Dusic

Saints had the lowest amount of TV games last season, so it will affect our fans more than most, assuming that stays the same.

Both IMO. I mentioned before, Brighton have signed a number of players for their U23s specifically and it helps to improve the quality generally which then helps the one or two that really have a chance of being first team players. We rarely do that and seem to have a mix of players who should have left ages ago, and U18 players who are still a million miles off the first team. I mean, the win rates for U23 and U18 over the last 2 or 3 years must be less than 30%. There are no Saints in the Eng U16 to 21 squads. Totally trading off our past reputation.

Quite a few in that side with first team experience so thats a shocking performance. Something not right at U23 and U18 level - our record over the past 2 or 3 years has been awful.

Considering the spending and quality of some of the teams outside the traditional top six (Everton, Leicester, Wolves), a top half finish would be a really fantastic achievement. The middle portion of the league is far stronger than when we had the flurry of 7th and 8th finishes. I think we will have our moments, both good and bad runs but ultimately we don't have enough quality or depth in certain positions to be top half. 11th - 13th IMO.

On paper, our first good window for a long time. Also not impossible we get full back cover from an EFL team before that deadline.

So with Walcott in thats a decent window IMO. The absolute needs were RB, CB and CM. All done with young, promising players who we own rathrr than have loaned. Attacker a bonus and its a low risk one. Have only lost one starting player, when we have a couple of others that would interest other teams. If we could get full back cover to enable Vokins or Valery to be loaned out then even better, but it seems unlikely at this stage.

Linked with a loan move for Yedlin at Newcastle now. Decent player, out of favour there so would be good cover here. Vokins and Valery need game time, and as the U23 games are now mostly at weekends, they can't really play in them so end up getting no football. Signing a FB on loan and then loaning one or both of them out makes a lot of sense. ----------- Re Theo, Im suprised at the reaction. If we are only paying half his wages then he becomes a good option who can play wide or as a striker. Is only 31, with something to prove and has always been a decent finisher. Its his off the ball work that doesn't appear to suit. If Redmond, Djenepo, Obafemi, Long, Adams or Walcott were running through 1v1 with the keeper, I would back Walcott to score over the others.

Williams is decent but will be relegated to 3rd choice when Telles signs. Loan for Vokins makes a lot of sense.

One of the Arsenal lads, Nelson or Smith-Rowe would be my guess. Don't see why we would want Theo given how pathetic he is off the ball.

Reports suggested we wanted it all sorted before the game today, preaumably because of his Intl duty.

U18s lost to Brighton too. Poor start for both teams this year. With also no players in the Eng U16 to U21 squads its a pretty poor showing from what is supposedly one of the top Academies in the country. Interestingly Brighton have signed 5 or 6 players from around Europe this summer (and in the last 2 or 3 years) specifically to start in their U23s. We rarely ever do this, perhaps a missed opportunity?

Agree. JWP will play every game so one of those, or Romeu would barely play.

With this type of player, i.e one who would be unlikely to start lots of games this season, it only makes sense as a permanent signing or loan with a strong option to buy. On those terms it would be an interesting signing. Otherwise I don't see the point.

Ralph said in the presser that Sangare didnt get a WP because he wasn't expensive enough. Did say we have liked players who have ended up elsewhere and that its hard to improve our team on our budget. Eventually it will cause him to leave I reckon. He did refer to us needing players, plaural though, so maybe one more could happen but I doubt Ntcham. Think more likely a Boufal replacement.

As was mentioned, nothing with this one can be that close as he played (very well) last night. Good player, 24, used to pressing style. Liverpool fans rate him. A threat from set pieces too.

Check your DM's.

For a permanent deal to happen, especially for a player from abroad, I would think we would hear something from good sources by the end of Friday, surely? Hopefully we are advanced with a player by now! Domestic loans can happen quicker I would have thought.

From the Dutch journalist who first reported our interest in Veerman: SC Heerenveen and the Veerman camp do not assume that it will come from a transfer to Southampton this week. The English have shifted their attention for various reasons. Four more days until the market closes. Think we can forget about him for his window. Nothing more reported on Diallo since the initial l'equipe piece.

RLC is a good player, and he would certainly make us better. But, the main reasons I don't think he will sign for us: 1. He isnt in any way shape or form a no6 2. His wages are believed to be close to 150k a week and I dont think Chelsea would agree to subsidising half 3. We would have zero chance of signing him permanently, so not sure its Saints style. IMO they will try for someone like Diallo, and would probably take someone like Davies as there is a decent chance we could keep him longer term if he were to do well. If we got Diallo or similar, plus RLC then thats a different story.

Would hope we know who we are going for and have made firm moves in the last couple of days. Assuming Sangare was the target we missed out on (as reported by Blackmore), Ralph seemed confident we had other options available, rather than concerned. Presume he will do a presser Friday, will be interesting to see what he says as by then if not much is expected it will be very disappointing and will suggest its gone further wrong. The best deals of this last week will be done before the weekend IMO. Hopefully the Diallo talk from l'equipe comes to something. https://www.nhnieuws.nl/nieuws/273829/southampton-niet-concreet-voor-interessante-speler-joey-veerman A scout for Saints in Holland suggests we are watching Veerman but won't move for him yet as he isnt PL ready off the ball and says we are suprised Sangare opted for PSV over Saints...noyhing about work permit. Then for the second signing (maybe Sessegnon on loan?) it is surely dependent upon Boufal...and thats gone quiet.

https://www.letelegramme.fr/football/stade-brestois-l-angleterre-pour-ibrahima-diallo-29-09-2020-12628150.php This backs up l'equipe that Saints are keen on Diallo but also says there is more interest from the PL. Mentions specifically Leicester who have been in for him in the past (they just lost Ndidi for 12 weeks), but also hints at others. Hope there is truth in this one and that Saints can afford it as looks like a good player and well suited to wgat we need. Re Carillo - was obvious we would end up paying him off as his wages make a perm deal impossible otherwise and even on loan to Leganes we probably paid 75% of his salary anyway.

https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Transferts-ibrahima-diallo-brest-cible-par-southampton/1177659 Ibrahima Diallo - suggests offer imminent from Saints. No6.

No chance of Choudhury because Ndidi is injured.

On Veerman, sounds like Herenveen want him to stay for one more year, especially as he only signed a new contract last summer, and they will have little chance to replace their best player with such a short time left in the window. Thats another problem with leaving it so late. From a Saints perspective if we like him then we mighy feel he would be too expensive for us in a year, and maybe with some Holland caps. But at this stage it just sounds like we have enquired - as we probably have with lots of players. Surely decision time on who we go for has to be in the next couple of days...

Re outs: I can us coming to an agreement with Carillo and allowing him to then join another club on a free. Praying Hoedt joins Lazio. Its gone quiet with Boufal the last day or so. Likes of Sims, Hesketh etc can move on loan during the EFL window, til mid October I think.