Saint Fan CaM

The paper that honestly lies... Riiiight....

I reckon on 15th which will be a reasonable season. But then there is the X-factor with Saints - the unknown. It was clearly not obvious just how good the team was in L1 and most of us thought we would get mid-table or just outside the play-offs in the Championship, but the team proved us wrong. We've strengthened...both organically with the existing players and by acquisition of some good new players. Perhaps we're better than we think we are - perhaps top 10 is not so crazy - stranger things and all that. Stand-out players I think will be Billy Sharp who with the right service will look good and Schneiderlin alongside Davis. If he gets the chance I think Callum Chambers is the one to watch in the youth ranks. I reckon Clyne will show himself to be an excellent buy. Players I think will struggle unfortunately could be Lambert, Fonte and possibly Lallana (the added pace of the game could expose his injury - worryingly options here are slim).

Nice result - although it's not about the result as such, it's still good for morale to see a positive results from the hard work prep sessions. Puncheon looks like he is well and truly a reformed character - his interview on Saintsplayer I thought came across very well - he's reasonably eloquent and seems keen to do well. As others have said, he could be a key player this season. Is it me, or does it appear that Rickie is finding it hard to make an impact in pre-season? I'm looking forward to seeing how he looks at home if he plays against Ajax. Chappers needs to have a long hard look at the video and ask himself how managed to miss from 10 yards out and the goal gaping - even I would have scored that. Clyne looked class in his cameo appearance - I will be godsmacked if he doesn't start games from the offset. Morgan is looking incredibly fit and playing really well - our sports science people are doing an excellent job with the players. It's all coming together - role on the new season.

Probably us having another pop at Lens surely? I'm wondering whether we'll be in for a CB - it looks like Stephens has stepped up to the plate and he may be good enough until the January window? My own opinion is we do need another proven CB - perhaps Danns?

Cork looked one of TGB's best players I thought. If he's not selected for a start then Pearce is a bigger d1ck than I originally thought. I think Cork and Schneiderlin are similar players whereas Davis is more attack minded I believe, so I reckon we'll see Davis and one of Cork or Schneiderlin depending on fitness levels and results. On last nights showing, I wouldn't be surprised to see Cork ahead of Schneiderlin to be honest.

I don't think we'll surprise anyone because I don't think we're going to have a stellar season - just an OK one. I think we will need at least a season to adjust to the Prem and I also think that come Xmas there will be some doubt over Adkins tenure, although I think Cortese will be patient. Ultimately we will survive this first season, but the first two months will come as a bit of a wake-up call IMO. I also have a nagging doubt about Lambert making the grade - i.e. he will perform well with the exception of being able to score and that will dishearten him. Of course I hope I'm completely wrong and he shows Rooney/Carroll et al how it's done.

Is that for real?! I usually like what you write Trousers - on this it's safe to say I love what you write! LOL

Would be an amazing signing if true, but I cannot see this one happening - this is the type of player a top 6 side would court, not a newly promoted team like us. (:

Strengthening at both fullback positions is a very astute decision by NA IMHO, although I also think we could be found out a bit at CB too. Dann would be ideal but he's just not worth the £6m release clause unfortunately - he got stitched right up there.

At this rate I can see Sharp and JayRod up front together and Lambo on the bench! (;

Why? According to some on here, we've had "an exceptional window" to date.

Poor bloke - he's hindered enough by his own ineptitude - doesn't need anything else holding him back! LOL

And you haven't?! I mean come on...I'm not panicking and would imagine we'll sign more, but no-one in their right minds can claim "we've so far had an excellent window"! That's a stupid thing to say. We've signed one Championship proven young striker - nice. We've signed a good midfielder that has only really shown class in the SPL - OK. And...what? We've stalled in the signing of Buttner. We seemed to have lost out on Butland. If we sign Clyne - that's a good signing, but still only Championship experience. Look - we've done OK - no more, no less. Let's just wait until the window closes before we start hailing it as excellent FFS!

He's an OK L1 striker, although he needed to prove himself on the field rather than in a bar to be a Championship player and thats the long and short of it. He didn't do that...but of course SRL did and then some. You reap what you sow. Good luck in your post Saints career Lee.

Not going because it's on TV and then diss the JCL's?! Is that what supporters are made of nowadays? Personally I prefer to see my team play live and in doing so support the club. OK, if you can't afford it - that's tough - but to miss a home game against top opposition because it's on TV - that's pretty sad.

I'm glad he's signed for the extra year - he's scored some important goals and provides a big presence. My slight problem with him is that I can't really make out where he fits in - probably CAM? - and also that sometimes he looks like he couldn't give a monkeys. Anyway, he's 30 - the club are clearly hedging bets on him not being needed in a years time because we'll possibly need even better players by then. Conversely, go back down to the Champ and Guly will be needed.

i can see my seat from here...and boy how I've missed being there! Closed season does make you realise just how easily you become passionate about your team. Wish I was going today - otherwise engaged and the Ajax game seems so far off. For those lucky enough to be going - have a great time.

I like the cut of your jib sir. This would seem fair - all attention seekers would then be catered for.

Just in case, can we have two new thread's everytime a rumour gets printed in a rag? And make sure it's re-posted in the rumour thread also please. Thanks.

It's Clyne. Maybe Buttner to follow?

Hargreaves would be great experience to have in the dressing room on PAYP deal. And yes, I think he is good enough - he could be our Prem version of Connolly?

Oh dear, someone didn't do their homework on the contractual side of this then and we've lost time. Or perhaps this is just a cover story - perhaps Cortese got cold feet because the player released the news to the press that he was a Southampton player before he actually was? Anyway, can't see why a third party would get in the way of the move unless they wanted stupid money to go away - can't see Cortese being held to ransom.

Can't see Chaplow or Hammond being released before a number of other players to be honest. Barnard, Forte, Forecast, Puncheon could well be ahead of those two IMO.

Yes, you could well be correct, although all the players I've mentioned could possibly do the same job. Interestingly, I thought when Guly was brought on in a couple of the last games of last season, he seemed to be playing a lot deeper than normal (in fact he looked a bit lost to me), so I wonder whether he was being tested to see if he could play in a more holding role? Chaplow, when he was fit, gave a good account of himself and actually displaced others at one stage, probably due to his strength and energy - his goal against Man Utd (bursting into the box from the right) will be fondly remembered. The only big uncertainty to my mind is Puncheon, who could provide some options for the right, but it looks more likely that he will either move or rot in the development team for a bit longer. IF we sign a pacey RB who had the ability to get forward like Johnson and Cole for example, then your scenario would definately make a lot of sense.

Anyone else think that we'll not sign a right winger? What with Guly, Chaplow, De Ridder and Puncheon still in the squad, it would seem that there are players waiting to prove themselves in that position, plus it might be considered that there are more pressing positions to deal with (e.g. GK, CB).