NickG

Not sure if this is just ignorant, bizarre or offensive. At very least lacking human dignity.

Do I do the obvious response... ?

I wonder how long it takes to ask an agent if a player is seriously interested? Half hour? Not going to pick up points made purely for attention with their annual misunderstanding of transfer windows but three quick points which make me chilled; 1) current squad is good enough for top half finish, particularly considering that our first choice outfield ten are still approaching peak age except RL. 2) We have moved forward better than any other club over last 6 odd transfer windows. 3) people moan about steady squad signings, this is the alternative - seeking gems to improve first 11. Good season to look forward to. (Someone explain to you know who when most transfers are done and that we have already signed international CB )

.100% vague / late /empty attention seeking?

Interesting. latest approval - now kit seen in flesh - 78%. Still not sure whether I would vote yes.

The table from the end of the January transfer window to the end of the season, covering the last 14 games had us 10th. Even the whole season, starting without Boruc , Yoshida, Ramirez in the squad had a decent final position. Looking at squad our first choice outfield players could easily have Lambert at 31, then Lallana the next oldest at 25 - 9 players likely to be at least 3 years from their peak. I would be relaxed if window shut without anyone else. But to keep moving forward we will sign more. The confirmation from Celtic and signing of Lovren shows we are being active. Every club has mixed bag of good/bad/indifferent with signings bit no club has progressed as much, and every window, for last 8, or whatever, windows since NC is here. That's is more factual than an attention seeking writer on twitter with less evidence of success. Les Reed - no idea what he is like, but appointed in 2010 to head up football performance - in league 1, reckon a case that he may have got something right! If we have had terrible window look at palace, Everton, man u, Newcastle, spurs, west brom - clueless inexperienced clubs! We all know, (well one person forgets every window) that most transfers are concluded last minute. So relax and enjoy the random rumours....there isn't a problem!

Think the support the team not kit is based on throughout the many variations of kits, majority not even traditional red/white stripes it has still been our club. Not like Sunderland who are the team who always have that kit. The club did say why the kit changed.. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/southampton-fc-are-all-in-839343.aspx I don't get this "discourse " bit? What conversations were we having with the club in the 80's or 90's? At least now there is official site, twitter, saintstv, YouTube insights etc - albeit one way and managed but we know more now than we have under any previous regime.

Too true. Of course Barcelona are less personal and accessible than Sholing but there is some bizarre character traits being shown on here. We have had much worse kits. NC has had a traditional striped kit and centenary kit. Most years in last 35 odd years we haven't had those. We have never been consulted or had designs explained to us. Apart from centenary I blame alpine and his pretend (no one is that stupid!) Moans. - crap transfer policy when we are probably only team who has moved forward every window since NC arrived. Failed because gone straight from -10 league 1 to 14th in premiership. Failed because in period when very few transfers done we have signed a young current international player. What do we need?!! This isn't politics / family / health / work etc. Its a hobby! Yes I am positive, don't moan without full story, don't write off players - because this is my enjoyment, pleasure, hobby. I do get irrationally upset and grumpy with family when we lose - I shouldn't. But if a pattern upset me, or moving from umbro to adidas (without knowing contract) or every signing disappointed me - I would stop giving it my time. My family etc are more important. Forums are great for range of views, gossip, reviews of away games etc. But it has bred attention seeking drama queens. People never moaned about not being told about kit contracts etc. History erased? Bollo cks! Most moaners struggle to put their moans into logical rationale arguments! Feel better now! Lol

Find some reactions here quite stunning. You can almost see some peoples' blood pressure rise, or a tear in their eye, over the pattern on a T-shirt?! Sunderland, Newcastle and Stoke have always played in stripes but we haven't. I started going as a child in '76 so had to wait 13 years to see a striped kit and have watched saints more often in other patterns. New kit is alright, many others better (80-85, 99, 2010) but its no further from "traditional" than the design I saw in my youth worn by what I see as history. You can't delete or change history - there are some weird comments that a new kit deletes the past? Reckon at a push 18 seasons out of last 38 we wore traditional stripes. Not like Newcastle and Sunderland who are striped sides. (One of those of 18 was under current regime). God knows the deal with adidas or design options offered under contract. Would be great to stick with a kit for few years to get and identity and be fair to kids buying them. Not seen kit or non-saints version personally but was told they are very different reds so be careful if ordering cheap option on line

Saw interesting site showing all of our kits. Deliberately leaving views on new kit to other threads but some good memories. http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Southampton/Southampton.htm Also interesting with comparisons with the north east clubs - they have pretty much stuck with traditional even vertical stripes. Since 76 we have had a variety of other designs, rather than traditional even vertical stripes more seasons than not. http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Newcastle_United/Newcastle_United.htm http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Sunderland/Sunderland.htm Personal favorites 1980-85 and 2010. Yours? Not intended to repeat other debates.

