Suhari

So we'e changed the formation throughout the age groups and the first team. And we've employed a manager who has had success with the new formation at previous clubs. Do we know what came first.....the decision to change to a diamond, or the decision to appoint Puel?

It is damn quiet on transfers. Surely they'll be some incomings soon?

Presumably we aren't yet performing in quite the way he wants us too. I very much doubt he wants us so impotent! The big question is will he be able to get us playing the way he wants. Early days though.

Neat, tidy, toothless. Little movement or options up front. No panic yet......who remembers Midgitland last season? Nice to see J-Rod come on a show a burst of pace. Onto the next one.

And it'll be an encouraging yet annoying 2-1 defeat.

Watching in The Exchange. Friday night, Saints on TV, pub. Like.

How many levels are there?

Changed throughout the groups? Didn't know that........great though - I find that encouraging. Tactically football is continually evolving, as we all know. So the club has taken a decision to make changes 'ahead of the masses'.....brave move. It does seem most now play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. That wasn't the case until quite recently. If we don't try new things, then in a few years we'd be moaning about 'still playing to an oldfashioned system'. On a related (nearly) note...I did enjoy the Pep, 'play your fullbacks in midfiled' discussion on MOTD the other night.

Puel's preferred formation. Which is fine...and yet not really in keeping with 'The Southampton Way'. I thought we brought managers in who played the way we do throughout the club. Unless we've changed to diamond throught the age groups?

One of the things that's making it so interesting for me is the amount of new managers at the 'Top' clubs...... have Utd got the 'Special One' or the guy from last season? Will Conte and Pep be able to do it on a rainy night at Stoke (cliche I know, but they're not guaranteed success).....the teams with momentum from last season might still surprise. Klopp (sadly) is a decent manager, ....ditto Poch, who no-one seems to be mentioning; but top 4 for Spurs wouldn't surprise me. WHam could be an outside bet for a top 5/6. Although I'm probably wrong and it'll be a 3 way fight for the title, with Liverpool or Arse getting 4th. Which would be dull.

That's better! Used to enjoy Talkspot going back to about 2003. Now they're awful.

Didn't hear it...but all they ever do is pick up on a story and get a retired player to make a few meaningless and uninformed comments.

Has he switched to Rugby?!

Interesting if there is a move to replace him as captain. Is there something lacking in his leadership? Perhaps the other candidate is simply considered a better option? Or perhaps their signing a new deal was linked to being made captain..? (Assuming of course the candidate is one of the recent re-signs).

He's 32. He's not going to get better than he is. At some point we need to sort a replacement. He's just won the Euros. He will never have a better opportunity to secure a final, massive money move somewhere. He's been a great servant and I wouldn't begrudge him that. And if we get a chunky offer for him, given his age, do you think we'll turn it down? It'd be another Pelle situation. If he goes that's fine. If he stays, that's fine too. Doesn't change what he has contributed to Saints, and he should still be on the banner.

Apparently he didn't perform much at night.

Good signing that Redmond. Coming on for himself like that!

That's a bold claim! Agree that it will be very interesting watching his development. Shame it's a reason to to watch the Scousers with a sense of anticipation.

I don't buy the 'we massively overachieved last season' argument. We were dismal at the start, and awful for 10 games around Christmas. We're comfortably a top 8 club, and we'll be in the top 8 this season. Getting out of the Europa group would be awesome - and I think we will. Quarter finals of one of the cups. It's going to be great.

That jumped out for me too. Right after the comments about developing Henry.......so is he trying to make an English version!? That said, if his system asks the front two to split wide, then it makes some sense to utilise a striker who is comfortable out wide, so why not give it a go?

Cheers.

Cmon, give up some more details!

Interesting second post. Care to share more?

Blind date off Plenty of Fish. Bet she's minging.

Hard to see him as a Saints type signing. However.....'new direction' - talented kids, with an experienced leader in the dressing room to help them develop...?