SKD

Think the OP sums it up pretty well. For me, if we are lucky enough to survive this season, a big clear out is needed of Staff and players. Starting with Les and Ross. Rightly or wrongly I think the clubs ambition did change once Cortese walked/was sacked. However, that being said, at that time, we couldn't continue spending like we were and there does now appear to be a better (more family) feel about the club (excluding performances). We've become complacent, arrogant and a bit naive. As feared our high risk strategy has come back to bite us (you cannot expect to sell your best players every single season and maintain the same performance). It only take 3 or 4 bad windows for us to be in real trouble, as shown.

I like Les, think hes done a good job with us as DOF. However... He currently has way to much power at club. He's become very arrogant following the success from Koeman and I think it's probably time he steps down. He won't be sacked though as he continues to make money for Kat...

Rodgers would be my 1st choice as well. Not sure he would take it though after his comments about our ambition (which in hindsight are true)? Surely he'll look a bit stupid. AVB, Pellegrini, Dyche, Fat Sam and Rafa would all be an upgrade on current. I'd be happy with Viera, Wilder (I doubt he'd leave Sheff Utd if i'm honest) and Rowlett but they are all relatively inexperienced so would be a big risk, but would be great for the championship next year. I assume anyone asking for Adkins is taking the p!ss?

I've no doubt that the players aren't playing to their full potential, similar to last year. However, it is the managers job to get the best out of the tools available, you cannot say that either Puel or MP have done that so far. We have a lot of talent in the squad (easily good enough to finish comfortably top 10), we need someone to come in and get the best out of that. It's a lot easier to replace the manager / coaching staff than what it is 15 players.

We currently have a keeper that cannot save anything that's not straight at him. Even the best defense in the world can't stop a team from having shots. Like it or not, unless something drastic changes, we are deep in trouble. All the other clubs around us will change their manager if struggling, we wont until it's too late. Our only saving grace is that West Ham are appointing Moyes

Marco Silva would have been an instant upgrade on them both. We spoke to him pretty early on, but we wanted Tuchel so Silva took Watford job. MP was probably our 4/5th choice.

Emery has been a target for some time (he was our first choice before Puel).

Same, wanted him in the summer after I saw we were linked with him. However, big gamble taking a punt on a manager with so little experience when we’re in the situation we currently are. Les, Goa, Ralph.... time to put your money where your mouth is as we are deep in trouble

Pretty much sums up what I suspected. We set up to not lose as we have a fear of losing rather than a will to win. Something MP needs to sort out, quickly.

Agree. It worked for Palace (Zaha) and I think it would suit us, as well as setting an example of the grass isn't always greener (despite your bank balance) to other youngers coming through. I could see Shaw coming back - Hasn't worked out for him at united for one reason or another. He knows the club, the club knows him, his missus is from Southampton and his family still live in the same area as well. If he's happy to take a wage cut, which will speak volumes about his character IMO, he'll be the perfect replacement for Bertrand. As a side note, youngsters at the top clubs should look at Bertrand's career. Some times you need to take 1 step back to make 2 forwards. Fair play to him if he gets a move to City.

We won't get Tierney. If he leaves Celtic, it'll be for one of the top teams. Probably United if they sell Shaw. Selling VvD mid season would just be complete madness, come the end of the season we could be in a relegation scrap - We need all the quality we can get.

Always thought that Morgan was overrated by most, but it’s a shame to see where his career has gone. Thought he may end up at Tottenham with Poch, but that ship has probably sailed now. I’d certainly have him back if the chance arises, not sure he’d be a starter though.

How many times have you seen him play? How do you know he will be suited to the PL? Are you sure that he will come in and hit the ground running (which is what we need)? I'd suggest no to both and it's just another hipster choice.

I don't really understand your argument though. From what I can see, no one is saying that he is an all time great. They are just pointing out that currently he is one of the best around (i'd also chuck Jose and Pep into this category as well). He generally gets the very best out of what he has (he even got Lovren looking top class, who else can add that to their CV), has an unbelievable record of developing / improving English talent (for example Kane, Ali, Lallana, Tripper, Winks, Jay Rod, Shaw - Even Lambert to a degree) and on top of this is a top bloke. He'll go on to win loads, i'm sure of it (hopefully as England manager) - then he'll be considered and people can argue if he's an all time great or not.

Attack teams on the counter and get in behind the back 4, like we did under Koeman, Like Leicester done last weekend. Of course this would also require a slight tweek in tactics by the manager, but we are painfully slow at the moment. I agree we also need a creative CM, i.e Siguedsson, but like you've pointed out they are difficult to come by. Especially ones with PL experience to come straight in. I still would like us to go for Wilshere, if Arsenal would sell that is. Play him in an advanced CM role with Lemina and Romeu behind him and I think he will add that bit of creativity we lack in the center of the park.

Or you’re just too bitter to appreciate what you once had? Face it, he’s a top manager who moved on to better things. Get over it.

Ironically we were led to believe that Redmond was Juanmi's replacement who I think would have suited us much better under the last 2 managers.

He's bang on though....

That is massive speculation - Matt a club legend is always round the club, I would guess that he probably knows Ralph quite well. I'd imagine they were just generally chatting.

I wouldn't consider 5 points off 18th with all the best teams yet to play 'firmly mid-table' personally. I wouldn't sack him, he's finding his feet and I think he has more to offer - What I do hope is that he becomes braver than what he has been though.

Agree, but there is a decent player in Tadic, he's just not showing it, at the moment. Redmond, I'm not so sure.

Didn't his family run off with some farmer in his native country...?

Saints staff always had concerns about Shaw's attitude and diet and off field antics. We we're that bothered about him leaving, especially for the money we got. Good player though, who suffered an awful injury, hopefully he makes the right move and his time at united is an eye opener for him so he bucks his ideas up and gets back to his best. I'd certainly have him back for the right money, not sure Les would though.

I'm sorry but that's rubbish - We will not get a better CF than Gabi, who IMO is top class. I feel for him a bit as he just isn't getting the service. What we are lacking is someone out wide who has a bit of creativity and pace. Our build up play is so slow and narrow (only our FB's give us any width) it is so easy to play against us. We don't need a tall CF to hit with the long ball time and time again (it would be nice to have one on the bench to bring on if needed), we need players who can break and counter at pace. Leicester won the league playing this way...

He wanted and expected to go last summer. He was persuaded to stay and is now playing like a player who doesn't want to be at the club...