West end Saints

So, appealing to those who know more about the options and have been following our rumours more than me... Our priority target positions and possible solutions are A - a number 10, targets 1) russian 2) Azaz 3) Rudoni B - a winger, targets Fellows? - any others? Is that about where we are? Maybe back up keeper? Any more?

I accept a tackling attacking midfielder is unusual, but not knowing too much about these targets, from the little I know I would assume that the russian guy and Azaz are being looked at as replacements? And wouldn't be targets if we thought Fernandes is going to be in our starting 11 all season? I think both are probably too good not to be starting, and haven't seen suggestions for a starting 11 including them Plus MF, therefore I assumed he was off - if we are seriously after either of these two.

Grand Oldman general view seems to be we shit our pants and blinked first and they got a good deal

You accept he is well thought of a team significantly higher and better performing than us. But your main concern is that another team at a much higher level loaned him and didn't buy him. Sounds like an excellent signing for one of worst ever premier league sides trying to rebuild.

I read Still's comment about international players needing to play at a higher level to be referring to player we are trying to sign rather than retain, but it was ambiguous. Who would the Middlesbrough lad replace if we got him in our recent formations ? Fernandes?

I'm not convinced defensive midfield is a priority. 1) the two starters are plenty good enough 2) in this league we don't necessarily need two defensive midfielders 3) Sesay did well in preseason and is probably seen as good enough to cover, plus needs some opportunities 4) Edwards has played the at prior clubs and when on loan and has done well 5) we have other options for style / shape currently with Fernandes , Dibling, Smallbone, Aribo all able to play in a central combination (obviously most may leave)

I think the current team, if we have Fernandes and Dibling back commited is a very strong championship side and would rightly be one of favourites to get promoted. Bazunu Fraser / any combinations of CBs/ Manning Downes, Charles Fernandes Forwards from Dibling, Downs,Stewart, Archer, Armstrong, Robinson However, what will be key is who replaces the quality players from above who leave

I don't know much about Rudoni but is he competing with Shea? I see Shea as a clear first choice this season (more than FD). Is Spertsyan competing with Fernandes? If so, is there anyway we keep MF and spend on Spertsyan?

What does WS stay when he first sits down?

I'm surprised, given his potential, that a club like Man City or Chelsea don't sign him to stop their competitors getting him and loaning him back. Could be an easier sell to Saints and TB plus will have a player more ready to make an impact

Even at his age huge upgrade in Downes. Him alongside Shea Charles would be as good as seen at this level. (Can dream of MF in front!)

UK Company House CARNIVAL PLC Company number 04039524 CompanyOverviewfor CARNIVAL PLC (04039524) Filing historyfor CARNIVAL PLC (04039524) Peoplefor CARNIVAL PLC (04039524) Chargesfor CARNIVAL PLC (04039524) Morefor CARNIVAL PLC (04039524) Registered office address Carnival House, 100 Harbour Parade, Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom, SO15 1ST Also, 1,600 employees at their Southampton site - the biggest local company employer. Very much a Southampton company. On top of this tens of thousands of their customers visit Southampton each year. I don't know what you define local company as??!

No

That's not evidenced by results though - most managers who do well in championship do so with no experience in this league

If you watched the three play off games, the most important and highest pressure games at the level we are back at - you will have seen a very effective championship player. The most listened to championship podcast had him as the player of the play offs, so not just biased saints fans. He looked out of his depth on prem. I hope we are aiming for a better midfield so he is not a starter. However, to say he wasn't effective in our last championship season is wrong, he played well.

I personally think we will go on stronger. We all knew most of those players were leaving. The players we used most last time were KWP - will be missed Stephens, Smallbone, Bazunu, THB, Downes, Manning, Adam A, Aribo, Charles, Fraser. All still here. Bednarek gone but potentially improved upon. Charles looks a lot better. Plus good young depth a CB. Robinson. I think we will either have Fernandes or a replacement so stronger there. Che v Downs? Poss Dibling

Strange man! It's what close season football forums are for -speculation , guessing and discussion

Early predictions? Mine - Shea Charles (If Fernandes leaves)

Their view could be - we were promoted with these keepers, and a manager who took risks at the back / not great at organising a defence - with more protection and a couple of years older why couldn't he be part of a promotion side again? Not saying that's my view as clearly Ramsdale would hugely increase our chances

Of course I want Ramsdale to start and he was ok last season but I was disappointed in him. I've seen keepers make more of a difference to us over a season, handful of good games but also mixed with he didn't look top level

Would a midfield /attack of this go up? Downes Charles Fernandes Dibling (Armstrong) Downs (Stewart, Archer) Edozie (Fraser) With Bragg, Ballard, Robinson tried.

Last promotion team, based on most mins played was Manager RM (v Still) Bazunu Walker-peters (v Bednarek THB Manning stu (v Fernandes, ) Smallbone Downes Adam A Che (Downs, BreretonDiaz, Stewart, Fraser Plus Dibling, Shea Charles, Archer, Edwards, wood, Sugawara, wellington, Quarshie, Aribo, Edozie They have already said they want a creative midfielder. I would expect if Ramsdale, Dibling and Fernandes go significant money will be spent. I think we will be stronger

I guess THB being the most experienced of those at 23 is why we need JS

And yet over the final, hardest, highest pressure part of our promotion push last time in the league was superb. (2nd Tier podcast had him as the player of the play offs). Proven as decent in championship. Would rather Fernandes, and agree Smallbone was out of his depth this season, as was Downes and many more) but don't get this hate on him. Happy to have better but he just isn't as bad as some people love to post - in this division

Before social media you had racist old gits staring into their beer (red wine?) ranting about "them coming over here", they would generally be ignored as their bitter ignorance deserved, now they can form political parties appealing to the lowest common denominator. Sad.