St Louis

Exactly that, it happens a lot! Sometimes a manager just fits with a certain club and squad. I remember clearly when Strachan got the job here after just getting Coventry relegated for the first time in decades, there was (understandable) scepticism (to put it lightly) and he did a fantastic job with the bunch of misfits we had at the time, and almost won us an FA Cup.

I dont personally think that makes them 'cretins' though. Yes they made a big bad mistake, but IF they are acknowledging the mistake and making moves to get rid early in his tenure, then thats a good thing.

Why would say that already, im not disagreeing or arguing, just wondering what you know that I dont know about them. As far as I can see they got rid of Ralph quite early when the fans turned, have spent more money that we have ever known across 2 windows (without selling) and now it sounds like they have accepted they've made a mistake in Jones and have started the wheels turning in getting rid. Its not like sacking a barman in your local boozer, there are seriously tight legals to go through, millions of pounds to pay out in different directions, etc. Other than making a mistake in hiring Jones (which it sounds like they now accept) I cant see what they've done hugely wrong.

West Ham wont feel safe from relegation yet, so I cant see them selling Antonio to a relegation rival, let alone loaning him to one. Imagine if he scored the goals for us that sent them down.

The squad isn't good enough or consistent enough to win every week, we havent just found a magic bottled formula because we played well and won a game.

How do you know the manager has no interest in developing youth players? What a ridiculous statement to just pluck from the sky.

I find it hard to believe that they would sell to a relegation rival, let alone loan him to one. Can’t see this one happening either.

I don’t know that I’m afraid. Was told by someone within the club (they 100% know, apologies I can’t say who, so you’re welcome to dismiss) that he was keen to come ‘home’, but we weren’t so keen. Especially the direction the player and agent fees (and wages) were heading with multiple clubs keen, on top of concerns with his age and long term value. We were open to the idea. But only on terms that worked for us. I’m not saying he was begging us, but he was very keen on the idea, and with a baby/toddler the appeal of being back home and around family was a big pull too. Personally I would have liked to have seen him back, I think he would hit the ground running and score the goals we need over the next 19 games. Let’s hope his goals don’t save West Ham at our expense. I feel another raw talent is a risk, as we approach the business end of the season and need someone to deliver and fast. We do have irons in other fires.

Ings was very keen to come back to Saints.

There could be so many reasons. Everton play a completely different way to Man City for a start, so thats probably one reason. And we never know as fans what the physical condition of the players is. We've all moaned for the last few months that Stu Armstrong hasnt been starting, and we've only just forund out he's been carrying a knock for a long time. I'm pretty sure Jones is aware that the team and system worked really well midweek against City, and hasn't just decided to piss around for sh*ts and giggles.

Not that I'm aware of, that name doesn't ring a bell

50/1 in a 6 horse race sounds appealing.... but No

I usually get a glimpse of the new kits in late May / early June (6 weeks or so before the club announce them), so if I can I'll share some snippets, but not always easy for obvious reasons. Hopefully wont be as disappointed as the first sighting of the Red with White Sash for 20/21. I didnt think we would see worse... until this seasons kits came along 👇

I spoke to Darren Anderton once on a night out in Bournemouth. We would often see him out down here (during his Birmingham & Wolves days, before he signed for Bournemouth) and he said he would come back south to see family/friends, but couldn't drink in Southampton (as the locals see him as a Skate) and he couldn't drink in Portsmouth (as the locals see him as a Scummer - they knew he was a Saints fan). Thought it was quite funny at the time.

He has the grit/determination/organisation we are lacking for sure... but I really think our current squad of players could not be further from a Dyche team if it tried!? Lightweight, ball-players, lack of characters, etc. I'm just not sure that would work. We need a more dynamic Mikel Arteta/Ralph Hassenhutl type I reckon

Senior Director level, I can't say anymore, sorry. I thought it was just easy for us fans to make assumptions that didnt fit with reality, but I have it confirmed.

SR acknowledge internally now that they may have made a mistake in the Jones appointment. Players reporting back to SR that systems are too complicated and not suited, causing arguments within squad. Players/staff like Jones, but feel he is out of his depth. With each defeat the discontent is growing within the squad. I'm not sure what this means in the short term, but watch this space.

Haha, I happen to know for a FACT that the complete opposite of this is true. I'm not happy at all with how things are going (not that I blame Jones after 3 games with a team he inherited and no transfers in or out yet), but... that doesn't mean things like the above should be said with no truth. Yes it's early days, but I know for a fact that the players have really warmed to him so far and like him a lot (he's very likeable apparently and quite different to his onscreen persona), training has been 'fun again', things being freshened up has been really welcome after a long stale period, etc. Of course this could change if results continue to be poor, but he is very well liked (so far) within the squad and wider backroom. Horses Mouth x 2 = Senior Director & Sports Scientist.

Welcome to life as a Saints fan, Rasmus

Good player, drives forward, much needed energy injection.

I couldn't agree more, with every single word of that.

Seriously!? The bloke has had 2 league games, with a squad he inherited and no transfers in or out yet. And you are crowning him already as Branfoot v2! Wow.

I think we (and in particular JWP) are missing Romeu big time. We have no bite or aggression in the team anymore, and its so vital in the middle of the park. Brighton ran straight through our midfield so many times, it was a breeze for them. Romeu's presence and positioning also allowed JWP to get forward more, where I think he is far more effective. I dont think its a coincidence that JWP doesnt look the same player this season.

The Premier League is the pinnacle for any player or manager. There are only 20 managers jobs available to the millions of managers out there. We also paid our last manager handsomely.... So, I would like to think that we have had 100's of applicants since Ralph departed. Surely we haven't already made our minds up on Jones without speaking to him or others, so I would hope we will be interviewing many of the standout applicants over the coming days.

Yes I agree, we should be able to compete with the likes of Brighton, Palace, Fulham and Brentford... and we DO compete with them. In fact we finish above them more often than not and may again this season. Leeds and Forest are bigger clubs than us and I would imagine spend a lot more than us on wages for a start (we wouldnt be able to sign Jesse Lingard in a million years). I think our (first) ambition each season is just to stay up and I personally (*controversial opinion alert*) wouldnt mind if we did go down. I fell out of love with the over sanitised Premier League and all its wealth a long time ago, especially as the gap between the Big 6 (and now Newcastle) increases every season. I have followed Saints since the mid-80's and my most enjoyable years were 09/10 to 11/12 (and maybe a few of those early seasons in the Prem). Your ambition (like mine and most others) is to try and finish mid-table and have a cup run, and I dont think we have made a bad shot at that over the last 11 years and have done both on multiple occasions. But I dont think (or expect) it to happen most seasons. I'm completely at ease with the pecking order and how the Premier League works. I hate the big clubs and their plastic fans and their media love-in. I quite enjoy us being one of the smaller pluckier clubs, looking for ways to compete. But I accept that we are one of 5-10 smaller clubs who are fighting to stay up each year, with the odd bonus season thrown in. And if we go down I wouldnt really mind at all. What I cant get my head around is how people (not saying you @Turkish) believe that we should regularly be a Top-Half team and get annoyed when we arent, because based on finances, fanbase and stature (appeal to attract players) there is no way that's sustainable without more investment. Yes we get a lot of TV money, but so do the others. Anyway... back to Jones, and I feel very underwhelmed and hope we go down a different route. But we all felt the same with Strachan & Adkins (what the hell had they achieved!?) and they both worked out OK.