eddie

Will the universe implode if osvaldo and pelle start having an epic strike partnership for italy?

maybe I'm being stupid....but isn't the article saying that he was purchased by saints for 6.8m? And that he came from bucharest? Don't think it mentions him returning....

breaks all the rules of school....his surname starts with "szcz...". WHERE ARE THE VOWELS

Wow. nice info thanks. I find it bizzare....maybe I just haven't actually sat down and looked at the stats for a while but my impression was that mangala was a liability and made some fairly awful mistakes, and that kompany was off his game and slowing down a lot. And demichelis....never been that convinced. Surprising though to see the stats, very very different story. now I don't even know what city team I'd rather see..

interesting observation. what do you mean by niche?

ah. have they been playing demichelis instead for the last few games then?

I am ruddy up for this game. just hope the players are too. also very much hoping for mangala to be playing and kompany to have a stinker

I take your point, trouble is, as a team we've been distinctly average around the same time Clyne started to perform poorly....not sure it is completely a coincidence. Yes we've had injuries and suspensions, but I really do think he contributed a lot to the team when he was fit and committed

The game was completely killed when he took of Giroud for Walcott. Such a wenger move; now upfront they have walcott, cazorla, ramsey, ozil and sanchez who are slight variations on his favourite position. Taking off the only man who has any presence in the air and is the only out and out centre forward was a completely rubbish decision

well that was unexpected and very enjoyable news. lets hope clyne, toby and morgan follow suit

Fair point

I do enjoy that every player we are linked to either is dutch, has played in the dutch league (esp. feyenoord) or plays weekly premier league football. Not exactly pioneering approach to scouting

Well fair enough, your concerns are with koeman's commitment to the club and whether what we see reported in the media really reflects his ability/desire to stay. I can see that, and I would probably share some of those concerns. Ultimately he is a really really nice guy, but I wonder if that clouds my opinion sometimes. In terms of bringing in players, I find that interesting. I mean for me, we just fundamentally aren't a club to replace like for like or like for better. I find it actually quite frustrating that we are being linked with some 4m worth midfielder in the wake of rumours about Morgan's departure....for me, that is just a clear step down in quality and likelihood of ever breaking into top six. I realise its not in the 'ethos' of the club, but anyway. So yeah, in terms of your point about transfers I would say its been mixed this season. Like on FIFA...its easy to get excited about foreign unheard-of players....but ultimately we just need a good strong squad in depth as much as we do fancy new signings. I think that Pelle and Tadic were good players to bring in, as were Mane, Alderweireld, Bertrand, Forster. However, I do think that had they been added to last years squad, rather than everything resting on their shoulders, we wouldn't be in the position we are today. I do share those concerns about players, but my real hope is that, while 2/3 players might leave in the summer, we will be able to really strengthen, bring in 6/7 good signings (not saying world class/expensive but solid and proven or else having good potential). And yeah, the spirit that surrounded SMS at the start of the season and among away support and the positivity has gone down a little bit, and I think thats because a little bit of motivation and belief within the dressing room has gone as well. well posted, though.

I just find this complete overreaction, I'm sorry. I think it's been an excellent transitional season with the loss of chairman, manager, chief scout and several key players in the last year+. No idea what the negativity is about. We've lost momentum and seem to be distracted. We've not got a strong attack. We've had a few key injuries in a small squad. What is the big deal? Had some great wins (arsenal twice....utd....sunderland....and many other great days out), got some new fancy foreign players to get excited about, and a seemingly very stable manager who brings something different to pocchetino. We're still southampton, we'll have a cracking summer to look forward to and a next season to build upon. Feel free to toss my positivity about the window but standing back from the whole thing its not so bad.

By the way papers now reporting that they are just waiting on him to agree personal terms with newcastle....so we might be too late!!

Interesting. I've always though hernandez wasn't too shabby.

Have a look at the bottom of page 9 on this thread. Apparently he's been quite actively linked with a few clubs.

The rumours came up again today. Could be interesting.....not a bad player by any means and quite young

awful news. the only positive as far as I can see is that harry reed might get a game or maybe two. Really really hoping Ron doesn't stick Davis / JWP back there. Thought reed was lively and always wanted the ball against spurs

I don't mean to be go all european and foreign on you but we were once linked with mattia perrin: http://www.transfermarkt.ch/mattia-perin/profil/spieler/110923 Apparently he's meant to be a very good up and coming keeper. I wonder if there's been any development since then on him coming to us. Trouble is we don't want him to become another gazza which he could easily become

It was unbelievable. I genuinely think that his last two performances have cemented his position either at RM or else back at utd

Is this for real? Thank. heavens.

which keegan-esq player is going to get injured next season then?

Haha caught in the act

best misunderstanding ever