Like your point however think poor examples. Imho Charlie Adam wouldn't get in first 11 and I would be less excited to hear those two forwards were starting than I would be hearing Ramirez was. Prices for British players are so inflated and players so over rated I struggle to think of an exciting British player (or established in prem) we could be after.

Totally agree. Think it is arrogant to brand those who disagree with OP's opinion as 'sheep'. If they want the kit their team, their idols will be wearing they are perfectly entitled to buy it without insult. I've never been one to long for the past but of course if we were merged with skates, played in blue and were called Solent fa I would be ****ed off. But I have had great times seeing saints in other than traditional red and white - 1976, 1980-85, 2010. It is a red and white kit... Relax!!

People are questioning whether we are aiming to high (I know based on rumours) but how much room in our squad is there for realistic / back up players? This is our most recent squad.. Butterfield Chaplow Cork * Davis, K * Davis, S * De Ridder Forren * Do Prado Fonte Fox Hooiveld Lallana * Lambert * Lee Mayuka, Puncheon * Ramirez * Richardson * Rodriguez * Schneiderlin * Yoshida * Boric * Martin Reckon * players pretty likely to be in the 25. Plus Lovren. Reckon at least one out of Jos/Fonte. I wouldn't be surprised if Mayuka and Fox were in MP's plans. Takes us to around 17. I'm not sure if any younger players are now old enough to need to be added this season (MLG?) Although don't have to have full squad I would imagine pretty close. So either likes of Guly/ Tandari Lee will be included or we may sign another 6 or so players.

We signed an international one We may have been holding out for another one but who knows. Many if names we 'missed out on' who were more 'realistic' probably would not have added anything over Jos and Fonte. Maybe we aimed to high but after missing out, lower targets were not worth paying out for? This season is different. We don't want to stand still but we have a premier league squad already. Most still young enough to give cause for optimism that they are likely to improve next season. It appears chairman want top 6 level signings. If they don't sign we aren't in a bad position. Remember only 25 man squad, who from last years will make way for any lower level realistic signings?

In my opinion extremely unlikely. Whatever people feel about MP and NC they do not come across as lazy / naive / amateurish. I can't see them deciding they want to recruit for a position, make one offer and chill out. This maybe the case if their is an individual they want, ie someone who they are keen to add to the squad even if the position is not a priority. Perhaps they are happy with CM but saw the Celtic lad as someone they want so are happy to make offer and sit back. If a club are not going to sell, or there is no way a player wants to come here it won't take much time to ask. Things will only take time if there is interest. Two others reasons why I don't think it's a problem: The squad is looking good already for a steady, safe mid table season. It appears we have added a quality player in a weaker position, and player who has played at a high level (higher than us?) at fullback so offers good cover. Lastly, window has ages left and most deals are on last day, teams are not racing ahead.

No kit would get a 100% approval. In all likelihood if you, or Alps, were allowed to design a kit you would probably still moan at your own design and label it a disgrace! Quite a few people like it, quite few indifferent. I would prefer this to a "traditional" striped kit. What you don't know are the financial and image benefits of the link with adidas and then the design options allowed. Calm down its only the players' clothes, you won't give it a second thought when watching a game

Think this season's kit is alright, and should be decent quality with good manufacturer. Didnt a rule come in about number of new kits / longevity? Don't overly care about design (although prefer centeenery or 80's kits to normal stripes) but would like a kit, any kit! To last few years - partly for identity but mainly fairness to fans who can't afford annual £40 per child. I only buy for cup finals so not had many!

Isn't Moyes officially Everton manager until 1 July, reckon he might accept Man U's bid!

Agree. (One of my three to back you up - theres a first !)

Wondering whether wages / agents fees are so out of normal that only someone like Redknap would pay. I dont have opinion on his ability as not watched him but seems big fee already for a DM. I know we can always improve & squad game but can we justify huge fee and wages when we have MS and JC? Guess we have a limit - and for such a sought after player, no other club has matched our bid, have they all capitulated already? I like thought that core of our young players are here for the long-term. If this guy signs you get the impression his agent will seek another fee in 12 months. Honestly not fussed about him now. If I had seen him play games maybe would not have such a negative impression.

Good to aim high, one comes off moves us up a level. Some may have said Lovren would go to a CL side.

Think fair to say, enjoy having something to debate and possibilities of decent players but take all reports from these journalists with a handful of salt. Some seem to rate Nixon, maybe cos he answers questions, but doubt any get close to 10% of their breaking exclusives coming through. Reminds me of fortune tellers with updates for you to fit the facts

Think read Lovren played at high level right across back 4. Maybe with younger players coming through, Forren, Lovren, Jos, Yoshida, Cork we can cope if a fullback is injured

I thought he was

I've never liked stripes