S-Clarke

“I’m very happy,” Osvaldo told a Juventus interviewer. “It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind and I still can’t quite believe it but I’m happy. “It was pleasing when I first heard of Juventus’ interest in me. “When everything was completed last night I sat down and I couldn’t believe it. “As I said before, it’s been a pretty hectic three or four days but I’m happy.” Osvaldo, who joined Saints from Roma, was asked whether he had missed Italian football. “I can honestly say I have, yes,” he replied. “When I initially left I was happy to embark on a new and exciting experience in England. “But in the end it became something I missed.” Osvaldo really needs to perform in the next few months to help Juve in their quest to win the Serie A title and to ensure a spot in Italy’s World Cup side. “I want to enjoy it,” he smiled. “In the year of the World Cup, I’m joining the greatest club in Italy and one of the finest in Europe. “I don’t think such things happen often in life. “I want to enjoy this experience, do my best to be involved in the World Cup and, God willing, stay here for many years.”

It hasn't though, has it? This is one of our best seasons in over a decade, we have one of the best teams I've had the privilege of watching in my saints lifetime. No, it's not a damp squib.

James Barnes: You know something is wrong with football when Southampton are loaning players to Juventus...

Obviously an idea we had, then decided not to pursue it. I reckon we tried to get something out of Juventus in terms of one of their forwards, but it didn't materialise.

And there in lies his only contribution in 6 months.

No ****. Change the record fella.

Not sure what's happened to you over the last few weeks. You used to be really level headed!

Bit of an odd thing to say, seeing as this squad got us there. The only player of note we've let go is Osvaldo, but he was suspended more than available anyway.

There isn't and won't be one.

It's not set in stone though, he'd need to stay pretty trouble free for them to want him, which going by recent times is near on impossible.

This is the key thing for me. A lot of what I was impressed with on Tuesday was done off the ball and away from the camera's. He was always on the move...always on the shoulder making clever runs. He pulled 2 international CB's all over the show, you have to have something about you to be able to do that. He needs a bit of refinement in terms of his touch and hold up play, but I love his attributes. Strong, powerful, quick....

Not if the club are saying..hang on...we've got a young player who is pretty sharp, and we want him to get plenty of games in the 2nd half of the season.

Surely if Hughes fails at Stoke, then he's finished as a top flight manager? How many more chances is he going to get....

He's been pretty rubbish for 2-3 years now, never plays for Juve. They've been trying to flog him off to anyone who'd listen.

Fabio would be the definition of a panic signing. If he's the only option, we might as well stick with Sam.

Why the hell are Stoke signing Lee Cattermole? Mark Hughes has actually lost it.

This second half of the season is a great opportunity to promote and blood some of the next crop of young players. Probably another consideration taken into account when deciding against new additions. The long-term plan has always been to promote the young players, so if a young player who is deemed good enough is available in a position we're short....then why the hell not use them, and save the cash? Make sense for me. Trust the young lads, the coaching stuff will know if they're good enough or not. And having a record of Bale, Chambo, Theo, Adam, Chambers, Shaw, Targett, Gallagher, JWP...you can be sure as hell that the other young players are good a good standard.

Nice one SSN. 'Fulham are hopeful Holtby will be available for tomorrows, crucial, bottom of the table clash with Southampton. Obviously Southampton are a bit higher up, but it's a huge game'' Err yes, nice one.

Cost cutting can be taken in numerous ways. We're either utterly skint and need the money. (Athough not quite sure how much money we'll save by losing Martin, Lee, Barnard, Sharp, Punchen et all....not anything significant!) Although the clear obvious answer is that it's just sensible business work, trimming the squad and opening up spaces for the summer.

It wasn't the first sign of trouble with us.

I think it's rather Lescott who could be off, if that happens.

Seriously.

2 months. Clamps Buffon for saving a shot in training, or something.

Possibly, but this window hasn't changed that much. Of the players that left, none had an impact here. Zilch. Fox wasn't good enough, people cried when he was in the team. Barnard, Sharp, Lee, Martin haven't played a game for us in over 2 years. They offered NO value to the squad what so ever. Puncheon isn't here, so letting him go for good makes utterly no difference to us. Arguably, the only departure that makes some kind of impact is Osvaldo. But tell me, what impact did he have here other than punching people? He was ineffective and Lambert was preferred to him more often than not. The squad that got us off to the start is still here and is still playing regularly. Of the players we let go, none of them have had a meaningful contribute to our season - or even last 2 seasons. It doesn't make the squad weaker as they wouldn't have contributed anyway.

It's a let down because of the utterly pointless build up Sky give it.