S-Clarke

Probably won't be on Soccer AM. I reckon it may get an airing on fletch and sav though, given that they're covering our game from 10am and their producer is Saints fan chris nutbeam (who used to produce soccer am for what it's worth).

It's still early days, but I must admit it looks a lot more positive this end of season / pre-season than it last. There was way too much uncertainty last year, mainly down to a certain manager, and that wouldn't have helped convince the players. So now we know where we're going, we know who our coaching staff and management will be next year....and we're not going to be in a position where we're chasing our tails. Over the last 2 or 3 days I've become very confident that the next announcement will be Clyne's new deal. At the moment I think Clyne is a top 6/top 7 player, I don't think he's a Top 4 level player yet.......so he's better off continuing his education here, keeping his regular england place and see what the future holds. There shouldn't be any urgent rush for anyone to leave this summer, we're in a good place.

Other than that, he makes a good point. MLG 1 - 0 CaM

Bales, from his first team debut v Millwall I believe.

err...

This is made by the same company who did the ''we are the saints'' at the start of the season I believe, and it's the same guys as were behind the ''academy promo'' video back in November which was on sky news etc. Hope we have a long-term connection them! love the quality.

umm..

I wish we could have an away shirt like Newcastle

Good video! Nice to see people on twitter are as engaged as usual. And most interestingly, a Southampton based everton fan seems to be taking the lead on helmet watch.

Leroy Fer is an interesting one. I think he has ability, but he's been in 2 situations these past 2 seasons whereby he hasn't really been able to show it, as he's been shoehorned into **** squads. It'll be interesting to see how he does surrounded by better players and a better structure. But it would be a gamble.

I don't think that's particular fair. They played a terrific defensive game, both in midfield and at the back. They didn't start with a natural striker, more of a false 9 - but when they did get the ball, they used it well and they had a couple of other decent opportunities themselves. I think overall it was just one of those nights for Arsenal, they could have played till midnight and not scored. As I said the other day, too many similar players in the lineup at the same time. It didn't work as there was no balance, and they were all stepping on each others toes. I think there have been games whereby we have been lucky ourselves. Chelsea away, Chelsea at home, QPR away was a bit jammy. I think we've both had similar seasons, just the opposite way round. We started like a train, they're finishing like a train.

These top clubs don't really forward plan, it's about the here and now for them. They'll just spend £30m on another RB in a year or 2 if that happens, no problem for them. I mean Liverpool are looking to replace Gerrard with Pirlo......I thought the whole reason to let Gerrard go was to evolve his position with a younger player...but Pirlo?? Cracking player, but what have you got, 1 year max out of him? Sensible move.

It's just another of Saint Charlie's accounts.

People on their forums? match day sponsors? local radio commentators? hospitality guests?

To be fair, I wouldn't expect Morgan to be rushed into signing a new contract this closed season. If he doesn't go, he doesn't go - he still has 2 and bit years left. We may, just may, get one more season out of him - but I wouldn't begrudge him a move, he's given us 7 years and we've watched him grow from a skinny little french lad, to one of the best midfielders in Europe. Deserves to play at the highest stage.

So you're not allowed to have MOTM's in the NPC then? Bit harsh. To be fair, I had a look on their forums and most agreed that he's a very technically able player, who predict he'll go on to make a good career - but there are some comments about him being a bit lightweight. He generally got about 6's and 7's in the end of season player reviews, which given that he was only there for a few weeks isn't too bad. He obviously made an impression.

...I have a feeling that we'll hear of another new contract being signed soon. I think the big clubs have moved away from him.

£10m for Austin is very good value if we pull it off. As other's have said, he's a goal scorrer and as long as they get the service, they will score goals in any team. It's just about giving them a chance, same with Lambert. I'm sure he's been on our wanted list for a while though, as we were constantly linked whilst in L1.

To be fair, we used to get quite a good result from our Scandinavian imports.

Ah one of those rules. But pretty likely i'd have thought.

I think our best chance of getting in the CL is probably through winning the Europa league if I'm honest, not as many eventualities need to fall our way as a top 4 finish would require. And correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't winning the EL get you straight into the CL group stage? So the equivalent of finishing in the PL top 3.

Every transfer has an element of luck to it, you can cover as many eventualities you can...but there's always a chance it's not how you thought it would be. It happens at every club in the world. But if you have a good structure in place, then you have the scope to cover as many eventualities as possible and reduce the risk. For as many poor players we've signed, we've signed good ones as well. Yoshida, Clyne, Jay, Victor, Lovren, Mane, Tadic, Davis, Bertrand, Forster, Cork - Not a bad return from any of those, whether it's on the field performances or eventual profit. I'd include Pelle but I feel he was more of a Koeman signing.

https://twitter.com/BenStanners/status/598162744068673536/photo/1

It's exactly right what he's saying, it's not massively likely...but the best chance a club of our stature has of getting there is to constantly plug away, season after season, get your structure right and your long-term plan right and you never know - one season the glass may smash and you get through. But having a consistent top 6 club is more realistic for us. And it's something I never thought I'd ever see 6 years ago.

I think Pastor has just unintentionally 'come out'.