Super_Uwe

Always fun and games today on deadline day! Sounds like VVD is due to be presented, maybe there will be one more surprise deal for us, but not expecting anything. Really hope Spurs end up with no-one. I saw Jeremy Peace's statement the other day about Berahino, the thing is they think they can just get away with cheeky offers all the time. I know it's all just a big game, but I truly believe that whatever you are buying, offer a price that is respectful.

Well, given our early season form, I'd agree with you. Just very disappointing as we put out strong teams in every game. To get knocked out at the very last hurdle before the group stages having taken it seriously must be galling for the management team and players. I still feel as though we are in an OK position for the rest of the season. Obviously the new recruits this year haven't made an instant impact, but all we can hope is that the likes of Clasie, Soares etc settle in fairly soon, and the other key players like Pelle, Tadic etc pick up their form. Likewise, still a few days to get one or two new faces in. So it is by no means doom and gloom yet.

Terrible scoreline, and a bad day at the office all round it sounds. General fan reaction on social media was quite depressing really, some people completely over the top. Will be interesting to see how the team reacts over the next few games. I still have every confidence we are going to do well this year and hopefully exceed what we achieved last year in terms of PL finish, but time will tell.

I don't personally feel happy saying £5 million for a person is a bargain, but in today's football world this is a fantastic signing by the club for a great price too. Hopefully he will fulfil his potential with us. There is no better club out there for a player to showcase their talents, and well done yet again to the club for getting the deal over the line.

All the best to him. I saw his interview on the West Brom Facebook page and you can see how much last year has hurt him. He certainly feels he has a lot to prove and actually I think he will get into double figures for the Baggies this season in the Prem. Not sure why people are going on about his legs, his game has nothing whatsoever to do with sheer pace! It's his general goalscoring ability and awareness that has served him so well.

I am not liking the song for the simple fact we haven't yet qualified for the Europa League:uhoh:

All the best to him. He shouldn't have spouted off on Twitter last year, but we all make mistakes and in terms of his application on the pitch last season, you cannot fault him. He's been through the darkest times and also the very best of times with us; I wouldn't go as far to say he has been loyal, but he's been about as loyal as you can expect of a modern Premier League footballer. And we can't really complain, yet again we've negotiated what looks like a fantastic deal financially for him. Which I have no doubt will help go towards recruiting some other players in the next few weeks.

Haha! Very good.

Don't know why, but actually I think one (or both) of them will be a regular part of the matchday squad for the forthcoming season. Much like Harry Reed was last year (not that many appearances but plenty of involvement).

Disappointing news today. Sounds like one big mess, and probably we'll never hear the full story either. I'll always be a Saints fan but to be honest this sort of stuff just further pushes me away from caring too much any more. I was lucky growing up as a kid in Matty's era, and he was a true hero to me for many, many years. How many young fans actually have a hero at the club any more? Because it just feels like that as soon as anyone does well, it's just a matter of time before they clear off and join another club who is willing to pay more money. Nevertheless, I still have faith in the management team. They haven't blagged it up till now, and if there is a cock-up in this particular instance then I have faith that they will sort it out.

Have to say I am completely relaxed about the situation. It is a matter of time before he goes, but until then I have no fear that we will hold out for the best possible deal for the club.

This story has certainly taken an interesting twist:rolleyes: Sounds like a bit of a mess, and I would be surprised if he signs for Spurs today, as some reports have suggested. Would love to see him line up for us again this season, but I guess a lot will depend on whether he wants to come back to play for us or move on elsewhere.

Glad that Saints will be on TV but I feel for the fans who follow the team regularly. Just seems like this season is going to be one big mess around with different fixture times here, there and everywhere. Mind you, at least these ones are planned now! It's the ones that get rearranged with a couple of weeks notice that would really annoy me.

Meh. Shame he didn't see his future here but at the end of the day we've made a good old profit, he's given us three good years and got himself England recognition in the meantime. Not much else you can say really.

Re the 20 goal a season striker - had Pelle had an average couple of months in front of goal instead of his drought, he'd more or less have hit 20 by now. I know that is a flawed way of looking at it, but it's still a fair point. It's fine margins this year.

I agree completely. We were in Champions League contention for such a large chunk of the season, and sadly it has faded away the past couple of months. It's disappointing though. Can't knock what the players have achieved, hopefully we can actually secure a Europa League spot. Personally I find it embarrassing how Premier League clubs seem to find it a chore. Maybe the league element of it needs to be reviewed so that it is more of a knockout competition, and also stop letting Champions League third-place finishers drop into it. Other than that, it is still IMO a prestigious competition - why wouldn't you want to try and win it? But then again, the same thing applies to the League Cup and FA Cup - money talks I guess...

Am delighted Bournemouth got promoted. Shame that Pompey are so useless as it would be amazing next season having all three team in the Prem. But I won't cry myself to sleep over that last point!

Don't disagree with the reasons why he was disliked, but if he was still there they would in all likelihood be safe by now. It's all very well getting shot of an unpopular manager, but so far it hasn't worked out with John Carver in charge. They are in free-fall at the moment and regardless of whether you think they are a big club not - for the record I personally think they are a massive club - that is all that matters right now. Only saving grace is that seven point cushion; it should just about be enough to see them through to the end of the season.

I hope you're right! I understand what you are saying about the captaincy, but if Newcastle carry on the way they are then they could well be back in the Champ next year (which would have to go down as the worst implosions of all time?). If that happened then that could open up all sorts of transfer possibilities.

I personally think he'll be here next year. Not sure why but that's how I feel. Still think the severity of his injury has been underplayed in terms of a new club buying him. I cannot see any top Premier League club buying him unless (a) he becomes available at a ridiculously cheap price or (b) he proves his fitness again. Time will tell!

Bit left-field, but maybe someone like Luke Freeman from Bristol City might be worth a punt? Never quite made the grade at Arsenal but has had a great year this year. Whether or not he's quite good enough for our level remains to be seen, however we know better than anyone else that League One players can make the step up to Championship and Premier League! Sometimes players just need that chance to shine. Would fit in nicely with our current philosophy too.

Bit left-field, but maybe someone like Luke Freeman from Bristol City might be worth a punt? Never quite made the grade at Arsenal but has had a great year this year. Whether or not he's quite good enough for our level remains to be seen, however we know better than anyone else that League One players can make the step up to Championship and Premier League! Sometimes players just need that chance to shine. Would fit in nicely with our current philosophy too.

So then...Andy Awford has left Pompey I see. Harry's free, remember. Just saying:)

All in all, he hasn't had a bad season at all. Just frustrating that the last few months have been so poor goal wise after a cracking start. I did a quick bit of maths, and if he can manage to get three goals before the end of the campaign, that'll be 15 in all competitions for us this season. Would pretty much mirror Sir Rickie's appearances/goals the past couple of seasons too. So it's not bad going by any means. Great header last night too!

Funny you should say that - they're redeveloping the stadium at the moment and capacity is down. As a result, they've nearly sold out most of their games this season; the article I quoted says that too. Presumably if they get in the Champ next season then demand will be a tad higher too. Anyway, you're quite right about supply and demand. To be fair, people have been used to getting walloped with fuel prices, gas/electricity, food etc over the past few years, so if your season ticket hasn't gone up, or has even gone down a bit, then people aren't likely to complain. Just think Saints and the other Premier League clubs could do a lot more price-wise for season tickets to show they actually care.