OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

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.

That's so true. The best players, as they're receiving a pass, are looking up for opportunities. Not our Jack. First he has to focus on receiving the ball before it bounces off his shin and that takes time. By then, players are on him so he's either knocking it sideways hoping his other centre back with collect or hoofing it back to the goalie at varying speeds. Disappointed he's our captain again. Hopefully someone else in the team can prove to be worthy of taking on the armband which will make Jack's place in the team even less tenable.

Should have been sidelined last year after his sending offs and actually quite irritated that management think he has something to offer the club. Similarly, think SR believe they have delivered in providing a striker with Downes and he took his opportunity well which is promising. Robinson continues to impress, predicting Shea will be one of our best players this year. Fraser and BBD need to be consigned to the scrapheap.

I don't think we take pre-season seriously enough. If you go back over the years and analyse our first 10 league games, I'm sure more often than not we're slow out of the starting blocks and then playing catch-up. Get the lads match fit, make them challenge every ball.

Sorry, Trousers, I'm not one of the ITK people. It's just a strong hunch. He's a young lad who didn't have the best season in the premier league, but is solid in what he does and has something to prove - and gives off the vibe that he's passionate and gives a shit about the club so will want to stay.

It's enjoyable reading the sleuths at work: So and so is on the plane, a good sign. So and so is not on the plane. Is it a double bluff to enhance our negotiating hand or is he really injured? Frankly, with the transfer window not shut until September, it's highly likely that a few of the players that start against Wrexham will be gone a few weeks later. What is apparent is that we're not in any rush to buy new players. And THB will be wearing a Saints shirt this season and he will come good.

Sunderland have spent £120m on new players this year. Most of them are Africans. Do Sunderland know AFCON takes place later this year?

We often hear people say these pre-season friendlies don't count for much, but I think it's great to build up a pre-season winning mentality. Didn't watch the game and only reading the comments on this website but it sounds like BBD, Fraser, Smallbone, AA had predictable mares and if you can't make an impact against Eastleigh surely this shows these players have had enough chances and more opportunities should be given to the likes of Robinson.

This raises an interesting point. I can see Jack being our team captain this season because of his seniority in the side, he can bellow orders and he wears his colours on his sleeve - but that really is a retro step. So who can take over? I too want THB to step up this year but surely he's too young for captain.

Get the impression the club wants to be a selling club that does enough to stay in the premier league. Like you've shown, the deals on the youngsters are good, but how much are the TV rights worth to even the bottom clubs in the premier league (£80m?). And we've had two relegations.

Here's hoping they release more that the 972 allocation mentioned above. It is a Hampton Derby and the home crowd may want to come out to see us - but it is also a midweek game so hopeful they'll give us the 2,000 tickets some are mentioning.