trousers

Yep, it's about of a non sequitur to suggest otherwise.

I'm also leaning towards the "once bitten, twice shy" viewpoint on this, but I guess it could be argued that one of the key differences between Walcott and Lallana is that Theo was more reliant on speed than Adam and that *could* be the difference between success and failure of this 'old boys' approach even though, in principle, it seems the same situation on the surface...?

Thanks for quoting so that the other 93% of the forum can see the OP... #cheekybanter

Good to see the club doing their bit to save the planet when getting my order to me in deepest darkest Devon...

Source?

Is the Saintsweb fraternity ready for a balanced viewpoint though...?

From a biased or unbiased viewpoint...?

Yeah, crap format and an hour is never enough time for a well paced 'debate'

The Scots aren't going to happy with that final question....

0-0 at half time...?

Check complete and I can confirm it's definitely David Dein...

9 months, wasn't it? So around Christmas/New Year I guess

Confirmed leaving https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/mens-retained-list-published-for-2024 Having helped Saints return to the Premier League, Stuart Armstrong will depart the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of June. The 32-year-old arrived on the south coast in 2018, making 214 appearances in six seasons at St Mary’s. Scoring 25 goals in that time, the Scotland international featured 45 times in 2023/24 as promotion was secured via the play-offs. The club would like to thank Stuart for his commitment and effort during his time as a Saint, and we wish him the very best in whatever comes next. Long-serving goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and striker Ché Adams are also approaching the end of their contracts, with talks ongoing regarding potential new deals. Outside of the current first-team squad, the club has also confirmed the following players on professional contracts will leave this summer: Jake Vokins Dynel Simeu Matt Carson Luke Pearce We would like to express our thanks to each of those players and wish them well for their future.

Great interview with Fonte by Adam Blackmore on Solent just now. Worth a listen on playback if you didn't catch it. Still talking about Saints as "us" and "we" and obviously still loves the club. Legend.

...

He's been stalling over the offer of a professional contract for some time now by the sounds of it.... I think we all know how this ends.... https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/24307925.southampton-make-final-contract-offer-promising-academy-youngster/ SAINTS have made their final first professional contract offer to academy forward Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez. The 16 year old is an early physical developer and impressed at under-18s level this season, registering a goal and nine assists in 10 league matches. Gomes Rodriguez was rewarded with a step up to the under-21s, where he scored on his Premier League 2 debut. He has made 15 appearances across the under-18 and under-21 age groups this season, netting twice and setting up nine. Saints are not scrapping to keep the England, Portugal and Venezuela youth international but have made their final offer for his first pro deal. They believe the offer accurately represents his level and potential and is in line with the academy wage structure. Gomes Rodriguez can not officially sign a professional contract until he turns 17 next March, as is standard for any young player. The academy wage structure has been crafted based on actual potential, to encourage ambition and to keep pay consistent in the dressing rooms. For example, Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Jayden Meghoma, signed from Spurs at 16 years old, are on deals in line with their potential but not earning significantly more than their teammates. A new academy director - in addition to recruitment chiefs and coaches - was hired last summer to help overhaul the setup. As exhibited with the exit of Kami Doyle to Brighton earlier this season, which pocketed the club millions, Saints accept they may lose players this way. Despite being pushed to other clubs, there is limited interest in Gomes Rodriguez in England - hence why the foreign route is also being explored. However, transfers between English clubs before a player has reached 17 have become commonplace and are always a big risk. Saints have experienced such deals with Jimmy Jay Morgan, Tyler Dibling and Max Alleyne in recent years. In the event of Gomes Rodriguez exiting the club, Saints would be entitled to training compensation and potential future solidarity contributions. Saints signed the youngster from local Junior Premier League side Eastleigh Tornados in the summer of 2022.

Given what happened in said season, is that an argument for spending more or less this time around...?

Our relegation last season was as much to do with the management situation as it was the quality of the players, per se, as highlighted by McCarthy in his 'issues in the dressing room' post match interview last week. In true Trousers sitting-on-the-fence tradition, Stu is a difficult one to decide upon.... On his day, he makes the team tick, on other days he can be a waste of a shirt. I'm probably leaning towards the "keep him as a decent squad player" camp but wouldn't be too fussed if he left at this juncture in his career.

He's in the provisional 27 man squad announced yesterday: https://khelnow.com/football/world-football-albania-27-man-provisional-squad-euro-202405

The 567th politician this week to start an answer to a question with: "When I talk to people on the doorstep..." Doorstep, my arse.

How's that going to help the unemployment figures...?