mikee

Agree - most improved players so far- in order: Hammond, Richardson, Lallana, Guly, Lambert.

I don't think it will ever be our intention to compete with the likes of ManU and ManC on a financial basis. I can however see a time when by playing our style of football and keeping our youngsters as well as attracting others that aren't in it for the money, we could compete on the football pitch and challenge for at least a top 6 spot. It is just that most managers these days are too lazy to coach players and seem to rely on buying success. Which requires money we will never be able to support. This is what I think that Cortese means when he talks about the "southampton way". Mercenaries can go elsewhere but if you want to upset the big boys playing great football with a great bunch of team mates, then come to saints.

I am sure from what Nigel has said many times that we only want players who really want to play for Saints and buy into the "PLAN". I am also sure that if NC or NA get the feeling this is not the case, they will move on to other targets and I for one totally agree with that strategy. There are too many mercenaries in football, both players and agents and I would rather these players signed for another club. I will only worry when a player that we want, and who wants to come here, subsequently signs for someone else - but I don't think that this is the case so far. The team spirit we have at present is critical to our success and we cannot afford to jeopardise that with a player that doesn't really want to be here. I appreciate that as fans we feel the need to speculate and worry but on this occasion I really do feel that it is unfounded. I also still think we will sign a CB and striker by Thursday.

with a little more pace and better finishing power he could indeed make Messi look s***e

My brother is a mk st holder and loves Baldock. i have seen him play a few time and he is very similar in style to Owen. lots of pace and a good finisher. unfortunately he is also as fragile as Owen and spends a lot of time out injured. if he can stay fit he would fit into our team and style of play very well.

Nice to be able to say that and mean it! In the recent past it has seemed more like a declaration of support than a real belief. Nigel has earnt our trust and I am happy to leave the team development entirely to him and Cortese and concentrate on being a fan of the team. Football is back and it feels good!!

Great point by the OP that in these times of instant gratification, we forget that players can develop and improve. Many fans (and MerceSaint aptly proves the point) believe that if they are not good enough today, they will never be good enough tomorrow. Coaching is not just for the under 21's and players develop at different paces. One of the joys of following team is seeing the development and improvement of players - James Beattie being one of my favourite examples. I am really excited - if not a bit nervous - to find out how important a settled squad and team spirit is to achieving success in the championship. We have had so many changes over the past 8 years that we have forgotten what a settled squad can do - a la Strachans squad between 2001 and 2003.

Does Gorks paly as a left sided CB? If so, should be a great partner for Fonte.

The only thing August is likely to prove is that we have a load of reactionary drama queens on this site. Personally I think that the first couple of months look particularly difficult and we will have a reasonable idea of our chances this season by Christmas. Even then, I would expect us to get stronger and stronger as the season progresses.

Just found out that he is moving in 2 doors down from me so will try to have a word. Might also suggest some kicking practice over the park.

One of my favourite moments as a Saints fan was watching that pre-season Reds v Yellows match and thinking that we were really on the cusp of something special. Didn't expect it to be 2 relegations and administration! Had a similar(ish) feeling at the ML Memorial Trophy but think we are still a couple of players short of getting near that squad.

Chris Nicholl for me

spent most of my childhood abroad as dad was in the army so never really had a team, although my grandad was a big spurs fan and bought me my first kit. We were living in Germany in 1976 and the FA Cup was a big match on the barracks but everyone seemed to be supporting Man U. Just to be different I decided to back Southampton and they became my adopted team by allowing me to gloat at all the plastic MU fans. I still remember running around the back garden screaming my head off for about 10 minutes after Bobby scored! In October 1976 by a sheer quirk of fate, my dad got posted to Marchwood and we moved to Calshot. At that moment I knew that I was meant to be a Saints fan and I haven't regretted it since.....honest.

I understand your point but an average of 8,000 empty seats per game last season suggests they didn't maximise revenue. Demand will increase this season due to promotion but this demand will be dampened by significant price increases so I would expect the level of ST's to remain about the same.

