LainPain

Agreed, would have been a cracking signing if instead of Long, too similar to sign both.

Indeed, and we have to be realistic. IMO, we should be looking for someone who is likely to hang around for two years and progress the club rather then the next Ted Bates. Managers simply don't stay in jobs that long anymore and tbh, why would they when there a opportunities at the big clubs. This idea of blind loyalty would seem completely bizarre outside of football.

Article from the mirror with 8 suggested candidates: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/next-southampton-manager-8-managers-3612454 Not too shabby a list. Wouldn't mind Laudrup, would only stay for a year or two but would enhance our reputation in Europe and he showed he can win a cup.

Has to be the biggest overreaction of the season, it's just a few cheap scarves.

Tbf, they have the right to do whatever they want, but it is crazy from a business perspective. From memory nearly all of their sandwiches contain bacon or some sort of ham.

Ironically makes it look like we're obsessed with them.

Pulis deserved the freedom of Croydon for what he's achieved.

Watched Rickie's goal against Scotland. Flipped the chair I was sitting on and squealed like a little girl.

How's Richard Wright's fitness these days? Was terrific when he was first with us, I would take him as backup to Boruc on the cheap.

He'll be up there, but I'd put Barkley ahead of him, more exciting. Does Ramsey still count as "Young"? I'm sure James Milner won it when he was 27.

Surely time for a best Saints premier league XI thread? My first go (don't remember the first few years, so post 1996): Niemi Clyne Lovren Svensson Bridge Schneiderlin VW David Le Tiss Lallana Beattie Other options IMO (and lifetime): Boruc, Richards, Oakley, Lambert, Rodriguez, Shaw, Dodd, Svensson (A), Marsden, Kachloul, Cork.

Would like too see more of Ramirez in for Lambert. Try a front three of Jay, Lallana and Ramirez all with freedom to roam. After all we have nothing to lose now.

Are there any Saints populated bars that regularly watch the matches? In Hong Kong at the moment and looking for somewhere.

Ha! Few things get me out of my seat to post, but it takes a truly delusional Saints fan with absolutely no idea about world football to suggest Luke Shaw is better then Philipp Lahm at left back. No Southampton player is within the world's best 10 of any position.

Went a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. I like how laid back it is compared to other European cities. Little Europe is fun if you want to drink Tequila and pretend you're a drunken giant.

Did you watch the Liverpool game yesterday, Henderson was unbelievable.

Still the biggest economic centre in the UK by a distance?

Especially as Rooney is probably the best player in the EPL. Amazing that people that preach that Savage is ignorant when the general football knowledge on this forum is laughable.

Official twitter just posted a picture of Reed making a tackle, reckon he's nailed on start.

Is there really a difference? Personality is about the way you act, people's favourite sports person is based on the way that sportsman acts. Some people want their SPOTY winners to be "nice" or "friendly", I like Andy Murray because he gets properly ****ed off when he loses, like a normal person.

Ha! Though I suppose it has been a fairly poor year of sport for the country (especially compared to last year) so you never know. That said, even as a Saints fan it's hard to see Rickie deserving nomination.

More like Niclas Alexanderson circa FM 97/98.

His versatility would be a plus, can play all over defence apparently.

Ox, like Carroll, is unlikely to be fully fit and firing by next summer. Hodgson is hardly the idiot some make him out to be, clearly this will be his only world cup so he'll be far more concerned about winning it then pandering to the top 4.

Henderson is turning into a fairly decent player, Cleverly isn't.