Fitzhugh Fella

While its important and right his privacy is respected, I can't help thinking the club has not helped with its lack of clarity to the actual situation. Ralph told us he was in full training a few weeks ago so why no B team appearance? Surely that's a fair enough question? I just feel had the club been a little more upfront as to the problem, it would have put an end to the speculation. As it is with our good start with the two centre backs playing well, it means that there is no clamour for him to play, but had things started badly this whole situation would have been much more awkward.

Yep pretty much nails it. Ralph is the dogs bollocks but he could do better by not being so obstinate.

Good point and interesting post

The scarf and the ball are just so 70s. Revert to the city crest with some fine adjustments like introducing 1885 into it.

Wish you would use www.saintsplayers.co.uk instead of Wiki which is often incorrect

It's all gone very quiet seeing Ings etc were on the verge a week or two ago

Very impressed with him so far. Positionally sometimes a worry but looks to be a good buy

Got to be better than Redmond current form. How he got MoTM I'll never know. Gave the ball away persistantly.

Nice to see a united fan base on this subject - are there any fans out there in favour I wonder. The odd delusional scouser perhaps. I see the Pompey owner is now putting his hands in his pocket to keep the skates afloat - I guess he might buy in.

Where’s SISA when you need them? Seriously the fans should at least have a voice in something so potentially harmful to their club. I can hear the groans from people reading that but this could be a very pivotal moment and a very dangerous one too. At present all we have is Adam Blackmore (no offence Adam).

What concerns me the most is the first 3 letters of his surname

It's sobering to think that in another era Lawrie McMenemy would, this week, be unveiling Gareth Bale at the Potters Heron (ask your Dad) and giving the whole city a lift. Say what you like about the big Geordie but he knew how to manipulate the Board into thinking big, but I accept these are different times and Southampton fans have been suitably conditioned to feed off comparitive scraps and players that are now bought primarily for potential resale value.

You've covered the situation well. What baffles me is Ralph saying last night the pre-season had been poor. Why? Who is to blame? Surely it was roughly the same for the other 91 clubs (time-wise), so was it our sloppy organisation? In which case as manager surely he is responsible as he is for player fitness. According to him some players came back unfit something that historically would have resulted in a fine and banishment into the stiffs/U23s until fully fit, but is Ralph saying he is now picking them anyway? He is on record as saying he likes working with smaller squads which may be fine in less demanding Leagues but not the PL. For a man who has a reputation of being thorough his post-match comments didn't make a lot of sense.

Not an article, just be informed he wasn’t signing permanently would suffice. Belt and braces sort of stuff I suppose.

Have I missed the website informing us that the option on Danso has not been taken up and that not only has he returned to his parent club but he has gone out on loan again? I am intrigued the club don't think this sort of updating is of interest. And while on the subject it would be nice to be updated on the progress of some of our "forgotten" players such as Sam McQueen. Back in the day you could rely on the Echo to fill in all the missing detail, the nitty gritty if you like, but now we are destined to be kept in the dark and having to rely on outside sources.

MLT is an utter gentleman, polite, helpful, courteous at all times etc etc etc but he has poor judgement at times. His backing of Pinnacle even after it was obvious to everyone else they were not genuine had the potential to scupper the Liebherr take over. Even now if you were brave enough to ask him he would insist their credentials were fine.

I think he is one of those players that everything has to be just right before he performs at his best. I know he is a nice guy, popular with his team mates but he is too inconsistent for me. Good when he's on form but does not always turn up.

Ralph insinuated last week the fee etc had already been agreed and the ball is entirely in our court.

Spot on. I have seen zilch progress at home this season. It’s the same old same old and makes me wonder if RH is as smart as some think.

Have a look at the passage of play 30 seconds before it

Yep think you are right - he charges around like a bull in a china shop

Really? I hadn't heard that. Tough times I guess - hope Carl survives the inevitable cull

Met Carl a few times and a real nice chap. From London but has embedded himself in So'ton and is the Athletic's dedicated reporter exclusive to Southampton. Carl is very hot on the tactical side of the game (often leaves me confused) and has also conducted interviews with ex-players like Moran, Tessem, Beattie etc. He goes to all the away games, travels and chats with the fans and really has tried to get into the soul of the club. Attends all pressers and fully credited. I have been trying to persuade him to do an article on the punch up years and have even tracked Andy Oldknow (living in Saudi) for him but think Carl got cold feet. You get some proper grown up football articles in the Athletic so even the non-Saints stuff is worthwhile.

Yes a bit of a surprise he was given his debut unless that was part of the deal to induce him to sign?

Tella's debut was a bit of a surprise - he seems to have leap-frogged above other youngsters. Did I read last week he is stalling on signing a new contract?