S-Clarke

He came in around Christmas time didn't he? He was a bit part in the first part of the season, but made the place his own since Dec. He's not playing what I'd say he was signed for either, he seems really effective for us in that 8/dynamic 6 type role. Very strong and his use of the ball in tight spaces opens up so much for us.

Another vote for Dave, he's great. Never has a bad thing to say. No idea what fabrice thinks he's achieving though, I find it odd when people trawl forums to look for posts which turned out inaccurate, without understanding the context at the time. Everyone has said daft things, my finest moment was proclaiming Ely would be a great signing as he's quick. Doesn't mean it should be trawled up to score points though.

Yeah I think for our 'style', he'd be shown up a bit. We need good technicians who can pickup the ball in tight spaces and move it on quickly, one of PEH's worst attributes is passing so he'd be totally wrong for us.

I think he's coming in as a coach, he's not coming in playing capacity as far as I'm aware. He'll join Surman etc in the academy former player cohort.

I think I've watched every possible highlight package this morning - ITV's, our club one, Sky Sports one, Leeds United's one. It never gets old. It wasn't a memorable game in terms of quality (these Playoff games never are), but when you're on the right side of a result you're just addicted to rewatching it.

They were really looking forward to playing us, bless them. Still better than them as we have been for most of the time in modern years.

He's such a silky player, one of the biggest reasons for us to go up was to keep him. He's PL quality without doubt IMO. I think he's cost us £20m, but he'll end up being sold for three times that once he has a PL season or two under his belt IMO. KWP, THB, Downes, Armstrong - nice having a strong english spine to the team.

I think what's helped Bednarek is having a fairly stable partner next to him in THB, they've really formed a top partnership. Previously Bednarek has chopped and changed a bit with us, arguably his best spell came alongside Vestergaard (Again, a consistent partner), but I think THB really compliments him as a player.

I was really emotional watching him celebrate at the end, it was really authentic.

So we know that THB is ours, I really like the Bednarek and THB partnership and I think that has provided us real foundation. Downes is a must, I think this one is a goer now. It might take a little while as WHU's new coaches may want to see him, but I can only see him ending up here eventually. Someone like Jack Clarke will happen I imagine, he'd be filling a hole in a position we'd need filling (Brooks returning etc). So much to be excited about now. SR cocked up our last PL summer window, let's hope they get this one right. I think we have a real foundation to start with now.

We've all had our critiques over the season, it's part of being a fan. The frustrations have been borne out of knowing we could do better, or we could keep tighter etc - my biggest criticism has been that we cannot keep needing 3 or 4 goals to win a game, it wasn't sustainable. But since the last game of the season we have played 4, let in 1 goal. A massive shift in approach, some flexibility allowed and some real focus on certain tactical tweaks. Today he absolutley had Farkes number tactically, we played it perfectly - we played it perfectly against WBA too, and Leeds in the final game. I think we can put the silly games against Blackburn, Stoke etc to bed. When we've needed to show up, when the pressure was bigger than it's ever been, we've done that.

If that was his last game for us, then all I can say is thanks. He kept us in the PL under Hughes, and contributed big moments to help us back up today. Some shaky moments during the Ralph years, but his two key contributions have been pretty epic. I fully expect him to leave, but he'll leave with my best wishes.

One of the greatest days of my life, epic, amazing, phenomenal - all the buzz words required. I had no idea what to expect today, but I was full of excitement and nerves with the occasion being one of the biggest I've ever experienced as a fan. I was at the JPT win, I was at the promotion wins under Adkins, I was at the FA Cup and League cup defeats....but as I sit here it feels as if this topped it all, from the Semi second leg to today. It's hard to really analyse a game in much great detail as emotions are just pouring out of every orifice at the moment, but I thought it was a really gusty performance - really strong out of possession, not amazing on the ball...but we limited Leeds so well, we played the dirty game today and mixed it up a little. it was refreshing to see us not be walkovers or soft, we were much more aggressive than them and gave us as good as we got. Over recent years that has been a huge weakness of us, too meek and rolled over too easily - but we stood tall today and repelled everything they threw at us. I didn't think Stephens had a particularly good game, but I can't help but feel a bit emotional when I saw him lift the trophy and celebrate at the end it meant so much to him and you can see how authentic it was. My MOTM was Bednarek who was immense, repelled everything, won so many amazing challenges and was always there - he was a one man defence at times, but I really, really love his partnership with the silky THB - I think as a pair they are really, really strong. That was our strong point today, we were so good as a defensive unit and didn't allow Leeds 'much' - they had a lot of the ball, but I felt we kept them at bay (well, I can say that now - but it did feel like an eternity during that second half) It was somewhat fitting that AA got the winning goal, capping off what was an amazing season for him personally. He lead us as captain for months and was amazing, finished top scorer and had the most goal contributions. I know some have question marks over his PL ability (myself included), but this season has allowed him the opportunity for another crack - I certainly want to see what he can do in the PL now he's settled here and has proven with us what he can do. It's hard to think about next season yet, but I'm just going to soak up the next few weeks and probably replay that game 10 or 20 times. Those are the moments you pray to experience as a fan and I'm so lucky to have experienced the last two weeks - easily some of the most incredible moments of my Southampton supporting life, and I didn't think I'd be saying that after the Stoke home game.

