Jiangsu Sainty

I've just realised EL Alagui and El-bakhtaoui are different people, had never seen a pic of the latter before. I think I'd been talking about a non-existant mix of both previously, but would probably prefer the risk of the younger one

I don't disagree, but it's that inherent dilemma of developing players that every forward signed is another 1000 minutes or so taken away from Kane, and on the other hand a proper injury to Maclean or Cummins and Kane is a starting striker (if we ever play 2 up.....). Add in Coulson who I think can play up front as well as on wings and I'd only want a proper striker to come in, someone of Sandaza quality rather than a gamble like Cummins (even though he's been a gamble that paid off). The only two exceptions to that would be someone like El Alagui who potentially ticks both of those last two boxes, but would have to be on a short deal christmas or even the mythical pay-as-you-play, or a loaned player whose development we don't care about as such, meaning that if the tie is ever not in the balance a fit Kane gets priority.

Following their promotion its about the same level as where he's been out on loan really. Best of luck to him

Cheers but I'm well aware of all that, hope it was fun to type out. My point was more that these are bigger names and therefore make a competiton seem more exciting, rather than the current crop who aren't as exciting despite being clearly of fantastic calibre - linked into my point about being less impressionable as I get older, less willing to see players as icons or superstars as opposed to just lads who play footy. Apologies if that wasn't clear but...well I'm not sure how it wasn't

I was shocked to see Armstrong linked with Killie given the hype that once surrounded him. I'd have thought players leaving with Newcastle's relegation would have made his playing even more likely, although I guess the championship is now exceedingly rich itself, especially a club like Newcastle who expect to go back up. I'd be happy to take him on a low-wage loan, and can't see why he'd choose Killie over us other than the Lee Clark 'link' - the reason I think the entire story with him and Killie has been fabricated in the first place. He scored 1 in 2 at Coventry so surely a lower championship club would want him assuming Newcastle can loan to other championship clubs. What happened to Southwell, reports at one stage made it seem a done deal. would take Gormley too if we could afford him, not sure Peterborough would pay all his wages. In fact, I think I'd prefer any of them to Reilly, despite admittedly knowing little about Southwell other than his stats and the fact the conference north is awful

I almost agree with both aspects of this, in the sense he might be more likeable than Strachan and that that doesn't really inform the disucssion on his overall likeability. I find Strachan's media manner to be a source of intense embarrassment for as long as I can remember, constantly trying to be funny and stand-offish every time. I also find his team selections to have been abhorrent although his tenure, although he got away with it during the good first half of the campaign. That said, although I can't really help by putting my finger on why, if I was a young player I'd trust Strachans words over Roys. I don't think Hodgson comes across as intelligent (although his language-skills would suggest otherwise), or respectful, constantly whining and blaming other people. I have no qualms in accepting its subjective views that aren't necessarily 'right' though. Just the impression I get of him.

I actually can't stand Hodgson, which shows the impressive extent of my dislike for him given my immense respect for how un-English he was earlier in his career by challenging himself abroad and learning languages. He's a bumbling dinosaur who has taken far too long to take advantage of England's incredible wealth of young and athletic players. They might finally have a young squad this tournament but I'm sure at great chargrain to Hodgson. He also comes across in interviews as too unstable and unaware of reality to trust and always full of excuses. I understand what sleepless is saying about Spain but think the joy of their two kits this year undoes any (arguable) negative points for their style

Comes across well, sure, but if you watch closely he's blinking KKK in morse code

I realise that, and that we are still top division, but getting nearly double our gate last season you'd expect them to at least match it this season. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find matching his Utd salary would put him in our top two or three earners if not higher

Says in the article Utd couldn't afford his wages. I realize we aren't relegated but I hope we didn't match his previous salary.

One the one hand I genuinely don't see what all the hype is about France, they seem to be universal favourites. I mean Pogba and Griezmann are alright I suppose but.... But then looking around the competitors I don't really see anyone else looking that good. I'm not sure if it is just I lack the willingness to be captivated i had in my youth but in some ways it feels like the recent media attempts to make every match that is played (especiallly in England) a clash between world superstars had led to such a proliferation of stars that the result is if everyone is a star no-one is. Meaning all the squads just kind of look alright. No Pirlo, Robben, Benzema, Lahm, Ribery or younger ones like Reus. I'd quite like a smaller team to do well, maybe Sweden or Austria

Did he manage to get tickets then?

But that would be depriving the club of the occassional income from these poor people. A true international playboy fan like Athens should be comfortable contributing to the club by buying a season ticket and doing nothing with it. Based on his claims he shouldn't even have a problem lighting it on fire. That's what a true exile fan like him would do.

I thought the "nearly a majority" stuff was an entirely funny joke. I agree you're fully entitled to your opinion but I think the pictures etc could have been kept for the other thread.

First I've heard of this guy, he any good?

Can Pates no play up front? He's got the elbows to be the new Sutton

Think you're missing the point that literally no-one gives a ****. It didn't go to Saints so its meaningless I recently bought a flat so I could watch televised Saints games from the sofa. I've therefore spent exponentially more than you supporting Saints. At least they might actually have benefited a tiny bit from my TV subscription.

Pates himself now tweeting he has left Utd. Seemed to avoid racist undertones though, so that's nice

How would it differ from buying a season ticket and just not going?

who you got in mind? Guessing from the specificity. Pawlett is sort of English so someone else?

We've been over this - it's a fans forum for discussing signings. Therefore it does matter what we think, even if not to Tommy. It matters a ****ton more than your views on the defamation law you arseliy asked JB to provide for you

Yeah it must be one of the two, they also followed many of St. Johnstone followers on twitter and had a win a signed St. Johnstone ball competition on twitter last week. Could this new poster be an Alan Storrar employee? Should we tell them to change the Saint to St. ?

I'm all for holding the opinion that UK is suffering from a degree of 'PC gone mad', but I think even that is less infuriating than your chronic over-use of the word 'edgy' for anyone who doesn't hold the same political views you are failing to hide your holding of.

ScottMann there is no such thing as libel in Scotland, we have Defamation - and an instant defence to any defamation claim is that it is true, or a reasonably held opinion even if not true. A person stating their opinion that a player is a racist because of their own statements and actions that are relevant and can reasonably be considered similar to those of a racist is a total nonstarter when it comes to defamation - before one even begins on actual harm.

On the subject of the makeup of the playing squad - in the season just past Saints topped the table for % of minutes played by Scottish players with 71.9%, followed by Dundee at 70.7% and Kilmarnock at 63.2%. At the other end ICT 16.3% and Motherwell 37.1%. Celtic with a surprisingly high 47.7%