macca155

Well I agree with your sentiment but he was in goal for the 3 1 win over Fulham in May ..... the last PL win. However Forster was in goal for the 4 wins before that. The prosecution case rests M'Lord

Arrived yesterday and I'm deep in PO territory 😀 I guess most will arrive by Saturday leaving manageable queues on Sunday. Now we just have to hope they work.

Statement from club and player. He's committed to the club and gets a pay rise to boot. Of all our players he deserves it. It doesn't mean he won't be sold next year, but if he is it will be for a decent wedge. More importantly the club will be in the driving seat. So far a good transfer window, need a decent CH to finish it off. After that the question mark cloud hangs over Ralph.

Patently obvious this is the case. The early press is unsustainable over 90 mins. Occasionally the opposition are beaten in the 1st half, or allow the game to be played at a pace Saints can survive at. I still think Ralph can turn this around, when it clicks Saints are a formidable outfit. However he needs to move away from just putting 11 athletic machines on the pitch. I am expecting Saints to be in the bottom 3 in September. Wolves, and Burnley are the turning point for me. We'd need to see something by then.

I really can't believe he thinks that. Has to do with contracts surely.

Just being realistic. Two expensive contracts to run down. Point is FF can do the job for the season. A decent CB and CM cover is a priority.

Way too early for a manager change. 1st game for goodness sake. However like many my faith in Ralph is starting to slip. Yes we have a GK issue, obviously cannot be solved until next year. Why exacerbate the situation by messing about with selections? Just ridiculous. The next two games are about avoiding a hiding. He simply will not survive another heavy defeat.

MOTD gave a warped view. Yes that was a mistake from Stephens but DCL has done that to many better defenders. By all accounts Stephens was ok over the 90 mins. He remains a competent back up. Problem is he's no 1 at the moment and that isn't good.

Sounds very plausible and probably right. However if Ralph continues to select McCarthy, it will inevitably cost him his job. That whole area needs sorting ASAP. Salisu needs time to develop and help. He has way too much to do. I like Stephens and his comments after the game told a story. He's probably a good voice in the dressing room. If he is expressing doubts publicly then perhaps there are more issues going on than we are aware.

Probably as good as you'll get at short notice and he'll slot straight in. I doubt he'll be quality enough for you to challenge top 4, but he isn't without skills. I'd prefer he'd stayed, but we'll cope and the money will help. Good luck, shove the ESL idea down their throats.

Oh please can that happen

In fairness most of our fans (including me) have that mindset at the beginning of the season, sort of comes with the territory of being a Saints fan. We really won't know until we are 7 or 8 games into the season and the new squad has settled down and found their feet, and or each other. On the positive side we scared the pants off pretty much every team we played for the first half of the season. That squad almost remains in place with some additions, so I doubt Saints will be the complete basket case some are predicting. Watching Arteta desperately trying to hold on to a draw at the Emirates was a highlight for me, and hopefully they can find that spirit again. It all came to a crashing halt when managers worked out a counter strategy and injuries exposed a thin squad. The hope is that Ralph has learnt to pick the right team and has a strategy in place when things don't go our way. If they carry on like the end of last season, then we best start looking for directions to Preston.

Yep sell, he's ok and if he stayed i wouldn't be disappointed. However 20 million is a good price. I can't see Vesty improving, he is what he is. Takes the pressure off selling JWP this year.

15 million for Vestergaard seems about right, hopefully they can squeeze that up a little. One year on his contract, he is no Van Dyke, and we need the money. The downside is it leaves us relying on Salisu, which is fine until he is injured, which is inevitable over the season.

If we start the year being pessimistic, then there really will be only one outcome. Yes things are pretty desperate but Saints are not alone in this. Newcastle, Palace, Wolves, and Burnley are weaker this year, and the three promoted sides lack PL experience. That queasy feeling we have, is about how the team will fare against the big sides. Against our 7 peers the squad still looks competitive. I'm holding on to that. We are in a sort of Championship plus league. The target has to be to win that. Horrible restricted ambition, but it buys time for the club to be sold. First 5 fixtures are ghastly. I hope RH has a decent plan.

Saints are weaker this year, I think we are all agreed on that. However so are a bunch of other teams. Its going to be a good old fashioned relegation scrap. Beat those around us and we stay up ... simples. Assuming a few more signings, I'm going with 16th. However a big factor will be the reaction of a jaundiced supporter base. I don't think the team has the resilience to withstand the inevitable negative vibes, after a string of defeats. Anyhow bring it on. I don't fear relegation, I just want the team to fight hard.

Interesting question, lots to choose from but they need to fit the current system, plus fill glaring gaps. On that basis Shearer would be a hell of a 'time' transfer. Desperately want Shilton, but a CB is vital. Mark Wright edges it for me. Major guilt over not choosing Steve Williams, what an asset he would be now. If Ralph was answering this question then I suspect he'd like Keegan, Ball, Morgan, Channon, and Wallace(s)

I think I'm biting here, Targett was no 2 to Bertrand (at the time), JRod was half the player he was before his injury, Fonte was finished (effectively) and Jack Cork was and is a very average player imo. However you could have selected different players to support your claim, we are sadly a club that cannot hold on to managers or decent players.

That's the major threat, Ings has a slim chance of an England place now, his move was all about money and security. Good for him, we'd all do the same in his position, just pull a fetlock against Saints. JWP is a very different scenario, England actually need him but he needs to show his ability on a higher stage. Leicester are a perfect fit for him and they have a manager who will use him wisely. If Leicester put in a decent bid he'll expect Saints to accept it, my one hope is that with 4 years left on his contact he will be too expensive for everyone except City Utd, and Chelsea and they don't need him.

The fact that nearly all of us are quite happy about Vestergaard being sold tells you everything you need to know about him. He has improved but was an integral part of a dismal defence last year. Some of that was iffy tactics but he has to take some responsibility. If his heart is not with Saints, then say thank you and get rid asap. If they get £20 million for him I will be amazed, possibly Leicester will be forced to pay that but doubt anybody else has the funds. I think he's daft, he should sign a contract and back himself to impress enough to earn a big move. If he goes to Leicester he'll be 3rd choice as soon as their regular pairing are back. Very different situation to Ings as we have cover in the short term and can afford to be choosy.

Well we all knew he was off. £25 to £30 million is a decent wedge. I'm surprised it's Villa but they need a marquee signing to quell the unrest about Grealish going. Players move, bloody annoying, especially a quality player like Ings. However, let's not self flagellate about it too long. Better to focus on the players we do have, including hopefully a new striker. This still doesn't match losing Chivers.

Matt Oakley football genius...... bring him home

I'm not sure Chelsea work that way. They seem to focus on the 1st team and rarely worry about players out on loan. They had a buy back on Lukaku and ignored it. If he's that good (potentially) then this is a good move. Helps Saints whilst they are cash strapped. Nothing to dislike here

I suspect this is less about JWP asking for a move, than the club realising top dollar for an asset. Villa aren't a major step up for JWP at the moment. That might change if they continue progressing. He may want to hold out for a higher profile club. Bottom line is Saints are very financially challenged and need the cash. Not desperate, but no way will they resist a £35 million+ bid. No one likes it, but that's where we are. Personally I would fight to keep JWP but resolve to sell Ings and Vestergaard. Both have question marks over fitness and consistency respectively. Plus they have cover. If Saints can raise £50 million from those two sales then the pressure will be off for a while. Bunker down for long hard season, and just hope the club is sold to an owner who has the funds to take things forward.

Every day but I doubt we could get near his wages..... or aspirations. Shame I rate him,gutsy player