Jeremy Corbyn

Personally I see Rayner as an asset to Labour as 1. Her backstory is powerful, it's genuinely very impressive what she's achieved, 2. She's a scrapper - Prescott like - that's not a bad thing alongside the relative blandness of Starmer.

Only way we would have done is if Man City whispered in his ear about returning the following summer and to just do another year here. But otherwise agree, easily a champions league squad player.

I'm inclined to agree. I think she was effective when Labour were fighting back as she's sincere and regionally optimal, but Labour are now the leadership in waiting so need their front bench to all be heavyweights - which she's not.

Looks like a good signing for the championship. Looks like a right back though, not the highest priority.

Feels like someone's snapped - probably with drugs involved. As said, the time of night suggests that rather than terrorism.

If we start next season with attacking midfield trio of Sulemana, Alcaraz and Tella it would be bonkers.

I agree. Sometimes I get frustrated with his "limitations", but then I see enough to know he's an excellent footballer being mis-managed. Could do well at a mid-table club or abroad.

Fee seems a bit low as he's shown his quality and he's in the Germany squad. That said, a lower fee but a healthy sell on could make a lot of sense, if he fullfills his potentially he could see for big money one day.

Wasn't Clasie a smoker and couldn't last the full 90 minutes? He's just not a premier league "type" of player - he's technical strong but slow. Surprised it didn't go better under Puel though as that was his type of football.

If he's going to leave Southampton at all, I assume it's because we wants to win something/get more England caps - neither of those things leng themselves to him coming back at any point.

He and ABK could have been something special in different circumstances, talented and complimentary.

Much like everyone, obviously haven't wanted us to go down and really wanted it to click, but ultimatly most of the last 6 years have been pretty dreadful so will be nice to (hopefully) be in a relatively strong position in a lower division. Looking forward to scoring some goals and winning some games. 2005 hurt a lot more, but a lot of that was because it was the last game of the season and we were staying up at half time (I think). We really gave it a go in that scrap and was a bit of a shock when we didn't survive.

Easy on the critisms, he might see this and be deterred from partnering Tall Paul up front next season.

tbf, Kelvin was great for us in the promotion seasons but absolutley abysmal once we got back to the prem - even worse than Baz.

I was a teenager in 2005 so remember it well. It was painful, but it was at least exciting, we had a decent attack and a hilarious defence. With a bit of luck we could have stayed up. This season is just miserable and it's felt since pretty early on that we would be in trouble. The fact we haven't won back to back games means there hasn't been any real moments of optimism.

In terms of the 3 biggest footballing mistakes made by the club (leadership aside): 1. Having the worst run of managers in the league 2. Sadly, Bazanu 3. Failure to sign a striker in the summer

This. I'm slightly concerned that we seem to be targetting players who "excel at youth level" rather than "have the potential to excel at senior level". If you develop more quickly it might give you a short term advantage but it will fade pretty quickly.

Djenepo could shine in the championship - I think that style of player (tricky) rarely works in the premier league as defenders are too good/fast. Hopefully would have more luck in a lower division.

Thus is what's so hilarious/depressing, safety really shouldn't have been that hard this season.

Jones was a turd but at least he tried to break us out of our long running funk. Selles essentially trying to install as much impotence in to the team as possible is just so depressing.

Very different experiences - 2005 was a team that had just sort of broken down with key players like Svensson and Niemi getting injured or losing form. Much preferred that 2005 team though, at least they had a bit about them and scored quite a few goals. Niemi KWP ABK Claus Perraud Prutton Lavia JWP Phillips Crouch Camara For me (Prutton was excellent before his moment)

I'm looking forward to it - it has to be more enjoyable than this (and most of the last 7 years).

So, Benjamin Mendy eh?

Not if it's been mentioned, but is there any chance signing Obafemi was a covert move to make Tella want to stay? They're clear good mates.

I think I just physically shuddered reading that list.