Saint Fan CaM

Assuming his injury is not a recurring one then this is an excellent signing - not only because he's exactly the type of player we need, but because it put's to rest the critics that say that we're just a selling club - we are clearly now just creeping into the realm of clubs willing and able to invest large sums of money in young very talented players that fit the model. I just hope the system we're playing and any coaching provided at Saints doesn't kill off any creativity and bravery the lad has - he clearly can and will shoot from outside the box if he gets the chance, so let's hope he's given the chance by Tadic and Redmond.

OK, so if it happens and if he makes a full recovery from injury, Boufal could be exactly the spark needed - he looks excellent on Utube. Looks like he plays central, so at the tip of the diamond, so is he in contention for Tadic's place or Davis or who...? It's a valid question - we need to increase the quality up front, not just bolster it by removing one good player for another good player, leaving lesser players in the side. The four best players (IMO) in the diamond - Romeu, Tadic, PEH, Boufal - would that work?

Some of these players must be very close to the first team I would have thought - looked much better going forwards, but then they were playing the 'old' system and not Puels diamond which I am not convinced is suitable for Saints in the Prem.

Interesting - no diamond being played and the players look SO much better for it. Olomola looks the business...why the hell is he not in the 1st team?

Oh dear someone's feelings have been hurt. Read carefully before commenting and it might not affect you so much you poor dear. IMO we'll not be signing 3 players before deadline day and I LOL at those who think we will - particularly if it's thought that serious money will be splashed. There's no complaint in my statement - it's just an opinion... you know, one of those things that you see once in a while on a fans football forum. I doubt Les is panicking, but that's how it might be seen by selling clubs at this stage of the window and transfer fees will inflate.

LOL at those believing we'll sign three new players before deadline. We'll be lucky to see one through the door (unless Les is panicking now of course).

To win games we need to score goals. With the system and players we currently have that looks unlikely especially against a team that sits back with 11 players behind the ball. For the first time in 7 years I have little optimism for the season ahead unless something changes - not sure whether it's the system, the manager, better players...or a combination of all of that. But something is not right - I get the feeling there's a rift in the camp...team spirit has taken a dive I would guess.

Well if that was no wake up call to the club to spend serious money, I don't know what is. Loss of Pelle and Mane is plain to see and Puels system isn't working. Davis had a shocker as did Tadic. Long was ineffectual and Redmond is no striker. Only positive is PEH. Shaw is a cheating toad - he deliberately tripped over his own feet...clear as day. Trouble is, it's not just about spending some money - it's about how you use the players at your disposal to their strengths. Unless Puel sorts this out I can see him losing the changing room very quickly and that will be the end. If the Board don't act quickly we will be holding up the rest of the league wondering why all this possession is not getting results and all the fantastic building over the last 7 years will be lost. Some here are expecting the club to buy 2-3 new players - well those players are fit to walk straight into the team that a good proportion of the team - who goes back to the bench? The club are never going to invest that kind of money...I think we'll be lucky to see another signing this side of January.

Interesting - I am very much not ITK, however I heard a very similar story from a source I would tend to believe.

JWP should never have started - too slow, went backwards, no vision, no threat, got caught sleeping. Yoshida does some things really well, but always has a howler just waiting to happen. Long was not really at the races today although the feed to him was poor until PEH came on (he's a top signing). We desperately need a better attacking midfielder of the Hernandez mould IMO.

Insigne or Hernandez would be amazing signings. I can't see it happening this week - would have been stunning to get Hernandez in and ready for the Man U game, but things don't happen that way in the real world. lol

Great news - but after Koeman left was there any doubt he would sign?

I can't believe those saying Depay would not be an outstanding signing - roughly a 1 in 3 strike rate is better than most other names mentioned. I can't see it happening because of wages etc, but I for one would be very excited to see Saints sign this calibre of player, as much to see what we could do for him as what he could do for us. Mind you, if the stories of entourage etc are to be believed - well who knows?

