Shroppie

I'd like to think so, but get the feeling he's so at odds with Ralph's thinking it's not going to happen. My own opinion is that Lemina thought Saints would be a quick easy step Mané-style to a lucrative contract at a top club. Probably encouraged by an agent. He's got an over-inflated view of himself and only cares about himself, not Saints. He'll be out on loan again. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

Yes. Both Semmens and Steele impressed everyone. Clear thinking and vision and we felt we got honest answers. They were very pleased to know we like and back Ralph. They see the biggest challenge is to get back to being the solid mid-table or above club we were in the days of Poch and Koeman. Then the pressure is off, there's more time for clearer planning and we're looking up, ready to take the chance on Euro qualification. We're never going to be one of the big boys, but can aspire to being like Leicester - still hopefully a club with a local fanbase and run sustainably - but good enough to be a threat if the top teams slip up. The bar is set at 14th in the table. Once you're below that, and particularly down the bottom, advance planning goes because until there's certainty over PL status you can't plan or commit anything. It was suggested that the last two seasons planning for the summer and next season simply couldn't start before May, but this year it's been underway since the January window closed. When we "met" we invited MS and TS to ask us questions. They asked if we wanted a multi-billionaire to buy the club and turn us into a Man City, "buying" the title. Rightly or wrongly, we said no. And where does the team need strengthening - mainly defence, especially RB. That was agreed. We discussed how a fully committed and consistent Lemina could be like a new player. We also bemoaned the loss of Flybe flights on Saturdays from Manchester to Southampton (we're Northern based). Tongue-in-cheek it was suggested that if we could sort Lemina out, the club might buy us an airline! Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

That's all interesting and I'd guess there's a good deal truth in it. I've been lucky enough recently to have been in a small group conversation with Martin Semmens and Toby Steele and, in the light of their comments, I'll comment on each of your headings. No idea whether we were hoping to get someone in during January, but I'd guess they would have gone for the right RB if one had been available. But the good run over Christmas took the pressure off and they were already thinking ahead to the summer rather than urgent buys in Jan. The club It's pretty obvious things have gone wrong, especially with recruitment but I'm hopeful the new team are straightening things out. But past mistakes are costing. We have to clear out bad buys (almost impossible) and get the club structure right again. Leicester This was clearly seen as a critical moment. I know Ralph had long discussions after the game with Martin Semmens, who I think persuaded him to stay. To me this was the moment Ralph went back to first principles and realised how far away he was from the philosophy he really believed in. He'd lost Danny Rohl and I'm convinced that was a huge blow. But he made big changes and effected a real turnaround. Interestingly, neither MS nor TS consider the Leicester game their worst Saints moment. Ralph I think he'll stay for the time being. Moving doesn't make much sense. He won't get a top European club and his prospects of being successful by improving Saints are better than taking on a "big" club where Euro qualification and titles are the criteria for success. Hopefully, when he does go, it'll be because he's made an impact and made Saints a top 8 club again. Agreed that he needs a good #2. The players Not got much insight but I'd guess Ralph is working towards a kernel of players who buy into what he's doing. I'd agree the signs are there are still some who don't fit. I know Lemina is one. No idea on the kit Gao I think I believe he's not actively trying to sell, but I'd guess would do so for the right price. He hasn't got money to invest but isn't draining the club and better to get sustainable without needing big cash injections. Interestingly, it's appreciated that he doesn't interfere with day-to-day running. Yes, I'm nervous about Lander Sports and I don't think we're about to get any clarification. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

I wouldn't believe everything you're told. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

I don't get the impression Gao is going anywhere. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

I get that impression. But no-one has really seen him play. Suggestions that there's a shortlist of about 16 which may well include him. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

I have it on good authority that Saints are expecting a difficult and probably quiet window. Priority is obviously a RB. Of the players out on loan, they expect it to be hard to move any on, especially post Covid. Forster could still have a role. Lemina frustrates as his ability is recognised but his attitude, workrate and consistency don't fit with Ralph's philosophy. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

