macca155

I think we all knew THB was likely to be off. He's a Prem level player now and if someone like Villa come calling, well good luck to him. All we need is a decent solid centre half, who'll lead the defence. For me a decent striker to rotate with Larin is vital. Boost the squad with some of our youngsters. Every part of the club is wobbly as fuck atm. Next few months could be bleak. I'm bracing myself for it .

Very much this, and has been the case for too many years. Stephens and Yoshida were our Prem starters for a while, no surprise at what happened. I remain hopeful that Wood can step up and show more consistency.

Problem is you need a reasonable back up on defence. Most defenders serve a ban or get injured at some point. Championship sides cannot afford to have a top quality defender sitting on the bench. Jack serves that purpose as and when needed. I'd prefer a youngster but Jack is probably as good as we'll get as back up. Wood I think, is more front line and is prepared to attack the ball. You need that in the Championship. He was a fixture last year l, so I'm surprised he isn't being used. I certainly think he is a player who improves with game time. Yep he can bollox it at times, can't everybody, but you have to use the resources available.

Too much noise around THB at the moment. I think we've seen the last of him. I don't begrudge him a move. Absolutely needs to be replaced with quality. I thought Wood would have got the nod over Stephens. He's much stronger, and would have made life a lot harder for Watford. Just need it sorting.

1976 and 1979 final tickets, on display not in the attic. Got a signed football from the Hoddle era. A bit faded now sadly.

Whilst it's annoying, Saints can hardly complain when they've been doing exactly the same to other academies. The authorities really do need to restrict movement a little at that age group. The club just needs to work with the ones they retain. Harrison and Max aren't near the City first team, and it will be interesting to see how Jimmy Jay gets on at WBA. Same for young Tyler. If Saints have a proven pathway through to the first team, then more will stay.

Good goal, always great to see one of youngsters score. Job done

Of course and I'll be pretty unimpressed if he's leading the line this year. Big standard Championship player in my opinion. However at the moment he is all we have to support Larin. Bit pointless getting on his back if we need him.

30 minutes in and BBD is already written off. He's been pretty anonymous so far, I'll admit, but let's at least give him a few games. Leo looking good and Downes is in the mix. Bragg, Larin, and Azaz improve this side.

I get that sentiment,and nearly all of me agrees. It's just the potential to derail the season, that concerns me.

Whatever it is, I reckon we need to just suck it up and get the season started on the right footing. I know the forum will be alive to the injustice, and will want the club to lawyer up, but I reckon that will be counter productive. If it's a lengthy ban,so be it. No doubt the club have a contingency plan for that. We all need closure on this fiasco. We can't let it destabilise the team on the pitch, otherwise it will cause even more damage this season. The other sides will be going for the jugular, while we are at our weakest. They know Saints will be a dangerous side, once they are out of survival mode. Need to give someone a slap early doors, to avoid that.

Pre season friendlies are all about fitness, form, and establishing strategy. I tend not to read too much into them. Having said that any win is a good win. Good to see DD get a goal. He's young, and needs a decent loan to prove that he can score goals. I can't see a future at Saints though. One thing that annoys me about pre season is that some youngsters are given a chance, and seemingly take it. Sesay looked useful last year for example. Then never to be seen again. Always seems odd, considering the investment made.

I think it will be more substantial than people think. The FA will want to make an example of Saints. The club cheated, there is no way of mitigating that. As a result the club was severely punished. Now they are going after the individuals concerned. I can't see how it won't be an equally severe punishment. It's utterly vindictive in my opinion, but Tonda put himself in this position, and gave the authorities the opportunity to punish him. It's going to hurt, but we knew this was coming. Just have to deal with it. I assume the club have a plan .....

Horrendous news, what a signing he was. Did so much to put Southampton on the map. He'll never be forgotten at any of his clubs. Loved his football and attitude.

Good point but I thought GW could drop deeper when necessary. I think that was his role at Wolves, but been moved into a more forward position at Forest. Seems an adaptable player. I guess Henderson was Rice's back up but he's crocked himself. I'm sure Rice will be ok, he'll not want to miss the SF or worst play and be shit.