david in sweden

1) some weeks back (one contributor on here ) said that Jason Dodd has suggested Ryan would be the next lad to make the first team squad. 2) ..I think it's his 7th goal in 8 starts this season.. 3) maybe a place on the bench Saturday (as a reward?).....

.....or perhaps " Les " had suggested that he shouldn't be quite so outspoken and honest on everything..(the nature of transfer deals being so delicate).

Think he'd understand that he might have a more secure career - not to mention a higher salary at Saints than Burnley (if they survive). Koeman has said we need TWO good options for every position, and with Pellé scoring only once in the last 6 games, a bit of competition might not be a bad thing. Good question - when DID Ings go ? ....and who was running the Academy at that time ?

I agree..I think that some (on here) were rather unfair in criticising Sharp, Guly, Hammond and Hooiveld - who it has to be said they DAJFU when it mattered - in the leagues we were at the time. It might sound daft to mention Lee Barnard in the same breath as Rickie Lambert, but they were a formidable pair together when we were in L1. Barnard found his level, Lambert didn't know he had one. We may have been spoilt to look back and see that; Lambert, Lallana, Fonte, Schneiderlin, Puncheon and Kelvin Davis were all with the club in the L1 days, yet didn't look totally out of place in the Prem. .....although to be fair..... KD probably " peaked " in his excellent Championship season with 18(?) clean sheets - was it? Clearly not everyone makes it in the Prem. where the gap up from Championship is a lot more than just those 3 promotion places. Just look at QPR, Burnley and Leicester. We not always have bought wisely....but we were certainly wise NOT to buy in the likes of Elliott and Howard and a few others who are presently in L1/L2 clubs.

.so must he be too. Since arriving both Adkins and Pochettino ignored him. He's on a 5 year contract ...so unless he can develop into a Prem player PDQ...he's going to be loaned out for the next 3 years.

of course a lot of young players will come through the system - some quicker than others. The likes of Walcott, Bale, Ox, Shaw and Chambers did so quicker, but some positions are easier to fill than others. Full backs and midfielders blossom in a successful side, whereas strikers and central defenders are more vulnerable and their mistakes are more obvious. ...not to mention goalkeepers ! Sometimes they are ready too soon or they are up against a star player who can't be dropped. There may be a chance for Reed this week, mainly because of the injury situation, but " believing " in young players doesn't mean you just put them in to see how they go. Since August, the team has developed better than anyone could have imagined and it's been very much a case of "..if it 'aint broke-don't fix it ". We may have to use Reed and probably Targett (for Chelsea game at least) and hope that those on 3 or 4 yellows don't misbehave, otherwise we'll need a good plan B - if we are to continue holding a top spot.

Ings was tipped last season .....and even before that as far as I can recall. Now some of the smaller sites have re-emerged with rumours of a Saints' January signing...I haven't seem enough if him to rate him properly.(?) ....but with Pellé having scored only once in the last 6 games, that " striker responsibility" must be starting to weigh heavily on his shoulders, and having a good alternative is a must. The big question must be IF we were to sign Ings ...... what will happen to Jay Rod ...on his eventual recovery?. NOTE Obvious mistake on title .....I mean Danny Ings.

My input on the " goalie question " has always been the same. Young (er) keepers take a long time to develop. Joe Hart is (argueably) England's best -but no-one has suggested he's the finished article. Some of the best keepers I've seen in over 50 years watching football....have been those with real experience, and in the age range 32-36. Many will remember Shilton playing a World Cup at aged 40. I think Forster has a lot of potential, but moving from SPL to EPL is a very big ask, and he still has a lot to learn. No-one can argue he's has height and weight in his favour, but he's not acrobatic enough....(as we recall Niemi was ....and Boruc can be ...on a good day), and is a bit weak on ground shots. IMO ....we could do worse than sign Boruc for another 2 years.

