Dusic

The real question we should be asking ourselves - is Andrew Watson even his real name?

Can't recall a summer window with so few links to incomings which is interesting, perhaps the new setup are more secretive combined with less attention now we aren't in the PL? In particular recall Joe Shields feeding Fabrizio Romano with lots of updates during his brief tenure as FR was one step ahead on almost every move (still happening by the volume of FR Chelsea updates) As of now there are barely any credible links so we must be keeping a lot of our plans out of the spotlight - will be interesting to see what emerges.

Couldn't see him in any of the training footage today. Obvious he will be on his way, its just negotiation now and once its done both sides will be putting their spin out on the fee, how happy they are with the deal etc. If Everton get him its a cracking signing for them. If we get £45m + for a player who walked away for virtually nothing about 3 years ago and won't sign a new deal then we can't really complain, just frustrating that none of our real top talents ever play more than one season with us and always seem to be in a shit Saints team, Luke Shaw excepted.

I think pretty much the worst thing we can do with Robinson right now is make comparisons to Dibling or comments to the effect of he is better, more suited etc. What Dibling and Robinson have done is totally different. Dibling has played in over 30 PL games and looked a top talent, mugging off the likes of Gvardiol and Dalot in particular. He is the subject of a £40m bid and has long been reported to be monitored by multiple top PL and European clubs. Robinson made a nice debut in a meaningless end of season PL game and has played well in some meaningless pre season friendlies, some of which have been against poor opposition. This season there should be no expectation on Robinson. Anything he does is a bonus as he is still untested in mens pro football - physically, mentally, technically, tactically. Just let him be without pointless labels.

We haven't been linked with many (any?) proper no10s aside from the tweets saying we want Spertsyan, but that seems a non starter as a.) Involves sensing cash to Russia and b.) Not clear he actually wants to move Quite possible he was/is a target hence no other movement, despite how unlikely a signing it seems?

Media drivel. Farmer Saint told us he isn't going anywhere. Back in the real world its hard to know what to think. On one hand £45m is a great return for a player without the security of a long term deal. On the other hand he is clearly a massive talent and we used to sell those to Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, not Everton. Pretty sure in a year or two he will be worth far more and they are getting a player of huge potential for a fairly modest fee by modern standards. Most of all feel frustrated at SR for overseeing the situation that forces a sale of a player like TD (and Fernandes) to a PL also-ran. In what world did they think the likes of Taylor, Cornet, BBD, Wood, Lallana were the type of signings to give us a chance to build? Anyway, lets get these sales done and then bring in some quality to begin the cycle over again...

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/25361589.still-insists-southampton-know-need-creative-reinforcements/ Still knows whats needed and seems pretty relaxed* about it. *Hopefully not as relaxed as Les Reed during contract talks with Clyne and Wanyama

I agree. As soon as we opted to loan Ramsdale it was clear the club's thought process. We have two senior GKs left on decent cash, we will be using them and signing a 3rd GK, probably on a one year deal. Next year will see more change in this position. McCarthy's deal is up next summer so he will likely go/retire, we will know what is happening with Ramsdale and whether to sell Bazunu before his deal runs down or try to extend his contract.

Assuming Dibling, Fernandes and THB go in addition to Edozie and Aribo then what are we seeing as the priority for incomings? Any variations on this? 1. No 10 2. Wide right attacker 3. Wide left attacker (if BBD goes) 4. Centre mid 5. 3rd GK 6. RB (if we can shift Bree somehow)

How did it seem today? Has been awful the last couple of seasons compared to previous high standards, seemingly due to that recurring soil disease. Certainly from images doesnt seem as vibrant vs a few years back but the quality of the surface has eerily matched the football on it of late.

Judging by the behind closed doors game and assuming the team that plays the game later is the 'preferred' team then its Bree over Sugawara, Manning over Welington and Quarshie as the partner for Stephens. Midfield interesting as no Smallbone, Sesay or Aribo earlier so assume Downes still injured and perhaps Fernandes unlikely to feature. Will be interesting to see who partners Charles and centre mid becoming an area that requires attention along with the 3 behind a striker.

Derby have gone for Max Johnston, the RB at Sturm Graz that we have been linked with, not that we need a RB at the moment!

