macca155

19 goals for Genk says different. Probably a player in there somewhere but we've hardly had chance to see it.

You sell him or loan him and take the loss but then I'm not putting my hand in my pocket and squandering £10m, I suspect I'd have a different view if I was.

and begrudgingly at that I bet. Problem is Onuachu is an £18m investment, the St Mary's bean counters aren't letting that slide any time soon.

You miss my point, I am being realistic. He can clearly score goals but in a different system, definitely not part of Martin's plans obviously. However if the club can't sell him or loan him out then Martin will have no choice but to use him, if injuries strike.

Not as simple as that, RM may want a new striker but doubt he'll get one. He made his feelings clear after Gillingham, totally fair on Mara but Paul Onuachu certainly tried and threw himself into the battle such as it was. Problem was the team was in disarray by that stage and he could hardly get near the ball. Tyler Dibling in contrast calmly got involved and started to make things happen. I really think we have a talent there. Obviously Mara and Onuachu haven't done anything to impress yet but both have a record in scoring goals in similar leagues. The latter hasn't really had a chance and needs a fair run to see if he can cut it. They are probably trying hard to ship either or both out, but they'll be on good wages so doubt it will be that easy to get rid. They are also determined to give Ballard a chance so no way are they clogging up that route with a PL loan. Best solution is that Mara and Onuachu are transferred back to Europe and the club buy in Pirou or similar. Great if that happens otherwise ithat's what we as fans will have to cheer on.

Lots of angst about Archer and Pirou but I'll repeat what I said the other day. I really don't think it is a priority for the club at the moment. That changes if Onuachu or Mara depart but even if Saints sell Adams that still leaves A Armstrong Mara Onuachu Tella and Ballard as the strike force. The interview with Ballard in the Echo makes it pretty clear that Ballard is expected to challenge for a 1st team place and isn't being sent out on loan for that reason. Taking a leap of faith that Onuachu and Mara can reproduce some of their previous scoring exploits in the Championship, there is nobody in this league that comes even close to that forward line. Especially not one serviced by Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Edozie, Alcaraz, and S Armstrong. In contrast the club really need to strengthen the spine of the team. Another decent CB, or ABK playing, a goalkeeper to replace McCarthy to at the very least put pressure on Bazuna, and more options in midfield. For me that's where the money should be spent and judging from the noise on Sky and Twitter it sounds like that is what they are doing. No point scoring goals if you are letting the opposition score just as many at the other end.

I agree sadly but that doesn't fit Martin's system. He'll want to keep things the same.

It will be exactly like every other match in the Championship. They'll look to expose weaknesses, be physically intimidating, throw bodies at every attack, try and counter higher skill levels with hard running, and see a draw as a good result. With no Adams Saints will be further weakened. This will be a tough game, especially with the current dismal home form Saints should have enough to win, but with outgoings, no incoming, and injuries they are vulnerable. Should have enough but certainly won't be easy. Suspect it will be the same team as Saturday, with Mara in for Adams. Martin will probably be aiming to give Downes a decent run out as a 2nd half sub. Wouldn't be surprised at a draw, I can live with that in current transfer chaos.

I'd much prefer Adams to stay, he's a proven scorer in this league. We have already seen that he has more space and more time. His confidence is soaring. However the guy is entitled to work elsewhere, he doesn't have to sign a contract. £15m for a player with one year to go is reasonable. Move on and buy in someone else. One reason Adams is scoring, is he is benefitting from a relentless conveyor belt of service, from the most talented part of the team. Credit to him, you have to be in the right place to do that.. However the team seem to be slicing open Championship defences, and they'll be other forwards who can do that. It is Che's physical presence that I think is just as important. He dominates defenders, and if he leaves that definitely needs to be replaced.

I suspect the 4th option is Doyle or as you say Aribo or S Armstrong dropping back. No need to buy anyone else now. 1st choice midfield will be Downes Charles Smallbone Alcaraz With backup from Armstrong(s) Aribo and Doyle. Now source a CB

No, needs to work abroad. English football will be a very hostile place for him. We don't need that in any shape or form.

It isn't really about how much cash Saints spend, doubt that's an issue within reason. The much bigger hurdle is persuading a proven goal scorer to either switch teams or drop down a division. There are 4 or 5 Prem teams in the hunt for a decent goal scorer, that's the reason Tella and Adams are receiving bids. I winced at the injuries today because that adds a few million onto the bids. If a bid of £20m comes in both of those players are offski. So what are the options? Bank the money and stick with Armstrong, Mara, Ballard and Onuachu as this season's attack. Well that's an option and it is better than a lot of teams even if it feels like a downgrade to us. Onuachu really hasn't been given much of a chance and he may start clicking but personally I'd rather see him out of the door and one of Adams, Tella or Sulemana remaining, but if he stays then game on. Sell, bank some of the money, and buy Pirou. Like others I'm not convinced but he'd fit the Martin system. Probably the most likely outcome. Sell, bank the money and buy in a promising forward from a Prem academy. Pointless as we have one of those already and he has to be given game time otherwise he'll start looking for a move. Sell and blow serious cash on raiding one of our competitors, that is an attractive option as it will both boost Saints and damage whoever Saints raid. I can't see Saints going all Man City like that. The cash raised is going to be needed for next year. Do nothing make them stay, and tell them to suck it up. For that to happen Sulemana and Onuachu have to be sold promptly to raise the cash for salaries and win bonuses. Probably be a messy mixture of some of those options, all late on as well. The poster from Plymouth was dead right. SW, Norwich and Plymouth have all faced an attack that others probably won't have to face. That isn't a fair competition. The transfer deadline should be August 1st

