Badger

It does seem a Kerry Packer does football' type of circus.Possibly some inevitability to this, but b0llocks to them, if the big clubs want to bugger off let them. Strikes me as a case of possibly "killing off the goose that lays the golden egg". Part of the attraction is the history of the fixture, will Liverpool really want to give up their derby for a seasonal match with Atletico Madrid for example ? Assuming either will be invited to take part of course.

Why not continue watching Saints in the English league ? Will it really be so disastrous not to have Man U etc in the fixture list ? Having said that I can seee the attraction of watching lower or non-league. Went to watch Plymouth v Cheltenham last week and thoroughly enjoyed it (apart from getting drenched).Non-league last season also gave some good entertainment in the Conference (as I still call it), prefer that 'honest' football to the Man U v Inter Galalactico etc.

Reminiscent of Branfoot : 'Southampton can't afford to live in the same street as Leeds United and our fans have to get used to that'

Perhaps thats a reference to Kelvin and Fonte. If so, the diagram loses a mark as its no longer factually correct if KD is no longer a player and should not be in the Player Pool still. Or could it be suggestions made by the next manager ahead of his actual appointment?. Discuss.

If Stones is £50m even allowing for the 'English premium' then VVD is easily worth £40m, possibly should be upwards of that. Whether we hold out for that kind of fee or sell in the first week of June though is an entirely different matter.

Bet JWP is sat by the phone...

Glad to see others concur

Cup of Horlicks and go to bed then, it'll look better in the morning.

It does seem a bit of a compromise on the club philosophy that Les Reed has publicly spouted about in the past, as does the signing of players to suit the managers own national preferences (Dutch or experience of their league for RK, and now going Francophile for Puel).

Observations on the changes: Mane - Boufal ; from some of the articles read, and comments made Boufal may be equal to, and possibly an improvement (the proviso being he recovers from his injury of course, and doesn't prove to have glass ankles or knees Hojberg - Wanyama - Hojberg is an excellent signing, but NOT a VW replacement, we simply haven't recruited a DM of any note. Hojberg would be a lot more effective alongside a Wanyama type, or a Morgan. As it is he may be reluctant to venture too far upfield knowing Romeu isn't going to effectively cover. Redmond - Juanmi - as a replacement for Juanmi, NR is an improvement, but just don't try to pretend he's a first choice striker GK - McCarthy a few years ago was highly rated, no concern over him in place of Steklenberg or PG. Austin - Pelle - we simply need more threat up front. RB - we've gone from two unconvincing RB's, to having the same two AND a crock. No improvements. None of which addresses limitations in DM , goalscoring threat, and Central Defence Conclusion is that although we've again made some potentially astute signings - Hojberg, and Boufal in particular - its pretty average, as we've not adequately replaced VW. Biggest question mark though hangs over the choice of manager, and his tactics. Unless that proves a good choice then we're buggered irrespective of the signings.

Good luck to McCarthy but the fact England have to call up a GK who seldom featured last season and is our current reserve goes to show the limited options of quality available now.

Hope so.

Not Disgraceful, but disappointing to leave us weak in CB options, no real DM, and limited goalscoring options, especially if Austin isn't utilised properly.

Agree

Just goes to show what can be achieved if you have a manager with some initiative. It does also give Howe the chance to "manage" a big name, and no doubt be looked at closely by the Arsenal board (ahead of seeking Wenger's replacement).

Probably as much to do with the "wad" Les Reed waves in front of them as it is with Puel's charisma.

Couldn't happen to a nicer group of people.

2003 springs to mind.

Added something to your last sentence.

It's not simply a matter of having 25 bodies in the squad, and an issue if you don't either maintain the quality, or improve on it. Of this summers business, and dealing with them as you've listed: Mane - Boufal ; from some of the articles read, and comments made Boufal may be equal to, and possibly an improvement (the proviso being he recovers from his injury of course, and doesn't prove to have glass ankles or knees Hojberg - Wanyama - Hojberg is an excellent signing, but NOT a VW replacement, we simply haven't recruited a DM of any note. Hojberg would be a lot more effective alongside a Wanyama type, or a Morgan. As it is he may be reluctant to venture too far upfield knowing Romeu isn't going to effectively cover. Redmond - Juanmi - as a replacement for Juanmi, NR is an improvement, but just don't try to pretend he's a first choice striker GK - McCarthy a few years ago was highly rated, no concern over him in place of Steklenberg or PG. Austin - Pelle - we simply need more threat up front. RB - we've gone from two unconvincing RB's, to having the same two AND a crock. No improvements. None of which addresses limitations in DM , goalscoring threat, and Central Defence.

Gone backwards; missed opportunity again

So do I, but can't really see it happening.

Just seen this clip on in an article from Newcastle Chronicle, I've reformed my opinion of his potential after seeing the last goal scored: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/who-sebastien-haller-you-need-11766777 Would prefer Gabbiadini though, although at £20m not likely to happen especially as Everton look in pole position.

Thought Claude has probably already earmarked him as a Thierry Henry.

Don't think we'll sign Saponara either but don't think he and Boufal should be an either/or. Saponara looks a bit more of a solid MF, wheras Bofal I imagine is more speed and perhaps playing wider.