OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

So does that mean he won't be playing against us on Sunday? Starting to think that it would be good if Tyler Dibling doesn't sign for anyone else because he'll then have the opportunity to show us his real potential...because we need a winger.

Towards the end of the game, it was quite telling when Diaz was evidently flagging, the announcer said "And coming off for Southampton, Brereton Diaz" and the crowd went "Hooray".....followed by "And coming on for Southampton, Adam Armstrong"....and the crowd went "Oohhh"...

He doesn't seem to want to go for a back 4 but we are being outdone in midfield which is a concern. Yes he has got choices for advanced wide players though I think it's time to leave Armstrong out of the reckoning. Robinson doesn't seem to have much control of the ball, but I like his busy body work rate and Fraser is very versatile. Somehow, I get the impression the Championship this time around is weaker than two years ago. Ipswich put out their strong team against Bromley so I'm hoping we can come away with a point or three on Sunday.

He's gone 5 at the back twice now and I'd like him to have 3 in midfield. Especially as yesterday Matsuki looked pretty accomplished in midfield without doing anything spectacular. Think it's refreshing to have a manager who talks a lot of sense and who's not an arrogant, plant-eating knob, mad or clueless. Just hope he doesn't call it quits now he's got a 100% record.

Exactly. And in the first half hour at Northampton, he didn't seem to win any high balls and seemed ineffectual. Cam Archer had a lot more about him.

Really don't think so, Lighthouse. Appalling one footed player and irritating that he's so unfit. He was the one player blowing out of his arse yesterday. Also, didn't really see the Downs miss because it was at the other end, but on replays it looks awful. What is of concern it WS's tactics of playing 5 at the back. The midfield looks overwhelmed and the concern is that our midfielders (Charles, Downes) are good players. We need to play 4-3-3. I think when you're at a match, you can get the overall picture that TV cameras can't emulate, and what I was seeing was their front line receiving the ball and passing back to a midfielder running on to the ball in a dangerous position with lots of space to do what they wanted.

Not sure about Downs. While Stewart seems to have beefed up a bit over the summer, Downs seems a lightweight. Yes he might have been pushed but a more determined person would have still got a foot on that ball. And a few minutes before, Stewart lobbed one up which Downs could have tried to header but he saw the keeper coming and ducked out of the header.

When you think that the lowest premier league team received £110m in broadcasting rights last year and the first year parachute payment is 55% (ie approx £60m), that's money that teams like Oxford can only dream of. Appreciate Luton have shown parachute payments aren't a guarantee to being there or there abouts, but that gap is getting wider every year.

I thought that odd too. Where are the goals going to come from this season? Can't rely on free kicks and corners/long throws all the time. We need a big man in the middle to challenge for crosses and someone (wee-man?) to run off them. But when they did come on, Downes and Archer were pretty ineffectual and only Stewart seemed to create some space, get in to the right position and receive the ball in a threatening area...so he'd be my choice. I'm going and don't want to see our 'C' team in action. Really don't see the need to change Baz in goal but Still almost certainly will. If Edwards is going to be in central defence, he certainly needs more practice. Also like to see Matsuki in action. But I would rest F.Downes. He is going to be instrumental for us this year.

And when they had their penalty, I said to my son, they'll have done their homework and his weak side is his left, so he should dive to his left - and he would probably have saved that penalty too! Ball distribution again good and he's now got choices to play it long or short. And it's one thing to do a confidence making save, it's another to do one that saves us the game and from there we get three points. Thanks Baz!

Two seasons ago, the likes of JWP and Tella were still played in the opening games even though they were leaving the club. Pleased that this three are left out. Build a team and player rapport with the players that are going to stay.

As you say early days, but nothing here to worry about. No composure from either strike force.

What's that at the top of the screen? Restricted view in the living room!

Yeah, yeah...and we can remember that on off Chelsea move too. Changing the subject, think we're incredibly light in midfield. Think we're banking on Downes playing a full season and Shea Charles coming good. But what else have we got? Fernandes (for how much longer?), some kid from the academy and Aribo and Smallbone. Yikes.

Seem to remember these motivational speeches were at their most prolific when we went on that unbeaten run two years ago. Maybe the players were given them in their pre-match briefings 👋

Yes, hoping Leicester are going to get a 31 point deduction isn't going to happen. I'm guessing a 5point, 10point at worse rap will be all they'll get. But would you really want a Notts Forest type owner in charge of Southampton? Forgetting his off pitch reputation, the way Gibbs-White has signed up to stay at Forest has a resemblance to the way Gerrard never left Liverpool.

Totally agree. If Dewksbury-Hall is £28m, who frankly was the best player I saw the last time we were in the Championship and had a reasonable time at Spurs, then we should be biting Everton's arm off for their offer. And it's appreciated we're not comparing like with like, but £35m for Dibbers. C'mon Saints, sell the kid. And what's weird is we're playing hardball with Dibling but do we have a lack of funds this year? Is that why we're not buying many players? Sell him and buy, Saints. You know it makes sense.

The more I look at it, the more I think it's the midfield that is a big concern. Fernandes could well be off. Downes has too much of a liking for raw chicken and is often off sick/injured. Charles will be great this year but he could pick up too many yellow cardsget injured...and then what have we got? Smallbone, Aribo (who could be off) and a five foot midget who could turn out to be anything. And if they put wee man in midfield for a friendly that really does show a lack of depth in this area.

Yes, it all points to him going there - and frankly that's not much of a loss. Matty Fernandes on the other hand....

It should dwarf many, but there are quite a few clubs who could stake a claim to promotion this year. For instance, the value of Birmingham's incomings this summer already surpasses £50m. They'll be difficult.

Too true. Actually have a feeling Archer will come on a lot this year. Charles was already showing his potential at Sheff Wed.

Our last Championship start was unsettled but we got off to a flyer by beating Sheff Wed, Plymouth, QPR and a.n.other in August. If memory serves right, JWP and Tella played in early games before being sold on, so like you say, there's also a lot of business to be done this season and we could even see Fernandes, Dibling et al play a couple of games for us.

Been reading about what a basket case Sheff Wed have turned in to. Only 4 out of the top 15 that played for them last year are still on their books, they're not allowed to sign anyone for three transfer windows, Danny has done a runner, and their main stand (ironically named after the owner) has been deemed unsafe. Two seasons ago their was one guy intent on showing us his belly every 5 minutes...where's he going to go? And when Chansiri sells Hillsborough to himself you know it's all gone tits up. Wonder if their 'customers' will migrate to Sheff Utd!

Unfortunately, I'm not so sure it is contingent on us signing someone else. I can see Baz between the sticks this season.

Agreed. He was part of our downfall.