Pwoite

The fact that we can talk in relatively excited terms about AA, BBD and Archer, plus Stewart, as a potentially promotion sealing attack totally highlights the class difference between the top two divisions. And, should we be promoted, the work required the following summer. I can’t help thinking we need to bring in three players this summer who we hope/expect will be good enough for the EPL in a year’s time. These can either be younger, developing players or more established lower league players with the ability and attitude, as found in Rickie Lambert. Choosing, or finding, such players isn’t easy, but we cannot expect to buy virtually a whole team should we be promoted. It will probably mean spending more than we traditionally have, and reinvesting what we get from selling Dibling, Ramsdale et al. These three would be in addition to a number of new recruits of a lower level to fill gaps left by departing players. Therefore, I can see us moving on around 15-20 players through sales, release or loans, to bring in six or eight, to give us a squad of 20-22, or thereabouts.

Are we now seeing SR 2.0? Kraft out, Ankersen out, Solak in, Spors in. Potentially a more clearly designed recruitment package of manager and players based on year 1, stabilisation, regeneration and promotion, then year 2, consolidation and further stabilisation. That means recruiting a manager to get us promoted and then reviewing, next summer, whether he is the man for the EPL. Similarly, bringing in half a dozen players, three designed to help the promotion push, but no more, and three that contribute next season and the one after. A mix of youth and experience, grit and flair, leadership and control. it needs to be a two year plan, with options at every stage, every transfer window, and to have the courage to remove and replace when necessary.

What, and get a fourth relegation on his CV?

Has he found his level there, then?

How many of our U21s or U18s are capable of stepping up and contributing next season? Clearly Dibling was not planned to break through this season, but I wonder if Spors is hoping, or banking, on some home grown talent in the Championship.

Can he? He is exciting, can dribble and beat two or three players, but he isn’t that dangerous in front of goal, and regularly fails to deliver a critical assist. He is hopeless defending, is very one footed and his set pieces are currently poor. Sure, he gets the crowd on their feet and is exciting, but does he have the potential for an all round game, or is he a latter day MLT? Clearly clubs will see this and more and then decide if the potential is there. There will be suitors, and just maybe we need to cash in whilst we can.

Actually, there are 22 games left. What do we need, say, 37 points, so 32 more. With eight wins we’d also need eight draws, or in other words, lose no more than six……….we’re not going to do that.

Any truth in the rumour that Mickey Mouse has got a Southampton FC wrist watch?

English rose motif on lead horse’s hindquarters. So, Southgate or Carsley.

I heard we were two weeks away……

In all honesty, he might be fit, but he isn’t match fit, and probably won’t get a chance to be. Even if we start Archer, is there even room for him on the bench, with recent purchases, and, at best, he has to be no higher than third choice as ‘striker’, whatever that might mean to Russell. Best he can hope is to stay uninjured, gain strength through training, and hope for a loan in January to get game time. Unless he puts in some amazing performances in training, I really don’t think we will see much of him.

So, thi season could see three England keepers relegated - Pickford, Ramsdale and Johnstone. (Oh, I forgot McCarthy!)

I remember chanting that to taunt him when he was playing for Leicester at the Dell. (I think it was Leicester!) Then, a few weeks later, we bought him.

You are saying that with hindsight. Same argument applies to Kyle or Bella Kotchup. The manager has to work with the players he expects to be there after the window closes. Kyle wasn’t getting a look in for most pre-season games, then it changed once it became likely he was staying. The other two we still want to shift.

Would much prefer Ferguson in to JWP. Clearly we have a need for a striker but I see no need in bringing James back. We have brought in Big Les for this holding role, and Fernandes for the attacking one. Sentiment is great, and we all like James, but he isn’t what we need now.