Shroppie

I'm 99% sure we're not looking for a backup RB. The pre-season has seen all sorts of experiments there - Stephens, JWP, McQueen, Reed. All of these will struggle to get a place in their normal position. My bet is Reed. He played there on loan. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I seem to recall seeing end of July somewhere. But I might have dreamed it. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

That's at least four different figures. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Now confirmed. Madness. Although I sometimes wonder whether there is an agreement between all parties to inflate a reported transfer fee. Doubt many Saints fans would be impressed by a £50m outlay on someone like Richarlison but amongst wannabe "big" clubs, it's all about how much you spend to demonstrate your credentials. Wouldn't mind betting plenty of Everton fans are getting themselves with excitement at beng told they're spending big, like their red neighbours. So the selling club make their fans happy saying they've received oodles for an average player. Buying club fans are happy with the demonstration of buying power. The player and agent can use it as a benchmark for the next move. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

This. Think the trolls are peaking too early. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

And have their full squad, plus the motivation of a PL scalp. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

But having Cedric, Yoshida and Bednarek back might. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Money doesn't automatically bring success. The team has to be built. Three first-choices are still missing, two playing their first game. Ridiculous to expect instant change. And I'd much rather we lose today and learn than win and start off the season full of complacency. These games are about trying things out, finding the best formation and personnel. If you look back, a pre-season full of big wins doesn't often lead to a good campaign. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Just proved two things in one sentence. Boufal did very little and JWP contributes far more than he's given credit for. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Agreed again. With Boufal gone, there isn't really anything to replace. He was totally absent for the last few games as we put together enough to stay up and the team looked better without him. It's a bit like Ramirez, but much worse. The feeling that he could do something was always there, but his application, effort and commitment were far too weak to make it happen. He obviously thought his one glory goal made him indispensable and a star, but that's useless when you're a passenger for 99% of the time. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Recovering that much would be a result. Let's just hope it works out and he isn't sent back after his first tantrum. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Agree with that. He won the Bournemouth game, and that was critical to us staying up. I'll accept he went off the boil under Pellegrino, but he wasn't the only one, and I'd say that was completely understandable when the motivation, tactics and man-management were so awful. His improvement under Hughes was significant and his delight at us staying up was obvious. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Yeah, right. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Why do you include Tadic? Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I think it more likely that we're still paying a big chunk of his wages. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

But true. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Don't agree with Tadic. He was critical to us staying up and looked a rejuvenated player. And I'm hoping Redmond will be good under Hughes. Agree with the others, though. I'd guess with Carrillo, Tadic and Boufal gone now, and Armstrong, Elyounoussi in, we've got room for one more AM / striker. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

And on a keeper who conceded seven against them over two legs. ? Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

"Hoping to return to PL" Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

His move to Hereford was very successful. He controlled the midfield in a team that rose from the old Div 4 to Div 2 (and played Saints in the league). And he did it to continue his career, not for money. I moved to Hereford at the same time as Terry Paine and he was a welcome link to Saints - really enjoyed watching him and the team whilst I could afford trips to Southampton. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I'm worried he's shrinking. Feel sure he was reported as 6'7" yesterday but only 6'6" today. At that rate, by the start of the season he'll only be 4'. That's useless for a CB. Disastrous signing. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

That's probably something like it. Think we'll probably rotate two from Romeu, Hojbjerg and Lemina, Redmond will still compete with Armstrong and it's my bet that Austin will get few starts - it'll be Gabbiadini. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

This Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Think he was carrying a knock. Didn't respond at all. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

And for all the Mancs screaming for Rashford instead if Sterling, I've got to admit Sterling, for all his frustrating tendencies, was way better. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk