OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

This is a really good question. Last time, did we think Downes and THB were going to be the lynchpins in the premier league? I think the powers that be were definitely expecting more from them in the premier league. This time around, the signing and rumours are around relatively young players again. Maybe we are simply looking for players to get us in to the premier league and once in, we will buy the experience.

Plymouth's ground capacity is tiny so they only gave us about 1,000 tickets. And while it isn't physically close, it's that perception of being on the south coast so easily reachable.

Enjoyed watching him as a Saint player and felt he was one of the few who could pick up the tempo in pretty lethargic sides. Judging by the way he was always having a chat with the opposition after every game, he probably knows where the opportunities are this coming season. Guessing it'll be a London or south coast club.

Membership is fine for all home games (a couple you may want to get in early) and that is what you buy membership for. It isn't so good for away games. I recall it wasn't just Brum, Leeds two years ago. Plymouth (understandably), Bristol City, Cardiff, Swansea and the London clubs (eg Watford, QPR) also didn't go on sale to membership.

I am off the pace. No wonder I had forgotten all about him! I just saw the word Southampton and didn't read the 'former' word before it!

Talking of which, I see BBC gossip says Sunderland are interested in Caleta-Car. Forgotten all about him. That's another off the payroll

CB, you're right. I'm writing nonsense. You know how sometimes you think something and in your head it becomes reality without it really happening? It's one of those. And Saints win the Championship next year...there I go again!!

And Lampard to Leicester is interesting. Didn't really rate him while managing Premier League clubs but it looks like he learned a lot and he did a good job at Coventry. Think he'll do well at Leicester too.

And next week the fixture list comes out (Thursday 26th June). Always a good day to examine those first few games and start thinking about which places to visit.

Sounds like a SR propaganda signing!

Our family always does the membership ticket. It used too be good for getting away tickets, but this year I found it more useful for booking home tickets. If you buy tickets when the window opens, there's always a choice for most areas of the ground.

As far as I'm concerned, if you're played centrally, then you're the target man.

In the words of Billy Connolly, "there is a difference between a little person and a dwarf ... one of them is a fucking dwarf ... and they both know which one it fucking is". AA is a dwarf! Only Saints could play him as a No9 target man. Apparently, he fancies himself in the centre forward role, but please no. That ship has sailed.

In an ideal world, we want a manager who gets us promoted and then stays with us and helps us build a competitive premier league team. These types of managers are rare, though I just get the feeling that Still is more of a longer term prospect than Rohl. The target has to be automatic promotion. Given just one of our £20m players costs more than some of the championship club's entire squads, we should be right in the mix. I like Still's talk. He seems to favour an aggressive, adaptive style and I am looking forward to the forthcoming season. Two years ago, it was different. Yes, the ride was entertaining but mainly because there was the Wembley experience and the West Brom games. Martin got lucky and his style was particularly dire. I remember going to Blackburn & Huddersfield and seeing such negative tactics and thinking what's going on, we should be beating these teams 4/5-0?

So talking about Ramsdale....wouldn't it be something if we could retain his services? He not only kept the score respectable on many occasions, didn't pull off a couple of great saves against Everton - a game we wouldn't have won without him. With add-ons, his purchase was apparently nearer £25m so any sale below that would represent a loss. And are we desperate to sell? He could be one of the spine to get the club promoted and next time keep us in the premier league. And that would solve the Baz problem - because let's face it, he is a problem!

I know too. I'm afraid Dibbers was grossly overhyped at the beginning of last season based on little more than a couple of runs at defenders and he's grossly overrated. Can't track back, can't hold up the ball, can't see a pass. A few months ago, I was laughed out of court when suggesting he was worth £20-25m rather than the £100m the club put on him, but any offers above £20m should merit serious consideration.

I think the standard of fitness among the elite is the highest ever but the football hasn't been all that imaginative. Too many managers stick to a system. Hopefully our WS will be different.

It does sound like we'll be doing our fishing in the Dutch/German leagues. While it's interesting to see such a fast centre back, I would ask whether Spors/Lederer/our other scouts have a) tabs on domestic talent and b) clout as to whether they can entice that talent to our club.

I agree. Initially, he was playing like he'd won a competition to be in a team. It does look like he has something but he really does need to bulk up. There's no excuse when you're doing this at a full time job not to spend time in the gym and add some muscle. You look at the Palace strike force, for instance, and they all look like units - and they're fast.

Good point. He not going to turn in to a Usain Bolt, but he can certainly bulk up and be stronger in challenges. Not only was the way he feebly tried to tackle Oudegaard bordering on criminal, moments later he inexplicably passed to one of their players in their penalty area creating a counter-attack. There were a couple of other really poor passes when under no pressure whatsoever. This must rank as the worst cameo of the season. Total embarrassment.

Rumour has it Will saw the starting line-up and has been spotted leaving the ground!

What will you do? He's just told you, Turkish. He's going to get a straw and break a camel's back! Must say, Cleverley does sound inexperienced.

So true. It would also be interesting to work out how much a city like Southampton loses out by the club dropping down a division. 11 out of the current premier league have betting companies sponsoring their shirts. Football and betting have become synonymous. I'm more concerned with clubs having no affinity with the fans which is why I liked Ralph so much. Got the impression he cared about the club.

It is what a lot of premier league clubs want and it wouldn't surprise me if it happens. Too many clubs want to protect their investments and what better way than to stop promotion and relegation.

Appreciate you've got to be arrogant and thick-skinned to be a manager...but I think he's just thick. There's so much he could have done differently to have given us a fighting chance. Genuinely think he's the worst of our last four managers.