An extra angle to today - denies Newcastle any European football next season, quite funny.

At a much smaller-scale, we were kind of the same back in 2022. Spent £100m on players, some of the brightest talents around, got the most sought after talent spotter in Joe Shields, appointed a very respected/highly rated assistant coach in Selles.....yet in the same breath appointed Nathan Jones as our manager.

Sadly not now, he was good for us for 6 months. Got a bit too big billy bollocks because clubs kept sniffing at the crazy 30-40m price bracket. The injury he had was terrible though, but the form before and after that has been horrendous - he looks like a pub player now whenever I've seen him. Fulham fan's didn't see much of him and even they don't want to touch him based on the fleeting moments they saw. Best bet for him is to go abroad and make a name for himself elsewhere.

Yep fingers crossed, looks like he'll be good. The script could be set for Che though, his last goal for us is one that takes us up. The whole Stewart situation is pissing me off a bit, exactly the same happened when he made his tiny sub appearance in November - took a knock, vanished from training and wasn't seen again until May. It's getting to the stage now where we just have to move on from him for good, isn't it? I really hope the club don't have any daft ideas that we already have our 'Che' replacement in the building.

Very recent example too, exactly the same charges - but just one occasion of spot-fixing, rather than the 4 he's been charged with. Kynan Isaac: Stratford Town defender given 10-year ban for involvement in FA Cup spot-fixing - BBC Sport

He actually stood up to some crazy Roy Keane rant, rather than what the pundits usually do and just nod-and-agree with him. It was only a fleeting watch so he may not be amazing, but I did like the cut of his jib. I think I read he's going to be a pundit at the Euro's on one of the channels, so we'll see!

Totally agree, we will be competitive next year should we end up here again. There will be a lot of change but we will be able to build a competitive team from that, of that I have no doubt. I'd be disappointed if we weren't. I have seen some posters mention that we'll be on our barebones, skint with no money - but I don't see it. We've got one more shot at a really, really good stab at auto promotion in my eyes (if we need it!!)

How many chances are clubs going to give people like him and Gerrard? Absolute frauds as managers, living on their fame and playing career. I thought Rooney made a decent pundit a few weeks ago when I heard him on TV, he should focus on that and stay the fuck away from managing clubs.

''I got my acca, from Lucas Paqueta'' Looks like he's fucked on his betting dodgyness, media are reporting a 10-year ban which I find hard to believe. It'll be at least a year or two thought I'd think. WHU now have an asset they were going to flog for £80m unable to do anything. He was going to fund their transfers.

Rosenior would be a bit of a mentalist/daft move if that scenario plays out. He's exactly the same as Martin, no different - same young, inexperienced coach mantra. Same possession at all costs mantra, same passing it for passing sake mantra (Hull fans had the same moans). Could just call him Martin-lite. And to be honest with the players Rosenior had available, he flopped last year. They were miles better in terms of squad than Norwich or WBA, they shouldn't have missed out with the players they had - seems like their owner felt the same. If we dumped Martin I'd want an upgrade, not someone who does the same - but worse.

I agree with what others are saying, he's better out of Chelsea. Dodged a bullet and got paid a tasty pay off. Chelsea 'should' be getting annihilated by FFP next year, so they could be treading into very awkward times.

People loved that, but it was the most irritating thing ever. I don't mind THB doing it as he does on the back of being good at football, but when all you can offer as a footballer is celebrating conceding a corner then it's probably time to call it a day.