St Louis

I can't believe how reactive modern football fans are, whether its a manager or a player! On this page alone, after just 2 games we have people calling Roerslev 'Class', an 'Outstanding Signing', 'looks an absolute steal', a 'Superb bit of business' and will be 'good enough for keeping us up in the Prem if we get there!' But... just 2 games later he's apparently 'Absolute Shite', 'worse than James Bree', 'Can't defend', 'Offers nothing going forward', is 'worse than Sugawara' and is an 'absolutely awful player'. The bloke literally signed for us 4 weeks ago! 🤦‍♂️

You don't think they considered the jobs he did in Belgium and France then, and the reputation he'd built?

Downes… recovering from illness. Downs… you’ve written off the new young striker already? FFS

My GCSE artwork was of one of Jim's celebrations (cant remember which) 😂 Wish I still had it! All I remember of it, was how difficult it was painting the weird big Draper Tools scroreboard thing that was in the corner at The Dell (if anyone remembers that)!

Might have been the xG, so expect a 0-0 with so few good chances

I know for a fact that the academy staff generally rated Robinson as the better prospect of the two, and most likely to make the first team. There was a little surprise with how well Dibling performed as soon as he reached the first team. So its always hard to predict, as young players develop at different rates. I'm really excited about Robinson, I love his confidence and how direct he is. He already feels like our most exciting attacking player in the squad (admittedly havent seen any of the new guys yet), but its great that we keep producing them 👍

Sad but 100% true. There won’t be one player in our entire squad who wants to be playing for Saints (I’m not saying they aren’t enjoying it while here, but it’s not the destination they dreamt of) The Premier League is now completely broken too, where a player like Isak isn’t even happy to be at a huge club, with great support and in the Champions League! The modern day player (like most modern day muppet fans and media too) just want Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, etc. So boring! Give me the Championship any day.

Ward Prowse has just been made West Ham Vice-Captain, so I would assume they expect him to be staying. I know things change fast, but guessing Potter doesnt plan on moving him on.

He's been free to leave for a long time... The issue has been getting another club to take him!

I thought it was unreal that he said that the same 5-fold gap in revenue exists between Saints and the smallest/bottom League Two clubs! Just shows how awful the Premier League has become and how impossible it is to compete with the 'big clubs', that gap is just too big now. The Champions League has played a huge part in killing top flight domestic leagues (all over Europe). And a billionaire cant just come in and save the day anymore either, we need to generate our own new/bigger revenue streams.

Maybe while he doesn't have a club, we are allowing/happy to have him train with us and use the facilities. I'm sure he's a great influence around the place. Even if we weren't looking to sign him up.

Going by todays training videos, seems like Fernandes trained, as did some of the other 'injured' players THB, Downes, BBD... but no sign of Dibling (unless I just missed him). But the video clearly focussed on Fernandes a lot, just to let us know he's still here, so you'd have thought they'd do the same if Dibling was involved too (given the rumours).

He had a decent season and scored 7 goals (vital late ones too) the last time we had a season in The Championship. He also scored in the Playoff Semi and assisted Armstrong's goal in the final. So I wouldnt wish him away too fast. We dont have world class players tripping over themselves to join Southampton. He's probably on relatively modest wages too, wants to be here, came through the academy, etc. I would definitely have him in the squad. Personally I would keep him over Aribo for example, for all of the reasons above.

Probably the only player they could guarantee would still be here, and I'm sure that does come into the thinking with any club marketing. Its also a heritage campaign, and he's been here nearly 15 years. And I know he's often the scapegoat for many, but he is the captain, didnt have a bad end to the season, will be decent enough in The Championship, will always fight for the club, etc, etc. We dont really have a 'star' player or 'golden boy' anymore either, maybe Dibling if they were certain he would be here to wear it?

Did they reject any? I'm not so sure. I imagine we took whoever offered the most money/perks. Given that 'Midnite' are the new training kit sponsors, I dont think the club has made any stance against betting companies and taking their money (makes a pleasant change!)

It was more the ‘no doubt about it’ part I was intrigued by. But yeah, you never know, perhaps a ‘76 inspired kit? Well kept secret if so!

To answer my own question… The BBC commentary by David Coleman included: “Stokes… oh he’s put it in! Bobby Stokes! And there’s no doubt about it now!”

Am I missing something with the ‘No doubt about it’ part? I’m wondering whether it’s something a commentator said when we won the ‘76 Cup? Or am I overthinking it? 😆

I dont understand why the majority seem to be so keen to offload Armstrong!? A player who scored a hatful the last time we were in this division, the goals that got us into the upper end of the table and playoffs. And then scored the winner in the final to get us promoted. I think he deserves more respect than he gets from us. Yes, we know he isn't good enough for the Premier League if we do go up again, but he is proven at this level and that's what we need for now. He's scored 49 goals in 86 Championship games in his last 2 full seasons down here! If we signed someone next week with that record, surely we would all be excited. Personally, I really hope he stays. I think all of our other current forward options (Onuachu, Stewart, Archer, Ballard, etc) are a risk (for a number of different reasons) and all a bit unknown, whereas we can be pretty confident that Adarma will score goals for us at this level.

We were the ones that pulled out of the deal. We decided that Japanese International ‘Tadanari Lee’ would be a better bet, both on the pitch and commercially. Looks stupid now, but I guess made sense at the time. Don’t think anyone saw Vardy working out quite as well as he did.

And I would guess he's got used to the £100k+ a week. So if he does keep on playing, I cant see him taking a massive pay-cut and dropping down with us.

I think he's been one of our better players (not saying much I know) for the last quarter of the season, and I do think he's a decent attacking Championship fullback, knows the league, etc. So personally I hope he stays, but then upgrade 'if' we ever come back up.

The bloke has hardly played in 3 years, give him a break. If he can stay fit, let him build up his fitness and confidence and we ‘might’ have a decent Championship striker there. Only one way to find out.

And he's still a big Saints fan too! I went to watch Cheltenham Town against P*mpey a couple of years ago (Aug '22), when he was still manager of Cheltenham. Got chatting to him after the game, and he loved that my brother and I were wearing Saints Pin Badges and we had a natter about Saints. The Cowley Brothers were decent too actually, and saw the funny side of a couple of Saints Fans there to cheer on the Robins. P.S We aren't just complete saddos who follow Pompey around to support the opposition... we both went to Uni in Cheltenham, so still try and get to the occasional game. The Pompey one being an obvious choice as I can give them an extra cheer.

Personally, I think that the response yesterday is MORE likely to motivate them, make them feel guilty for the lacklustre performances this seaon and make them more inclined to want to play/fight for the badge beyond this season (please stay Fernandes), than giving them abuse and making the situation feel unforgivable (so they may as well all just leave). Their performances this season obviously dont deserve a clap. But I'd have clapped them off, and as others have said above, its more to show we have a decent and loyal fanbase and we will be there next season to cheer them on and push for promotion again. But I understand... each to their own and all that.