Saint Charlie

Agree. His defending is better than any other left back we have had for ages. He never gets beaten for pace, stops loads of crosses coming into the box, is good in the air and concentrates well. Can barely think of a winger who has got the better of him. IMO his defending is more advanced than his attacking.

Willems a couple of years ago was destined for big things.

You have hit most of the bingo phrases in there. Just needed a reference to being like Alpine Saint to complete the set. I'm excited about the new season as always and about our team. But surely player sales are as worthy a debating topic as anything else? Has been the biggest Saints talking point this summer so would be odd on a Saints forum for there not to be discussion on it.

Yeah we must be doing well from cash inflow and will certainly do well financially from the summer. Even if we reinvest all the money will bring in, we will be able to do most of our business without even dipping into any existing funding for transfers...if we wished to. Certainly should be able to wipe either or both of transfer monies owned and Staplewood work with the income we have and / or are likely to have.

RK could have phoned him like Poch has to the Spurs players. He didn't because he knew when he took the job that Shaw was going so is probably not fussed if it adds to his kitty.

Well will obviously sign a LB plus have Targett coming through. Clyne plays there as an emergency, but not full time.

Richmond - Reed said it would be reinvested. Plus we can target far better players than a newly promoted team and also will still have a lot of very good players even after further departures. We can still have a good team next season.

Sums it up well but you may be called a bed wetter or asked for evidence Lallana and Lovren are leaving. Going to need probably 8 or 9 players in two months. Recent examples of Sunderland and Spurs doing that last season and it didnt go well. Huge task ahead, and also the loss of three or four (if MS goes) players who qualify as homegrown which is also a consideration. The Academy has to be considered a way of making money rather than a method through which to supply the first team. Barely anyone who comes from it plays over 100 games for Saints.

Game time is one thing, but certainly Walcott and Shaw were very hyped from a young age, 13 or 14 and Bale good enough to be a star in the Championship aged 16. There are not many youngsters across the country with that quality hence why both Shaw and Theo went to World Cups before being 19. Its not normal to find players of that quality and you would think they would also have got chances at other clubs because they are just that good, like Rooney did, Wilshere did, Fabregas did all at a very young age. The likes of Gallgher, Reed etc certainly benefit from us giving them a chance though. Gallagher certainly wouldnt have played half as much at any other PL team. We also had the luxury last season after being under no threat whatsoever so we could bring them in.

So, you think no more will leave then? Easy to make cheap remarks, at the end of the window we will see just how hysterical I have been because the OP tells you what I think will happen. If we do lose MP, LS, RL, AL, DL & MS then I would say its been a fairly big impact and worth (sensibly) debating as this thread does. As if people want to pretend we havent already lost two of our three England players!

1. Not got a huge problem with the fee (if that is actually correct). Since November last year he has obviously increased his value and played for England etc and at a WC. In terms of Reed and Krueger its hardly like they have done deal of the century, Shaw is clearly doing right to the very top and is well worth the money so wouldn't say they have been "impressive" but more they have done what was expected. Ultimately a player is worth what someone pays for them. Osvaldo was worth 15m last summer and probably only about 4m now. 2. We have sold reluctantly because be wants to go and we have little choice.

Mostly agree, especially re the Intls. Certainly won't be fussed next season about anyone being called up.

Lets hope so, would happily be completely wrong in thinking Shaw is and always will be a far better player than Targett.

Plus all those examples you give are selling the odd player which all teams do. Not four of five of the best in one summer.

I agree on the individual case but the difference is Liverpool won't lose Suarez, Gerrard, Sterling, Sturridge and Rodgers all in one summer. That is the difference here, its quite unprecedented to lose possibly four or five of the best players and a very successful Manager like we are (potentially) faced with. Plus, whilst we lose players to clubs, we can't look to tbose clubs for replacements like a Liverpool or United could.

No. But better than Fox. And Shaw obviously. He will rot in United's reserves with Jesse Lingard and should have stayed at Saints.

TBF to MLT he also said that. We would defo need two left backs and Targett, who is obviously decent can develop. Looks like we are interested in Kolo at Nice.

Tell them Targett, Reed and Jason McCarthy are better than them anyway.

I know. Its the way though on here to pretend its great. We would all rather watch Shaw next season than someone who isn't as good. Just like we all hope Lallana, Schneiderlin, Lovren etc all stay. Any Saints fan wants that. If you think it won't happen and they will go like I do, it doesnt mean you want them to, or that you have trouble finding the toilet. Just so many head in the sand merchants at the moment.

Surely its a role for properly qualified and experienced coaches?

Who, Targett?

Plus the liklihood in one summer of losing all three English Intls and the two best players from our much vaunted academy. Without Shaw and AL there are no academy graduates who are guarenteed a start for us, Chambers closest, then JWP then quite a big gap to the rest. Bit different from this last season. We can't afford the best English players so will either replace with foreigners or Envlish players of lesser quality, could change the squad dynamic and potential for four players who have been with us for "the journey" to all go in one summer which would be a shame.

27m plus add ons then. Wonder how much up front and what add ons but we will never know. Pretty similar to what Fellaini cost and less than Ferdinand 10 years ago. Might be a decent enough deal for us, certainly a great deal for Utd and obviously Shaw too.

Anyone heard anything on appointments for these roles? Very key roles in our structure, would imagine a lot of interest in the roles.

Be interesting to see how much game time Stephens gets in pre season. Still a good propsect and could be 4th centre back perhaps?