Comparing Citeh's League record and performances in the last 2-3 seasons - was it so unexpected? No-one seems more surprised at our fantastic start than Ronald Koeman, but yesterday was a reality check and regardless of what happens between now and January 1st.... Koeman's real test will be ... what he does / who he buys in the January window to re-dress the balance / strengthen the squad.

...best idea IMO...Long is more versatile in his playing style. Mane has speed and a fairly good delivery, but is very predictable.

worse than that .....look at the points we lost to sides who spent all season struggling to survive. There are no easy games in the Prem.

take away our 3 points (per game) - and see where we'd be ....

unexpected result?......(not really). Very disappointing - of course, but it highlights the difference between a side that cost £60 million, and a club that has spent £400 million in the last few years. Citeh had their injuries, yet still had enough strength in depth to take care of whatever threat we had to show. Steven Davis wasn't back at 100% and losing Scheiderlin tilted the balance of a HT 0-0. but really we showed definite frailities in some areas. Tadic didn't get into the game, and Pelle really needs a goal for his confidence as much as anything. He's getting double marked as a one-man strike force. Many people suggest that we've had a relatively " soft start" (fixture-wise) compared to several other challengers. By the New Year we will have a better perspective on just what this squad is/isn't capable of. Still 110% behind Koeman, but the honeymoon is over, and the real test of his ability is not the next 10 games, but what he does in the January window to stabilise things.

no better chance to see how he performs against top opposition. Shaw had his early games against highly-placed teams, and Matt must come to terms with the role ......sooner or later.

AGREED !.I thought he was a class act when we signed him. He isn't that type of " glamour figure " that some players seek to be, but a real hard worker who never gives up. We all wish he could get a few more goals, but his contribution to the whole team's performance is worth far more than just goal stats. The fact that the club has extended his contract to 2018 shows the faith that the management has in him.

....sometimes ....I think Les is across between Santa Claus .and the Godfather.....depending on the situation....he certainly seems to be able to make offers that are hard to refuse.....

perhaps his way of saying .... " I have to work with what I've got ....I didn't buy this load of s**t, I'm just supposed to make them into a team..." (Interesting that their two best performers in recent games, Kane and Mason ..are from Spuds Academy) ...yet Levy & Co. spent £100 million + on a load of dross

........and Liverpool......£14 million+

Merson ...another headcase....along with Robbie Savage. He still hasn't got over the fact that MLT is funnier than he is on Sky......

certainly not another £60 million, but a couple of signings in January to cover important positions, and another 2 or 3 in the summer.... depending on where we finish in the League .... Final decisions ASAP about Alderweireld and Bertrand ...and expect a couple of new faces on the bench from the Academy...

..is there anyone who takes him seriously?....

Er? ........Man's best friend?

........but a very poor substitute for.... the real thing.

this is one for we history buffs....(and from your side of "the pond")... Sarnia those actual words are from Franklin D.Rooseveldt. Deep into the 1930's Depression years, this paragraph was included in his inaugural speech as President (from his wheelchair).......in January 1933. ".....let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is - fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyses needed efforts to convert retreat into advance ..." . FDR Southampton has a 21st century version ....We ARE the Saints - We March on ....

agree with most of that ART, and clearly Bertrand is the best choice - at present. It takes time to develop but I'm sure that we will sign-up the best of the (Academy) bunch when it comes to it. It's a big jump from U21 to Premier League, but we've seen those who have made the transition without disgracing themselves; Chambers, Shaw, JWP , so I'm sure they'll be more - in time. Assuming Matt was still here in 5 years time (doubtful)....we need cover for eventual injuries, suspensions ...and more immediately someone to play LB against Chelsea... when Bertrand can't play (loan deal) Reading that Luke Shaw's injury will keep him out for.. .at least 8 games ((did I read?)...we need to ask ourselves, who would cover Bertrand if he were to be out for 8 games....or longer?...Yoshida? Clearly ...the prospect of continued success, and the possibility of Euro football next season means we need (other) players capable of playing at that level, and not just occasional games in Capital One Cup.