Was today rather than last week and was excellent. Really good insight into the workings of the club, where they are now and their ambition. They follow social media and rumours are at least 95% wrong. Surprise. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

Just to confirm. No staff were furloughed. It might have been a possibility if players hadn't deferred wages. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

I just find it strange that the club have insisted they have not furloughed anyone and the supposed furloughing hasn't been reported anywhere else, which is very odd as it would have been newsworthy. The news item from Wednesday also supposedly suggests that it was the prospect of furloughing that persuaded players to defer wages, not that any decision was reversed. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

Yes. Had the call a couple of days ago. I'm fine, but it's good to see Saints doing this. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

Not sure whether it's just misinformed or malicious, but certainly wrong. I was fairly sure this was the case but was waiting for confirmation from a senior person at the club which I was going to get this Saturday. But no need now. The club have acted with great integrity, been very clear about it and given a lead to the rest of the PL. Well done. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

The club have now put out a statement confirming what I was told. No staff have been or will be furloughed, at least not before June 30. Sorry, wild-saint. Your information was wrong. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

PM in hospital. Not good if symptoms aren't receding after a week. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

I see Rooney's now gone on the offensive on behalf of the poor bullied PL footballers. So unfair to ask them to take a pay cut. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

That directly contradicts information I had from the club earlier this week, unless something has changed. I will have the opportunity to get a definitive answer next week. "Southampton’s players, management team and wider staff continue to be paid in full as the club await the outcome of the Premier League’s video conference between stakeholders on Friday before taking any possible action. The club’s pool of hundreds of casual matchday staff are yet to be affected by the shutdown owing to an absence of home matches in recent weeks, and most full-time employees are working remotely." That was Thursday. It's possible the situation changed after the PL meeting. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

[emoji122][emoji122][emoji122][emoji122][emoji122][emoji122]Well said. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

It's my understanding, thank goodness, that Saints won't be furloughing staff or taking government grants. I think that, compared with other clubs, their behaviour is commendable. But my blood is also boiling over the PFA stance. The £200m lost is taxes is totally spurious as that's a figure for a whole year assuming players don't subscribe to tax reduction schemes. As it probably wouldn't extend beyond say 4 months the real figure is probably less than £50m. And that shortfall could be easily be covered with an agreement that half of the wage reduction had to be gifted to the NHS with the other half retained by clubs to pay non-playing staff, avoid government grants and support the community. Club still wins. But no, the overriding principles are greed and self-interest. Desperately important to keep the millions flowing into players' (and agents') pockets. Anything to stop the bubble bursting. Power is everything and way too much power lies with the PFA and players. It's hard to see how it can happen, but I am disgusted and really want to see a massive wave of public (including supporter) anger against the PFA. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

I could agree with you there, maybe. But still makes the story rubbish. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

But who picked up this innocent Instagram exchange and made a story of it? Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

I would think most likely an agent asking Valery whether he'd like to see Konate at Saints and then building a story round his answer. I've no idea whether he's worth that much but there's no way Saints will throw even half as much at yet another CB until we've offloaded a few. That's if there actually is a transfer window at all. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

I really can't believe that gibberish like this is still being thrown out. Assume it's an agent who hasn't woken up to the fact that the gravy train is about to dry up. Utterly stupid on so many levels. https://beta.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/04/03/do-you-need-to-southampton-star-asks-45m-star-to-sign-for-the-sa/?amp Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

Finances beginning to unravel in France with Canal refusing to pay the next TV rights instalment. Citing force majeur. Assume this will drive clubs to withhold payments to players. Then the fun starts. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

Going fairly slowly at the moment, to be honest. [emoji3525][emoji3525] Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

Eleven years ago on this day Saints went into administration with the prospect of relegation, points deduction and the possibility of being wound up unless a buyer could he found in six weeks. Whatever the moans are today, things will hopefully never be that black again. I can remember talking in some despair to a friend and will always remember his reply. "Things could be worse. At least you're not Pompey." Every cloud. Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk