Dusic

Personally feel, against the popular (lazy?) opinion that Vestergaard often has his best games against smaller, quicker forwards and struggles more against the bigger, more powerful players.

Personally feel the Djenepo & Mane comparison is a bit of a lazy one. Djenepo uses the ball well (can't remember him tripping over his own feet?) and is much physically stronger than Mane was when he first played for us. They both dribble, definitely, but are quite different players.

Thought Adams was excellent yesterday, comfortably his best game for us. Aside from the two chances which he did little wrong with, he was really strong, held the ball up well and put their defence under pressure. Confident he will do well long term for us.

Via ed_aarons: Some interest from Southampton in Gent's Jonathan David. The Canadian teenager has scored 11 goals in 10 international appearances so far

He would only have one year left by then so we would probably only get half of what he is really worth to us.

Will be interesting to see who comes in at LB. It should, obviously, be Bertrand. But something tells me that it won't.

Selling tickets on the basis of who has bought tickets before seems a stupid way to do it. Should just be having The Committee allocate them on a lad by lad basis.

The first Poch summer when we signed Wanyama, Lovren and Osvaldo was a game changer for us - and we didnt lose anyone. Lovren was essentially taking Hooiveld's place and is probably the biggest upgrade of a starting player since being back in the PL (Shaw for Fox maybe the other). Wanyama also hit the ground running and those two massively improved us.

Harding was miles, miles better than Targett - relative to the league we played in. In L1 Harding was one of the best LBs and a passable Championship one too. Targett barely had a 7/10 performance in 40 odd games.

Recent times could add Dybala, Pepe and Maddison.

Neil Danns was a long time saga.

Javi de Pedro

Would it be worth maybe having The Committee create a You Tube tutorial so those attending know what they should do at the game?

This.

Get off the fence, bro.

In order of best to worst for performances in a Saints shirt, obviously relative to the league(s) they played in for us. For me: 1. Luke Shaw 2. Ryan Bertrand 3. Dan Harding 4. Danny Fox 5. Francis Benali 6. Patrick Colleter 7. Matt Targett 8. Gregory Vignal

Of course that game was bigger, along with the Cup final, and probably the Anfield semi final as well.

Its all a little strange, especially having sold Targett without being confident enough in Vokins to select him. We have played more than half our first team games this season without a recognised left back and indeed no left footed players. Hopefully Bertrand is back for Sheffield Utd and if not hopefully the local media ask the relevant questions.

No Bertrand in todays training pics. He was in them last Wednesday though.

Not really a firesale as none of them have been sold. We are still paying off their transfer fees and still paying a portion of their wages. That we have only permanently sold Targett, Gallagher and Austin this summer is very disappointing. It will have rammifications for a while still.

So, first Intl break, usually a good time to reflect on the start of the season having seen what each team has to offer over more than 10% of the season. Having been in a relegation scrap the last two seasons - who looks likely to be involved this time around? I think its a tough one, with lots of teams of a similar level but nobody who is absolute dross like Huddersfield and Fulham were. Promoted Teams: Sheff Utd - decent enough start and certainly no whipping boys. Will be involved in the scrap but have a decent chance to stay up. Norwich - similar. Concede too many goals but capable of scoring and play some nice football. Will be involved for sure. Villa - have lots of good players but not sure where the goals will come from. If they find a goalscorer they could be comfortably safe. If not they will be in it. Strugglers from last Season: Saints - decent start points wise but iffy performances. Will be bottom third most likely but surely are better equipped than the last two seasons? Brighton - style improved but as always not a prolific team goals wise. Could go either way. Burnley - will be the same as always. Poor but effective in both boxes. Have goalscorers and a generally solid defence, plus strong home record. Will be safe IMO. Palace - Already top half, good side away from home and in Zaha have a matchwinner. Some good, experienced PL players.Will probably have enough. Newcastle - Shambles but seem to pick up results when they most need it. Possible droppers from last season: Watford - not a good start and Manager under pressure. Have a lot of PL experienced players but a bit flaky. One to watch perhaps if they struggle in the next few games. Bournemouth - too much going forward to be in trouble even if their defence is permanently awful. May be involved at stages but not come the end of the season. Wolves - tough fixtures to start and Europa to contend with. May not do as well as last year but no relegation danger. Man Utd - will be pleased with their point against fellow struggers Saints, especially after losing to Palace. Should just about have enough to avoid the drop. Overall Very tough to call this season. Hard to believe Saints will be too far clear from the fight and almost certainly at some stage we will be under threat, as will most of the bottom half. Would be good if someome goes on a terrible run, and the promoted teams struggle. If pushed: Norwich, Sheff Utd and Newcastle

Hopefully the option is realistic, €400k or so.

Have to feel that overall the only winners would be Galatasaray rather than Lemina and certainly not Saints. Shame its ended like this, as talent wise he should be a starter in our team rather than loaned out for little financial benefit. This scenario a year ago would have been laughed at. Shows how quickly things change in football.

Will have one year left next summer so nobody will pay a fee for him then when they can get him for free the year after. Very costly mistake.

I liked that he properly got stuck into the LB role. When he had space he motored forward and tried to be confident on the ball rather than just play a basic game. Obvious error for the red but clearly has some decent attributes for a CB, and different from our others. That said, in general our passing from the back is awful. Both Bednarek and Vestergaard are very limited on the ball and not quick enough to see a forward pass when its on. We have been spoiled with the likes of Alderweireld and VVD I guess.