Saint Fan CaM

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.

Anyone who works or visits in or around the Pimpley area might like to think twice about putting the car badge on display - the horrible little smelly oiks will put a key down your paintwork for the sh*ts and giggles.

I think he perhaps means SKD brought a great team spirit and ethic to the changing room that, with Sammy Lee, will be hard to replace. And from all I've seen and heard, I would tend to agree...SKD has been a great servant to the club and deserves some form of ambassadorial role at the very least.

No of course not - I did say early in the thread that I didn't believe the link, but the point is we need someone like him as Mane did provide the direct pace and inventiveness that no other player (not even Tadic) can offer. Trouble is these types of player do not grow on trees - they are coveted, hard to obtain and cost an arm and a leg. Like I said hopefully Les and Puel have a plan.

I was hoping to see some news that Super Kelv had been offered a coaching or ambassadorial role by now, thus providing some continuity in the squad seniors. He seemed to bring a high level of spirit to the changing room.

We need someone of Boufal's energy and drive or else we're going to look mighty sluggish with JWP et al passing sideways and backwards all the time. Not to mention the goals Mane brought to the table. I do hope Puel and Les have a plan hatching.

This will not happen. It's either his agent trying to get him a better deal with a 'big' club or as likely, Saints are after another player in the same position and leak this story to show they mean business. Smoke and mirrors Rodders.

Gotta say, that does not look great...the 'bra' section - WTF is that all about???

My view is that we'll get 1 or 2 new players in, but it will not be until later in the summer as Puel will want to assess the entire squad before being in a position to determine where to strengthen. In fact, we may not see any new faces if the deal is that he promotes completely from the youngsters.

This does not bode well. I'm all for giving a guy a chance and I guess we had better wait to see what transpires, but Black seems like a backward step based on his history.

Big decision by Les & Co to get the manager deal right, however it is starting to get a bit tedious now.

The summer 'top' clubs come knocking for our players, but they all want to stay here and 'do a Vardy', will be the summer when we don't need to worry. In fact that will be a summer to savour as it will signify a significant change in club status. It will signify that we are... winning silverware, pushing for Europe every season, filling an expanded ground, seeing significant overseas marketing exposure, achieving stability in management, able to match salary expectations, etc. etc.

I would like this happen - he has skills, is attack minded and can score. This would be our Mane replacement I guess. I hope it happens.

I did actually think he might stay, but of course when it comes to Liverpool (Sammy's secret spiritual home) Les will bend over and let the squad get pillaged. £32m is a reasonable price for him to be honest - even though he could show signs of brilliance, he was frustratingly inconsistent. Perhaps Les knows Mane will add to the ex-Saints players that have managed to drag Liverpool backwards - he knows the business better than any of us. I am trying to keep calm and wait for the new manager and quality replacements to arrive. If Redmond is supposed to do the same job as Mane though, I fear for next season.

I think MP coming here was a different kettle of fish completely - we were courting with the lower half of the Prem with Adkins for a start. And the primary angst over loosing Adkins was linked with sentimentality to him, rather than the credentials of the incoming manager. We have just parted company with a highly rated manager in Koeman who took us to Europe (again) and a 6th place slot in the Prem. I think it's only reasonable given the raised expectations of all stakeholders to expect a "wow" managerial appointment at this point in Saints march onwards. Don't you?

Thought this was a thread about our new manager? You can tell things are starting to get a bit boring when squabbles start on here about a random subject. Time well tell, but I am not feeling hugely confident that Reed and Co will get lucky again to the point that the new manager will click with the club/squad and improve our position. And I'm starting to wonder if the rest of the Prem will look at our new managerial appointment and say "WHO?" rather than "WOW!".

Could be a good signing - basically depends on (a) how he settles in the squad and (b) how we use him. If he is to link up with Berty then it could be an astute signing. Have to say though, £10m sounds a bit too much...I would have thought £7-8m was more the level.

Have to say that Pellegrini being appointed would be a big statement of intent by the club - he was not appointed to City or his previous clubs for no good reason. I suspect this works well for Sammy Lee and the other remaining back room staff too as I suspect he's less of a track-suit manager and will need that level of operational support. Just hope the club match his level in terms of player acquisitions and he in turn integrates to "the Southampton Way" successfully.

Rouge et Blanc? Mais oui mon enfants, c'est une evidence.

Bet we'll see Ron back at Jose's testimonial alongside Poch and Nige. Might get the cold shoulder from Les, but only if the next Manager turns out to be a failure.

Whatever one thinks of Koeman's ethics (the snake), I can't help but feel as though the club has been stiffed again and all the ST holders who have shelled out have been stiffed again too. What other entertainment industry sells it's product as one thing, then changes the design of product substantially after you've paid? It's like buying a pair of black footie boots in Toomers - you hand over your money, they get wrapped up and when you get home you find out they've given you pink ones, so you go back to complain and they say "what's the problem, they fit the same and do the same job right?". Perhaps I'm getting too old for this lark...