I think we wil lose Fernandes and Dibling but if you listen to this whole segement it seems a fairly measired and accurate summary of where we are. Will be interesting to interpret Still's view on incomings when asked post match tomorrow - he was clear last week that we need to see more stuff happen and I guess on outgoings it has this week.

Solak said we likely wouldn't use the loan market as much as we did previously so interesting to see if that plays out. I think we are in the stage where 'what we all knew deep down was likely to happen but had a vague hope it wouldn't' is happening. In the last week its has become clear that Ramsdale, Dibling and very likely Fernandes will (personally think THB too). Thats a kick in the teeth. But once those are done then there isnt anything else to fear. Our squad is big and we have a lot of competent Championship players. If we are deriding players like Aribo and Smallbone, who were pretty good last time at this level, then it shows its not too bad. What we clearly need is a couple of x-factor players in the final third. We will have a month and a decent stack of cash to be able to sign them and if we get that right then those predicted lineups will look strong again. And there is certainly time to achieve that.

Agree apart from the Robinson bit. He plays wide left, Dibling much better from right or central - the two areas we look extremely bereft of options and will certainly need reinforcements.

Very suprised that some are happy to take £35m. He is a huge talent who already showed in the PL that he has the ability against top defenders to cause them major problems. At 18, in a beyond dreadful team in his first experience of pro football. Yes he can seem a bit casual but that is just his style. One of the signs of players who will make it is whether they play the same way in pro football as they did in the youth setup - and he does. With swagger, poise, flair and deceptive power. He probably won't be worth less than £35m at any point in his career until he is in his mid 30s and will likely be worth nearly double that within 6 months. Contract situation makes it difficult for us (we have been so bad at contract management for years now) but we should and hopefully will be getting more than that - not least because we would be quoted around £20m something to sign a semi decent Championship attacking player. At around £35 he is an absolute steal and whoever buys him will make a big profit.

We don't need a striker but Richard Kone has been mentioned on here a few times. Seems to be heading to Swansea for about £4.5m.

John Percy (very reliable) saying Firest have had talks re Fernandes and that he meets all of their criteria for a new signing. He was the person who first mentioned their interest end of last season. I think its now clear he will be going as too much interest from a range of clubs and being honest he should be playing at a high level because he could be an elite player. I think its probably now looking like we will do well to keep just one of the big four - I think all will probably go because its so hard to keep players when PL clubs want them.

Good win in a difficult tie. Rangers recruitment certainly looks better than previous years. Think they will have a good season under RM.

Ipswich agreed a fee for Hayden Hackney from Boro - very good CM at this level. Meanwhile Krasnodar want to extend the contract of Spertsyan, per the source that reported him considering our offer:

Not sure why we would be interested in Dubravka particularly. The last time he played a decent chunk of games for Newcastle their fans thought he was awful and in the end they rushed Pope back to get him out the team. Be interesting to know the terms of the option, e.g does it potentially not apply if we go up, or does it give them sole control of whether they keep him or not? If the latter then we might have been better off selling him. Unpopular opinion but I think we will go with Baz at 1st choice with AMc as 2nd choice and then sign a 3rd choice, essentially the same as last time in the Champ. If we are to get a first choice then it would have to be a loan and someone clearly superior to what we have plus getting rid of either Baz or AMc otherwise wages would be ridiculous with 3 keepers who all think they should be #1

And whether they would provide the player with a work permit. The fact is hasnt been signed by someone better has nothing to do with ability. If those reports have any truth then you would hope the club and lawyers have determined a way that they could actually send that amount of cash legitimately to Russia and register him, but I can't see it myself.

Its not that much of a mystery. There is a war and heavy regulatory sanctions placed on the country his club is based in which means sensing millions to that country is not currently possible through traditional means and thats before the moral side of it or the actual reality of dealing with a Russian club is factored in. Not exactly a straightforward transfer!

How would we go about sending millions of pounds to Russia? Feels somewhat of a non-starter.

Potentially, but I am not certain that would happen. We have clearly bought Quarshie to play a decent part and have Edwards and Wood who would both also expect to start at this level. If we were to then sign someone else and relgate them to 4th/5th choice I am sure both would be pushing to leave (and fair enough). Also might still have Taylor who is a cover CB option too. So much change still to happen!