yorkie

Personally I think this makes the move more likely. Bologna have no way out. He's been touted around Europe for big bucks - either no one has the money or they are looking at more experienced players. He obviously ticks a lot of boxes for SMS - Cortese & Adkins have found someone they want. Proof of this is stumping up the asking fee straight away - something Spurs and Liverpool failed to do? Really glad to hear the player say something after all the antics last week... Are we being sucked in again by a Tweet?

Tell you one thing if the players or staff ever visit here - they will love this! What a distraction from us all *****ing about player X or Y - no pressure from us for Saturday!! Hardly any new threads - just 69-pages of this diatribe - quoting italian press, italian agents, the press generally, twitter comments - surprised no one has visited Facebook to find out his inside leg measurement!

Am I the only one genuinely excited about the prospect of signing Ramirez? As far as I can tell the deal would never got off the ground if Italy was not in such financial difficulties - it's a bargain in footballing terms. Where else can you buy a 21-year old international who has played in Europe for £12m? Oxo cost a lot more relatively and totally unproven at any level above League 1! I can't pull myself away from looking to see if he has signed - and sure it's like on a matchday when you can't get a commentary or a stream - blink and has the score changed - F5! I just wish all the personal abuse (not really banter is it?) would disappear it's so childish for grown men to act like petulent children because they don't agree! What next cyber warriors sending PM's to warn them of an impending visit with a baseball bat or even a gun? This used to be a good forum with banter without all the abuse.

I really think there is something to be considered here - just because we are getting used to having worldwide information within seconds of it happeneing (I remember when Beattie crashed his Lambo (or was it a Ferrari?) at Millbrook and pictures where on the web in seconds!) why do we expect to know every detail of a transfer! It is really strange - I remember the only time you knew about a transfer when it was on the back page of The Echo! Impatience and wanting to know everyhting now is a trait of the multi-media generation - let's just chill and await the outcome! Saying all that I won't be able to concentrate on work now I know there is something afoot - now where's that F5 button?

Modern technology must be responsible for hours of lost work! Once upon a time the first time you heard or knew anything about new players was when they signed. Now with the internet virtually every nose wipe is reported and takes up too much time! IF ONLY I COULD IGNORE IT!

Good game to watch being the underdog - possession wise City were all over us and missed a lot of chnaces. Saying all that we gifted them a third goal - Fox's pass to Nasri couldn't have been better if a City forward had knocked it down. How did we get 5 on 3 on the break and score? Nearly mucked it up but well done Davis. If we can keep this up all season and the crowds at SMS remain patient it will be a great season. Just hope Ramirez and Philips were watching - would make it them seal the deal! I thought Fonte and Jos looked steady away - and Ward Prowse confident for a 17-year old, and was excellent. Who knows where this season will end...but we will make the rest of The Premiership take notice.

Adkins has always managed to make the step up - I really do not think he will let us down ever!

I must say if I had the chance of a move - the last thing I would want to do is put it at risk by getting injured in a game for a club I was leaving!

Press in Italy now saying they are trying to cling hold of Ramirez - holding out for more money... Don't think Cortese will deal with these clowns...

Tits up appears to be the word on this deal! Still it kept me interested for the day!

Comfort zone? I think the players we are chasing are all young and hungry with no agenda or big agents. Saints don't have a good history of picking South Americans - but this lad had played in Europe and shows a degree of pedigree. He sounds like he has the right attitude and fits with the Adkins mould. Roll on seeing him in a SAints shirt on the OS...seeing is believing!

What cars are they driving these days - Ford Capris?

Guys it is quite simple - I'm not sure how so many of you can afford the Man City tickets never mind moan about another £1.50 booking fee! I will be chosing my live action very carefully in line with what I can afford at the time...I didn't mind paying rip off prices for a Cup Final in Cardiff all that time ago, but I will not pay £50 to visit a ground I have been to before, with zero infrastructure for a good day out. It's not long away - football will be a past time for the elite, prawn sandwich munching types, and true football lovers will sit on a sofa or go down the pub for SKY or go down the park (not Fratton!) and watch the local team. Grass roots football will never die - but I fear for the future of the game at the highest level. Still whilst there are thousands of people happy to pay whatever is asked without saying diddly-squat...then you only have yourselves to blame. Never a more fanatical Saints fan than me...but even I will draw the line and perhaps invest in Saints Player like my overseas colleagues!

