Dusic

I think we need someone who is a bit of a tosser to be honest. Especially someone who is strong when facing off with the board.

Not really, because they told their favoured journalists there would be an announcement early this week, so clearly something has caused the delay which has come up more recently.

But Saints knew he was going on holiday last Friday and he said so on Solent but they still told their media bros that an announcement would be early this week. They said that knowing Hughes was on holiday this week, so not sure why his holiday would now be an issue, but wasn't then?

Fairly likely that something has gone awry as from various club mouthpieces it was a formality with an announcement due 'early' this week, which has clearly now passed. From what was said before, Hughes was going on holiday last Friday and had expected talks to be concluded by then (which was exactly what those same sources, Echo, Wilson etc said had been done). If, and its still an if, there has been a problem then Krueger's interviews last week are an absolute facepalm.

The Cortese shirt with some minor detailing. The kit wallies will have a meltdown if it is that.

This was a very poor signing. Surely our scouts/Koeman would have realised he would struggle physically in a fast league like the PL? Was clear after a couple of games that he was so lacking. When you compare him to someone like Lemina, one has the physical attributes to be a good PL central midfielder and the other is so far short, especially when we also have Romeu who visibly struggles in the last 20mins of matches, hence often making stupid fouls.

Our recruitment department is so good that not only does it identify and track quality Managers to fulfil the Southampton Way even when we don't need a Gaffer but the last five Managers brought in have all been out of work at the exact same time that we identified them as being the chosen one. Superb foresight and planning from the laptop lads.

Stay - its a big summer for Saints and there isn't anyone else at the club with Reed's knowledge. Give him a chance to show he has taken on board the lessons from the last two summers... Last thing we need is major upheaval in the first summer for a while that has potential to not be major change.

We already have four CBs, some of whom would be very difficult to shift. Everyone knows we need another CB so it has to be someone significantly better than who we have i.e similar to when we signed Lovren.

Thanks for the info. This post should be a lesson to other ITKs, no bull****, just clear statements which will either be proven correct or incorrect. #loveandlight

Some might say that all the best posters no longer post on here and you can see why.

The talks ended as soon as Ralph called Mark Bowen 'Bowie' in his Blackmore interview.

There is nothing from Clasie to suggest he deserves another go at Saints. He just isn't physically at the level required. Simple as that.

Seems like Tadic did pretty well under him to contradict you somewhat.

Jason Cundy is available.

Gao still has a hell of a lot to prove but at least he hasn't shown any signs of overly interfering at this stage, which is usually the worst element of this profile of Owner.

Can you add me to India please, love a bit of the ISL since watching the Dynamos in Delhi a couple of seasons ago. Not going so well for DDs this season, but lots of local players flourishing which is good to see in a country where Cricket and Kabaddi rule. Sandesh Jhingan, 24yo Kerala Blasters CB could do a job in the Championship and woukd have been a good option had we gone down. Good size and technique, could develop into a PL option potentially. Also was 110% Saint that wally that got banned? If so, we need another Spanish expert. Maybe Jeff Le Taxi or ALWAYS_SFC, both seem clued up on the major Europan leagues and seem to watch a decent amount of La Liga.

I read that bit as we would go back to a model of buying players with promise who we can develop, give a platform to and then let go to bigger clubs for a profit and begin the cycle again. Which is what did us well for a couple of years largely because the recruitment under Koeman was good. As opposed to trying to keep players like VVD (and probably Bertrand) who wanted to move on. Easy to say, harder to do successfully as it puts a lot of pressure on signing quality players on a frequent basis and thats partly why we have regressed the last two years, signings haven't replaced the quality we lost.

Back to to buying and selling, which is fine if the buying also goes back to Mane, Wanyama, VVD, Tadic quality not Carillo, Clasie, Hoedt, Boufal. Overall not his worst interview though.

Looks like nobody claimed a knowledge of Kenyan domestic football, but would imagine newbie EkonOkereke has a bit of knowledge in that domain? Ekon - not sure if you have come across Glasgow Saint but if you PM him he should be able to edit the OP and add you in. Also any of our Gambia/Croatia experts seen much of Hamza Barry, a midfielder who apparently Saints are interested in?

Sisto has nothing like the goal record of Promes although the Russian league is hard to judge. Don't see us paying £30m for anyone though and thats what Promes would likely cost.

I think its probably better if Reed stays this summer as clearly there are things that need sorting ASAP, i.e Manager and also recruitment in a shorter summer window. Reed runs the football operation at Saints and makes the decisions so if he were to go then it would surely compromise our ability to move quickly. We have no Chief Executive so the next in line to Reed from a football perspective would be Wilson which would literally be leaving us light at a crucial time. Reed was also at last nights awards, smiling away, unlike someone imminently leaving.

Two comments: 1. Long (2 in 47) isn't "normal PL quality". 2. Austin is most definitely slow.

Since Hughes came in, Tadic has been excellent. He is massively superior to all our other 'creative' players and outside the top 6 is up there with players of his type. Seems to have a really good attitude, is pretty much always available and crucially is very reliable on the ball. Always combines well with the full back, whether Cedric or Bertrand and generally doesn't lose the ball allowing people to make runs off him. Our woeful attacking play hasn't helped him at times this year, but he always wanted the ball even when taking stick in a team devoid of confidence. I know there are downsides, inconsistency, poor penalties and a tendancy to delay shooting when well placed but if he was better in those regards he would be a top 4 player and miles out of our reach. If he leaves this summer then for £10.5m he has been an absolute steal, providing loads of great moments from the Clybe assist in his first game, partnership with Pelle, winner at Man Utd and the absolutely vital Bournemouth goals. If he does go then a.) it will be to a far better team than us and b.) we will massively struggle to replace him with similar quality. Easily one of the best signings since we have been back in the PL and a good player to watch. Seems to like working with Hughes so hopefully we can keep him.

Pretty clear we have been dismal this season in this position, with none of Long, Austin, Gabbi or Carrillo ever firing and it was fairly similar under Puel, so clearly we need a change. IMO you could make a compelling argument to get rid of all the strikers and totally start again: Long - tries hard, hassles defenders but just doesn't score enough goals and is too unreliable. Austin - will score but offers nothing outside the area, especially in games against the better sides that dominate possession. In each of his three PL seasons with us he has suffered major injuries and doesn't look fit/mobile enough. Gabbiadini - very good player but as a lone striker doesn't work hard enough off the ball or win enough duels. Great moments in a Saints shirt but will probably go back to Italy. Carrillo- Bizarre signing, doesn't look good enough and we will probably have to loan him out unless Hughes sees something in him with a full pre season. For me we should try and move three of these four on and get some fresh players in with more rounded attributes. But that will be easier said than done. If we go into next season with Long or Austin starting it will have been another poor summer window.