S-Clarke

Missing the point. We didn't have the squad for the league, but we should have done more in the cups - that's what I was getting at. But in terms of challenging for the top 4, we'd have needed much more. A Lukaku type forward, another Lovren style CB and an able cover for Luke Shaw - probably another couple of wide options too. We may have had 5 or so players who were at that level, but the squad wasn't. The finance and commitment needed to take the rest of the squad up to that level wasn't sustainable for us. KL has obviously said as much, and from that moment on NC knew the game was up and he needed to manoeuvre his way out of it.

Now, I started the Tadic rumour thread and that ended well...so I'll have a go at this one too. Seemingly there is something in it, what with Koeman making somewhat of a slip last night when speaking about a new left back we'll be getting. Add this to the following rumours from the past few days, and I think this is an active goer. He's 24, an international and will cost around £12m. Should be doable I'd think. http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/490707/Southampton-steal-march-on-Man-Utd-Liverpool-and-Arsenal-for-Argentina-star-Marcos-Rojo And for people who don't know much about him, he is there predictable youtube video: Might as well have a somewhat positive thread in amongst all the meltdowns.

This is what worries me a little, the entire influx of new players will take some time. The difference though is that we're shopping in a higher quality food market than them. Sunderland bought lots and lots and lots of dross, didn't actually spend a huge amount, just lots of dross. I think we'll have more success with who we bring in, and I don't think we'll sign as many players as Sunderland did!

What do you think? Top 4 and Champions league football. That's what was sold to them. If you thought that was ever feasible by a club of our size in this day and age, then more fool you.

Jenkinson would be good backup to Clyne, and Gnabry is decent enough. Not sure what's wrong with that? £16m, and 2 similar level players on loan.

Or it's option 3? 3 - Players sold a totally unsustainable and unfeasible plan by previous chairman, they all want out when they realise it cannot happen. Club left with a huge mess to clear up. Club receives huge fees for players who don't want to be here, they kick off and start moaning in the media. Puts us into a corner, but we sort out good fee's and are in a position to reinvest back into the side.

This is the problem, as well as the club, it seems as some of the fanbase also hit the glass ceiling and knocked themselves out. We are not big enough for the top 4, never have been and we will never be unless we're owned by a zillionaire. We're not. NC sold a load of waffle to the players, and was basically planning on spending someone elses money. The guy was full of hot air, did a lot to a point for us - can't disagree, but it's easier to get progress from L1/NPC/Mid-table PL than it is to progress from there to Top 6/top 4. I personally want a club which hasn't chased the dream....I think we were in danger of doing so, but we'll operate at a more sustainable level now until if/and when we're purchased by some megabackers. Oh reminds me, where are those backers then Nicola....? Hello....?

It'll be Rojo as that has popped up in a few foreign sources over the last few days, before he even said that.

Forster will be an improvement, I don't think Rojo would be too bad if we sort that one! And there are still rumours bubbling regarding a deal for De Vrij....but until anything happens either way, we cannot really make a conclusion yet. We'll have a bumpy year next year, that is all but certain, but we may end up being stronger long-term. At the moment, I'm accepting of the situation because I realise we're not a big club - just a small club who managed to get together a group of very talented players. Probably a once in a generation team, but we only finished 8th and didn't win anything. Genius, cheers MP. Fine job.

Both knew what was about to happen. NC saw the signs and didn't want to be associated with this. This is pretty much clear. It's not too bad building us up from L1/NPC/PL....stable investment and visible progress, but you get to a point (i.e last year) where you need to splash more than you've ever splashed before or you don't' progress any further, Wanyama, Lovren, Osvaldo - huge investments for us...and this year we'd have needed to do more to carry on the trend, and seemingly keep the players happy. This is the problem we have. We're not big enough, we can enjoy star players for a season or 2...but that's it. It will always be the case until we're backed by some sort of Dubai oil rich backer. It seems as if a club, we have hit the glass ceeling too quickly, at 100mph and seemingly knocked ourselves out.

Let's just wait and see. If we get to Sept. 1st and still have Jos, Mayka and Sharp playing prominent roles in the first time, then we will be gone. But, the club are chasing high, high quality replacements. Until we see who we've signed, we cannot really come to any conclusions.

If he didn't understand our situation, then he'd have been out of the door. In fact, if he does randomly walk in the next few weeks, then I think that's when we classify this as 'meltdown' and 'crisis'. Up until then, he seems fairy calm about it all. Quite exciting for him I'd imagine, he's got his own real life football manager game to play. I always enjoy going to clubs with lots of money to spend on transfers.

But, if the replacements are of good quality, then we move on. If these guys really wanted to move on, then they'll move on. We cannot stop an elite club wanting our players. The unprecedented situation is that we have so many quality players wanted by the elite clubs.

Isn't he on trial with L'Pool with a view to signing? I think people are in danger of jumping onto the bandwaggon with him.

He'll be magically fit enough to start their 2nd game though. A pretty big disaster for him really. With all their attacking players, by the time he's back, he could find himself way down the list if the other players they've bought perform well.

Chambers is an odd one, not entirely sure what that one is all about. More to it than meets the eye, I imagine.

Seriously, grow a pair. Players go, players come. Managers go, managers come. Chairman go, chairman come. Owners go, owners come. But it's still Southampton football club, we're still supporters of that same club. Since when has a club been just about the players we have? We'll have new hero's next year.

Always makes me laugh when people say we are a laughing stock. Who the hell actually cares? We're a non-entity in this league, we're not one of the big boys who everyone will look at. No one gives a **** at who we sell or sign, in fact the only laughing anyone would be doing is how much the clubs are paying for the likes of Lallana, Chambers and co.

No, this is an asset strip FFS. What are you on about? Oh, sorry. I just did a Richmond.

Nah, It was Marcos he said. After saying that we needed a new left back, we will get one, and it will be a high quality one. Total slip of the tongue, and probably our next signing.

Lots of hyperventilating this morning. Let's just see who the replacements are. If they're of the level of Tadic, Rojo, De Vrij...then we're in a decent position.

Utter class player, was mentioned a few weeks back and said he'd be well out of our reach. Much bigger clubs tracking him. So fair play Saints. Can cover LB and CB, but is a very good left back - attacking wise.

In an asset strip, you don't replace assets with high quality replacements. HTH.

Still many more opportunities for him to get game time here though. I think he's cocked up his career. Maybe not ££££, but his career will go the same way as a few other young full backs they've bought. What a waste.

Marlon King. We can pay his bail, or something. Or maybe, as a tactic, we can buy up all the players who usually score against us and just stockpile them in the reserves. Just like Chelsea do with all the young European talent.