S-Clarke

We won't have all our signings in by then, it'll be a patched up team, and they'll beat us anyway. Not going to read anything into what happens up there.

It's what I've said all along, Cortese is as much to blame for this as anyone else. He created a culture and an ambition which was un-feasible. It wasn't even his money to flap around, and it's no wonder KL finally took control of it all. All his failed promises of CL and title challenges have left with Lallana, Lovren, Morgan, Rodriguez, Lambert, Shaw. Their commitment was based on a far-fetched pipe dream. However, as a board, they've managed this situation absolutely abjectly this summer.

3 and a bit for me, the Liverpool game is a write off. Just another pre-season friendly for me. WBA at home is where it starts and matters.

When will Michael Owen say anything of interest? I can hear him tweeting that with his monotone typing.

Roy ''I've heard some interesting rumours ahead for next season, Ralf. I'll have a word with a few at the world cup to see if I can influence them'' RK ''That would be fantantaic Woy, thanks so much for your support for Southampton Football FC #goteamsaints. We do have the very best players queuing up to join us, and to supplement this wonderful football club and it's passionate and loyal fans.'' Les 'Don't tell him Woy, he's oblivious as he's just a mouth piece and more to the point, a moron - but we've been told to sell everyone and I get a cut!!!! So Yes, do have a word at the World Cup so we can speed this along. I want a holiday in Dubai.''

Tickets will be flying off the shelves, apparently.

It kind of makes you worry when we can't even get this one over the line..... Trying to be confident and positive, but we're almost in august and this is the worst PL squad we've ever had as it stands. We need action.....

Still pretty deflating that there simply aren't any incoming rumours. Nothing. Zilch. We're either keeping it pretty quiet, or we simply don't have a clue. I'm edging towards 1 of those options.

Because they were our 3 best players and we're 100 times weaker without them.

That fact it's being seriously considered that he should have been kept on says it all. We have gone backwards 3 seasons in 2 months.

That policy failed once we sold all the good ones.

It's like he's being used in a game of piggy in the middle between Jose and Van Gaal.

We'll be able to keep Mayuka, Jos and Yoshida I'd have thought. The club probably think that as we've kept them, the situation isn't that bad.

He won't go, it would be another Jack Rodwell situation and what is a promising career would be over and he might as well retire. James seems to have his head screwed on. ....but if City make a bid, I imagine we'll reply and say. ''Thanks for the interest in 1 of our players!!!! The bid is good, but plz could you offer just a tiny bit more and then we can sort this 4 u? Thanks for ur understanding!''

Your post rings a lot of sense to me, Steve. And at least it has a sense of positivity to it. I do honestly believe we're being prepared for a sale though, in an incredibly risk way, but we're being primed for one.

Loans are pretty disappointing, given the money we have brought in - but if there is an opportunity to sign Gnabry, whatever the situation, we should jump at it. Very, very good player.

katharina liebherr

If we start losing our decent players to **** like that, then I've had it.

Surely that'll be Ben Davies now?

I believe the £8.5m clause is triggered ONLY if a CL club bids.

We're not paying him close to that. He is on 45-50k + benefits.

I think he was joking tbf.

£3.5m is an utter pistake given the money we've made this summer. It's not even close to what his value is. What are we playing at?

Saintlee was a good guy, but was completely sucked in by it all. Shame.

I knew I was speaking to Cortese.