austsaint

Sales like this make your middle sentence, "And the Club keeps improving" very debatable. As for Mane's exit turning into a positive for Saints - that remains to be seen as well. Some are mentioning that he was offered an improved contract and refused it - if this was true, you can understand if not like the Board (Reed's) decision; if it isn't the case then it just looks like a book balancing exercise and a further weakening of the team.

Without knowing the full story, selling our best attacking player to Pool just seems crazy to me. What is the 30 mill going to buy us? This leaves us with VVD as the last highly saleable asset, perhaps Bertrand as well. What then? It just looks like a cave-in economic decision at a time when we don't even have a Manager. At this rate we're going to look more like West Brom and Crystal Palace than a top 6-8 side.

Just in case he gets the job can someone advise on pronunciation - is it Puel as in fuel or Puel as in poo-el?

Not really; he was dropped by Koeman for the Norwich match and barely featured for many games after that - you know as well as I what a class act Mane is, and the thought of Les and co. selling so quickly and readily just sends a deflating message.

Seriously disappointed by this development. What are we going to be left with? A crocked J-Rod, a partially crocked Austin, an ageing Pelle, a rising 30yo Long who is unlikely to repeat last season's heroics, a hot and cold Tadic, a decidedly lightweight Clasie, an underwhelming JWP - what must VVD and Bertrand be thinking.

Judging by Andy's previous posts I think he sees JWP as the hope of the side in the wake of Vic's move. We surely have to replace Vic with a quality DM.

Why can't we say, no, Mane is not for sale? What good is 30 million if you end up with two or three replacements who are nowhere near as good as SM? Has he been offered a new deal? Has he said he wants to leave?

It's not just the low amount for a player like him, it's the suggestion that the Club isn't going to fight tooth and nail to keep our most influential attacking player. Hope the story is wrong.

Blame it on the boogie.

No magnums of Californian Zinfandel?

Thanks, glad for the wrap.

Got to be huge doubts about J-Rod ever getting back to pre-injury form; if CA can get healthy and have a good pre-season I think he will score plenty. Both would benefit from Mane being at the Club next season.

I'd rather we tell 'Pool to keep their wedge and we keep Mane.

Keeping Mane at the Club is pivotal to Saints having another decent season.

Well done Davo; Verlaine is a poster on here who doesn't seem to rate him - Mane is the one we need to keep....with a new contract.

I worry Pellegrini might nod off during late kick offs; also, have a look at his eyes, looks like he has a liver condition.

Quite right; he did get a bit of help from Mane that day, who also came on at H/T. Vic's a big loss, Mane would be an even bigger one.

Agree with this - Wanyama's been great for us; just about the best DM going around - Spurs have a bargain.

Count me in...I love the guy; really good player who combines graft with lovely deft touches. Down to earth, modest and likeable.

Pretty good early call matt; I hope you had some money on at that stage. Obviously a long way from being over the line, but you would certainly have over-the-odds if you followed your hunch at the time!

Club's statement is fair enough. Koeman makes Pochettino seem like Mahatma Gandhi.

As long as he's not replacing Sadio then it's a good signing.

For a short time it would be interesting to see a poll conducted as to the most despised departee.....Pochettino or Koeman; given the recency of Koeman's defection and his much proclaimed intention to see out his contract, I'd guess big Ronald would get the greater numbers.

Well crikes-all-mighty, let's sign him up....the stability so many have craved.

Joe Jordan?