They sing that to Torquay.... love it

I feel the same but we've been very spoilt with left backs. Bertie was international quality and both KWP and Perraud (when fit) are solid PL standard. Bree and Manning are Championship standard, and that has come as a bit of a shock to the system. I suspect Manning is keeping the position warm for Larios or Meghoma. Plus he is an ally for the manager in the dressing room and Martin needs that. Having said that, he needs to be given a chance, it is still early days. Great win, don't care how it came about, its a win.

Oh come on he's not shite, his distribution is excellent and he makes some top quality saves. I will concede he has his iffy moments, however that narrative is principally from last season So far he has been done by some desperate defending, that needs sorting. Anyway my point was that he is all we have at the moment. Until there is competition for his spot, it will be counterproductive to get on his back.

You don't have to do anything. You can stand and criticise, or even shout abuse if that floats your boat. But if you destroy our only capable goalkeeper with intemperate and knee jerk comments, you are going to have a direct impact on the team. I'm not talking about docile unquestioning support, just a little consideration for where we are with some of the younger players.

Just goes to show how good a manager he is. Bazunu needed to be backed, he's young and needs to know he has the confidence of the manager. As fans we really need to play our part in that. That will stick in the throat of some on here, but he's all we have at the moment. So bluntly we have to suck it up. If he's destroyed by negative vibes raining down on him, we simply make things worse. I don't mean some artificial love in. If he messes up he can expect some stick, but perhaps a little perspective. However proper competition for the Premier GK position would help as well.

Great post, never really thought about it like that. Well never thought about it if I'm honest. The Lavia deal is outstanding business. Secures a healthy part of the club's wage bill for at least another year. Lavia hasn't kicked up, kept his mouth shut, and allowed the club to negotiate this price. He deserves credit for that. I guess sell on fees become important for someone like Smallbone or Tella, if they go to a middling club like Wolves or Burnley. Did I just call Burnley a middling club ..... oh dear.

With the way yellow cards are being shown, at least one will be on a suspension. Injuries and form will sort it out. Smallbone is probably out for a while. More concerning is the Sulemana, Tella, Amo-Ameyaw competition for the right hand side.

Totally agree re Smallbone. A real asset, needs to be given a decent contract. Tad harsh on Alcaraz, I thought he was really effective. However once S Armstrong went off and Charles allowed him to go forward, he definitely stepped up a gear.

Because he is a professional footballer. If Premier League side bid high enough he's a goner. He'll want the move and so will the Saints accountant. However I'm becoming increasingly confident that the clubs owners aren't easily pushed around. There may be hope.

No I don't mean I want him to go, for all the reasons you point out. Great player a real asset. We may have to face him going if high enough bids come in. Hopefully the price tag set will put off potential buyers.

Smallbone like Tella was deemed surplus to requirements last year. No surprise that either would be open to a Premier League move. Would it be that big a deal? A nuisance yes, bit of a hit to our collective egos, but both could be replaced. Tella from existing resources and presumably a wedge straight to Swansea for Grines, to replace Smallbone. Losing Alcaraz is way more concerning.

Imagine you are in charge of transfers at Southampton. I reckon buying a striker will be pretty low on the priority list. AA. Adams. And Tella can score in this league, we've seen that. Jetison Mara and Onuachu, buy a back up to develop along with Ballard. Plenty of goal scoring chances will come from Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Edozie, Sullemana S Armstrong, Alcaraz and I suspect Dibling. Job done, nobody in this league comes anywhere near it. In contrast you'll walking the nighttime floorboards at the lack of height and physical presence in midfield and defense.. Every other team has this. It has to be the priority to get that sorted. If they sell ABK for £20m on top of Salisu, Lavia, JWP, and Tino, then Saints will have the sort of financial muscle in the Championship that City enjoy in the Premier league.

I can't believe people aren't talking about that. Ignoring the fact that we were wide open through the middle for a counter attack, the movement forward was pretty intense. 31 shots, 12 corners. Expected goals was 3.56 to their 2.01, if that counts. Norwich were a way harder test than Wednesday, they punched back big time, but there were periods when they were on the ropes. If we keep Tella, Alcaraz, and S Armstrong, I can see no reason why this trend of dominance doesn't continue. They really are a driving force. However, waste of time if they don't stiffen up the defense and midfield.