Watched from afar of Channel 5. Generally thought the game was played at a very slow pace - possession football for the first 20-mins, and Saints were nowhere near getting the ball never mind getting in the game. Still not sure what changed but we seemed to be in awe of playing the Dutch at their own game. Strange how things did change. I like the look of Ward Prowse - he looked like something we were missing last season. Not sure about Schneiderlin's performance, and for all his hype I was generally disappointed with Rodrigues. I know it was a test for him to play in that position, and we did very little to try and get him in the game. The over-riding thing that worried me was our exposure down the right. Wast because Rodders was too far in front of Fox? Passing was poor yesterday except for one memorable crossfield from Jos to Guly or Clyne, which did create a chance. Looked a little goal shy - and need to Sharpen up a bit (no pun intended). I think if Billy had been on for longer he would have scored with the chance he had! I enjoyed the game but it lacked something - perhaps the fact it didn't matter if we lost was a factor. It was a good test - but the story for our season will be about taking our chances and not giving teams a goal start. After Lallana getting back and Fonte clearing up he passed it straight to the goal scorer! It was a well struck shot - but we can't be that sloppy in The Premiership. I thought we lacked a bit of pace - something that will be addressed when Lee is back in my opinion. Get off Lambert's back - it's the kit making him look "not as fit" as last seaon - stripes are very slimming! Get him wearing No.7 again and we will be all right! It seems strange not watching red & and white stripes - not really too opinionated about the change. Not sure what needs changing - Adkins is clearly still tinkering. I thought Guly had a better game - but lost his way in the second half after Clyne went off. They seem to have developed an understanding already. Not sure about Rodrigues on left midfield - but he will be an important of the side. Midfield I can't fault Ward Prowse - he starts for me. Unsure who else needs to fit in - Cork and Davis perhaps? Enough pontification - I'm starting to look forward to the new season - but not sure how I will be able to afford to go to live games at £50 a pop at places like Ethiad!

Not necessarily - two games in a week he's only a nipper. No need to over do it too soon - it's a long old season!

Can't moan now a top European side in place of Rangers - Anderlecht Perhaps Jose can do a Jim Steele on the half way line! At least the away goals rule won't apply this time. We owe them big time!

I guess it's an easy choice at the end of the day - I found an old ticket for a game at Blackburn in 2003/04 and it cost £23! Looks like being in the lower leagues has us used to much lower ticket prices! All that said I will draw the line at going if it goes over £30/game! £25 for a knock about for 45-mins against two British teams seems a bit high - and once petrol is paid for and overnight accommodation looks an expensive weekend! There must be a point in everyones life where football just isn't that important that the cost does matter? I guess I am fast reaching that - I'd rather have a meal out with the missus (which I can justify) than pay over £30 for 90-mins of Saints. All about value for money - and football doesn't deliver these days!

Over rated - look what happebned the last tiem we recruited Premier League experience! Players are together - the individuals may not be world class, but we all pull together and get the job done. More good players to join in the next few weeks and we will still be favourites to go down as we haven't signed a world class name...who needs them? I know expectations will be on a top two finish again, but I think that might just be too much to ask first time around. Didn't Forest win League 1 after being promoted from League 2 back in the 70's/80's? Never say never!

I have followed this thrread for a while now since our initial interest in him. I seem to remember him saying he ws going nowhere in January as he wanted to get Burnley back into The Premiership. Things move on and his loyalty to Burnley is/was a credit to the character of the young man. However IF he is ambitious - he will have to move on to a bigger club. Some one of his age may only remember the relegation threat year after year, selling all our best young players - but we have moved on. With the likes of Cork & Fox movng south - he has old team mates (not necessarily friends) who can also sell him the dream. I'm not saying it will be a done deal - but let's face it as clubs go we do have a lot going for us. If I was his age with the potential he has - I would jump at the chance of pulliong on a shirt a St.Mary's. I know my choice is somewhat blinkered - but he can only get better playing and training alongside some of our experienced squad. We have an unknown in Lee for next season too - he was just settling in to his stride wjhen he picked up that training injury - which may have ben a blessing looking back. People we think we have no pace, we are one dimensional with Lambert - but I think we will be top half next season with or without Jay Rod. Back on to the theme of this thread - I personally welcome the idea we can go out and get some young English players hungry for success. For too long we have had to sell our products - we all know who they are! If you venture on to this site Jay and read some of this diatribe - you would be an asset to any club going on your current resume. Don't come to us thinking you've made your big move to the big time...it's only the start and you need to set your sights as high as the Chairman & the Manager. I'd like to see him in sooner rather than later to get to know the club and the rest of his team mates pre-season. Anyone know if Fox or Cork have tweeted anything? There is definitely no smoke without fire - and I think the embers are glowing hot. We need more options and I think Rodders could be rhe key - with a couple of other youngsters - but more concerned about our defence!

