NickG

So we have your prediction for 14/15 season - relegation. Early to say how we will do but I've got a feeling you will keep your record of the last 5 years going - 0% accuracy. Still easy in hindsight ( funny how some manage 100% without hindsight but you know best )

Have you watched it? I'm sure you would have called for an update like this. It all still looks a professional set up. You can't ask for more than huge bids turned down and a guarantee if new decides players leave all funds reinvested.

I think you are getting confused. When did the club say they hadn't received any bids? Think you will find it was several weeks before Lambert was sold, if fact when he was sold they stated they had received multiple other bids (rumoured to be very high and decent offers) all turned down. I think its far more likely that you have your facts wrong, than they are liars. Do you not think the price for Lambert is decent? He will be 33 half way through the season - how many players can you think of at that age who were sold and their club managed to negotiate a muli-million pound fee? I think the only things proven over last few weeks are that we are in a period of transition but those moaning about our owner seeking a fire sale were wrong. Personally I doubt any manager would seek guarantees that players won't be sold, as it can always happen plus he would know the characters well enough to judge their reaction. If there is any truth in this, (not convinced) think more likely would want guarantee involved in decisions and would have the money to spend - much as club have said and truthful so far.

Done deal but he's a secret man u player? Or maybe man u aren't very commercial and can't be bothered to announce that one of most talked about players at world cup is theirs? Or just maybe, there was no deal a month ago and the club, when making official company statements don't lie? And still 100% a saint until given option of leaving for united (which I don't think is a 100% certainty) only if we accept a fee, we haven't, and h e agrees term

Fair point! I am sure there have been several managers who have been allowed to talk to another club and then stayed because not the only person being spoken to. I can't back it up with who & when but think its bit different to players

Cant back it up with who/ when but sure been mangers given permission to talk just when one of few on shortlist

Why does he need to discuss his future? I thought it sounded arrogant when, towards end of season, he started talking about sorting out his future in the summer. No Adam, you did that last summer. Your future is 4 years he....unless the club come to you with an accepted offer.

It's far to early to judge, but yes we could still be competitive. It's easy to get negative, we are all fed up with player departure stories, but to play devils advocate... MP departs for his pot of gold, bookies favourite is Koeman. Koeman has better record and is a much bigger name to attract signings -UK and Europe. Reports are we have turned down over £50m in bids so far, hardly actions of soft touch board or fire sale. If we lose Lambert, Lallana, Osvaldo and Shaw we will get around £65m in. The club said we didn't need to sell and had money to spend, so say £80m to spend. Lazy research of Feynoord shoes very high quality young players. Sign Jordy Classie for AL Bruno Indi martin (LS) Pelle (RL) Then add Jean Paul boetius - goal scoring winger Stefan de vrijs 22 year old international CB And maybe go to ajax for their keeper, 25 year old dutch international Cilleson. Reckon that would be better squad than now we money left to spend. I know won't happen like that, but more likely than 8 players leaving and not being replaced.

For Shaw; http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Martins_Indi For Lallana; http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordy_Clasie For mp; http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Koeman

This is what we were told by our chairman...Asked about transfers.. " be very clear, we are in control, all top players under long contracts, any transfers will only be under our terms, we will involve manager which is why been able to not to agree ant transfers, we are in control, anyone saying different doesn't understand situation here, we are in strong position, we do not need to sell anyone, we have exciting list of players we are tracking for new manager, transfers in either direction only if make club better, what is best for saints not the player as club bigger than anyone nor best for another club. The ambition and plan remains progressive from 8th and into Europe..." We need to show that we can keep young players such as Chambers, JWP. I would like him to stay but can see some sense in selling Shaw. If new manager thinks replacing him with a top young international LB with change to spend £20m elsewhere in the team I can understand. If we don't need to sell others...don't! If we are ending up with less than £20m for saints for the sale of Lallana why do it? We would struggle to get a player close to his quality to come. But would also lose our link to league one, our captain, our England star - surely no economic or football reason to sell him. I know he want champions league but think should be told "tough signed 5 year contract less than year ago and we are going to keep you to it". All players are replaceable, if we sign well. If you asked me 12 months ago I would have said Cork - now I'm disappointed if he is in the team (not criticism of him just we signed better). If we keep Lovren, Fonte, Clyne, Chambers, Wanyama, Schneiderlin and JayRod we have the basis of good team.

The bookies have Koeman as our new manager. Would such a well known ex-player benefit us when trying to attract new players? Particularly Dutch players? Even looking at the team he has just left, would he want to / be able to sign these? LB, Daryl Janmaat, 24, linked with £3m move to Arsenal as contract nearing end. LB/CB Bruno Martin Indi, 22, linked with top clubs for around £8m. AM, Jordy Classic, 22, Hollands Xavi, linked with Man U for £12m. Elsewhere in Holland, CF, Depay, 20, linked with Man U for £15m. That's 4 players for £38m. If we are losing Lambert, Shaw, Lallana, Osvaldo for about £60m, another £22m just of new money to spend. Saw highly rated CB Stefan de verijs linked with £6m move. Seems some good deals with dutch players. (Fit in better than Italian / Spanish?). Not sure of de Boer as manager but there maybe 'big name' in Holland benefits. We know English players plus premier league experience costs, maybe why board will want to use this to our advantage and balance squad?

