CSA96

Dragan Solak speaking to Adam Blackmore today: We are not in the Premier League, where we hoped to be. But we still have done absolutely great work this season to show that we are ready to play top level football. I hope that we can pick up from there and continue this next season. When I think about everything, I'll use a very simple parallel: I think about my family. I love Southampton and as long as I am at the helm, I consider Southampton to be my family. If your family, your son or daughter, they do something wrong, I would never try to help them to get away with it. But if they are willing to accept that they did do something wrong, if they paid their price, then what else can you do? It's still your family and you're not going to disregard that you have a son or a daughter because they made a mistake and did something really wrong in their life. We accept that we did wrong. We will learn from this, we will make sure that we never, ever again repeat that. But after that, we accept it and we move on. Obviously now, I am going to do everything I possibly can to repair and make the damage less and to try to even build on this so that we emerge as a better, stronger and more respectful club.

Available now

I think for some months now it's been reported that Ross wanted a 2yr deal, but Saints wanted a 1yr renewal. Sounds like they hit an impasse and Saints were planning to just use the 1yr option to keep hold of him. And now it's tied up in legal stuff We might have to go back to the negotiating table and flex our stance a bit if we really want to keep him (or maybe he will do some flexing too)

Dragan Šolak on Ross Stewart's future: “We had to initiate the [one year] option up to five days after the last game of the season, and we were out of the five days when our final got cancelled. "When we knew there was no last game, we immediately sent the notice of the extension, but his lawyers say that they're disagreeing with us. "Ultimately, it's on Ross and his team to basically decide whether they want to stay or not. In my opinion, nobody would be better for Ross than us. "We worked hard to allow him physically to show how good he is. He went from a guy who didn't play for two years to be invited to the World Cup team. "I'm really proud of that. If he wants to try his luck somewhere else, I can't stop him, but I would love to have him back. We have made an effort to keep him."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0nqcflb https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/26170108.southampton-owner-solak-opens-spygate-transfers-finances/?ref=twtrec

BBC confirming the fee to get Larin from Mallorca was £2.5m

Cyle Larin on Tonda Eckert: "I came to Southampton and I trusted the coach, he brought me and gave me that trust to go play free and I think he gave the whole team a structure to play free and trust each other.” “Southampton is a big club and, for me, a Premier League club but before coming when watching the games and the style of play when Tonda came, and speaking to him before I came, was an important decision. “He gave me that trust to be able to go on the field and, first of all, know I'm going to play games and play minutes and do what I do, score goals and just help the team and build up, hold the ball, and all these things that I knew I could do. “That was important and I think he was a big part of the team doing so well. You could see he brought a group of guys together and was able to perform at a high level each and every game.”

£10m spent on securing Peretz and Larin, just a couple of days after Solak went on the club channels and publicly promised to keep backing the club and put a team together that can go for automatic promotion. Fair fucks

Saints sign Cyle Larin to two-year deal: https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/saints-confirm-permanent-cyle-larin-signing

Saints sign Larin on 2yr deal

He's coming back

Peretz is only 25 as well. Nice to have a proper good goalkeeper for the level we're at, but also one who probably hasn't peaked yet and has the chance to grow with the club and be our #1 for many years now

Sky Sports in Germany reporting done deal and announcement imminent. Fee of approx £6.5m to £7m

We can give him the proper transfer window treatment by wheeling out a YouTube video of some of his best moments in goal this year

P&O have confirmed they will continue as the principal sponsor of Saints next season. Full statement from P&O Cruises: “P&O Cruises is deeply rooted in Southampton, our home port city and its community. We recognise both the challenges and the triumphs that have defined its football club in recent weeks. "Throughout this period, the team, at the most senior level, has openly acknowledged these issues and expressed sincere apologies."We believe that facing adversity with honesty and integrity is the mark of true sportsmanship and it is important to us to continue showing steadfast support for the Saints during this pivotal time. “Our partnership has always been more than just a logo on a shirt; it is a symbol of our continued commitment to the people of Southampton and to fostering positive change both on and off the pitch. Next season this will be even more important. “We are especially proud to continue our support of the women’s and youth teams and also Saints Foundation, whose invaluable work uplifts and empowers individuals across our local community."Together, we will champion initiatives that promote inclusion, brighter futures, wellbeing and opportunities. “We look forward to an exciting season ahead, standing shoulder to shoulder with Southampton FC and its passionate supporters. "United by our shared values and dedication to our home city, we are confident that together the Club can make a meaningful difference and inspire pride once again.”

One I saw online earlier, to the tune of Waka Waka: Tsa mina mina, eh eh Waka waka, eh eh Minus four who gives a fuck The Saints are going up

Full segment from Simon Jordan on Eckert keeping his job:

From talkSPORT just now with Jim White and Simon Jordan... White: Would you have sacked him, Simon? Jordan: Would I have sacked him? They've been sanctioned. The manager can clearly manage, what are they supposed to do, double whammy yourself now? What's the point in falling upon your sword now? They've been sanctioned. If there was a trade off to be had with the EFL of 'if I sack my manager, do I keep my place in the playoff final?' then maybe. But otherwise it's like being at the side of the road getting a speeding ticket and the copper asks you to now kiss his backside for five minutes. Well no. I'll kiss your backside if you're gonna let me off the speeding ticket but if you're still going to give me the ticket then just give me the bloody ticket and let me get on with my business.

I have felt like Saints are laying the groundwork for keeping Eckert so long as there was no proof of any actual bullying and/or a substantial FA ban. Obviously no way of knowing what will happen with the FA as they're hard to predict, but having read those 39 pages I don't think there's any evidence of TE bullying the interns within the scope of the report which would warrant a dismissal