Dusic

Did Ralph say if Bednarek's substitution was injury related? Down to only two fit CBs if so, with nobody obvious to cover that position.

Professional, robust, available for almost every game, improving and capable of high class moments. As Ralph would say, seems like a good package.

Had earned a contract extension IMO.

I think he is generally quite open and honest with the media and I would take that everyday of the week over Managers like Nuno, Benitez etc who give the same answer to any question. In fact, I think one of the key reasons fans took to Ralph so quickly after Puel and Pellegrino was exactly because he spoke to the fans and explained things in a way people could relate to. By all means criticise then we are poor or he makes odd selections but the stuff you have picked out above is IMO a bit OTT especially when in all those cases he is just responding to questions and giving his view.

Don't see the issue with this at all and its hardly some kind of 'announcement'. As he says, to stay at a PL club for over five years would be a huge amount of time and a great achievement. I actually see it as being good for Saints that he is committed to the club, enough to say that essentially what he is getting from the job is satisfying him enough as a coach to feel his coaching career will be done once he is finished here. Also good stuff re the new owners and their plans and the fact he is keen to stay shows he believes in them, and if he does then so should we.

https://www.transfermarkt.de/hasenhuttl-will-2024-aufhoren-ndash-southampton-nach-rb-oder-man-city-system-aufbauen/view/news/399826

Team picks itself if everyone is fit: Forster KWP---Bednarek---Salisu---Perraud Stu--JWP---Romeu--Redmond Broja----Adams If, as is most likely Broja is out then either Armstrong up front with Adams or Redmond up there with Elyounoussi coming in.

Why? Aside from today in a heavily changed lineup he has barely involved him for ages, including not even being in the squad, so suggests to me that Ralph knows.

Good to hear. He, like other young players, obviously is in contact with TSS - a really good account to follow on Twitter.

Pics don't look great and sure it will swell even if just a heavy kick so fingers crossed he doesn't miss too many games as quite clearly is our biggest threat by a considerable margin.

Just looking at some lineups from this kind of time last year in the B team and noticeable how only 2 or 3 players remain now, lots have left, and we recruited a few in the summer so its almost a new team. Likewise the U18s is a very different lineup this year and the brightest talents like Ballard and Doyle moved very quickly to playing for the B team too. Clearly there were some fairly substantial changes to how the teams are coached but the actual makeup of the teams is very different. They don't tend to publicise the results but does anyone know how the U16s (which are now the 18s mostly) did in the last couple of seasons? Would imagine better than the U18s and B's did...

Having a great season. The changes Crocker made, including bringing in the in-game/individual skill coaching setup are obviously having an impact and Carl Martin probably took a lot from being involved with the first team. But ultimately I think there are just better players in that group than we have had for a while.

Once Crook had finally taken himself off mute (its always him) in the presser yesterday he asled about Broja and Hasenhuttl's response appeared to me to hint that a second loan was maybe more likely than a permanent move. Perhaps that does really represent out best chance of keeping him a bit longer as no way Chelsea would loan him to more of a perceived direct rival like West Ham or Arsenal and as RH said Chelsea must be impressed with how he has developed on loan so if they go down that path again there is really no reason for him to go anywhere else, certainly not if he stays in the PL. Hypothetically if you were Saints and could sign up him up right now to a 2nd season on loan would you take it, or risk going to the open market in the summer?

Sorry, by pointless I was refering to the final year of the contract. Any player that has a value and is seen as a way to make profit won't be allowed to enter his final year, so it may as well be knocked off the duration when considering the real amount of time we could get from the player. A four year contract gives two full years before value starts to decline. In Salisu's case his first year was a non event. A five year deal gives three years before value drops. I think this is even more valid because we tend to sign players who take a while to get used to PL level, Adams, Diallo, Salisu, Perraud, Lyanco etc.

I know a player cannot be forced to, but given his adaptation/personal circumstances took so long to resolve we essentially signed him on a 2 year contract as the final year is pointless. Obviously burned by mistakes of the past like Clasie, Forster, Hoedt etc but 5 year contracts or 4yrs with an option for a 5th put the club in such a stronger position. To be a 'good' selling club we need to be selling a player like Salisu for £50m and that will only happen this summer if he doesnt sign an extension. Pointless buying him for £10m, developing him and giving him the PL platform and then being forced to sell for £15m because his contract is running down. If we get back to selling these guys for more then perhaps we can start buying at £25m rather than £15m.