It is bizzare how the club don't seem to be maximising on any revenue opportunities - perhaps this is what it is like when your club doesn't have financial and particularly cashflow problems - they become very complacent about sales. It does feel strange as a season ticket holder not to be courted in any way but I guess we will have to get used to it and so long as SFC can deliver success on the pitch it is probably a strategy that will work.

There is no sensible reason why they can't show us the design today. We could then see it on some new players tomorrow and be even more tempted to buy it. This reveal date strategy is bizarre. It is just as well that things on the filed are going well as the current marketing at Saints is the worst that I have ever known in my 36 years as a supporter. There is not one aspect theat they have got right: shirt sales; season tickets; fan communication - all appalling and makes fans feel used and abused. Whoever runs marketing at Saints should be very ashamed.

Never thought I would say this but I now prefer the football rumours site to this one. It is always slated on here but has all the same rumours (most rumours on saintsweb einate from there) but without the vitriolic slagging that seems to dominate any thread on this site. There is nothing worse than logging on here and getting excited about 2 new pages of runours (must be some big transfer activity you think to yourself) only to find it is just 2 tw*ts in a ****ing contest. Shame - and it is not just the closed season - its been like that for a long time but become more noticeable as people inevitably drift away leaving the lunatics to run the asylum.

aaaaahhh - the annual Alps in premature ejaculation thread shocker. As usual the OP makes no sense at all as we still have time to sign all of our key players before pre-season training starts, but of course Alps couldn't wait until then as there might not be anything to moan about..... it seems to be the current culture where it is easier to moan about what might happen than debate what has.

Wow - the first couple of months look particularly tough but if we can remain competitive then we should be able to climb the table in November and December, giving us a good platform for the new year! I would feel a lot more confident if we could add 3 premier league quality players in the close season.

Ironically, these rule, if implemented, would make it more attractive to sell some of our better youngsters as this would generate significant revenues that could be spent buying.......errr....older players.

You know things have changed at Saints when its the fans being accused of lacking ambition rather than the board!! I'm gonna reserve judgement on next season until I see the quality of signings we make but I am optimistic that we will go all out for promotion again - and if we do, I wouldn't bet against Cortese and Adkins, backed by 30,000 passionate fans making it. Jack Cork would be a great start!

I like the sound of this and it makes sense given the way Adkins has got our front four playing (Lallana, Guly/Barnard, Lambert & Chamberlain) with a lot more movement and inter changing positions. With that attack and Cork & Morgan playing the holding roles, 4-2-3-1 can easily become 4-2-4 when in possession and it would not make us more defensive as both Cork & Morgan have an excellent passing range and the skill to carry the ball forwards. This formation also creates more space for the full backs to overlap - which is why I think we need a pacy right back. I would like to see us at least start the season with an intent to attack and impose our game, we can always adapt if this doesn't create the results. Lets hope that Cork buys into the Cortese vision and buys a one-way ticket aboard the Premier League express!

Judging by the size of our youngsters playing in the all star game it seems that we are already ignoring this attitude and adopting the "barca" way - albeit with blonde hair! The future's bright, the future's blonde.

There is an installment scheme - it works out about £22 per match (or £25 with booking fee) and requires no upfront payment. You don't even have to pay if you can't make it to certain matches! Cortese already knows that the ST is a good deal and doesn't see the need to add further incentives to attract buyers. We all have to make our own choices about how we spend our money but for me a ST is a no brainer - although I will have to stop having my hair cut to pay for it.

I think this is why we will see 5 or 6 new players coming in. When NA first arrived he tried to play more passing football rather than hoofing it to Lambert but quickly realised we didn't have the players and adapted - which is something i particularly like about Adkins. Only recently we have started to see a more fluid game from the front 4 players with lots of inter changing positions but we need better ball players in midfield and defence to get the whole team playing this way. I am excited by what adkins might do with some money and a full pre-season.