pahars and Beatts up front many moons ago. Jos is a legend in the making - no idea who will get player of the season at the moment! Could be one of 5 or 6 I think!

Saints top Pompey joint bottom Superb

Nice that we can choose from 5 subs isn't it?!