VectisSaint

He wasn't. He was dropped to the bench for 10 games, some of which coincided with his eye injuries, which affected him more than some seem to think. He missed 3 games due to a groin injury, and then was inexplicably dropped by Koeman, I would suggest that Koeman and Cedric had some sort of falling out, as Koeman seems to have done with a few players. Also Martina scored his wonder goal when he got his chance and lived on that for a few weeks despite him being not very good defensively. Still Cedric played 24 league games out of 38, so he was hardly dropped for "nearly half the season". Hopefully one who will benefit from Koeman's departure, he is a very good RB, not really any need to get an improvement.

While it may not be restricted to a development squad, the rules for the PL Academy teams are similar (but not the same) as the Premier League Under 21 league. The FLT rules allow one extra over age player (PL U21 allows 3 over age plus goal keeper) and the date for u21 consideration is June, instead of January, hence some players are u21 for the League, but not u21 for the FLT. We have one or two players in this category (i.e born between January and June 1995). Since the point of teams being able to enter their u21 teams in this competition is to provide more competitive match opportunities for these players it would be rather pointless if the teams did not enter essentially their development teams, with the same proviso that they have in the League, i.e. they can play some over age players, usually ones returning from injury or 1st team squad fringe players. The idea that the clubs would bolster these teams with a host of senior first teamers, whilst possible, would be completely pointless and I doubt any will do this. I would be very surprised if we don't field what is essentially the same team as we do in the u21 league. Unlikely we will play any regular first team u21 players, unless they are recovering from injury or have not played for a while. As for the organisation, it does seem a bit strange that the FL did not get confirmed entries, but then organising the fixtures so that they clash with the European Youth (U19) competition is a touch stupid, as clubs such as Man City and Chelsea (holders) take that competition very seriously. Not sure that Chelsea have qualified even though they have won it for the past 2 seasons, English entries this season should be Leicester, Arsenal and Spurs (based on 1st team Champions League group stage qualification) and Man City as winners of the domestic u18 competition.

Major blow to the UK hair care industry. Hope the weather is good enough in China for him to perform. Shame for the young fans of his at the club, but really no great loss, and was obvious this was going to happen when we signed Charlie in January.

http://forvo.com/word/pierre-emile_h%C3%B6jbjerg/ "Hoy Bier" is pretty close

He wasn't. Just Koeman didn't fancy him and he had a lot of mostly head injuries. Hsd one bad game.

Must have been 2 years ago, he is currently contracted to 2019. Seriously doubt we will sell him, even if it woukd help swell our coffers. Uncle Les has always said he is the best. Unless Koeman managed to destroy his confidence completely.

Much as expected given it is the Stadio Olympico (Rome), with the Tiber on one side of the Olympic Park, and a Nature Reserve on the other. Not sure even Wet Sham's new stadium would measure up to that (River Lea vs Tiber?)

We already replaced Pelle in January. No great surprise and to be honest no great loss. Need a striker that can play consustently throughout season, not just when the weather suits his clothes.

Stek signed for Everton a week ago. Not that he was any great shakes anyway. Not sure we need to strengthen defence, but midfield for sure.

It was a great Birthday present for me when Markus with the help of his great friend stepped in and saved our club seven years ago.

One week, don't be daft. They will get 3 or 4 weeks like everyone else. Davis, Long, Forster and Bertrand not back yet, not forgetting Pelle. They will be back early August, not much pre-season for Cedric and Jose this year which will be a problem for them and us.

Happy to be proved wrong, but I think that statistic may have been from the previous season (2014-15). Harry Kane alone played more minutes than our 3 (?) academy players together last season, I think Spurs would have easily beaten us, maybe others as well. Unless it means Saints academy players who played for any PL club, in which case add Lallana, Shaw, Ox, Walcott, Baird, Surman and a few others.

Actually we are allowed to play 5 over age players, though the definition of u21 is different to the usual rules (21 or under on June 30), so some u21 players (in terms of the PL U21 League), would not be classified as u21 for the EFL Trophy. Also there are only 3 games in the group stage, it is not home and away, so number of potential games is still relatively small.

