austsaint

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.

Yes, even if Ings stays, (and as you suggest, he is likely to put effort in given his ambitions) the Club surely needs to pursue a player like Armstrong so that he can both settle in and give the Club the best chance of staying afloat in the event of a late Ings departure or injury. Even if it stretches the budget and increases the overdraft by 5 million or so - it has to be done. Three strikers of the calibre of Ings, Adams and Armstrong is a bare minimum. Trying to plug gaps with the likes of Tella or Obafemi is not going to cut it.

35k and counting. Hilarious.

Sam McQueen deserves every bit of luck and good fortune after such a horrendous run with injury. And well done to SFC for giving him the chance of a rehab/pre-season.

Being ignored would get right up your nose wouldn't it. The great parody, sitting somewhere between David Brent and Nigel Farage....sitting on your computer or phone...day after day, month after month, with your half baked cat scratches at any progressive or liberal points of view. Never mind, you'll soon have your 35k posts up while the rest of us get on with having a life.

I've got a new found respect for you "sad old". Don't burn yourself out trying to contest all the muck flying around.

Bit of an own goal. May qualify for one of your deletions! The fanning of the flames has been done by several prominent politicians and media outlets who haven't said it's terrible and haven't said it has to stop.

Have to agree. England players, Manager and staff were full of class throughout though. Cruel way to fall short.

I'd add Luke Shaw to your played well list. Very impressed with England's game management in the last 10 minutes. Sunday's a huge day....especially for those under 55!

Very deflating news, given Ralph and Semmens seemed so confident he'd stay. Yes, two strikers like Armstrong and Edouard are needed - huge loss is Ings.