Agree with this. Of the matches I've seen so far, the team looks unbalanced in attack and Austin does not look suited to the left/right attacking position - he's just not mobile enough and struggles to get into threatening goal scoring positions. One chance in the AB match today which looked good, but one chance is not enough. Having said that, it was just friendly and perhaps they were not busting a gut to move around. JWP is so frustrating in the advanced position - almost every pass he made went backwards thus nullifying any threat. Still hoping we'll sign another class attacking option.

Thought he looked OK, if not spectacular today at RB. Cedric and Cuco are better.

I can't believe Fonte is the type of character that would leave just for the money - he is more in the SKD mould and seems to love the club. May be wrong of course - money makes the world go round.

Good signing. Was never a fan of Gazza's unfortunately - always looked like he was petrified of making a mistake at Prem level, so he flapped (although he did seem to improve).

Help please with a simple question. I've seen that there's a 2-4-1 offer for free entry to the Athletic game if you buy a ticket for Wednesdays game against Espanyol. I've bought my ST seat ticket for the Athletic game next Sunday so will it allow free entry to the earlier Espanyol game? Can't find any info on Saints website.

Everything has gone South since 65 minute after 5-6 kids came on - if we put out this team (which thankfully we'll not) we would get whipped by Hull.

Good news no doubt in terms of continuity and progression within the club for the good guys. Keeps him alongside Forster which appears to be a big deal for some reason. The fact the club have bigged-up the announcement is a little strange perhaps, but it keeps the messages positive in the absence of a star player signing. Not sure the kiddies will want to have 'Watson' on the back of their weirdo new Saints shirts though! (-;

I don't think we will sign another RB - we have Cedric and Martina who do a perfectly capable job and indeed are getting better for their time with Saints. The defence is sorted with reasonable players eager to play in reserve. There'll be no new signings here. In midfield we have a glut of players waiting for their chance including the likes of Reed for example on the fringes - either he needs to get game time or leave for pastures new and if that was in the plan for him, surely it would have happened by now? We have signed Hojbjerg - a very good player who will actually be more capable of replacing Morgan rather than Wanyama...he just needs a little time to adapt, but has the advantage of a pre-season. We've got Davis, JWP, Romeu and Clasie. So who do you not play? There'll be no new signings here. In attack we have J-Rod and Austin both expecting more game time this season now they've had a chance to rest and mend. We have Tadic and Redmond both expecting more game time. Then we have Long who in signing a new deal tends to suggest he has been told he is 'the main man' in attack. Perhaps optimistic from the clubs point of view, but then there are U-21's looking for an opportunity to break through also. Who do you not play in a front line of 3? While my view is that this opens up a big risk of lack of goals, I am fast becoming convinced that there is no plan to add to the striker/attack element of the team also or at least certainly not a senior known player. The model remains the same. With two new additions and the likes of Romeu and Clasie showing improved form in the latter part of last season, the team appears settled. It could be argued that the biggest doubt hangs over the management/coaching team - we've yet to see exactly what a difference Puel & Co will make - negative or positive - especially under pressure when things start getting tough and plan B/C/D is needed.

Whatever anyone says we need someone in midfield - ideally a no.10 - who can take on defenders, turn them inside out and have the ability to shoot with accuracy from open play. Who is there like that within our financial means - not too many eh? IMO this is one difference between us and the 'bigger' clubs and until we sign a player of that calibre we will always be passing it backwards and sideways. Mane was the nearest thing we had and we've not replaced him yet. And no...Redmond is not that man.

All part of retaining the spirit within the dressing room (and more than likely in other areas of the club) that has served us well over the last 6-7 years. Can't see anything but good in this. Well done Kelv and best of luck in the new role.

Really great news...a sign that the ship is not unstable...it's just rid itself of a few rats. Les Reed is a complete waste of space of course...is clueless...etc. What's left to do? I think we just need a flexible left/right sided attacking winger type similar to Mane. If available, would love to bring Theo home.

Have to say, this could be an inspired and inspirational signing. The guy has got a footballing brain - he's intelligent - and according to reports, is captain material. We need captains all around the park. And to cap it all, he seems to have a real affinity to the ethos/brand/project/whatever that Reed sold him, which is crucial to the long-term aspirations and keeping him for an appreciable length of time. Very pleased although I am expecting a settling period just like Morgan and Clasie have needed.