Has Adam Blackmore overlooked Still remains under contract at RC Lens? They aren't obligated to let him go for free. So a financial package agreement may also be needed for him. So that wouldn't make Still a particularly cheap option.
It is not a mass clear out list. It is only a list of those out of contract who aren't staying. In terms of first team players, only Lallana, Walker-Peters and Lumley have their contracts ending on 30th June as things stand.
1) The top 9 or 10 clubs in Ligue 1 are better any Championship team.
2) The Championship is a label for a game, the label of the division doesn't impact events on the pitch. Why couldn't Still treat a match at St Mary's like a French league game? What impact would the Championship label have to stop that?
1) The French top flight is of a higher quality than the Championship.
2) Why the emphasis on experience of the Championship? The Championship is a label for a game, it doesn't impact events on the pitch.
What are you objecting to? He isn't a novice manager. His first managerial job was 8 years ago and he has just finished 8th in the 5th best league in Europe. What were you expecting a Championship side to do?