Saint_Tony

What a great piece, what a man. Would love it if he scored in Brazil

It's fantastic news, delighted for all of them, especially Rickie. Just a shame that by the time the tournament comes round he will be the only Southampton representative

No team is built around a left back. Of course we will be worse of without him, but it isn't the end of the world. Lovren, Schneiderlin and Lallana are far more vital to us

The thing with Rickie is he doesn't take his place for granted. He's worked incredibly hard to get where he is a should be an inspiration to othes in the squad who have had to do very little to get there. Even with his call up due to injuries last summer, I don't think anyone would have had him down as having a chance. One of the best things is that the media, pundits and non-saints fans now realise he is a quality player who is there on merit

There's nothing wrong with this post. Adam didn't have his best season last year. Turkish noted in the post that he's a great player

As I wrote on here a couple of weeks ago, I understand MP is off to Spurs and that J Rod is one of the players he wants to bring with him, along with Lallana (looking unlikely) and Chambers

Spot on, it does make you question the whole purpose of the five year plan if it's not going to be built on. It's just so frustrating as a fan that from having a great season which ended a few hours ago, we are now just discussing negative things. Ralph talks a good game and it seems harsh to judge him but there's nothing to suggest he has any ambitious plans for the club like Cortese did. Today we should be happy that we have 3 players selected for an England World cup squad, yet the reality is only one of them will be a Southampton player by the time the first game arrives.

Yes. Today is one of the saddest days in the history of the club. The day we accept that we have come as far as we can and won't try to improve.

So our bonus for finishing 8th and not making the Champions League is half of our team leaving. Makes you wonder if it's ever worth it.

Fair enough, but surely that just undermines the five year plan and everything we have achieved in getting back to where we are? We may never know, but I'm sure Cortese would have had an ambitious plan drawn up. Like him or loathe him, I'm sure Champions League football was the next part of the plan.Even if we don't break into the top 6, I'd like to see a bit of intent but sadly it doesn't look like it's going to happen.

Great to see Rickie in there, even with his call up I don't think anyone thought he would make the World Cup. 29 league goals in 2 seasons, despite supposedly being past it. He's been back on form for the few games and it would be incredible to see him score in Brazil.

It's all irrelevant now, MP won't sign knowing Shaw and Lallana have gone. Sadly the new 'project' will probably be to sustain our midtable status

Yeah, that is a decent looking side, same that Danny Mills suggestes on the radio the other night. My first thought is that it looks a bit too ambitious for Hodgson, plenty of attacking talent. The squad is in better shape though than a year ago and its good that Roy has drafted in some younger players like Shaw, Barkley and Sterling to replace some of the older ones

Sorry, but I disagree it's OTT. Gallagher, Reed, JWP are not the answer, we saw what happened with the Dutch experiment. Just because they've come through the academy and are on the fringe of the first team squad, it does not mean that they are good enough. If you look at the subs bench, the likes of Guly and Jos will be off and need replacing. We will need another Gk and CB regardless of player sales. Then replacements for Shaw and Lallana plus at least one new striker. That's 7 already, and the squad will probably be weaker .I think it could be a busy summer of transfer ins and outs.

Why? If they're going to bid around the £30 million mark, that's good business. I can't see him getting any game time unless Baines gets injured so it won't affect his value. And gives the club more time to target a replacement

Just hope it gets done asap, we're going to need to bring in at least 8 new players, which will take time.

I genuinely believe he has the ability to be one of the stars of the World Cup, and then the Champions League (hopefully not with Livetpool, won't be us though)

The problem is that Man Utd players have always been called up to England squads, regardless of ability (Smalling, Cleverley etc). In a way it's a little unfair on them as it makes them think they've made it already

I think it's important now that we accept that Lallana is definitely going and move on. Many said we should try and sign another 3/4 players in the summer, but with Lallana and potentially another 2/3 first teamers plus Ramirez, Osvaldo, Jos And Guly, I think we might need another 8 or 9 new players.Obviously this is a worst case scenario but a possibility. It all depends whether the board will at least try to reinvest in some quality players, or buy a load of the painfully average players mentioned on here (Redmond, Bertrand etc.) I'm very concerned we are going to be following in the footsteps of Aston Villa. Ralph has talked a good game, but actions speak louder than words.

Hope he does well in his last ever game for us today

That's near enough who I would take. Lampard is past it though, can't imagine he will play anyway. Defence looks very weak though, shame we don't have the same sort of quality at right back and centre back as we do left back.

Can see a few changes for this. It'll be their last game in a Saints shirt for Guly, Jos and Lallana. Also think KD will be Gk. Going for a 2-2 draw

Fairly sure he will be named Spurs manager within the next 2 weeks anyway. Instead of worrying about if and when, I'm more interested in who we will be getting in to replace him

Wow, why's everyone getting so worked about this? Lallana is obviously going to leave, so why the outrage at a team who will be playing in the Champions League showing an interest?

It's far easier to produce an argument for why he would move rather than stay. He's been with us a long time and has been a great servant, but he owes us nothing. He's been up and down the leagues with us, but surely he will feel he has earnt the opportunity to move onto bigger and better things than 8th placed finishes? I expect big things from him in the World Cup. If that happens, it will be impossible to keep him