Papa Shango

He is sort of. Arrived when he was still at school and has improved considerably in the time he's been with us. Saints definitely deserve plenty of credit for his development

We did fine with just Fonte, Yoshida and Hooiveld the season before last. They only struggled at the start of the season when they were ridiculously exposed.

Not as worried about our CB options as I am about other positions. Fonte is clearly good enough, and wasn't that far off the level Lovren was at for much of last season. People seem to have completely forgotten that Yoshida was excellent for much of 2012/13 too. Think his lack of match practice caught up with him a few times last season, but once he has a few games under his belt to get used to the pace, he's usually fine. Hooiveld has his faults, but it's not like he's never had a good game at this level. Stephens has impressed me recently too, and could be decent backup. We'll obviously sign someone else too, so I think we'll be ok. Will add that as good as Lovren was last season, I think our brilliant early defensive record had as much if not more to do with the way we set up as a team, and the defensive midfielders we had protecting the back four. If both those areas are in order then we will cope. More pressing issues at the other end of the pitch IMO.

Last season it didn't sell out until quite late IIRC. Expensive tickets mean they probably will make general sale again.

I met Gabriele Marcotti about a month after Cortese left and he was insistent that it was pretty much common knowledge within football that she wanted out, despite what was said publicly at the time. Pretty much the main reason NC left. He also said Cortese was trying to find new backers in the months leading up to his departure.

Amen brother

Nothing wrong with the director of football role. Pretty much essential in modern day football. You just need the right man

There's more to it than that though, isn't there? This isn't just about us being little old Saints. The level of unrest is almost unprecedented, and there are clearly issues at the club. The idea that all of this stuff that's happening is completely out of our control is simply not true.

It shouldn't be up to him to decide. What if he walks out in 12 months? Not conducive to long-term planning giving managers power to shape the club the way they want. The reason the managerial changes under Cortese were so smooth was because the structure remained the same. Koeman's job should be on the training pitch, nowhere else.

Don't think we were a million miles away from Everton's level, and they came very close last season. Could have at least got to that Spurs/Everton point just below the top 4 without breaking the bank. The board could have outlined a sensible plan to the players about how they were going to continue to try and push forward. Think most would have been inclined to stay longer had the club sold it to them that they were at least going to have a crack at the top 6 this season. Doesn't appear they even tried.

Exactly. This story didn't have to end when Cortese went. We were always going to lose one or two eventually, but this mass exodus was entirely preventable. We could have easily matched if not bettered what we did last season by selling just a couple and investing sensibly. The board should have at least tried to convey the message that they still have plans to try and push on, even if it was with a more 'sensible' financial approach. They should have fought tooth and nail to try and keep the players, but haven't even bothered talking to them. The idea that they did all that they could to try and persuade them to stay is blatantly not true.

People keep talking about the RB conundrum, but worth mentioning that Chambers played in various positions throughout his youth career. Only became a permanent right-back towards the end of 2012/13, so he could well have slotted into a new role (CB?) For me this is as gutting if not more soul destroying than any of the other sales we've made this summer. At least with Lallana we saw him at his very best. Even with Shaw we got two great years out of. As good as he was last season, Chambers is still a long way off his full potential. We should have had the opportunity to witness him at the height of his game, even just briefly. Sadly we won't now. Was actually feeling reasonably positive at the game tonight, but hearing this on the way back has really dampened my spirits. Not holding out much hope that we'll keep hold of Schneiderlin now. Resigned myself to Lovren going a while ago, but kind of thought the worst of it was over and we'd be able to keep most if not all of the others. Didn't see this one coming at all. Not sure anyone is safe now. Where will it all end?

Of those, four were dispensable squad players and one retired through injury. Nothing like the situation at St Marys this summer.

Easy to say that it's just one of those things, but it's a bit worrying that the board have struggled to get so few onside so far. When was the last time a top 10 side lost 3-5 key players and a manager in one transfer window? Just doesn't happen. One or two is understandable, but you'd have hoped we'd be able to convince at least a few to get on board. Even Villa got Benteke to sign a new contract last season when he was red hot and wanted to go.

Jos isn't perfect by any means, but I don't think he's quite as bad as some people suggest. He was first choice for the second half of 2012/13 and by and large did fairly well. His performance in the 3-1 win over Man City that season was as good if not better than anything Lovren has ever produced in a Saints shirt. It's not like he's never done it at this level. Obviously he has his faults, but as people have said above, he's fine as 4th choice.

My thoughts on the transfer http://thesaintshub.com/lambertsignsforliverpool.html

Would be on the same level as Lambert going IMO. Another hero out the door. Fonte should be here for the rest of his career given what he's done and how much of an influence he is in the dressing room

People talk like this is just the inevitable consequence of us doing well last season, it didn't have to be (not on this scale anyway). This has much more to do with the changes at the club than football being how it is. If Cortese had remained and the investment level was the same as it had been then none of this would be happening.

Yep. Suarez was desperate to go last summer, but Liverpool put their foot down. Do people really think players like Lallana are going to spend the whole season not trying if we deny them their move? They've got too much professional pride. Even if they do, a squad full of good unhappy players is still preferable to a squad full of rubbish happy players.

Hate people saying things like this. Obviously we'll always exist in some form, that's not really the point. Don't really agree with the assertion that Shaw won't be missed as much as others because he is a full-back. Probably just as important a position as anywhere else, especially with the way we play. I doubt we'll be able to find anyone half as good to replace him.

My thoughts on his decision to go and the impact he had at Saints http://thesaintshub.com/pochettinoquits.html

In tears brother

Have written some reflections on the season just gone, and some thoughts on the summer ahead. Give it a read if you like http://thesaintshub.com/201314seasonreview.html

Wrote this earlier before Williams emerged as clear favourite, but points still remain pertinent. Ideal candidate IMO http://thesaintshub.com/ceocandidates.html

My thoughts on Cortese's impact at Saints and what could possibly lie ahead http://thesaintshub.com/corteseout.html