Football Season 2017/18

I see where your coming from Chris - Southampton a hot bed for developing talent and they all end up at Anfield.

Do admire their passion at Anfield.When you get those Champions leauge nights under the floodlights with the  Liverpool Scarfs all up and the singing - brilliant fans.Also they hate those odious Rags ......whats not to like   

Also the warmth of those scousers they will always have a good chat - even if you where a total stranger 5 mins before

I should think Saints are laughing all the way to the bank. What did they pay for Van Dijk, £14m? Can't believe Liverpool now think he's worth £75m, though their centre-backs are weak.  Great business, again, for the Saints.

Absolutely Mike. The intervening 6 months since the Reds tried to tap him up have seen his price rise £15M. I did say let's see Saints spend the record fee.

Meanwhile Swansea have provided today's talking point. There are the ordinary things that happen in the world. Then there's PlanetFootball...

Yes, Chris. PlanetFootball seems to be getting stranger and stranger.  Four days ago a guy leaves the Owls because there's grumpiness that the club isn't higher in the Championship (despite reaching the play-offs two seasons in a row) and then Swansea decide he's the guy they need to keep them in the PL. Crazy.

+ Van Dijk can buy a Statement per day. Or my house every second day.

An absorbing 0-0 at Selhurst in today's lunchtime game.  Palace had a few chances to win it, especially in missing a very late penalty (though it was won with a dive), but I suspect they would have taken a point if offered it before the game. City didn't seem their fluid-self today and one or two of their players getting frustrated. Maybe Palace should take credit for that - they worked hard and showed resilience. The relegation battle in the PL continues to look very, very interesting.

Says something about the PL when the relegation battle becomes more exciting than the fight for top spot...... i really havent a clue whos going to go down

With the points lead that Man City has now I think it would take something unprecedented to stop them winning the title. The chase for the remaining three Champions League places will be interesting though, as well as the relegation battle.

MDS posted:

An absorbing 0-0 at Selhurst in today's lunchtime game.  Palace had a few chances to win it, especially in missing a very late penalty (though it was won with a dive), but I suspect they would have taken a point if offered it before the game. City didn't seem their fluid-self today and one or two of their players getting frustrated. Maybe Palace should take credit for that - they worked hard and showed resilience. The relegation battle in the PL continues to look very, very interesting.

Great performance from Palace and City lucky with the penalty as you say Mike not at their fluid best.Missed the game but will watch it on MOTD .Really nice to see the way Hodson has rejuvenated Palace.Its getting very tight in the bottom half of the table still hard to call who will go down.Champions Leauge will be the big one for City there's going to be some big nights next year.Pep will be relishing it I am sure.....bring them on !

Good luck to your Pompey next year

Thanks, Tabby Cat. At the end of 2016 I think we were 8th in League 2 and stuttering. We ended the season as League 2 champions and now sit 6th in League One with a good manager in place so I'm a very happy bunny with the progress we've made in the past 12 months.    

Tabby cat posted:

its getting very tight in the bottom half of the table still hard to call who will go down.

Massive game at St Mary's on Tues night with Saints v Palace.

Chris,

Hard one to call The Saints and Palace tonight.They kicked us to death on Sunday !

Think West Ham should beat West Brom especially at home.

Think City will win against West Brom especially at home.Aguero will be starting all the time as Gabriel Jesus is out for 3 months after Palace

MDS posted:

I should think Saints are laughing all the way to the bank. What did they pay for Van Dijk, £14m? Can't believe Liverpool now think he's worth £75m, though their centre-backs are weak.  Great business, again, for the Saints.

Crazy money and I would be surprised if he makes that much difference to Liverpool who lack more discipline than one man can replace.

Massive results for the Hammers and the Eagles tonight, and both coming back from going behind.  Baggies now looking in real trouble.  This relegation battle continues to throw up twist and turns. Great for the neutral.

Christopher_M posted:

Tabby cat posted:

its getting very tight in the bottom half of the table still hard to call who will go down.

Massive game at St Mary's on Tues night with Saints v Palace.

And a cr@p result. I'm afraid this knocks it on the head for Pellegrini - sorry, but it ain't working.

Suzy Wong posted:

Christopher_M posted:

Tabby cat posted:

its getting very tight in the bottom half of the table still hard to call who will go down.

Massive game at St Mary's on Tues night with Saints v Palace.

And a cr@p result. I'm afraid this knocks it on the head for Pellegrini - sorry, but it ain't working.

Terrible result. But as I more than hinted with my comment about the sacking of Clement at Swansea, above, I don't necessarily blame the manager.

Christopher_M posted:

Suzy Wong posted:

Christopher_M posted:

Tabby cat posted:

its getting very tight in the bottom half of the table still hard to call who will go down.

Massive game at St Mary's on Tues night with Saints v Palace.

And a cr@p result. I'm afraid this knocks it on the head for Pellegrini - sorry, but it ain't working.

Terrible result. But as I more than hinted with my comment about the sacking of Clement at Swansea, above, I don't necessarily blame the manager.

No need to fret, Chris. You're lot have got a good squad and looooooooooads of money to improve it if necessary.

M 

Another very, very frustrating draw for Arsenal the quality of some of our squad players is truly shocking Callum Chambers especially was and always has been a man out of his depth Rob Holding is only marginally less bad. If our squad is so thin that these players are sent out to face Chelsea in a very important match then why is our manager not buying players?

When Ozil and Sanchez go in the summer without the right investment in the hundreds of millions we will be just another mid table club.

MDS posted:

No need to fret, Chris. You're lot have got a good squad and looooooooooads of money to improve it if necessary.

M 

Thanks Mike. My hope is for pace. A Sadio Mané type player, someone who will terrify defences, maybe not  getting goals themselves but setting up Shane Long, Charlie Austin or Manolo Gabbiadini in the associated defensive chaos. The trouble is I don't know who is out there. Saints aren't the kind of club who are going to spend £50M on a proven, pacey striker.... not the 'Southampton Way', wouldn't do with the wage structure. Let's see what happens...

Big point for the Hammers tonight at Wembley. And to draw away to Spurs will be a big boost to the players' confidence.  

Absolutely gutted for West Ham not getting 3 points, but as Mike says things are going so much better.I was a Moyes sceptic but the hunger is back.

Looking forward to Kev's report if he went or watched on TV......

A bit Mogadon in the first half Ian, but we defended very well. The Moyesiah has got us exceptionally well organised at the back, and there is steel at last in our team.

Great second half for neutrals - and what a goal by Obiang, who has been largely gash this season.

https://streamable.com/npmz8

I was very critical of young Davey's appointment, but I'm beginning to really warm to him.

Meannwhile VvD scores the winner in the FA Cup derby at Anfield on his debut. You couldn't make it up. What do you mean, 'Chris, just let it go!' ? 

Long time Luton fan here, not able to get to St. James this afternoon but keeping my fingers crossed for a very sweaty couple of hours. We have been going well in the league but not a good afternoon to have both our central defenders out (one injured, one sent off last week - very contentious but will try & let it go). So maybe Rafa will be over confident & take it for granted but come on you hatters!....if it goes bad I am hoping that it is not too bad. But....we could do it....

1. Christopher_M posted:

Meannwhile VvD scores the winner in the FA Cup derby at Anfield on his debut. You couldn't make it up. What do you mean, 'Chris, just let it go!' ? 

Chris,

VvD has only joined us so he’ll then be more likely to be spotted by Barcelona.