BallBoy

I posted a couple of days ago that, based on what little we know, I thought Koeman was likely to be our new manager. Can someone tell me at what point on this lengthy thread it became a certainty?

The way I see it. Some things we know or think we know from credible sources. 1) Koeman wants to manage in the Premiership 2) He is available. 3) We are the top Premiership club looking for a manager. 4) He was one of the first to be interviewed. 5) He returned for a 2nd interview. 6) He is on holiday until until Sunday. 7) Les Read says the announcement is imminent with just paperwork to be done. Lots of details in contracts these days. Join the dots.

I suspect that the deliberate delay theory may be correct. Having said that we will not consider further negotiations until the new manager is in, it then makes sense to delay the appointment until after the World Cup has started. This enables the club to keep a steady course and allows the new manager time to assess his options. Maybe there is a master plan after all.

This one has come right out of nowhere. Even the press did not see this coming. I certainly didn't. Rickie was one of the few players I thought was going nowhere. He is a fantastic footballer and human being. A true talisman. If this happens then I will miss him terribly but I just CANNOT begrudge it to him. His is a true Roy of the Rovers story and nobody deserves a final pay day and dream move more than he does. The issue for Saints is just having a plan B. He is currently indispensable so there has to be a viable plan to obtain a new forward line. Good luck to him but please let it be a progressive move. I don't think his body can take playing every game any more. This could be a great piece of business or a terrible one depending on what comes after.

I do agree that it is very difficult to get the balance of any statement correct whilst negotiations are still continuing. However I do think that the players and, to a lesser extent, the fans need some reassurance and sense of direction. I would suggest something along these lines: "Southampton Football Club are disappointed that our present manager is currently in talks with another club. We wish to place on record that, if necessary, the club will act with urgency to rectify the situation and that no player transactions will be considered until a new manager is in place. We will take all necessary steps to ensure the Southampton Football Club enter the 2014/2015 season from a position of strength and ready to move forward." Not perfect but I really do think the silence is disconcerting.

For a little while I began to believe that he might stay but it is now clear that, even in the unlikely eventuality that he does, his heart is no longer with us. The board have been unimpressively silent. They now need to take a firm line and make it clear that nobody else leaves until a new manager is appointed and then GET ON WITH IT. Speed is of the essence or we end up with turmoil throughout the close season period with no chance of hitting the ground running again. The players and the fans want leadership.

No brainer for me. Llalana v Hull. Should be goal of the season for the country let alone Saints. One of the best I have ever seen and unique.

My usual position is that we need to keep our players if we intend to progress. Players such as Bale, Walcott, Shearer and Oxlade-Chamberlain are pretty much irreplaceable regardless of how much is paid. This may be the exception if the £30million figure is correct. (a big if) We are unlikely to be able to get a better left back than Shaw but that sort of money could help us in more important parts of the pitch. We desperately need forwards and cover in various other positions. That money could go a long way. If Shaw were the only one to go and the money effectively re-invested in the team then I could live with that. I would much rather keep him and still invest £30million but that is probably hugely optimistic.

It's not hatred, it's just good old football rivalry. It happens everywhere. Liverpool/Everton, Celtic/Rangers, City/United, Cardiff/Swansea, Real/Athletico, Spurs/Arsenal. I have always said that I am happy for Pompey to do well as long as they stay where they belong - below us. I cannot help but quietly enjoy their current status. I try to be magnaminous to my pompey mates but cannot help dropping the odd comparison into the conversation. The trouble at the moment is that it's just too easy. Innocent questions like "who are you playing this week?", "who was that who got sent off?" or "good luck for the weekend" take on a whole new meaning.

Really sorry to say this but, if JRod misses the rest of the season, as seems likely, then he will miss the World Cup. At best he will be recovering fitness. Hodgson will not risk this on an untried player. I am gutted for him. He is an honest, unassuming lad who was playing his best football ever. On a personal level, I share his pain.

I have just had a rant at my wife who knows nothing about football. She thinks MP should be sacked but that would be to ignore all the good that he has done. I havn't felt as angry about a team selection before as this one. It was a good team but it should have been our best. we had a great chance to make the quarter finals with all the excitement that brings. MP threw this game and I am furious. It has been a great season but this has put a massive dampener on it.

I am angry about this. We have never got into this game. I know it is not over yet but we have basically thrown this game with the team selection.

Agree with most posters. This is disappointing. If they can be on the bench then they can start in my opinion. Massive gamble when fans are looking to this to define our season.

I am exhausted but buzzing. A fabulous game of football to watch. Would have loved a win and we deserved it but, on our day, we can match the best teams in the league. There were no poor (or even average) performances tonight. Special mentions for Shaw, Cork and Maya but, for me, Morgan was at his imperious best. It is easy to forget just how good he because he is not flamboyant but he makes the game look easy and was easily the best midfielder on the park tonight. Great game.

I really don't think Pochettino would go. Remember that he had been observing Saints for several weeks or even months before he came here. He is not an impulsive man (except when he is tackling Michal Owen).

It's difficult to watch the game except with a Saints focus. The reality is that not one England player had a good game. They all found it very difficult. I thought Adam had more good touches than most. Probably the best of the new boys. Even Townsend, who was supposed to be our great new discovery, did nothing of note when he came on. J-Rod, sadly, never got going. He looked nervous in the tunnel. It didn't get any better for him. It's a really tough call to step up to international level. To do it in such a disjointed team must be heartbreaking.

Fantastic. I am buzzing. That 1st half performance was as good and as dominant as any we saw when were steamrollering through the lower leagues. The stats are just incredible and Fulham are no mugs! The amazing thing is that there is no luck involved. We deserve to be where we are and the dropped points against Sunderland, West Ham & Man U now look clumsy. From the very 1st day of the Saints "Plan" we have been ahead of schedule. I had never dreamed we could come this far so fast. Great team performance. Lallana & Clyne must now be knocking on the England door.

Absolutely love the Neville/Carragher piece. Totally awesome. I have been supporting Saints for almost 50 years and I do not remember two such knowledgable pundits praising us this much. Living the dream!

Quite incredible that we are 4th in the league without even hitting top gear yet. Everything is good. Goals from both our forwards to boost confidence, clean sheet, all good performances, getting good reviews and on a different planet to our neighbours down the road! I think it's a shame that the response from our fans is less than when we lose. Some expectations are just a bit silly. I think we are now building on a very solid base. Lovren is the find of the season. Strong, assured, comfortable and a leader. Even the very best centre backs have dodgy moments but he recovers brilliantly. Fonte is the most improved player of the season. We have 2 excellent full backs. Wanyama may look unpolished at times but what a player to have in front of the defence! All good.

Terry the barber in Woolston.

A village near the River Itchen watching the boats. Probably Ocean Village. Good journalism! Having said that he seems to have his head screwed on and happy to be here.

I agree with this one. That is probably our best 11 (with Yoshida) and the forwards should frighten anyone. I am keeping my fingers crossed that Wanyama proves to be the missing link who is strong enough in midfield to get the best out of our flair players.

Why on earth are giving this any credibility at all?

This may be a stupid question but none of my friends/colleagues seem to know the answer either: What is the Active USB card included in the season ticket pack?

I can't believe I actually lived through the 70's and 80's and never even knew about any of this. Must have been watching football or something!