austsaint

We do ship goals for other reasons. GK is one of them, and midfield is the other, and our world class dead ball exponent is part of that problem, despite his improvement (general play) in the past two seasons. Which brings us back to formation - three in midfield anyone? One up front? We don't really have the back four, keeper or midfield (as things stand) to afford a 4-4-2, against good opponents.

Good hypothesis except for the likelihood that this time round there will be no Toby.....just our 2021 version of Gardos.

Yes, LIvramento is special, and looks like one of those precocious players that come along now and again, eg Bale, Shaw, a young Theo even. That's why it would be a good idea to find a place for him in the wingback/wide attacking role to ensure the best RB the Club has had for a long time is in the team too. If the Club overdoes the recruitment of promising young players at the expense of experience and a bit of here-and-now quality it will start to look like a getting ready for life in the Championship, because most of the younger talent will either be not ready or not good enough.

If Ralph can't see this and select them thus, he really is stumbling towards the exit door.

Just parking the car puns for a moment. Is Caleta gettable? Seems to linked to Spurs and West Ham.

Will be electric in the future.

Didn't realise that. Yeah, I've begun my walk away from the Ralph in camp. Just too many repeats of poor game management; use (or non-use) of subs; inflexible team selections/formations and the playing of favourites. Goes to show that having a likeable, enthusiastic Manager is never enough.

We really do need a quality CB pronto. As someone pointed out, there was a distinctly Championship look about the starting lineup today.

Has to be the case. Push Livramento into Theo's spot and reinstate KWP to RB. You can't have one of the stand out players of last season warming the bench.

Sorry to hear that; you deserved better on such a big day- but in recent times, with an imperfect memory it's been a Richarlison/Calvert-Lewin, or a Sigurdsson worldy which has been the difference. They shouldn't be feared.

Same here, on both counts. Despite the bad record up there, I can't remember Saints being dismantled at GP. Why not a win, or at least a score draw. Good luck to AA if he starts.

Yep, it's a "time and tide" thing with Longy; the spring and the speed in his legs seem to have fallen off a cliff in the last 12 months or so. He has given good service. And that goal after the run and pass from Sims was a magic moment. My point about the Mane, Pelle, Tadic area was that he seemed to lift his game with good players around him and it was his "purple patch" at Saints for a season or two. Anyway, we move on to Armstrong, A. and you get the feeling every Saints fan wants him to do well and hopes he chalks off the first one early on.

That's a good point. I've been as scathing about Long as many others, and even at the time, the two year extension was ridiculous. He has, however, been a worthwhile player for SFC, particularly in the Koeman, Mane, Pelle and Tadic days.

Can see Che being a good partner for AA, just as he was with Ings. Good hold up play, an eye for a pass, looks for others in the box.

Just looks like the sort of player who is going to bang the selection door down; which could spell trouble for Redmond, Elynoussi, Long and even Djenepo. Surely Long will be out the door that Broja has burst through.

When are we going to find a home for that Irish, guitar playing, grey beard of a "striker" who used to leap like a salmon and is now coasting along with the contract extension given by wee Ross Wilson?

Judged on the highlights reel, he's decidedly two footed too - a big asset.

Sounds promising. I wonder whether Obafemi is part of the deal?

Too much like the stunner who left you in your early twenties only to return following her divorce with three kids in tow at forty-five.

Good analysis. No one wants to be a doom and gloom merchant before a ball is kicked in another Prem season, but the lead up and recruitment has a depressingly familiar feel about it. If you take a line through performances from January and consider the skidding around relegation places since 2017, the spectre of relegation is glaring at the Club. I found it bewildering that Shane Long featured in so much of pre-season, wtf?? Some are talking up Nathan Tella as a starting partner to Adams?? He might step up as a significant attack option, but at this stage it's hopeful rather than guaranteed. The three or four players needed to bolster this squad are crucial, and the much needed replacement(s) for Ings will probably decide our fate.

Agree with this. I don't see the point in raking over the coals of whether he was a Saints fan, or hated Ralph. Fact is he played one, and maybe two seasons that saved us from the threat of relegation.....let's be grateful for that. I'd put him up with Pahars, Lambert and Beattie as great Southampton strikers.

How far back do you want to go? I'd nominate Mane and VVD at their best.

Quite right. He turned into a very good player though - particularly at Swansea under that Belgian Manager whose name escapes me. For some reason I always remember the goal he scored for us against Watford at Vicarage Road.

Yes, as you say, the length of contract is a crucial factor. It would certainly be hard to replace his dead ball game. Bertrand was a good foil for corners and free kicks; who do we have in the current squad outside of JWP? It's a big issue when we have minimal creativity in the team and are facing the loss of Ings. Still think Saints would be tempted by 40 million. Can't see JWP kicking up a fuss....he probably stays.

We sold VVD and Mane. We can certainly sell Prowsey. His general game is very replaceable; his dead ball game not so easy to replace. The Club would surely consider 40 million pounds.