St Louis

Definitely leaving Arsenal, and happy to stay with Saints if offered the chance. These words mean little until we know what division we are in and what other clubs want him. I would 100% keep him if we are in The Championship, and probably keep 'if' (big if) we stay in The Premier League, as he's a versatile squad player.

Yeah, 15 more points should be more than enough 😆

We won’t have much of the ball, so hoping to hit them on the break with some pace I guess.

I think DCC has looked the poorest of the lot this season (the Marseille fans were pleased to see the back of him too) and whilst Salisu looks a good prospect, he is still so raw and makes too many mistakes, doesnt cut out crosses, etc. So I also worry about the prospect of those two together (as a partnership). Bednarek (for all his faults) is definitely the more experienced CB that we've been missing for most of the season, I dont think its a coincidence that we started to keep clean sheets when he returned. Not the best player in the world and we can/will improve in future I'm sure, but right now he gives us the leadership the back line has missed all season. It's a real shame we are going to have to start mixing it up again, as the partnership with Bednarek/ABK was developing by the game, and we were starting to look more solid.

Nope... https://veho-world.com/en-eu/

I've usually seen the shirts by now (or at least the official concepts) but nothing yet this year either. My logical guess is that we will go back to stripes, as we've had a break and the club (obviously) know that is our more traditional strip (and it sells). Commercially they like to mix it up to generate 'new' sales with the more unusual/quirky shirts, as if we had stripes each year, people will often stick with their stripes from a previous season, so overall sales are down. I believe this seasons shirt sales have been a disaster. Very bad Home & Away shirts (Marmite), combined with a dreadful season and hard economic times, have resulted in the worst sales in a long time, hence the club starting to reduce them in Feb!

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