Saint Charlie

Yaya Toure's last game and no major summer tournement. Zero chance they are suddenly going to rest half their stars.

He quite clearly referred to the context of their age as the reason for singling those two out. No whopping blunder. Although he did say both their names incorrectly.

Nothing hugely exciting, but seeing as you asked: - Krueger told me he is definitely staying next season (there had been some suggestion in the Echo he may not as his contract was/is up this summer). - Pretty obvious but in regard to some reports yesterday re Liverpool, Bertrand is not going anywhere and very happy to have signed here. - Morgan said "we will see" when asked about his future and Toby again said his is down to Atletico. - Clyne non commital when someone asked if he would be staying (what do people really expect them to say?) - Long said apart from his own he wanted Bertrand's goal vs Palace as GOTS. - Forster aiming to be back before Christmas. He mentioned October to someone on my table but seeing as he was limping on the lap of honour the other day that seems hopeful! - Was sat pretty close to KL and could see that she was very humbled by the reception for her and her father. A lot of fans went to talk to her and whilst she doesn't crave the attention whatsoever, she seemed genuinely suprised that people wanted to thank her! - JWP thinks Eng U21s have a great chance to win the U21 tournament and said of non PL players (from this season) to watch out for Alex Pritchard, Spurs midfielder who did well at Brentford this season. From that squad his main pal apart from the Saints/ex Saints is John Stones. - Reed looking forward to the Toulon U20 tournament in the summer and said he (suprise suprise) that the Everton game was his season highlight, and he was quite emotional afterwards having made such an impact. Hopes to play more next season. He was at Arsenal until age 7 before joining us. - Mane seemed genuinely suprised & pleased when I told him I thought he has been excellent this season. He seemed like a really good guy (although didnt follow the dresscode!) - Tadic was back in Serbia apparently. - I went to this last year also and there was a difference this year in the whole atmosphere in that I think everyone, players, fans and the staff including Reed and Krueger just feel there is more control over what is and will happen in the summer. Last time Poch & staff snuck out as soon as possible, Shaw spent half the night on his phone in the lobby and of course Lallana (who deservedly won all the awards) was in a difficult position of accepting the praise knowing he was going to push to leave. Whilst pricey, a great evening and nice to be able to speak to the players you watch every week, especially after such a great season.

I personally don't think Kelvin Davis deserves to win an Award this season.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3089474/Morgan-Schneiderlin-stalling-new-Southampton-contract-Tottenham-prepare-bid-France-midfielder.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Would be suprised if Les Reed and Koeman had been so positive about Clyne recently without being almost sure that he will stay.

Young Player is usually someone from the Academy teams. Should be a good night though, and hopefully a slightly different tone to last year where Poch was grumpy, didn't do a speech and left early, and it was clear a few players were counting down the days to the transfer window. Really looking forward to it tonight.

Sissoko no? Holding out for Pogba?!

You answered your own question. Best way to assess a backup is if they suddenly needed to play more often.

Morgan can do so much better than Spurs, but if none of those Clubs actually put a bid in and Spurs offer what we want then it wouldnt suprise me. He is so adept at fitting MPs system and they will spend this summer. Would be a brilliant signing for them.

Edwards has a shoulder injury. Would be a big loss for any length of time.

Suprised no mention for Schneiderlin vs Newcastle or Mane third vs Villa for the whole move in both goals.

Because they are looking for more in depth knowledge than "he's clearly excellent and has been for years."

Thanks Weston. Wheal certainly seems a great prospect. Sounds like it may be Briggs plus three seamers after today then. He took 6 wickets in the Second XI today.

Such a shame we don't have a proper goalie for this one as you know to get a result there you keeper is going to need a 7/10 performance minimum. Can see something like 4-2 City.

Wouldn't be a huge suprise IMO. He has barely played and its hard to see him featuring much aside from in an injury crisis.

Morgan has to start, if fit.

235-4 now. Should be on for 400 plus but equally could be 280 ao knowing Hants. Seem to be scoring quite slowly but a decent innings for once and shouldnt be immediately on the back foot. Wheal is the South African seamer who has an EU passport. 18 years old I think and Benkenstein said pre season he is a good prospect. Bird also bowled in the lunch interval today.

Weird if true (and it seems to be).

Sounds like Morgan possibly but not Tadic.

Very true. I thought Kompany was back (maybe he is on bench) and whilst he has been average this season he is better than Mangala and Demichelis. If somehow we can keep their attack quiet there are definitely goals available.

Get in. That should do it.

Mangala will probably score an OG in the 89th minute.

Would be gutting to finish 8th after the season we have had. The rest of this game is arguably bigger than our own game next week.

2-1 FFS. Definitely not over.