VectisSaint

No one was offering congratulations. We had no LBs at the club, it was critical to having a team that we got one in, and we did. Everywhere else it is about strengthening, we have players to fit the bill initially. In order to do that we had to ship some out and we have done that to a reasonable extent, some still to go of course. It certainly has not been a disaster (yet) but a few more in the next couple of weeks would still be OK.

Think we've done the critical business early. Had to get a LB in and signed Theo as well as shifting several out, which then enables us to bring in some new blood. There are still 6 weeks till the window slams shut and a month before the first game.

As well maybe. This was always the plan starting from when Ralph alternated them to see which to keep. He clearly decided Mccarthy was to be kept, so that a new keeper can be brought in, presumably as No. 1, whether its the Albanian guy is open to question, there have been a few links ((the lad from Accrington Stanley, but probably not as a No. 1 immediately).

Reports that Ethan Ross has left Aberdeen and is having a trial at Saints. Possibly one for the B team as he has hardly made an impact in the SPL but seems to be highly thought of.

Funny that Leeds and West Ham are considered "smaller" clubs. Players have always been picked from West Ham, they are the FA darlings, just think about 1966. Leeds, small club, just because they have been in the doldrums for the last 20 odd years.

As things stand what have we lost so far? Minamino? We all knew that we had to get rid before we could bring in new players and at the moment we seem to have done that. We have replaced Bertrand with Perraud which was the massive hole we had to fill. I would say that right now we are just about exactly where we were at the end of last season, except now we have some players out of the door and wages saved, opening the way for a few to be brought in. There are also still a few to leave, such as Long, Redmond and Forster. Work in progress but basically things seem to be going to plan, just wish we could get a few more in now so that they have an almost full pre-season.

One of them is back, training with the first team after completely disappearing off the radar while he as Brum. So is he good enough now? And what happened to him at Brum?

Unfortunately there is no evidence that Smallbone is involved in training so far (unless someone can tell me different). Was hoping that he would have a full pre-season, because it was quite clear that he had stepped up to the level required, especially in the game when he picked up the injury. His availability is sort of crucial to our plans, not because he is crucial as such but because we need to know whether he is going to play a decent part, unlike the situation that developed with poor Sam McQueen, where we found ourselves short (at full back) because his recovery went Pete Tong.

But some no mark thinks he is going to Spuds and you lap it up. Seems a bit odd.

He's said he's not interested in Spurs or Wet Spam. Man City are said to be interested. Which part of that makes you so certain he will go to Spurs? Still think he won't go anywhere, unless it is City or Liverpool (and I can't see Liverpool being interested). Utd or Chelsea maybe perhaps but unlikely.

On Google News there are 3 separate reports that he is signing for Man City, Spuds and West Ham. Given he was said to have turned down the latter two, what are we supposed to believe. probably that he is going nowhere.

Just to put the record straight Jimmy did not join us 'at the end of his career'. He was 26/27 at the time, it could be argued he was approaching his peak when he joined us. Only left Everton because he was playing 2nd fiddle to Howard Kendall, we had tried unsuccessfully to sign him before, but Ted eventually got his man and what a signing he turned out to be.

You can't blame Southgate for that, Rashford and Sancho just fucked up. When will players (not just England) learn not to fuck about and leather it.

Very sad news, top player and top bloke.

Darwen is close but Fylde is a bit further away.

Always liked Mariner, the Ipswich team of the 70/80s was always to be admired, they had some great players, Mariner was in the top bracket. We'll gloss over his 2 seasons with the Skates (as does Wikipedia strangely) and reflect on a much admired player whose life has ended far too soon.

You're confusing 'fans' with Chez. 😂

It's true that Vest will not have interest from top clubs, but on the other hand Spurs look to be interested.

That would be the same Martin Braithwaite that struggled to displace Carillo when he was at Leganes and made Barca a bit of a laughing stock when they signed him as an emergency transfer because he was considered so poor. Maybe there is an argument that turds can indeed be polished.

Valery is in the 1st team video and pictures (Facebook), maybe he is double shifting to build up his fitness. By the eay no one ever explained what happened at B'ham. Was never involved after Lee Bowyer took over in March. Was he frozen out after criticising his team mates on Twitter? No mention of any injury.

He made 38 appearances in the League in 19/20, that's every game (I realise that's not 90 minutes each game of course) so didn't miss mu h through injury/fitness.

Just a reminder that Ings tested positive for Covid back in January, some of his lack of minutes was down to Covid and the after effects which seemed to have hit his fitness. Not everything was down to injury.

Why does everyone think that because Ings has turned down the 4 year deal then that means he is going to leave? Did the offer include the words "take it or leave it"? Away from the Athletic headline it is reported that Danny "accepts he might need to wait until his contract expires." Personally don't see any reason that he wouldn't sign a new contract, if any Club knows what signing a new contract means to whether a player leaves or not it should be Southampton and our "fans". If someone else wants him and is prepared to pay big money then whether he is on a one year contract or 4 years makes bugger all difference, just ask Mr van Dijk. Interesting too that everyone believes 100% in this because its in the Athletic. Why? I suspect Saints are reasonably confident that they can get Danny to sign a new contract following some more negotiations, possibly after the transfer window closes, I bet its not as cut and dried as the Athletic are making out. After Ralph has said all along that he expects Danny to still be at Southampton this season, don't think he would have said that if he didn't have a fair idea of the way the wind was blowing. I remain confident that Ingsy will play for Saints next season, just like I think JWP will as well.

He's been at Southampton a lot more than a decade. Sure, try something different, agree with you, but Birmingham, FFS. He must be getting some really bad advice if he is interested in switching to Villa (if, I don't believe it still, just local rag talk as far as I can see).

Their whole life - get real, he is 26. 😳