macca155

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

No question he's a decent player, frankly the type we need. However his injury record is desperate. His general fitness will be an issue as well. Nevertheless these are the type of players we need to look at. Just not too many.

The midfield does need strengthening but it isn't in the same desperate state as the defence. However the team is one injury away from it being an issue. The problem is that it will be difficult to persuade a decent player to join as back up. Ralph needs to show some leadership and sort out his differences with Lemina and Janko. Add those two and Smallbone and the midfield looks fine. The club has limited resources and really needs to focus on the defence. I would have thought two 9 0 defeats, and numerous collapses, would persuade the club to sort out that issue. Up front it is more simple, sell N'Lundulu, Obefemi, and Long. Buy a backup to Ings and Adams, that will do. I'd like to see an upgrade to Redmond and Djenepo but that can wait. Both can do a 'job, but I go no further.

Need to take our Saints spectacles off. Ward Prowse is an excellent player and the sort of dependable workhorse managers love. However at international level the game is very different. I think he is worth a place in the squad as understudy to Rice, along with Phillips. I really don't rate Henderson and he really shouldn't be in the squad. However I wouldn't go any further than that, a midfield of Rice, Foden, Mount, and Grealish is world class and we should be proud that JWP is considered part of that, even as cover. However to accommodate playing Grealish, Foden, and Mount, Southgate has to play 3 at the back and push up the full backs as wing backs to provide defensive cover. He then has problems accommodating Rashford, Sterling, Bellingham, Sancho, and Saka. Who would be an international manager. I do think that in Grealish and Saka, Southgate has players who can turn a game. It will also be interesting to see how Bellingham does, although he is very young.

I'm in Block 32 so somewhat relieved that we're being left alone, for the time being. £35 a game is fair enough, for nearly the best view in the house. Who needs a padded seat got plenty of my own natural padding. If they want to improve sales, make it easier for us to buy a beer. Every game there are massive queues of people just waiting to hand over money. In the end we don't bother. Totally botched announcement. It should be linked to a similar announcement on safe standing in the Northam/Itchen North, and Chapel. Just give the fans a choice. Watching a game from the new Spurs ground was probably the most comfortable I have ever been at a ground. Easy to do, so just get on with it.

They better not have! They wouldn't be feeling the love if crowds had been back for a while. No way would those performances been tolerated. In reality the players will be thinking about the Euros, holidays, or talking to their agent.

Well that is modern football. Unless a multi billionaire takes a fancy to Saints, that really is our pinnacle of hope. Personally I'd like to see the club forge out an identity as being a pain in the arse to the richer clubs. Occasionally earning a European place, regular cup runs, and a sense of development. Plenty of decent youngsters coming through, with experienced pros guiding them to success. That has been our ID for many years, but at the moment Saints simply aren't competitive outside of the bottom 4 or 5 clubs. Feels like the 90s again.

We're all feeling a bit raw after a horrible season but ...... we are still in the game. Battered, bruised, and fragile as hell, but crucially have another opportunity to have a go at the EPL. Plenty of teams would swap with us, no matter how crap or hopeless the situation seems. It remains to be seen whether the club is prepared to make the necessary changes, or meekly drift into relegation. Goodness knows what those changes should be. We all have our own views but its pretty clear they need to be substantial.

What a ghastly season, glad it is over. Major changes and restructuring required. I hope all those bizarre selections, and changes were to emphasise how weak the squad is. Bendarek, McCarthy, Forster, Redmond, Diallo, Minimano, Djenepo, and possibly Tella, can all have good games when others play well. However when the pressure, is on they simply cannot up their game. We've seen the team play well, so not all is lost, but new GK, CM and FB are required. Oh and Ralph to have a long hard look at his tactics.

What on earth is Ralph doing. KWP best player on the park. What's the matter is he tired!

Ralph needs to sub McCarthy now to make a point. He could have at least made an effort.

Blast I've got sky sports on Virgin, no bloody excuse not to watch it. Come on Saints let's at least finish in style.

Uninspiring team again. I don't rate McCarthy, prefer Forster, but there isn't that much between them, so I can live with that decision. Equally Bendarek has the edge over Stephens, although harsh on Jack to be dropped. Redmond up front just doesn't work for me. He is at his best when playing deeper, as he does track back. Up front he hasn't made an impact. Pointless selection, Tella has more promise and Obafemi needs a start. Very disappointed to see Minimano. Just not good enough imo. Big mistake if Saints waste precious transfer money on him. So that's Redmond to play a blinder and a hatrick from Minimano 😀

If you are of an age that you can remember them in the 70s you'd understand. Fans of my vintage have an irrational dislike of Leeds. However I will concede they were pleasing on the eye going forward. That's a big change.