trousers

Big loss if Stu is definitely out. He makes us tick in the 4-2-2-2 formation p.s. anyone know what is wrong with McCarthy's ankle? I don't remember it being announced as a major injury at the time but given how long he's been out for now it must have been pretty serious.

Yep, definitely "damned if they do, damned if they don't" territory

Yep, that's another possible outcome 👍

Wasn't it more a matter of timing rather than Rasmus "not wanting him" per se? Rasmus may well have brought Selles in with a view to him taking over the reigns in a year or two and thus didn't see him as being ready when the season started to unravel with Ralph and then Jones. Whilst it's only one game admittedly, the Chelsea performance may simply have convinced Rasmus that Selles is ready earlier than he thought he was, thus all we're seeing here is Rasmus bringing the longer term succession plan forward a tad. Dunno. I guess it's easier to take a more cynical view than that but we are where we are.

Fully behind this decision. I guess the only conceivable negative slant anyone could come up with, in deciding to announce it now rather further down the line, is that the players could subconsciously go into "mission accomplished - our high octane performance Vs Chelsea secured the job for Ruben - we can take our foot off the pedal a bit now" mode. Anyway, all good / positive IMO. Onwards and (hopefully) upwards!

...or Clapham, or Lancaster, or Kent, or Woking...etc... #swf_selective_photo_posting_competition

Looks like a superb prospect. Assume he's already on Chelsea's & Man City's radar.... p.s. Are we allowed to play 14 year olds in the Premier League....?

Is there anything stopping him, as a 'tourist', wandering up to anyone (say, a Leeds player for example) and having a 'general chat' about football...? #loopholes

Does he take Euros?

I preferred it when you were called 'Instant Classic' though

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-transfer-southampton-will-smallbone-8177151

Any early news @Harold K Steptoe?

It's quite easy to deduce name changes... Just search back on their early posts and find one that is quoted by someone else (the original name is retained in said scenario) Exhibit A m'lud... 🙂

I'm putting my account up for auction. Comes complete with 50,802 posts and the following images/GIFs. Highest bidder wins. No reserve.

I don't usually sign-up to the "don't change a winning side" philosophy as a matter of course, as I think you should pick the best team for the opponent on a case by case basis, but on this occasion I think there is more merit in continuity. So, same starting 11 for me please Mr Selles sir.

Beat me to it!

https://www.flashscore.com/news/is-ruben-selles-the-man-to-save-southampton-s-season/tMuIwx3B/

Ha.... Count me in

Fair point. I'm basing my opinion on a hunch, nothing more, but agree he could turn out to be a 'one hit wonder' in hindsight.... I just happen to be feeling a good vibe at the moment

Indeed. Better than getting a new chap in to start from square one IMO. Time isn't on our side for that.

Yep, agree 👍

Based on what I've seen so far, nope, would be happy if he got it full time