eddie

Im making the call that they won't. The rumours about VW were flying when coquelin wasn't playing but now that he's regular FT and that Ramsey is playing much deeper in the games I've seen him, I think they will at most sign one new CM. Mane though? I mean he's the player that Arsenal don't need; a speedy winger....but Arsenal being Arsenal the signing they don't need is exactly the kind of signing they'd make. Mind you, should cazorla leave, giroud lose favour and walcott contract run out, they might need to fill some gaps up front

This is a brilliant idea. Last day of the season would become like an episode of the chuckle brothers

Definitely, and the opposite problem (not earning but getting a place any way, or else earning it once and retaining a place despite not being that good)

Yes tabloid nonsense is my bet, though I've been wrong before. Besides, the basis of this rumour seems to be that Walcott = fast, and mane = fast, therefore .... mane for walcott? Mane clearly really enjoys playing under Koeman and looks up to him. Cannot see why he would move to Arsenal to a frontline he's bound to only get in to every 3-5 games or so.

Totally agree with you - How in the world Bertrand is fourth in that list of hodgson's preference is utterly bizzare.

I think we should play a combination of ten southampton players in front of the keeper.

I think that's a little harsh. Are you really saying that the the Q's like 'was that a point gained or two points dropped' can't be freshened up a little? I hate how generic the questions are these days. I find the leading questions journalists ask these days are only intended to get the same dull answer. No idea why there's not more analysis/creativity in the pre/post match questions

Did you watch the man city burnley game on saturday? Would be interested to know how burnley played

I actually think this could be the first convincing win in a long time for us...esp. last five/six games where its been low scoring. We're bound to have a high scoring game once in a while and against burnley at home could be the ticket, despite all this talk of 'banana skins' and slipping up. Give em a right old drubbing 3-1 or something

I'm sorry for being so ignorant, but who's the obvious replacement? McCarthy? Or is this going to have to be another bringing-in-an-unknown-player job?

I live in switzerland....definitely hoping for a bern young boys or basel draw

Have we tried to seriously sell him in the last year ? I wonder what we would get for him this summer for instance

Hm very very good point. Never thought of it like that before. Makes a lot of sense I wouldn't be at all surprised if that did influence clyne's decision now thinking about it

Is it just me or has the opinion of saints fans changed over the past year....I feel like I've never seen so many people saying 'it's OK easy to replace'... I think earlier in the season I'd be much more willing to say that - and did - about different players. Now though, with Tadic and Pelle having spent a little bit more time at the club and looking increasingly tired/off form....I am not so ready to say that. I think clyne is an excellent, excellent player and letting him go would be worrying for our defence. Targett on Sunday showed that just because someone has one or two good games doesn't mean they are ready to step up. Sure TA is a massive improvement and a sign that we can attract good players (and may well be able to attract a decent right back to replace NC)...but I just don't get some of this attitude toward players. Agreed, if his heart is elsewhere I'll take the money for him any day....just wonder whether if we are going to step up in the table we're going to start having to offer larger contracts (anyone know what his new offer was...?)

I agree. We had to use what we had against Liverpool and one of the tricks was fielding a player that they know much less about. If finances allow and we have players going out the club, it's always good to have new loanees/new signings who can energise the team and bring a bit of freshness where it may have been lacking. He'll want to provehimself, he is clearly more technical that JWP when we played ward prowse further up the pitch and in general he's just handy to have around.

you are a QI researcher. no doubt

Not at all. In hindsight had we dropped him for QPR/hammers game I think it might have done him good. At the very least we wouldn't have missed him for those couple

Do you genuinely think Krul, Fabianski, Howard etc are better than Forster? I will more than happily bow to your superior knowledge re: lower league keepers as I know hardly any...but those keepers better than Forster? No chance. Pundits were calling Howard the worst keeper in the premier league after the weekend. Fabianski has put some of the single-handedly worst displays I've ever seen this season.

Until Willy Caballero came in for Hart (and maybe before that...much less so...pantillimon), and Courtois came back from Atleti, and Ospina for Arsenal pushing out Schezny occasionally -- all of which have occurred this season -- there were hardly any keepers in the English game who had to 'fight for their place'. I agree that he needs his confidence up, but putting him up against a similar valued goalkeeper we may bring in is just not the way to do it. The reason I say bring in is that there are no keepers on our bench that I would ever want to be playing first team football regularly just so Forster can sit on the sidelines and realise how much he wants to play...

I'm sorry how did anyone miss this brilliant post... I cannot see any flaws in this plan. Just get McCarthy to sound a little belgian and....bob is your uncle

saw the video this morning. just really, really awful. the sad thing is, this kind of meat-head football fan on a 'stag weekend'-like trip abroad is all too common.... episodes like these sometimes make me embarrassed to be English...that this is the kind of image people have of Brits - its the same out here (Switzerland)

Haha. Best way to find out team news?! ....just circumvent the managers conference/rumour mill and ask the players directly at meet-the-fans events.....clever idea

Agreed. Is there no news on their return? I had hoped with the 10 day break that Toby, Vic and Schneiderlin would return

Haha. It's that weird golden stripe in his hair as well...at first I thought it looked stupid as anything...now (what with the amount he's now bringing to the team) I think it looks badass