Wouldn't be overly concerned if we sold/loaned back to Romania Gardos. Nice bloke and all, and was a shame that he was injured, but from what I saw he didn't really give us much that Jack Stephens cannot provide now (i.e. backup for Fonte).

Gaston was only 21 when he signed, this guy is nearly 23.

That was when he first came back. He certainly wasn't quicker at the end of the season, he looked like someone wearing concrete boots. Hopefully he can get back up to speed (literally) before the season starts again.

As far as I recall we had seven on the bench last season, so Koeman could have done this but he did not. There are clearly some players who would be capable of being on the bench for matches. Seager was close to being included more regularly before his injury, and with Juanmi gone there is scope for Seager to fill that berth. Olufela Olomola made the bench once even under Koeman, and he is only 19, so expect to see him at least start to make the matchday squad this season. Stephens is the obvious one and really it is debatable whether he is not better equipped than Gardos, he certainly ought to be pushing Gardos for the Fonte backup spot, which is where his destiny lies. Turnbull maybe still a year away, probably needs a year in the Championship or better still on Holland or France or similar, but then should be pushing Yoshida. A little surprised that McCarthy has gone on loan already to Walsall, can't really see that he is a worse option than Martina. Isgrove is an interesting one, probably will never be good enough for us in the PL, yet his confidence is massive at the moment and maybe Puel will give him a chance to break into the squad if he decides to stay rather than go to Barnsley full-time. Will Wood looked good until his injury, but probably needs a season loan before he will break through. Make or break for Dom Gape this season as he is no longer an u21, haven't really seen enough to make me think he will make the transition to PL though. Hesketh might make the squad, but still seems too light weight to me. Sad to say that I think Sam Gallagher will not make it, doesn't seem to have progressed for a couple of years now, but will make a good pro in the lower leagues. McQueen may be one that can step up (at least in terms of the squad), did well on loan. The real talents though are Alfie Jones, Jake Flanagan, Yan Valery, Callum Slattery and Jake Vokins, who are all somewhat younger and might be able to push for squad places occasionally this season, and may be the ones who will actually prove to be long term first team players rather than the older group. That said most of our illustrious academy graduates from the past were full backs/wingers where age and experience is less of a barrier. It takes longer for the likes of centre backs or strikers to make the grade (and keepers of course). As things stand Gazzanigga is now our #2, I know he came from Gillingham but has has been with our development squad now a number of years and must be about ready to at least be the regular #2. Problem this season is that unless we get a kind draw in the FA Cup there aren't likely to be any "easy" games to try out a few of the youngsters in match scenarios (enter the League Cup at late round again due to Europa and through to the Europa group stage). Maybe if we have already qualified or conversely not qualified match days 5/6 of the Europa may be an opportunity.

Bertrand is left back. What are you on about? Guessing Pelle is the most likely still to leave.

I'm sure you have, you seem to have one continouos one from what I can tell.

No longer an u21. Jack Stephens at least should also be with the first team.

Sure that the Black box had nothing to do with it. Chosen by Puel, Black is well liked in France where he played for several seasons after he left Aberdeen. Probably a decent #2

Poch brought his son. Ronald brought his brother. Gregoire plays for Le Havre at right back 24 years old. Paulin plays for Nice 19 year old striker. Daughter Charlene as well.

Facebook, Twitter, OS. Shame really, always showed enrhusiasm and provided a link to the players and the club history. Good luck Sammy.

It means he is getting a tat, probably says "Saints forever, or until.I get a better offer"

Far from it. The article is pretty accurate and does ask some of the pertinent questions. Unfortunately it does not have any answers although there are some hints. It is not normal for so many players and staff to want out. There is something not right with the club, bot sure I can put my finger on it, but it revolves around the Owner not having the vision and only really being interested in the club not costing her any money, and a Director of Football who is difficult to work with.