Greenridge

You're stressing too much. Keep calm and let Les carry on. He's got it in hand.

Words I never thought I would read in this forum. Game time has really helped him this year to find some consistency in his performances. All of a sudden he's become a key figure with departures and injuries. How long does his current contract have left to run?

I think even you realise the forum has been operating for more than a week. I'm sure you definitely weren't one of those who said we don't sell in January.

First midfielder to score 100 Premier League goals. 212 career goals. Seems he probably does.

He's continued to be our captain this year unless 'rotated' or until his fall out and is a current European champion. I appreciate your efforts to rewrite and downplay his status to fit the circumstances but he really is / was one of our 'top' players.

We never never ever ever sell our top players in January. Absolutely no chance we will. When they do eventually go it is only ever to top 6 clubs. Two more Southampton Way SFC forum myths dispelled it would seem.

Bilic said first thing this morning that Fonte was not having a medical today. BBC Solent a bit slow on the uptake.

I don't believe he was happy but he said he was and therefore it's being used against him. I am certainly not blaming Puel for everything, far from it.

Puel said at the start of the season that he was happy with the depth and quality of his squad or words to that effect. So either he was genuinely happy or he was talking corporate PR to reflect the clubs reluctance to bring anyone else in. If it's the former then he misjudged it. If it's the latter then that's understandable but leaves folk asking the questions they are asking right now. I'm still surprised we haven't further exploited Puel's extensive knowledge of the French leagues to recruit than we have to this point.

Relying on those four for our goals I would suggest is something Puel was wrong to do. Rodriguez was out for the best part of 2 years and showed no signs, certainly not last summer when Puel arrived, that he was getting back to his pre-injury form. Long's goal return last year was of out character for him judging by his previous seasons, Redmond too was not a goal scorer and Austin has struggled with different injuries throughout his career and was therefore likely not to be available for periods throughout the season. So yes, Puel has some liability for our lack of attacking options. He is the manager after all.

We have a ready-made replacement for Fonte in Gardos. It will be like a new signing after his 2 year injury nightmare.

The point I was making was that Koeman gave the impression he didn't need see any players READY to contribute to the first team, right here, right now. As I said, maybe he wasn't a million miles away with that view. Hopefully, in time, several of these players will be ready. Let's face it our business model is clear. We need the academy to be successful.

5). We are 9th in the league.

Puel giving the academy players some outings doesn't necessarily mean they are good enough and Koeman didn't know what he was doing. With the exception of McQueen who's getting a few games who else has had anything other than a bit-part to play this season? Sims had a cracking opening game and has been largely anonymous since. Reed has had a couple of outings and the games have largely passed him by. Stephens has had a couple of games recently and the others just the odd start or sub appearance. So really no-on either than McQueen has seen any real pitch time. Maybe Koeman wasn't that far off the mark after all? What is clear from Les when Puel joined was that he would be expected to give these players some first team exposure and he's doing as he was instructed.

...

Readymade replacement on the bench tonight in Gardos. Reed's just putting the finishing touches to his press release video.

There are several faces complicit to the position we find ourselves in as you rightly stated. Unfortunately Puel went on record at the end of the summer transfer window saying he was happy with the depth and quality of his squad, or words to that effect. So either he was mis-judging his squad, he was paying lip service to the fan base as he had been told that was his lot from Reed or his tactics, training and motivation is in question. The buck stops with the Manager rightly or wrongly. Always has and likely always will.

That's the real point I guess.

And before that, when was the last 'superb' performance?

Fit? Not sure he's ever been truly fit looking at his career to date but as for his latest injury maybe he'll get a few games in before the end of the season.

If Puel walked up to you in the street and for no apparent reason punched you in the face you would claim it was your own fault for head butting his fist.

More of this might be the only thing that prompts the club to get their arses in to gear.

Listening to Solent in the first half was like over-hearing two blokes chatting about nothing on the next table in a cafe. There might as well not have been a game going on the amount of interest it was generating for them to talk about. The halftime summarising was hilarious.

It really shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone let alone Puel.

Roll up, roll up. Nearly time for this weeks SFC Team Tombola. Get that drum spinning Claude and pick out the lucky winners.