Saint Keef

I agree with you guys. My comment was a bit tongue in cheek. He did struggle a bit in the premier league, but I always felt he gave everything when he did play and no doubting his loyalty and his dignity when he left. I hope we can agree he was still better than Wesley Hoedt......🤣 Good luck to Yoshi, he certainly deserved the plaudits last night..

I know it's been mentioned earlier but just to endorse my congratulations to Maya Yoshida. He was absolutely immense at the heart of the Japan defence tonight. The cameras followed him at the end of the game so they obviously thought the same. If only we had him at Southampton........Oh! Good luck to him in the next round.

Watching this World Cup is a bit like watching The History of Saints Centre Backs. Unless I have missed any I think the following have worn Saints shirts whether on loan or permanent at some stage. SALISU (Ghana), BELLA-KOTCHAP (Germany - not sure he has played in the WC yet, but is certainly on the bench), VAN DIJK (Netherlands), ALDERWEIRELD (Netherlands), YOSHIDA (Japan), CACERES (Uruguay - did he ever play a first team Saints game?). LOVREN (Croatia). Other ex-Saints players there - either permanent or on loan......SHAW (England), BALE (Wales), HOJBJERG (Denmark), TADIC (Serbia), BOUFAL (Morocco), MINAMINO (Japan). It's a pity Sadio Mane didn't make the trip - that would have been a half-decent line-up lacking only a right back and a goalkeeper as far as I can see. I'm aghast and indeed astounded that Wesley Hoedt isn't there......🤣 No doubt someone on here with a greater knowledge/memory than I, will find one or more others. Have I missed anyone?

Having watched Japan today, one of their defenders, Yoshida I think his name is, looked very useful. I'd take a punt on him. HCDAJFU. Being serious, I'm delighted for him. He was a good servant for the Saints and left with dignity. On the other hand, having watched Belgium, Toby looks like he's well past his sell by date. Canada bossed that game and were only let down by their finishing. I must admit I'm enjoying watching these so called "lesser" teams up against these "Big Boys".

I think Qatar is a bloody marvelous country. Glorious weather. Tasty food. Lots of lovely sand. Great oil. Very friendly......and uhhh......super glorious weather. Really nice yummy food and their brilliant envelopes are full of lovely cash.........and the law and order there, is to die for! I won't hear a single word said against Qatar. Bloody great place. I await my free ticket and all expenses. Many thanks.

🤣🤣🤣 I just tried to go on the official Southampton FC 'live' website to see if there is any news. Unless it's my computer, the site seems to be down - with the words (and I quote) "SOMETHING HAS GONE WRONG". You're telling me it has!!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣

I'll probably be at home singing quietly to myself, to the tune of Sweet Caroline.... SWEET QATARLINE (Da Da Da) YOUR CORRUPTION TAKES THE PISS I FEEL INCLINED (Da Da Da) TO GIVE YOUR TOURNAMENT A MISS (Repeat ad nauseam)

Romeu was a brilliant and loyal servant for us, who never gave less than 100%. At his age he deserved whatever move he wanted and it was good to see the club didn't stand in his way. He left with dignity and I am grateful for the years we had him. Of course the Lavia injury has been very unfortunate and AMN has taken a while to get going. For me though, Diallo is not the answer. Lyanco is a bit of a loose cannon, but he does have skill, can put in a tackle and his distribution is as good as Diallo's and I wonder whether he would be an option in that role. Anyway - just thoughts

Blimey! The dugouts must be enormous!

I'm actually wondering if Ralph has had enough. He doesn't look happy. He won't want to walk away of his own volition because he won't get any compensation. He has already intimated he will retire soon. It's almost like he's waiting to be sacked, collect his compensation - meaning he'll probably never have to work again and then disappear from the whole football scene into retirement. Unless I misheard him before tonight's match, he said something like his players don't need motivating. Well I've got news for you Ralph - they do!!!! And with his whole current demeanor, I'm not sure he has actually got it in him to motivate them. From someone who has until now, wanted to keep Ralph, I'm afraid it's time for a new face, new ideas and a fresh approach 'cos whatever he's doing ain't working. The team and he, look completely bereft of ideas.

