JRM

Was brilliant watching yesterday, got a chance of winning the County championship as well, should get the players to parade the trophies around St Mary's. Was always a good connection between the clubs when neighbours at The Dell / Northlands Road

Out of interest why do you say that? I know we're light up front but nothing to say those two would do any better than what we have

It's a shame the sold out game at St Mary's on Friday has nothing riding on it now, probably lots of squad players getting a run out , comfortable win by a few goals for England. Tickets only using the uefa app on phones, hopefully will be no issues with St Mary's turnstiles

Looks like we'll get 500 tickets https://www.watfordfc.com/news/ticket/pre-season-tickets-southampton-information

95% of away section has safe standing barriers, one block doesn't which the club try to allocate to those who want to sit acknowledging the rest of the away end will be stood. You have to call up for seated block where ticket office ask you to confirm you'll sit down during game. Whole allocation is sold out.

Swap deal for Broja?

Would be terrible to lose one of our best players to Everton, but got to pay for the new signings somehow

Looks like a small crowd at St Mary's

On the subject of backbone Ralph hasn't been able to shift the points lost from winning positions stat either, would be nice to hear that less as well.

A run of games that was so appalling bad they can't just be brushed under the carpet as recency bias, the players certainly didn't look like they were putting any effort in and were quite happy to see out the season with a few beatings.

Two decent home games against good standard European names, just realised Villarreal tickets go up by a fiver tomorrow, bit sneaky just been put on sale and no member discount.

That's most likely, have him on the bench and ease him in slowly, see how he takes to men's football, completly different pace and physical battle compared to what he has been used to

We've got Northam and Itchen North as informal standing areas, the club hate the Itchen North and are actively trying to close that area down rather than just steward the away fans properly. Can't see Saints actually investing in anything like this. Have stood at every away game for probably last 20 years so whether it's safe standing or not no real change I think

That seems like a massive fee for someone who hasn't played any first team football in their career? Hopefully he can get plenty of game time pre-season, those who are excited about him what's that based on?

I'm all for optimism but I'm still not seeing it, are you saying you're feeling optimistic because we're being linked to players that you perceive as being good rather than those we've signed or the current squad? Some of our games towards the end of last season we're as bad as I've seen in years particularly away from home.

Great bit of business for Forest if he can recreate the form he had at Sheff Utd, was superb there

Delaps problem was he was seen as our big money record signing and never really lived up to that, if he'd cost 800k I think he'd have been appreciated a bit more

Where's the optimism coming from? Last seasons appalling form in the run in is still fresh in the memory, we've lost our best striker from last season , haven't signed anyone who we know will strengthen our first XI (just a gamble on what seem to be a couple of promising youngsters) , I look at Saints and am expecting a real struggle at the start of the season

Villarreal are playing us at St Mary's on the Saturday and Fulham at Craven Cottage on the Sunday, no doubt they have a very good squad as Champions league semi finalists but depends which side they put out against us. We're also playing Watford at Wealdstone's ground , bit of a random one playing at a non-league ground but story does indicate crowds will be allowed so hopefully we'll get an allocation https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-06-24/pre-season-friendly-announcement-watford-southampton-23-july-2022

Just the England game. Thousands still available for Northern Ireland v Norway and Northern Ireland v Austria, unless they give loads out to schools I'd expect those games to be quite empty. England game will be a good occasion and I've got tickets for my daughter to go, as its the last group game might not actually be anything riding on it

I read that Brentford have moved away from these annual kit changes and had gone back to a 2 year cycle, not sure of the full details but apparently other teams considering the same, would be a very positive move I think especially for those who buy them for their kids. Hard to justify £50 + but might consider it if its for two years.

I've never heard of him before, is this a signing we expect to come straight in or spend some time with the u23s first?

In all the many years I've been going we often have started badly, I remember a win at home to West Ham 1988 I think, but generally we're slow starters despite changing managers, players, stadiums, some things don't change

Shame both Bournemouth home and away are midweek. New Forest derby would have been obvious choice for a super Sunday pick

Is he going to be our oldest ever player? Not sure who he's competing with for that honour