NickG

another for Puncheon. Think Pardew's selections showed he feels the same.

looking forward to match updates.....did we get clearance for Benjani?

No doubt Antonio was a decent player for us, which is why fans and manager wanted him to stay. Hope, and expect, he will be replaced and not an immense loss or taking apart of the squad.

but at lower price?

24 and 20 years old.

not the same at all. Was I stabbed in the back? If so does it really matter! They set up a scheme, it was successful, would it have been anyway? Probably yes, do they care? Probably no. Does it matter? Probably no.

Puncheon would always likely to have been more important to us this season than Antonio, and better, would be nice to have both though!

and there is the loan window as well if we get injuries early on

in spite of / because of - much same - people responsible have had a successful close season

it is a shame about the installment plan. I think it appears people argue against that due to the not very bright reasoning put forward by the scheme's champion on here! All in all the sales and marketing scheme has been a success and most people are positive about the club.

If we win the league we should keep the kit!

won't be worried if we haven't signed another player come 31st either!

others have offered a view, some with their reasoning. Apart from a few tongue in cheek posts none appear delusional to a reason mind - may not happen but thats not the same

positive headlines about feel good factor on back page of echo - maybe more sales to come!

any way, sales are up!

most optimistic so far!

talksport were just saying what a great season we will have and are likely to win the division so its not just us!

saints fans forum, for saints fans?

if you wait that's not a prediction!

Radio solent interview said he was talking to Reading to try and keep Antonio - end of last season but obviously not happened yet but shows the intent.

would just love it if we got 100!

Last season we earnt 83 points. Last season Leeds went up with 86 points. After 7 games we still hadn't sorted things out and only earnt 5 points. Over the next 39 games therefore we earnt 78, exactly 2 points per game - or projecting over 46 games 92 points. We were weakest at RB - we have signed two very highly rated RBs. We lacked cover at LB - we have signed a quality LB who can also play LM. Connolly is fit and signed a new contract. Ox-C came through at the end of the season as 2nd youngest player for us ever, and has been playing in warm-ups on the wing and is seen as having a role this season. Butterfield played 40 odd games for a good CCC side last season and can play well RM or CM where we lacked cover. We have got rid of a lot of poor players and players who were unlikely to play much. We have lost two wingers who played about 14 odd games max each in league. AP has said he is trying to sign one of them, they would not be first choice anyway but I feel we still need a pacy winger. Puncheon played CM well for MK before he came here and can offer cover for Schniederlin but would rather a real experienced CM to come in. We have real strength in goal getting - Lambert, Lallana, Connolly and Barnard. I feel this squad should be looking at 80 to 90 points for next season, with some strong signings maybe more!

how about post 116 for objective discussion?

85.

Pardew's side last season, once up and running, after only 7 games, was good enough for auto promotion