Pwoite

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.

Anyone know whether this is being televised or broadcast on Wednesday. Obviously, there will be the Solent option, but didn’t Sky televise most first round matches? Will that happen again? Or, is Saints View, or whatever it is called, likely to happen?

Of course, but I’m sure you’ve noticed, not everyone does their job well, and not always through personal incompetence.

An interesting dilemma for Russell will be how to keep all these new signings on side, and not head down the path Ralph went, two years ago. He appears to have a great relationship with last season's squad, but there will be a dozen new faces who don't have that bond or loyalty, and who will want to be in the starting eleven, in most cases, in most weeks.

Whizzo idea. Any injured strikers going cheap, possibly Scottish, playing for northeast Championship teams? Oh,apparently we’ve already emptied that well.

And number ten priority must be for an attacking midfielder, surely?

He was the wrong person, at the wrong time. He played, badly, in a team performing badly. Since then he has had two summers in which to make an impression, and failed. Unlike Carillo, there is a footballer in there, just not a Southampton footballer. Whether that is ability, attitude or what, I don’t know, but if you lent him a tenner, get it back quickly.

So, 181 pages and the window closes in three weeks. I’m really worried that SR will not generate enough rumours, or indeed deals, to get this over the line to 200 before the whole thing bangs shut! Do we know what we are doing? Everything is way too quiet. How can the team survive in the EPL without generating sufficient hot air, sorry, committed, informed opinion, amongst the fan base?

ITK? How do any of us know the conversations behind the scenes? Equally, if we can get the deal we want for 35p, good luck to us, figuratively speaking. However, if we don’t have the cash, or are going to put ourselves in the position of overspending and facing a points deduction, do you really want that? We all want the best in life, homes, cars, clothes, holidays, but the logic is that we only pay what we can afford. The EPL isn’t a computer game!

And spears, good spears, cost a lot of money, which we don’t have. So, sometimes you have to gamble. With every such risk, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Whilst we haven’t collected on this bet, I don’t believe that the final whistle on this one has yet blown. Who knows?

Surely, that’s non-verbal?

We don’t have to meet Celtic’s valuation, we simply have to make the highest acceptable offer. Overall, some of the comments today seem to demonstrate that many posting haven’t read, or understood, previous comments. Acquiring a player in this day and age is not like buying a bunch of bananas at Tesco. When will people realise the complexities involved? Equally, I cannot believe that fans seem to genuinely believe that we have a no one at the club constantly chasing players, enquiring, negotiating, looking for the right deals. Do people think that the powers that be spend every afternoon in The Cowherds?

Charlie is struggling to speak English. Glaswegian?

We might be quiet in terms of rumours, but so is the rest of our division. Hardly any major deals, so far. Indeed, very few significant deals across all 20 clubs. Little talk of that many moves, either. Is that profit and sustainability holding everyone back, everyone holding out for higher prices on players being sold, or a lack of cash in the game? I suspect we might see a very busy second half to the month with us and other clubs being a lot more active than the last couple of weeks.

Only if he moves to Liverpool or back to Chelsea.

Where would this leave JWP? Certainly, surplus to requirements.

Changing the goalposts? Certainly not going to help McCarthy……….unless they’re moved closer together.

I know Bragg made it on the pitch, briefly, last season, but he hasn’t been near a squad in the matches this summer. I’m presuming he isn’t part of our future plans, or isn’t unless he makes a huge stride forward this season. Anyone got a handle on his ability? Is his future in L1 or2?

I live in hope. The club has been extremely effective so far this summer, and seem to be addressing the major concerns shared by most fans. I do wonder whether this breathe of fresh air will be continued where Bazunu is concerned. Unfortunately, he is a valuable asset, because we paid so much for him, so he won’t ever be cast aside cheaply, but I believe there will be a new number one arriving in the next month.

Hang on, so that means we’re not in for O’Hare. Hoped we’d pull that one out of the hat.

Doesn’t a lot depend on the old ‘two players plus for every position? GK: we need three, so Lys out only if one in LB: we have four, though look like losing Meghoma, sadly. Who is the lesser risk, Manning or Larios? Or Fraser in a five? RB: need one of Bree or Kyle to remain, or bring someone in CB: we have five plus Lawrence, but three of those have no PL experience. Can’t see us wanting to lose Jan. DM: Downes and Charles. Guess Smallbone, though I feel he is better further forward AM: Lallana, SAA, Dibling, potentially Fraser, possibly O’Reilly, Alcatraz, Aribo, Edozie. Guess the debate here is whether we twist or stick, and the pre-season has massively thrown the two youngsters into the mix. Do we need Fraser, or Charlie? No room for Sulamana. FW: Arma, Stewart, BBD, Ballard. Can’t see Dom being around, and I’m not even mentioning Mara! Still looks light, but a lot depends on formations. Arguably, the AM/FW roles will merge, rather than being too definable. Have I missed anyone? Guess there will be the odd surprise signing or loan, meaning someone else sees the door.

When Jack joined us we were in league 1 and he was around 17. Not exactly a valid comparison.

Plus, possibly/probably Kyle, Lys, Mara, Salamana, and the youngsters don’t count as part of our squad total. However, it will still make it a big squad, with some players never getting near the bench, which potentially might work against our youngsters. Also makes me think that the Fraser deal is less likely.

From this image there is only one conclusion, I hope the right conclusion, and, if true, a bloody good conclusion. Fantastic news. As if we ever doubted you, CoFT.