S-Clarke

I don't agree with that. When you go down that route, you normally end up with a squad bulked up with a load of crap. The method of buying better than you have is the way to go. Evolve the positions in the team over time, don't just buy backup to be backup. Too many clubs do that in the PL and then have a nightmare getting them off the wage bill when they are inevitably relegated.

I think we'll compete, it's harsh to throw that stick at us. We've competed in every game we've played, even though Sunderland was a total **** up, we did totally dominate with 10 men. But as per usual, lacked any real threat. But you need to ask yourself this for one minute - if in the summer, someone told you that saints would finish on more points, with a better GD and a higher league placing than last season, would you have sent them to the mad-farm? I think a few would have. If you remember back to the summer, Koeman said a few times at how he wanted to 'maintain' the level and 'improve' if possible. That's pretty much what's happened, in a summer of utter chaos we managed to maintain our level the next season. As well as good management, that's pretty impressive recruitment as well. Not bad. Makes you hopeful for the following seasons and the next sage of the plan, as I think our ambitions will be much higher now.

Belerin has come through and has rightly nailed that place - he's been terrific. I don't know if Chambers injured or not? As it's odd their £16m signing is not even on the bench (great fee by the way). But as with all of our 'defectors' it is certainly a sign that the grass is not greener what so ever. I saw some quotes from Clyne today regarding that he's happy to stay, time will tell if that's PR guff or not, but you'd think that the lack of success the other players have had since leaving may play on his mind a bit. It's not like we're an horrific club playing at a rubbish level - we're still competing at the top end.

Yeah, I believe the Cork contract situation was handled a bit poorly. I think he should have been offered one in September/October time, but my opinion is that the club felt that he was potentially blocking a route for Reed/JWP etc and therefore weren't as keen to commit long-term - whether or not that's the right way of going about it is up for debate, but the club have been pretty clear on making sure there is always a pathway for youth players.

Enjoy it. Summer transfer windows prior to your first PL season are exciting, linked to many players who you'd never have thought you'd see at Bournemouth. I think Howe will go with the spine that he has though, and just supplement it with bits of quality around the edges. That's the best bet rather than wholesale upgrades. (It didn't get QPR anywhere). How has Surman been for you this year by the way? His best season for us was our top 6 play off season, when the dutch due of Wotte and co got hold of him and played him at left back he tailed off. Always liked him though and I don't believe he's had a fair crack at the PL as yet, with either Norwich or Wolves - so hopefully he gets his chance now.

You're right, he's not had lots of opportunities - but in the small handful of chances he's had, I don't think he's put his marker down. Yoshida, when he had his chance, did put his marker down and stepped up. A couple of games Gardos played in stand out for showing his rashness/clumsiness, Sheff U away in the cup, Stoke away in the cup, Newcastle away in the league (their first goal). I don't think he's fully trusted 'yet'. I hope he does cement a place here though.

He was on loan at Fulham a few years ago and was trash. Hopefully he's improved a lot since then! He's one of these players who had a big reputation at a young age from the Roma academy, but never really fulfilled it.

Ondrej Duda - This has kind of come out of no where, with some really definite sounding quotes. I think it's probably a combination of ourselves being interested and approaching the club/player, but also the agent getting a bit over-excited. He seems to mouth off a bit. This kid looks ok though, only turned 20 a few months back.

I've expected more from Gardos to be honest, and I think the club probably feel the same. I think he was brought in to be a regular player for us (especially for a £6m outlay), but Yoshida has pipped him to the 3rd choice. He's still young...but he just looks clumsy, error prone and rash at this moment.

To be fair I think your first post is the most accurate.

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/574805/Southampton-Jay-Rodriguez-contract I thought we'd already offered one?

I think both of Elia's goals up at Newcastle were deflected somewhat.

Arsenal must be so infuriating for their fans. When they're under no pressure, they play and go on a run of form. Everyone starts screaming and shouting about how good Arsenal are, Wenger then comes out and says he's happy with the squad for next year. (Which he has been quoted as saying) And like a predictable loop, they will once again choke when the pressure cranks up, slip away between January > March and everyone will be crying for Wenger to go again.

Lol.

No one in particular I would have thought.

The most obvious WUM in the history of WUM's

The shouting for us to sign players based on 4 or 5 weeks of form, is almost as bad as writing off your own players after 3 or 4 weeks of poor form. Snap-judgments of the common football fan.

Maybe, but let's not allow it to completely fade out.

Some interesting quotes I read from MP earlier, but it was within an article discussing the appointment of Paul Mitchell. “I think that we need to be more clever than the teams that invest more money than us. It is for that, I am very happy because we create a very strong institute now and follow the players around the world” http://www.thefightingcock.co.uk/2015/05/paul-mitchell-the-transfer-genius/

It's been a great season, but I just hope that we don't let it just fade out. I still think we needed to beat Spurs in the home game to have any hope of finishing above them, unfortunately. I think we'll be close by but we'll end on 61/62 pts in 7th. Great haul and hopefully some sort of European football next season.

That's exactly the sort of GK we need to sign. Not a stop gap, someone young and who is totally good enough to come in and start for us. Rated as one of the best GK prospects in world football, and Norway's best prospect for a long time. I hope it's true.

Does this mean that our defeat has been wiped from the records? Excellent. Someone tell Koeman and the lads, #wemarchon

wtf is going on? I didn't post what's above???

The forum has screwed.

Glad you agreed John.