You are turning into comedy gold! An Old bloke sat on his own at a bus stop moaning to himself comes to mind. If you are not doing this for a joke, or are not totally dense you really should talk to someone about the irrational and negative way you think, and way you are totally unable to follow simple events and learn from them. Seriously hope you are on a wind up and I'm the mug for biting as alternative is quite sad. We were 3 or 4 games without a manager when Pardew was sacked. (Expect you started a thread moaning that NC didn't know what he was doing). If anything the evidence sounds like we will be quicker. I'm sure he needs to earn respect from the football brain that didn't want us to have Lallana, JayRod or Morgan, tell him how you advise teams give up on promotion and relax for play offs, how should have struggled in championship, how in first year in prem you said we would be so far adrift by Christmas we would be down. If fact, as you are always wrong, haven't a clue about football and are irrationally negative - he would be concerned if you did respect him! Can't believe how ignorant some are being. Because there weren't televised contract negotiations the board obviously did nothing. Making up stories about KL's disinterest and lack investment, when all promotions and spending since her dad died - and she is now seen happy at games!

Spurs were first reported as wanting MP in early March. Would be surprised if we take 2 ½ months to appoint our manager (unless its Roy H ). A manager, who most of us wanted to stay, resigned to go to a better paid job at a more famous, bigger , higher ranked club. I would have liked the board to have been able to convince him to stay but I can't see what they could have done if this is his chosen career path. Despite reports that best players were sold weeks ago, not one has left. People are criticising KL, seemingly ignorant that she has been in charge for all of our promotions. I will judge board after manager is appointed and we see how transfer window goes - we were told to be excited not fearful!? Let's see. I know this rationale view won't sit well with the witch burning hysterical bedwetters, who will always moan & panic but its not necessarily a big backward step

Cork, same criteria... Played 20, for 28, against 32, points 24 Over seasons Played 38, for 53, against 61, points 47 Maybe Cork played in weaker team, but alsoaybe against weaker opposition?? Wanyama by some distance for me, but Cork excellent player either with him or back up

Wanyama's involvement this season was raised on another thread, so whilst on exercise bike looked at his stats this season. Looking at games where he played more than 45 mins (which actually takes out 3-0 victory at Fulham so could be harsh on him). He played almost exactly half the season. Played 17, for 22, against 6, points 33. Over season, for 49, against 13, points 74. I appreciate that this doesn't take into account any other team changes, or opposition but as half a season far more than a fluke. It does include everton, Man U at home, Liverpool, man u, arsenal and Chelsea away. Still very young but seeing him boss Man U and these stats potentially huge player for us......if we keep him

Two barely featured??? Lovren and Wanyama were clearly first choices for the season. Both had periods of I jury ( which coincided with us getting worse results). Those two would be two of first names on team sheet. Their introduction was the main reason for our immediate improvement of form at the start of the season. I don't like wholesale changes but last season proved two straight in can work very well. I don't think we need to sell but guess the two fullback positions are where potentially we could reinvest and improve with the profit. However could we attract top four level players to replace our stars?

Far from clear. Club said they wont be sold, players not asked for transfer, initial press reports proved false. They may go, but got feeling most/all will stay.

He also said MP has a year left on his contract, and even if a manager had a 20 year contract with a club he may not be there two years later. As it stands we have a manager under contract so don't need nor particularly expect a contract signing - can see him seeing this one run for while. Press insisted players and manager would be gone within days of end of season.....

Now Evra staying... Still think, as have done, good chance Reid was speaking truth and no-one leaving. Wouldn't be surprised if one or two (no more) go but equally wouldn't be surprised if manager and players stay...not heard anything strongly suggesting otherwise. We know majority of press is rubbish

Which lines should I read between? "The second point I’d like to clear up is speculation in the press about our players. That is my responsibility. As we stand there have been no enquiries, we have had no bids and we have had no offers for any of our players. That’s accurate, that is the truth and that’s exactly where we are. Reports that we are about to close deals on certain players are totally misinformed, misleading and are not true. No club has been given permission to talk to any of our players so reports that some of our players are in the process of negotiating stellar transfer fees or contracts are absolutely misinformed and inaccurate. No club has been given permission to talk to any of our players and that will remain so. As far as the policy in concerned we have had a great season, we want to build on that season, we want to improve the squad going forward, we want to retain the players we’ve got. They are all contracted, they all have existing contracts and we intend to honour those contracts. Any enquiries we get will probably be met with a ‘no, not for sale.’ Our intention is to keep this very good team together and build on it by bringing in players to improve upon it. Every transfer window, particularly the summer, is a difficult one because everybody is out there trying to attract players. We have our targets, we want to improve the squad, these are things we are discussing on a daily basis and we intend to produce a squad that is capable of not just maintaining the position we are in at the moment but improving next season. It’s a positive message we want to get out there. Our fans deserve to understand there is not going to be a fire sale here and we have repeatedly said that. We have had no offers for players, deals are not about to be concluded for any of our players, and we want to keep all of our best players here at the club and build on that for the future.