Nice to see everyone has clamed down afetr 10-pages! Must be the Adkins affect...stay calm and silent, shame it doesn't work on here! Why do so many people get their knickers in a twist? I'm excited about Saturday and not even thinking about the outcome - doesn't mean I'm not thinking about the game every second and trying to work out what the team will be, what tactics we will play, and most of all who is going to perform...but I don't believe in posting negative stuff on here at such a critical stage of the season. POSITIVES ONLY please...it makes for a more relaxing 2.5 days!

At The Riverside with all the other travelling fans!

You lot need to grow a pair - honestly this lot will NOT let us down! Never mind the immodium - alka seltzer is the required medication for Sunday!!!

It is remarkable to think that as on TV at 5.20 that many people are still bothered by a trip to a wet Middlesbrough at Saturday tea time! The fact is money is tight and priorities change - I'm fortunate enough to be able to fund my only hobby, and love the occassions. I wasn't going to go to Middlesbrough originally because I had decided to get down for the Coventry game. But for all my "tightness" I have decided to go and give the boys one last shout away this season with a couple of thousand others, just to make the difference between getting the draw or a win. I am not contemplating losing or turning up like we did against Blackpool. Not my last game as I am still making Coventry. Frankly speaking the away crowds have been fantastic all season, and the increase over the last couple of months is nothing short of spectacular, especially as I can remember being one of only 60-fans for a night game in the Saints end at Hillsborough in the early 80's. Honestly I have no bone to pick with anyone who stays in Southampton (or anywhere else) to watch it on TV. I'm happy that they can get as much from it on the TV or laptop by streaming. I have done both with differing experiences - but I know I just want to have one of those "I was there" moments again. Just like at Orient last time, and Luton the week before that...it's something that lives with you forever. Somehow - "Yeah I remember that I was down the pub" doesn't cut it for me!

I can't understand how people on here can be thinking a point is enough! Surely the aim is to get the win - which we are more than capable of with the current set up. There are several personal targets - Rickie's Goal tally, Kelvin's clean sheets and I bet Billy would like a hat-trick before the end of the season. I'm being really greedy now after last nights heroics - Saints win, Reading lose which sets it up nicely for the last Saturday - top on goal difference, with all to play for! Being a long serving fan - you get the impression we could still slip up at Boro, especially after the performance at Blackpool. Can you honestly see Boro doing that to us? Anyway we will probably be 2-up before they even realise they are in a game!

I'm trying to stay focussed but it is difficult with a game on tonight. I have a feeling we should all take this as just another game, another 3-points and not get so stressed about it being a Championship decider - because with 4-games left it clearly isn't! Nigel will have got the preparation right, the players are at home in front of another sell out, and at night at SMS this can mean anything. Live on TV will not make any difference - this business of playing in front of cameras is a load of baloney! These are professional footballers doing what they enjoy, this is the time to put on another exhibition like aganst Middlesbrough - totally controlled. Reading will have a plan - but they had a hard game on Tuesday and could be feeling it in their legs come the hour mark. Not sure if we will have the guile to beat their goalkeeper from distance, but remember Posh recently beat them 3-1! After the disappointment of last Saturday - we are owed a big performance at SMS - so it was a wonder strike, and we all know they don't count! There is only one thing certain about tonight, the neutral will want a good game and West Ham fans will want to see a winner. A draw is no good for their cause! If I was a betting man I would say 0-0 would be the final score, but I'm not a betting man. Love to win tonight, West Ham to lose to Brighton, and then on to Peterborough on Tuesday night for confirmation we are going up. However one game at a time - let's just make sure we do ourselves (fans and players) proud tonight on SKY and show the footballing world we are more than a one man team! In Nigel we trust Do it for Markus!