the saint in winchester

No more Moore?

I had expected a quick meeting and announcement, but as this is becoming protracted, I accept it could be any time until Christmas. They may now give him the reins until the new season and see how he makes out. Who knows? I sure as hell don't.

Michael Gray called Talksport last night, talking about the players refusing to play and those who did strolling round to avoid injury in case it prevented them being available for a transfer ...... owners wanting to sell .... the issue goes deeper than Moyes. He doesn't help himself, with his abrasive nature and sexist comments, but you can't just say "Allardyce, Di Canio and Poyet kept them up so Moyes is a failure". Not sure anyone would have kept them up this season. They won't be back soon.

Although most of us expect Puel will be going, let's consider : what would be needed if he were to stay on and be successful? For me: * VVD to stay * be prepared to change formation mid game * substitutions to change the game, not just 'fresh pair of legs' * learn better English to get his ideas across * coaching for press conferences - no more 'interesting possiblities' * a commitment to the Southampton Way of playing - try to win games, not avoid losing Yes, this list is getting ridiculous. Can a leopard change his spots? Maybe he will tell Reed this was his first year plan, but now he plans to be an exhuberant attacking manager like Antonio Conte

No. There are better out there - we hope. Talking of relegated managers, Moyes just "resigned" from Sunderland. I do hope Reed isn't thinking he would be a good fit for us.

Hope not. I'll hope for Jakanovic then until a better name is in the frame. And he can bring Sessegnon with him if Bertrand is moving on. One Ryan in, one Ryan out.

Agree that there has to be a statement either way now. Kreuger's 'chat over drinks' has peaked (picqed?) everyone's attention and raised this as an issue. I was one who thought Puel would force the issue overnight with a resignation or compromise agreement .. but now we have moved to this afternoon, we are into end of season review. The announcement - whatever it may be - could be any time this week. I must admit Hull's late results have dampened my support for Silva. Hopefully there is a young manager with a penchant for attacking football ("the Southampton way") who could come in. Someone named a candidate a few days ago.

I have a feeling Puel will resign without waiting for an end of term report. He looks like a broken man. All this talk of interesting possibilities, yet I think he just wants to say 'get me outta here'. I think the pressure of the job, the intensity of the media, all in a foreign country is too much for him. I can see him walking and hoping something comes up back in France. His stock is still high there. Au Revior, Claude, a bientot.

Jeremy Corbyn will be looking for work soon. Can't be any worse than Puel. At least he wants to win.

I think you speak for many of us there. On the face of it, he has hit targets and taken us to Wembley. However, have we been entertained and enjoyed the season? No. Hard to decide whether to release him when you don't know the other option if he should go. If you told me Martin Allen was incoming, then I'd probably give Puel another season. An exciting young manager with a reputation for attacking football, then I want Puel out. I am happy to let the Club directors make the decision.

Yes, that's not a very attractive quality he has picked up. You know when he his game is off, it's everyone's fault. Wouldn't say no to Pelle, but we may need a Mane type to pick up his flicks and chest downs.

Regarding Jose, I think he is completely out of sorts, Is it still the case he living in a Manchester hotel while his family are back in London? That's not sustainable. He's no longer any 'Special One', more 'The Miserable One'. Souness and Redknapp on SS last night tore into him and his attitude. I can honestly see his time at Man U coming to an end maybe end of next season. Regarding Puel, ok we will get 8th or 9th, we got to Wembley, we have been without key players for long periods (Van Dijk, Austin et al) but he hasn't made the best of resources available and has turned an exciting club into a snore-fest. Obviously, it depends on who the replacement turns out to be (yes, be careful what we wish for) but I, for one, would take finishing 10th-14th if it meant the return of exciting football.

All the more reason to get some minutes on the pitch for this one. We were crying out for a finisher last night. Why Puel left him on the bench all game, only Puel knows.

They're a physical side (to put it mildly) so Charlie to start please ... and take the three penalties we will be awarded when Shawshank rips the shirts off their backs at corners and free kicks ...

Get the slogan right - it's officially 'turd in the final third'.

Yes there is. He could play the one guy in the side with a high score rate at penalties. Instead he is sat on the bench. I would have brought him on when the penalty was awarded.

Which is why Austin has to play!!!!

Reed going back to the office, to raise a P45 .... i hope!!!

All three subs on, so no Charlie!! It's either Puel out, or a line of players wanting out.

This keeper is having one of them nights. He is going to save everything!

How long til we see some Charlie?

Pull the roof shut and we'll be fine. Oh wait, we don't have a roof.

That thought crossed my mind too. The top 7 are mega-rich and dripping with world class players, so we have finished TOP of our league. Maybe this result (8th) is the best result we could have hoped for. HOWEVER, if he is judged on style of play, quality of entertainment, customer feedback ... then that's where this season has been disappointing. So quantity? Or quality? But Faz is right. Finish 8th, Cup Final, played in Europe ... can we sack him? Especially if we bring in Marco Silva, a manager who was relegated with his team. Are we mad to sack him?

I think you're being swayed by newspaper headlines. All he says is that at the end of every season, all players and the manager are reviewed. There is nothing untoward or negative in any of this. No news in this. The only news is that Kreuger diverted everyone's attention from the final two games of the season to stand up and say nothing. Aside from review starts next Monday and Reed becomes Vice-Chairman.

I got it. Obviously a Smiths fan?