saintant

I think for what we are likely to get from him and the risks involved he will demand too much money - if he wants to come for a realistic wage then possibly but I reckon he'll want too much.

But if last season Downes was playing for a club such as say Leeds I don't think West Ham would have the slightest interest in him.

Or he might get beaten by a chip shot.

Depends what other offers he receives. Obviously not every club is in the market for a left back plus he is unlikley to attract interest from the top 6-8 Premier League clubs imo.

Possibly Tierney. We need a left back, he's coming up for 27, has bags of top level experience and his height would be an asset.

He'd have far more chance of starting first team games for us.

Alex is on massive money. I'd only offer him pay per game at much lower amount. We need to free up his salary for other players.

Agree, I just watched a skills video of him and it was almost like watching a clone of Jude. He's almost certain to go right to the top but maybe we could make a shrewd move now and, as you say, offer him regular playing time in the Premier League. I'm convinced he'd handle the step up even at such a young age. Sunderland would obviously want a sell-on clause but it could be great business for us if we could swing it.

Love to sign Jobe Belligham from Sunderland. At 18 he already looks as though he'll be following in the footsteps of brother Jude. Scored a cracker at St Marys. I realise the competition will be stiff but I think he'd be a good fit for us and he has time on his side at 18 and will inevitably end up at one of the big clubs. I can dream.

Love the way Flynn Downes kids on that he's not looking to receive the ball so Leeds don't spot the danger - you see him have a quick glance to weigh up what is on ahead of him then bang, he steps into a small pocket of space to receive from THB and fizzes a quick pass round the corner to Will who is well aware that Arma is waiting for the killer pass and he slides him in beautifully. Lots of little nuances that create a very well worked goal. Arma's movement is brilliant because early in the move he can be seen lurking in the left half of the pitch but he makes a clever sideways run to receive from Will. I think the only two players who had no touches in the whole build up were Alex and Wee Man.

Yeah, the Flynn Downes situation is likely to be very tricky. I've read reports that their new manager wants to have a look at him in pre-season friendlies which obviously cuts it fine if we end up not getting him.

Nobody is getting on their high horse - some are expressing opinions on the potential signing of Lallana that may differ from your own. Nothing wrong with that and it doesn't involve high horses. Some are prepared to give him a chance others less so.

Fair enough. For me if he signs he starts with a clean sheet and I'll judge him on what he says and does not on what he may or may not have said and done in the past

If it's true that we are in for him then the club have obviously got over what may or may not have transpired 10 years ago. Maybe we should too.

Who cares what Lallana may or may not have said when he left. Does anyone know for a fact that he threatened not to play? How many of us would have turned down a move in our career involving much more money and opportunities? Maybe it was all handled badly but you can bet there were faults on both sides and few, if any of us, know all the facts. Maybe time to draw a line under it and welcome him back if he does sign because it will mean the club see him as a valuable asset.

The past is gone and can't help Southampton Football Club. The future is what counts as we can do things to improve and build on our promotion. It would appear that Adam Lallana is well thought of and is demonstrating clear signs that he'll develop into a good coach. That being so and, if the club believes he will be an asset, I don't see any reason why we shouldn't give him a chance. Every appointment is a gamble and Lallana could prove a shrewd signing. Let's not cut off our nose to spite our face. I get that many were not happy with the way his move to Liverpool was handled but a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.

Has Rasmus made any comment on our promotion? He seems strangely quiet.

I always think the key for promoted clubs is to unearth some unpolished gems that turn out to be diamonds. They tend to be well within budget in terms of transfer fees and wages. Clearly it's not easy but I'm sure Mowbray has been clocking up the air miles and will have a few names in mind.

I recall that St Marys was built with the option to add rows of seats but the cost was pretty high.

Wages would likely be the issue. He'll be on a fortune at Arsenal. Think we have to aim lower than the top 6 Premier clubs - apart from their youngsters of course 🙂

This is a fair point and it must be incredibly difficult to strike the right balance. On the one hand you have the team spirit and camaraderie which has been built during a successful campaign - that is an element that cannot be bought but it can easily be eroded.. On the other hand you have the clear need to strengthen the squad and integrate new players to help cope with the higher demands of the Premier League. It's a really tough conundrum.

What a cop-out 🙂

Come on then Einstein - have a go yourself instead of sniping from the sidelines. No need to be so condescending - I made a few suggestions and you didn't like them. Get back in your box and chill out a bit.

I noticed that the linesmen were more inclined to flag all offsides rather than wait. Maybe they were Championship officials so less used to the VAR process of waiting and letting VAR sort out any marginal issues.

Got any names in mind?