SNSUN

I'd hazard a guess we plan on reintegrating him into the first team - he's a huge asset that we cannot really have sitting around on his arse dragging a salary out of the club. That said, I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if we never see him in a Saints shirt again. He's been tapped up, had his head turned and has been so vocal about leaving that I really think he'll sulk his way to next summer. Where, again, the club doesn't have to sell him. Loan him out to Exeter when the loan window opens for lower league clubs. For Saints, the best course of action would be to try and get a good season out of him, perhaps by "guaranteeing" him a transfer next summer. (Pending a transfer offer that meets our expectations. Which by then could be around the £90 million mark! ) Of course Liverpool fans won't be done with this saga - they'll now be mouthing off about getting him on the cheap in January (forgetting he'll still have a 4 and a half year contract) or some such craziness...

Arsenal are walking in to a disaster of their own making - they're a shambles. Sanchez and Ozil, their two most gifted and valuable players, are out of contract at the end of the season and it doesn't seem like they're in a hurry to sign new contracts, meaning Arsenal either sell them now or lose them for free at the end of the season. They have no Champions League this season because of Wenger's stubbornness to do the decent thing and leave, meaning it's tougher to attract top, top players. They have had poor recruitment for ages, already shipping out Mustafi and looking to ship out Elneny - Lacazette goes against that flow but even he was being linked with West Ham until this year. Their players regularly get played out of position. They have 3 centre backs, two of whom are old, and one who is young and raw. Oh, and Chambers who has not been trusted for some time now. It's very possible Arsenal could lose their 'top 6 membership' over the next couple of seasons - which is annoying as they're the most tolerable top 6 club IMO. As for Walcott, not that I think he'll leave this summer, but I'd have him back here if we could compromise on his wages, but as for all players with pace, his shelf life is limited. It's interesting to see what will happen with them over the next couple of years. My mate, an Arsenal fan and well known bedwetter, is extremely worried. I'm seeing rumours of VVD bids of £75 million+ online, though I'm highly dubious of their authenticity, I'm pretty sure that would be the kind of money that our club wouldn't turn down. Even if it is to Liverpool, which would be a bitter pill to swallow. 53 hours to go to find out...

Two days to go and Liverpool, their fans, their ex-players, VVD, his agent and no doubt the entire British media will all be doing their best to force this to a conclusion which sees him ending up at Liverpool. I still feel, long term, that it's his most likely destination, and they'll be on a high after securing Keita (albeit for next summer) when they thought that deal was dead. Chelsea don't really need him for the money they'd have to pay and Arsenal notoriously under-bid for players and I don't believe they'd stump up the money we want for him. City are a possibility - the link for Evans seems to have gone cold since he's been linked to Leicester and there's no denying they have the money, and he'd instantly improve them, but they already have 3 good centre backs. I've expected him to leave all summer for the right price, especially when his toys started being thrown out the pram, but I'm hugely proud of the club for getting this close to September with the courage of their convictions. The issue about whether he'll knuckle down and play or train with the youth team is a question for Friday. The next two days will drag.

The window shuts on Thursday, and we now have a break for the Internationals. Will we sign anyone? What do we need? And will we see the end of the VVD saga? IMO we blatantly need a number 10, an attacking midfielder who isn't selfish and can link midfield to attack. We have a decent crop of strikers for our needs IMO, but we need that attacking midfielder that can play a good through ball and shoot. Get one and we are in for a good season. What do you think the week will bring? (Besides a raft of fans wanting to smack Jim White in the chops...)

If this isn't the biggest advert that we need a decent number 10, I don't know what is! And Boufal on the bench still. After this performance, a point would be a decent result away from home.

Bournemouth fans can thanks me, I took Daniels out of my dream team and put in Lascelles. Wait - Sterling nicks it!

Good news, he's been a model pro since he has arrived, and has improved for having a run of games in the side. As a "3rd" centre back he's as good as we can hope for, and I wouldn't be averse to seeing him as first choice alongside Hoedt, if that's how the VVD situation ends up. In a team full of young players he's a good older head to have around.

Mickey Mouse cup etc At least it seems Saints are looking for an attacker. It's been clear since the start of the year that we lack something in attack, a number 10 that can shoot. If only there were a Mané-esque gem out there waiting to be snapped up... Still think we can snatch extra time, but it doesn't sound like a good game...

Physio Room have us down as having no injuries (Targett being a very recent one) and Premier Injuries only list Lemina as injured from last weekend. Bit worrying about Hojbjerg. If him and Clasie are on the way out, we again look fairly weak in midfield. Hopefully it's an injury that neither sites have picked up on, I like Hojbjerg, I think he has potential. (And I don't mind Clasie though I see why he will probably leave.) Strong starting line up though as I suspected. Should win this...

Feeling Hot Hot Hot by the Merrymen, surely! (With Hoedt, not 'hot' obviously) Get the Chapel singing "Ole Ole, Ole Ole" etc Then squeeze in something about hating Pompey.