By paying to watch that Saints team tonight, in a way you are actually giving to charity. Tonight, all proceeds will go the CFBS. (Criminally F*cking Bewildered Society)

Dreadful. Did we actually have a shot? Did their keeper make one save? I don't recall one. I have always been in the "Keep Ralph" camp, because I think stability pays off eventually, but I am seriously thinking his time is now up. I really can't see him taking us any further forward. That performance was on a par with the Pellegrino era. The only bright spark was Larios who didn't look overawed at all.

Physio table for me please. I think I just tweaked a calf muscle going from my living room to the kitchen to put the kettle on.

You appear to be missing one of the Armstrongs.

Haven't they just given him a two year contract as well? I bet he's on mega wages too which won't help their situation.

I don't particularly hate Leicester, but I am thoroughly enjoying seeing Rat Boy Vardy and Billy Big Bollocks Maddison struggling at the wrong end of the table. Relegation for those two would be very sweet indeed. Couldn't happen to two nicer fellas. For a very long time it seems, they have relied heavily on Vardy's goals but they now appear to have dried up quicker than my lawn this summer and without his goals they appear to be well and truly fu**ed

And who knows, with the World Cup approaching, there might be new talent on show, so far overlooked, maybe an emerging striker who has so far gone under the radar, and we apparently have £30m or so ready to splash. Just a thought.

SAINTS LEGEND! You can only ever ask that a player gives 100% for the club and he gave it in bucket loads. Very best wishes to him.

I don't particularly dislike Forest, but part of me is now starting to wish that they do fail. Seems like a complete "scattergun" approach. Someone above mentioned that some of the new signings won't make match day squads. Some of of them will be lucky if they can get into the stadium on match days at this rate.

The bidding war will go something like this: Villa: "We'll give you £20 million for Bednarek" West Ham "We'll lower that offer to £18 million" Villa "Okay then, we'll go to £16 million" West Ham "How about £14 million?" Villa "Nice try,....but we can lower that to £12 million?" West Ham "Alright then, £10 million and not a penny less" Villa "£8 million and that's our final offer" Leicester "We'll have him for £6 million" Saints "DONE!"

Yeah - happy with that one. Seven all prem ties. Four ties with no prem clubs. Five ties with one prem team (all at home). Liverpool and Man City drawn at home.....of course, but can't complain drawing Sheff Wed at home. Full draw: Leicester v Newport County West Ham v Blackburn Wolves v Leeds Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Manchester United v Aston Villa Bournemouth v Everton Liverpool v Derby Burnley v Crawley Bristol City v Lincoln Manchester City v Chelsea Stevenage v Charlton MK Dons v Morecambe Newcastle v Crystal Palace Southampton v Sheffield Wednesday Arsenal v Brighton Brentford v Gillingham

I haven't played football for about 30 years now, but I'm going out tomorrow to buy a pair of boots. I reckon, that by about next Tuesday, there's a pretty good chance that Forest will have signed me.

By chance, I happened to see Tino at St Mary's last week and was able to have a quick word with him. He has a 4 to 5 inch scar to the side of his left knee which he confirmed was from the current injury (i assume the surgery). He didn't mention how long he thought he would be out. He wasn't limping though (haha that's my professional assessment completed). He was with Perraud, who when asked why he wasn't playing, said that he is injured. I have to say, both lads were really pleasant and stopped to sign autographs for kids and have 'selfies' taken......and before anyone asks, no I didn't. Here endeth my ITK input 🤣🤣

I don't know which game Tuchel watched this afternoon. He says Chelsea were "clearly the better team". Leeds 3 Chelsea 0. I watched it live, Leeds absolutely played them off off the park. After last week's antics, could the pressure be getting the Chelsea boss? He reminds me of a petulant child. "Thomas, go and sit on the naughty step until you've calmed down".

My mistake - I was thinking it was Chelsea next week. Cheers.