austsaint

I really rate him, should be the first defensive midfielder picked - depending on how good Pierre turns out to be.

That's the most reassuring thing I've read for weeks.

Good to read that. Was it last season or the one before when Hesketh started and looked good in a couple of games before being injured against Man U.

I agree with you; but plenty do not. I haven't seen J-Rod play in this pre-season but, sadly, the chances of him becoming an effective attacking force in the Prem again seem slim. We are playing a high risk strategy if the speed and creativity of Mane is not replaced.

Add me to that....seems like he was stiffed.

Good read David. As things stand though we have lost our "prima donna" to Liverpool and there's no sign of an adequate attacking replacement.

Fair comments Angel. Look my comments about Andy are, to be fair, a bit too harsh and limiting. Andy often posts good information about Saints and he is obviously passionate about SFC. I've just found some of his comments and predictions about JWP way over the top. Most of all I hope he's right that we are about to sign a creative, attacking player because we certainly need one!

His ITK credentials (Andy D.) are his belief that JWP is the next big thing and should be starting every match this season.

Last season I thought Davis, Bertrand, Tadic and VVD did a pretty good job with corners and free kicks.

Well said; and a word for Batman - stick to opinions about Football.

Tick, tick, star.

I'd make two comments. On what I've seen (TV only) you couldn't say Hesketh is not PL quality. Secondly, while I agree strongly that Mane has to be replaced and Redmond is not the player to do it, I'm not convinced Les sees Redmond as the replacement for Juanmi - he may think he's the replacement for SM. Not that Redmond's a bad player, it's just that we need someone else in that creative AM/striker role.

Can I add my feelings of revulsion to the attack in Nice.

Agree, we need another attacking player, preferably in the Mane mould. Depending on how PEH settles in, I still think our midfield lacks steel, Romeu aside. There were times last year when Clasie, Davo and JWP were on the park at the same time when our midfield was easily breached. It will be interesting to see if Harry Reed can impress Claude, I thought Rk discarded him to quickly.

Are we well stocked though. Clasie has to improve on his interrupted first season; we haven't seen much of Reed for sometime and then there's JWP, not my idea of a DM, what are you expecting of him this season Clarkey?

Pelle was great for SFC, and SFC have certainly been great for him. Such a lucrative deal for a player getting close to the plateau stage and for Saints to recoup purchase price and more was outstanding business. Loved some of his hold up play; link up with Tadic and inter-changes with Mane and Long - even some of those flicks were worth watching. Interesting to compare the effectiveness of Pelle, Tadic, Mane and Long with the Adkins/Poch combination of Lambert, Lallana, J-Rod and Punch. Happy days.

Don't know about that; but I am waiting to see whether Redmond is the only option replacement for Mane - if he is, Uncle Les' judgement comes under question again.

If this lad can play as well as he comes across in interview we have a cracking player on our books.

Indeed. A similar quality of player to replace Mane and I'll be happy.

There has been a narrative from the Club in the past few windows of getting transfer dealings (in and out) done "early". Notwithstanding dear old Ronald leaving, our business "in" looks to be rather later than earlier with a worrying suspicion that Redmond is Mane's replacement.

I'm fine with that as long as Redmond is not the Mane replacement.

What a marvellous human being. Bailed SFC out at a time when things looked bleak. Not a hint of ego or triumphalism in the short time his life had to run. Managed an ethical, innovative company and generously set up the successful EPL team we've been enjoying for the past three seasons.

Enjoyed reading this - very well thought out piece. I think we will need an AM/10 role player as well since Mane covered that option when required; I suppose Tadic can fit in there but a "Payet" type as well as a "Wanyama" type would be ideal. Quite agree with your assessment of Wanyama being under-appreciated by many.

Redmond might turn out to be a good player, but how you can say he has better control of the ball and more footballing intelligence than Mane is over-the-top. I'd be very disappointed if he is the player replacing Mane.

Let's review the wisdom of your words at the end of the season. Anyone who is happy about not seeing Mane go round in a Saints shirt next season is a wee bit odd.