macca155

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.

In that heat and intense environment,Tuchel seems to value experience. Nevertheless not using Mainoo does seem strange, he's always looked good imo. Not taking Gibbs White was a poor decision, he would have been a good back up for Rice. I thought England worked hard to control the game against Norway. Never quite achieved it, but when the subs came on, Norway were chasing the game and weren't able to build sustained pressure. I thought the ref was excellent, I'd prefer no VAR but it is what it is. Argies will go for England and will try to control the midfield. That's where the battle will be. Need to shackle Mac Allister, Fernandez, and Paredes. If they are allowed to play with any sort of freedom, then Messi will have his opportunity. World Cup semi finals are never easy, England are there on merit. Shaping up to be a great game.

Bloody hell this Morocco side is good, I wonder how long they can play at this pace. No wonder Brazil struggled. As for Scotland ...... desperate

I agree very similar to Mara in that respect. Bottom line though is that he was out of his depth and needs a loan somewhere equivalent to L1 or L2. However we've plenty of youngsters who are ready for that sort of loan. I just can't see a future for him. Considering the money paid for him and the goals Ballard is scoring, a bollock was dropped there.

There are never any easy games at the World Cup. Considering our record in the World Cup (NZ / Costa Rica), a result is all that is required. Great take from Che Adams for the goal. Nervous 30 minutes I think

He's 29 and needs a decent contract, can't blame him for that. Saints know all about his medical issues, so I suspect weren't prepared to take the risk. Which frankly is the sensible decision. It's a shame and good luck to him, but I can't see him playing a full season elsewhere. He'll have golden periods but injury will hit sooner or later. I'm sure they'll be interest in Scotland. Saints need to replace him with someone a little more robust.

What's the point in a reduction, just be adding another barrier to promotion. After the seasons we've had recently, I want to see last season's form continued. Reducing income isn't going to help. I think a 5% increase is a bit strong, but something below that is to be expected really. Just add in a cup game as an extra, if they want a gimmick. The debate for me is whether to continue my 36 year old season ticket. I seem to miss more games these days for various reasons. Perhaps it matters less now and maybe a membership is more cost effective. In fairness I have the same debate every year, but it doesn't last long 😀 No need to break with tradition. I just don't think I can be added with the admin involved with getting tickets.

You're probably right, football is a hard business, and the move has turned out well for Dom. Just speculation from me really. Good luck to him in his career, it could have easily been over.

Normally I'd agree but I said all this before he was sold. Having seen him play a number of times, he's a real goal machine. Not unlike Steve Moran in some ways, just has impeccable timing. Just so obvious that he could have been our back up striker. Would have allowed us to cash in on Archer. Saints put all the effort into developing him, and mending him, and then let him go.

Ship has sailed sadly, he needed game time and Saints weren't prepared to guarantee that. He's hot property now, and will end up at another Championship club as a starter. Really feels like a major error letting him go

The club are clearly trying to tough it out and keep Tonda. That's going to be hard to do and the FA may yet force their hand Fair enough go for it, if that's who we are now, then so be it. However they need to ensure they take the fans with them, as we'll be the ones taking the flak every sodding game. So far they haven't made any effort on that front. If that really is their strategy, then they better make sure they continue to invest in the squad, and maintain last season's form. That more than anything will settle things down. It's just shite though isn't it.

Now hold on , those of us of a tartan persuasion fully intend partying on. It probably won't be a long party, but it's taken us a while to get there. So sod Trump, don't let him ruin the beautiful game.

Good posts from @Fitzhugh Fella, and I'd concur the more heat that can be taken out of this situation the better. However fans will want someone to pay for this shit show. Tonda is getting support as most recognise his worth to us. Few will know of Parson's worth, but that's the deal with senior management. It doesn't hurt to remind us. Go on holiday by all means, but take your bloody phone and stay ahead of this fiasco, at the very least. Just a few settling statements is all that is needed. It's the silence that is annoying.