Dan Johnson

In this Echo Article, it mentions he's about to announce his backroom staff "soon" I'd imagine that whoever it is, is already on the trip, they're just not being photographed. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/15401671.Van_Dijk_at_the_heart_of_Pellegrino_s_plans/?ref=mrb&lp=2

Probably better phrased as "The transfer window isnt supposed to be entertainment"

I wouldn't let us down in the effort department either, can i get a contract too?

Ostenstad

Completely agree with this, I don't see any reason to sign tons of players. Only Pickford & Keane are proven in the premier league, both for lower half teams as well with different pressure. There's no guarantee that the foreign players will come good, i'd much rather be starting the season with Lukaku and Barkley!

Completely agree with this, I don't see any reason to sign tons of players. Only Pickford & Keane are proven in the premier league, both for lower half teams as well with different pressure. There's no guarantee that the foreign players will come good, i'd much rather be starting the season with Lukaku and Barkley!

In 19 games after vvd got injuryed we kept seven clean sheets with that CB pairing. We conceded 30 goals, 5 of those in the game we handed to arsenal in the fa cup, 10 to utd, Chelsea and city combined. So in 15 games we kept 7 clean sheets and conceded 15 goals.... think that's pretty decent

Nope, I think it too. The problem being the "Benchmark" of a players ability seems to be his transfer fee. I can understand paying money for PROVEN players within the league. Teams like Liverpool, Man City tracking Bertrand and VVD makes sense to me as they've proven they're exceptional in the league. Foreign players, who have never played in the league are a risk regardless of the fee IMHO, there's no guarantee that a £30m CB will out perform a player from the academy. Look at Stephens, I thought he was excellent last season given his chance, before he played those games no one thought he was good enough and would have taken a foreign CB over him, i'd say he's almost good enough to start next to VVD every game next season...

Welcome Pellegrino

SImon Peach saying done deal, including quotes from Les Reed and Pellegrino in his tweets

There's reports this morning that Smalling would be available for 10m which I think is excellent value. Id be extremely happy with that bit of business

I rate Redmond, I call bull**** on that page though... He's above James Rodriguez Renato Sanchez Mesut Ozil Marek Hamsik Isco Thomas Muller Lacazette Mahrez

Absoultely this... NOTHING HAS HAPPENED!!! NOTHING, yet everyone is loosing their ****!

70.... SEVENTY million! https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/3698350/southampton-slap-huge-70m-price-tag-on-manchester-city-and-chelsea-target-virgil-van-dijk/

expecting departures after reading this, he's phrased it well but i'd say he's spoken with a with team mates who have perhaps expressed a desire to move on if the right club come looking. Unfortunately think we have to accept it, not sure what more the board can do. All the players have long contracts which protects us to a certain extent and ensures we get good value for the players. As long as we re-invest it all, then we can continue to improve the squad as a whole which hopefully means we will continue to be the "best of the rest"

Reporting we are after at least £50m. If day a bid that big would be hard to turn down. If expect him to leave if we had bids that big.

Jaap Stam would be my choice.

My player of the season

True, but Pied has two legs and can breathe, so he's half way to proving he's better than Cuco...

I think he struggled against Carroll but otherwise he has been superb. Completely agree with everything else you've said, i don't think there's much between Stones & Stephens other than game time! Coming into an era where decent english center backs are thin on the ground, I think we have a gem on our hands. A future england international.

Spot on!!! Ware-Prowse is making large strides in his progression, people forget he is just 22!!!! Younger than the "inexperienced" Jack Stephens. At 25-26 I think he'll be one of the best midfielders in the league.

Tottally agree! Think he has been excellent this season

Can't believe so many people would willing sell JWP!!! Think he's been one of our best players this year. Outs: Clasie Martina Gardos Jrod I'd then look at like for like replacements with the possibility of Gallagher filling JRODs spot as I'd feel comfortable with Austin (In the form before his injury), Gabbiadini (in current form) & Long (in current form) alongside Gallagher as our strikers. Big money should be spent on replacing Gardos & Clasie, if Caceres performs to his potential, then he could be an option to replace Gardos, possibly in addition to a new CB but I think Stephens has proved he is adequate as 4th choice at the very least. So top midfielder to replace Clasie would be my top priority.

I think that's selective, we don't actually know who is response or even involved (as i imagine it's a committee of people) signing players/allowing them to leave. Les is just the poster boy for that committee.. he's the Colonel Sanders to our KFC, his face is on the bucket but it doesn't mean he's cooking the chicken! I do agree with this, he's not unaccountable, we don't want to buy into the "Southampton way" to the point we're blinkered into making the wrong decision.

Hang on, under reed we also SIGNED Mopo, Koeman, Lovern, Clyne, Alderwireld, Mane, Pelle, Vic, VVD, Bertrand. If he's credited with letting them leave then lets also credit him with getting them into the club in the first place!