I know nothing of Hoedt other than what I've read, but it seems he adds aerial presence to our defence. A seemingly typical signing for Saints, mid-teens millions price tag, right age, potential, not first choice at a big club. Long may we pick out these gems. Will he partner VVD? We can only hope but I'd still be massively surprised if we see VVD play for us again. Irrespective of that, Hoedt, Jack, Maya and Bednarek should be enough to see us through a season. Now over to RAWK to see the Dipper idiots treat Hoedt's arrival like the second coming of Christ...

Koeman just said he's looking for a left footed centre back... Announcement please Saints!

Big banana skin this game. All depends on which team's get put out. I'd say we should put out a strong backbone as Wolves can't be underestimated. McCarthy (or Forster if not fit) Pied Bednarek Yoshida Targett Hojbjerg Romeu JWP Boufal Redmond Austin subs: Taylor, Stephens, McQueen, Clasie, Tadic, Long, Gallagher Let Lemina's cut heal. Will there be more youngsters? We shall see.

Even though it won't happen obviously, ripping the team apart a week and a bit before the end of the window, but £150 million is actually close to the valuation I'd expect for the trio, £40 million each on the full backs and £70 million on VVD. Still, won't happen. Seriously are we the only team with players that can play for the top 6 in the World? I'd still love VVD to stay and buckle down but I don't think we've seen the end of this saga yet. Bertrand and Cedric will just have to wait another year...

Scored again today

Sticky?

Forster Cedric-Virgil Van Frigging Dijk-Hoedt-Bertrand Lemina-Romeu Redmond-Vietto-Tadic Gabbiadini Subs: McCarthy, Yoshida, Stephens, Davis, JWP, Boufal, Austin. We can dream! (Or unchanged line up, whatevs.) The only prediction I'm making is that I think we'll banish our home goal scoring hoodoo. West Ham will click at some point, hopefully not this game.

£15 million! Wow the media must hate us or something, perhaps for forcing VVD at gunpoint to sign a 6 year contract and holding him captive in a specially built underground bunker to stop him joining their beloved Liverpool. Cedric, one of the best right backs in the league, is worth at least double that with 3 years of his contract left to run. That's less than Britt Assombalonga cost 'Boro.

So are we all Hoffenheim fans for the evening?

Bring on the Dyson hand dryers! A couple more marquee signings before the transfer window is out would strengthen the fanbase's relationship with them. Does this strengthen our position on keeping VVD I wonder...? We've had it so good with the Liebherrs. Naturally I have concerns about which way this new investment will take us, but I am heartened that she's kept a stake in the club. For someone who had the club unexpectedly thrust upon her, she's always done what she feels is best for us. Nice win against the Hammers to get them started please!

Le Tiss was involved in the heats but they narrowed it down based on public votes in 5 year blocks. Those are the final five based on public votes. MLTs Blackburn goal was in with Yeboah, which won the heat to get into the final 5. Still crazy ash not to have an MLT goal in it, but short memories, youngsters and glory support probably has a lot to do with it.

I reckon £60 million+ is about right in what we'll get, as you say it's a world record for a defender (although probably not for long), but under that will be poor considering the stance we've taken, even if it's "with add ons". I do believe we won't sell to Liverpool (which would be unanimously welcomed by Saints fans) but I would be very surprised if he's still here in September. If he does still happen to be here, IMO we can't take the risk as to whether he'll buckle down or not - either way we need to be bringing in a centre back. I'm liking signings that 'unite' the fan base - we've had that with Gabbiadini and Lemina this year for the most part (less so with the unknown Bednarek), so i hope we can find a centre back we can all get behind. Reading comments on here, that seems to be Hoedt over Wimmer.

I put Forster in as my main 'keeper, then picked the rest of the team. Then I realised I had enough money left for Cech. No brainer really. I also bumped Redmond for Zaha. Only Cedric and Gabbi made the cut. I reckon this will be the season for midfielders to shine, so that's where I spent the bulk of my money.

It's interesting to read RAWK over the last few pages on the VVD thread - they're starting to realise he might not actually join them and are talking about alternative centre backs. I still think there's a long way to go with the VVD saga this window, but it seems Saints hardline approach of saying he's not for sale is hitting home. The more I think about it the more I think he'd be perfect for City. With their new full backs and awesome attack, they'd stand a very good chance of not only winning the league, but the Champions League too. Business is business and I think Liverpool could still get him, but Saints would be very reluctant for that to happen unless the money is right. I suppose it depends on what noises come out of the VVD camp in the next fortnight, but he's pretty much already played every hand available to him. Let's see what our club is made of now.

Karma is a big old beeyatch! Heard this on TalkTurd in the car and couldn't stop laughing. Definitely what goes around, comes around. I see they've rejected it. Does this mean they'll soon have a more unhappy player than we have? You watch Inter Milan swooping in for Sadio now while Liverpool are under pressure, that's my guess. I can't see him leaving; if they lose Coutinho they'll never let Mané go, but it'll be interesting to see how they deal with it. VVD must be wondering whether he's made the right decision wanting to join that lot. Better take him out my provisional Fantasy Dream Team.