I find it hard to believe this due to it being totally at odds with the official statement made by a director of a multi million pound business. A statement that was made to the press & on website. Made without anyone directly disputing it. A statement made when the club didn't need to, and probably gained little. Would they really publish a clear lie? I doubt it. Therefore I'm not believing there was an approach or offer prior to the statement.

This is the club's last statement. "No club has been given permission to talk to any of our players and that will remain so. As far as the policy in concerned we have had a great season, we want to build on that season, we want to improve the squad going forward, we want to retain the players we’ve got. They are all contracted, they all have existing contracts and we intend to honour those contracts. Any enquiries we get will probably be met with a ‘no, not for sale.’ Our intention is to keep this very good team together and build on it by bringing in players to improve upon it. Every transfer window, particularly the summer, is a difficult one because everybody is out there trying to attract players. We have our targets, we want to improve the squad, these are things we are discussing on a daily basis and we intend to produce a squad that is capable of not just maintaining the position we are in at the moment but improving next season. It’s a positive message we want to get out there. Our fans deserve to understand there is not going to be a fire sale here and we have repeatedly said that. We have had no offers for players, deals are not about to be concluded for any of our players, and we want to keep all of our best players here at the club and build on that for the future." And one before..."The most important point is that we are in a position where we do not need to sell any player Mauricio [Pochettino] wants to keep," Hofstetter added. "We have a very strong squad and we are still in a situation where we are free enough to act quickly if quick action is asked from us." And on Sunday... Less than week ago, 8 mins... http://audioboo.fm/boos/2152611-saintsfc-chairman-ralph-krueger-talks-to-bigadamsport-after-final-game-of-the-season

Why should you buy? Only reason is if you enjoy going, its meant to be a pleasure, passion, hobby, so up to you. I will as enjoyed this season & looking forward to next. Unaffordable? Answers the question- if you can't afford it don't buy it. Keep it in perspective. Knowing will be without our best players? You don't know that at all. I wouldn't be surprised, based on no smoke without fire, if some go, but equally wouldn't be shocked if none go. Shaw has made England squad at 18 and may decide that a year or two here is good option. Saints maybe tempted by £30m but feel with huge TV money now, and likelihood that his value will rise to reject bids for couple of years. Lallana's value to the club as Mr Southampton, captain, maybe higher than clubs are willing to pay - plus 25% to cherries may go in our favour as sure saints will add onto valuation. Both signed 5 year deals last summer and type of players, I suspect, who won't sulk if bids are rejected. Chairman has said we don't need to sell and are able to buy without player sales. Also said no player sold against managers wishes, all decisions will be in interests of team performances not player. So you don't know anyone's leaving,players can leave any club including after season started. Even if they do go, excellent as they are, others will be here - Clyne has played better than Shaw over some recent games, Wanyama was best midfielder on pitch on Sunday, Schneiderlin has been better than them over last two seasons etc Probably MP? Again who knows, never saw him as very long term, but hopefully will stay. Radio 5 said he would cost spurs £9m, if true would they risk taking a manager who specialises in developing young players as the man to take their big names into top 4? Who knows. You say NC was different? As you are basing your fears on newspaper talk, wasn't it NC who was going to take away one of my proudest saints moments? Seeing our Lambert going from bottom of league 1 to Brazil as a Saints player? You say times have changed, I was totally disillusioned when Danny Wallace and Steve Williams left - the list got bigger, the upset got less. All clubs loose players. I agree that the comments about the financial situation shouldn't have been made. But remember NC spoke about club self sufficient. Remember that KL has been our owner for all significant player signing fees and now seems to take more enjoyment from the club. Also remember, as I already mentioned the comments that we don't need to sell / can buy more etc. I was going to finish with my guess as to who will stay / go but really haven't got a clue. But if MP does go, there is a manager who maybe available, who openly rates our set up, young players, our director of football so may end up here...after England exit world cup.

It wasn't childish, nor point scoring - quite the opposite - pointing out of facts that may help you see that your criticism of players, particularly ones good enough to play internationally who you have never seen play, is is irrational and continually lead to you being proven wrong. Its not hindsight. As often you were wrong with information available at the time (he was first called into England squad last season) . hindsight is your annual excuse for your errors in judgement.

Agree, also been injury + consistency but point stands - he looked good when called upon this season. Cork kept out by Wanyama - sympathy. Ramirez kept out by JayRod and Lallana - lazy south american. But good Lallana is a good example of how quick to moan and IMHO very wrong some player assessments can be