We won't get an outrageous amount in 2023 because he will only have 12 months left on his contract. We will probably get some offers this summer so will be interesting to see how the club reacts - contract extension with buyout would suit everyone. If any PL teams are keen it may as well be Newcastle because they will probably pay the most. Re Simeu/Armitage I don't think it really works that directly. When signing those types there is clearly a hope that they might make it in the PL but there is a long way to go before it amounts to anything. The heralded signings and subsequent stories of Jankewitz & Ramello Mitchell attest to that.

Just as important as signings, and obviously not restricted by the transfer window, are contracts. The following will have two years left and we should be looking to preserve their value with an extension to avoid a cheap sale: Adams - solid & robust PL striker Diallo - need to find a way of giving him more game time Salisu - expect we will get offers this summer and if he won't extend then its optimal sale time value wise We would also have Romeu and Redmond with just a year left. KWP, whilst having 3 years left has probably earned a new deal. Wonder how much Tino is on and whether we may also give him a pay rise, or whether its just accepted that he won't be here long so no real point.

I reckon Chelsea will at least look at Broja in pre season, which would put us in a difficult position as how long do we wait whilst other targets go elsewhere? Otherwise, as stated by others its pretty clear GK and no10 are the key areas to improve. Imagine Djenepo and Moi will go as no chance we give either an extension. Harry Lewis must be crapping himself that he might actually have to go and play football.

Don't get the love for Johnstone and personally not convinced he is much better than McCarthy or Forster, if at all. As I've said before, I am fairly certain that once Forster goes he will be replaced by a younger keeper to compete with McCarthy, not someone who will instantly be the no1. No chance McCarthy's new contract is less money than he was on before so imagine he is one of the higher paid players in our squad. Seems pointless spending 3 years moaning how our 2nd choice keeper is our highest paid player, finally get rid of him and then still end up with a 2nd choice keeper who is one of the highest earners. If we want to sign a genuine no1 this summer then we should be letting Forster and McCarthy go - which seemingly is not what is happening.

Would be good if Newcastle sign the Reims striker as surely no need for them to go after Broja in the summer. Djenepo loan very plausible. Think he started quite a few games at the start of the season, missed big chances vs Newcastle especially and I think Ralph has lost patience with him. Believe in the summer he has one year left on his contract so imagine we will look to recoup anythingnwe can rather than offer an extension.

Looking back in hindsight then Anjorin seems to fit the bill most out of any players we have been linked with. If, as seems, our interest in him is genuine then can only assume Chelses want to see how he does in the Championship before deciding they are happy to sell him permanently. Bit wary of Everton now they have Lampard as he knows these kind of players better than anyone and their squad needs some younger additions. --------- As an aside LOL at MLG for virtually copying my post onto Twitter. Most of his content on there comes from other people's stuff here. Shameless that lad.

I doubt even one person in Southampton knows what Harry Hickford looks like, let alone numerous 😆 With Spurs likely to get shot of Gil and N'Dombele I wonder if they may keep Alli now. Sounds like a quiet window for us despite Ralph seeming confident of a signing or two earlier in Jan, although there isnt an obvious need for anything that can't wait til summer.

I saw him play for Lewes on Tuesday and he is obviously decent at that level, tall, quite quick and nice left foot but he didn't stand out as someone who would ever be PL class, and he is at an age where most young PL players break through (19) and is currently playing below National League South. I wonder if he was right footed whether Spurs or Brighton would even look twice at him. Brighton and Lewes have a good relationship so sure if they are interested he will train with them and they can have a closer look.

Wonder if Brighton might go for him on loan. Barber is pally with Levy, they pose no real threat to Spurs hopes of top 4 and their style might suit him well. Everton only have one loan available and supposedly are after VdB.

How long before a story pops up linking Frank Lampard's Everton with a move for Broja? Not long, I am sure. Shame their fans kicked off about Pereira.