the_emu

So points of interest (for me atleast): - Given the sensitive nature of his work, would someone like Mitchell have an extended notice period and be put on gardening leave if he were to leave? - Southampton it seems has a lot of IP with the software they've developed which I do hope is commercially protected. - I can understand Mitchell eventually going to pastures new, for a different challenge, but Tottenham? Having a laugh - everyone knows Levy keeps private counsel on who ultimately stays and who goes, not the manager or director of football or lead scouts, so it will be a thankless task working for him. - Extend on the fruits of your labour at a club where something special is germinating or start over at a toxic club? Hmmmm - What exactly is Spurs template for recruitment - a players price tag? Conclusion, think it's all a bit of ball aches. Food for thought.

Descent as in West Ham and Swansea who are making a good fist of it, or decent as in Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Spurs who are absolutely gob sh*te at the moment, and doing a good enough job of fecking their season up without us having to beat them.

On top of the Scousehampton, Spuds and Gooners loss, this draws my weekend to a perfect close. All I can say is my heart bleeds pure p*ss!

Didn't it all kick off at the hotel prior to the West Ham fixture, as got dropped to the bench after he got dragged for having a mare at Millwall. I could be wrong but think Koeman said F@ck you, and scratched him late notice from the team sheet all together.

Cue headlines "Chelsea extend lead on title rivals to 8 points"

On Bale... That will be never again then.

Maybe he's come to give a mates rates quote on the stadium expansion

Our so called tough games against the big boys can't come quick enough for mind. To an extent City bottling it last night means they can't now play a weekened team against Bayern midweek before our clash. As I said my Citeh mate last night, Liverpool, Citeh and Arsenal are giving the quality of the PL a bad rep playing in Europe. Time for a changing of the guards I think.

This. We March On, not Mark Time.

Polar bears don't Well nothing really surprises me these days, some trolling of the highest order

WTF you are taking the puss right?

We sold all our dregs and made a tonne we do Ron Ron Ron, we do Ron Ron But now we've got Pelle and we march on we do Ron Ron Ron, we do Ron Ron Yeahhh having Koeman is great Yeahhh we can even score eight Yeahhh and we know he’s a Saint we do Ron Ron Ron WE DO RON ROOOOOOOOOOO

The Italian line feels a bit clunkey but all in all a great effort... Two verses, can we dot it? Worth a shot

Was expecting one of their full backs getting a 2nd red after using Long as a punching bag, but not crouch....that'll do

They all look knackered

Interesting comment from Bertrand in the context of the rest of the interview. RB:*I would like to think I have chances of getting England call-ups if I'm playing regular Premier League football in a successful team and that is what we have at Southampton. It is difficult to catch the eye of an England manager if you are not playing at a big club like Chelsea.

Not at all - January transfers are for panic buys at a premium to plug a hole - not to build out the squad, and as much as I hate the cliche, it definitely isn't the Southampton way. I personally will be disappointed if we are involved in the Jan transfer window either to buy or sell* *(Bertrand & Toby contract offers excluded)

This We can only be as good as the teams put in front of us and 19pts and +15 suggest we are doing ok. After 9 games if we didn't cut the mustard we would have lost against Stoke, West Ham and Swansea who have all beaten teams of ...umm.....how should I put this.....the big 6 - and we would be wallowing mid table. Swings, roundabouts and all that.

Agree with last. What also hasn't been mentioned yet, but which imo is quite important is integrating some of the fringe players into the starting line up, not just to rest some men but so that when they are called up (not if) during the busy Dec Jan window they are better established. It's all well and good saying we have cover, but getting them to step up and perform when we desperately need them and they haven't any game time is a big ask.

C'mon, now you're taking the proverbial, I mean is Long really likely to score? 8 - 0 with Mane scoring without deflection

Does that mean Mane gets the assist...all a load of ballaches

Wrong thread, deflectors watch is here http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?t=52145 Mane goal declared own goal. I'll get my coat.

Blunderland 2 Gooners 2

Whilst I don't disagree about winning the games, the difference for mind isn't about the convincing wins but rather eeking out gritty wins when having an off day and-or when teams park the bus. The top 4 historically have an uncanny knack of doing this, and much to my annoyance it is usually in extra time. Manure struggling though now they can't' rely on Fergie time. This week for us could be one of those games.

Is it just me or has Shaw lost a yard or two in pace?