david in sweden

He would have been worth it - IF he had signed, but we may not look so attractive to some targets just now. Can't see the club transfer record going this time around either.

I agree with you about Caleta-Car, and don't see a lot wrong with Lyanco. He may not be pretty to watch, but he is effective. To my mind he should be " the new Romeu" . A midfield destroyer who doesn't take prisoners and doesn't need to play a lot of " pretty football " to get the job done. The yellow cards may come (but Romeu got more than 60 - whilst still avoiding a red). We need some bite in midfield, as JWP is always cleaning up elsewhere and we can leave the skilful stuff to Stuart Armstrong. We may still lacking creativity and ball-winning in midfield, but for goodness sake find us someone who can actually score goals.

Having invested in young talents in the summer means we have blown whatever " buffer " we might have had in the kitty, and are back embarking on a "barrell-scraping" exercise, and hoping for some lucky purchase who might help us turn the tide. In fairness ,we are not alone as most of the bottom half of the table are in a similar situation. Once again this illustrates the difference between the "Big Six" (financially-speaking) - and the rest of us. This is clearly apparent when we see the Prem's. first 100 million English player is likely to be dumped (head band and all) by Man.City, who have finally realised what we all knew from the start, in that Grealish was a typical example of their strategy of buying any rapidly-improving club's "best players " (as an alternative to cutting off their ba**s), and further illustrates the difference we see when a " lower league " player moves up to the highest level, and fails to impress - in " a big team ". Whilst Grealish may have been the shining light in a rather dull Villa side, his absence has set Villa back to Square One and Jack has ended up on City's bench on more than a few occasions, and even Gareth Southgate's gesture of giving him a little game time in the World Cup has failed to resurrect whatever reputation he may have had in the beginning. I mean ..what do you expect for a mere 100 million ? Of course, Saint's transfer kitty is considerably smaller, and I do not expect a new record signing to turn up - for only 21 million - and suddenly make the difference... but we live in hopes. Clearly Liverpool's successes has in part, been due to their ability to sign some of Saints' best talents, and /or ...watch the gossip columns to see who we are scouting, and then promptly sign them first. This transfer window will be make or break for Saints, and we may have to prepare ourselves for another " Great Escape " scenario in May.

Ralph's efforts kept us up for the last 3 seasons, despite the fact he had little transfer budget to play with . The huge profit from the VvD deal disappeared in a rush of sub-standard signings, most of whom have already left the club. The simple fact is that after losing Mane and Pelle, we haven't had a genuine goalscorer since (except maybe for Danny Ings) Give credit to Ché Adams who has to battle his way past 3 defenders, but has never improved on the level of his Championship days. Genuinely feel sorry for Adam A. but there's little more to be said about a player who tries his best, but never really got started. Whilst we continue to sign wingers and midfielders, the whole issue is pointless (no pun intended) if we don't have a player up top who can find the net on a regular basis. Our (young) summer signings look good prospects - on paper - and would be better if they were integrated into a side with more experienced names, but it's a pathetic show when we have to say our best player was an 18 year old, who got kicked around the pitch for all his efforts. IMHO we might just survive with the defence (and maybe even the midfielders) we have, but we must sign at least 2 strikers who know which way we are kicking after half time, and rotate them - in pairs - until we find the right solution.

Not this season we won't . He got an ACL injury last week and will be out for the duration.

I might see Lyanco as ...the new Romeu.

nuff said !

It seems to be "a new tradition " for Saints to give former players some experience and help them along the road in a coaching / management career. ...but I expect him to come back with a request for one or two of our Academy lads on loan. Would be a win-win situation, with DB knowing what the player(s) are capable of, and said loans would get invaluable experience of League football.

I spent the first 20 minutes asking myself who was the L1 side. We looked like a side that hadn't played for 6 weeks, and all credit to Lincoln who must feel cheated that there was no VAR. Edozie looked great until he missed that sitter, but Adams must be kicking himself to miss a hat-trick. Nathan Jones has a lot of work to do -even before the window opens.

just the once, eh? I might have missed that.

Agree totally Clarkey. There are some very talented teenagers in our present Academy group, and we have 16 and 17 year olds starring in the B team every game and coming up against opposing U23 sides with Prem. players in their line-ups. The real problem comes when our young starlets are expected to show up in first team games and repeat the " Shearer-type syndrome " (of scoring a hat-trick on a home debut) which might come once every generation. (It should be noted that it took Shearer another season before he even got any match starts - let alone scoring goals with any regularity). The difference between U18 / B team football ...and the Prem. games... is a lot more than just moving up the corridor to " the big boys" dressing room. It's like giving a hill-climber a place on an Everest expedition, the challenge maybe great but the level of endurance required can be " career-threatening " We saw enthusiastic starts from Livramento and Broja last season, but it lasted only until their first injury setback, as the physical pace and stress required in the Prem. game soon took its toll, and we can only hope that Tino can find his form again PDQ, otherwise he will become just another regular on the bench. We must continue to support and encourage our young talents, but perhaps it's still - a bit early for Thierry Small - if indeed his time will ever come.?

Maybe we'll have to live with that, especially as Southgate was the scapegoat himself in one tournament. For all the plaudits he's had in recent years - JWP has never been in a Southgate squad for big games. A player of his quality who runs the midfield and covers more ground than any other Prem. player every season, and is an acknowledged dead-ball specialist, he drew the short straw once again, in favour of some of the "younger, promising talents " who don't even get regular game time at club level, but go along " to make up the numbers" yet never got to take their tracksuits off. I'm not just talking about penalties, for which JWP has a pretty impressive record, and would have been an great asset in the Euros but just in the French game yesterday, we had 3 free-kick opportunities that were clearly in " Prowsey-territory " and I can't believe he might not have scored from at least one of them, and that last gasp Rashford effort was the best chance of all. For those who say we just can't pick a player just for his dead-ball prowess should take note of the number of games where corners and free-kicks (not to mention penalties) actually do make the difference in games at the highest level. England's record of dead-ball opportunities in this tournament has been atrocious, and although Luke Shaw took most of the corners he clearly is nowhere near Prowsey's standard, let alone with free kicks. I do think Southgate should stay as manager, if only because there are few other viable alternatives), but as we are two years away to the next Euros and four years to the next World Cup, perhaps both Southgate and Prowsey will be pretty pi**ed off with the prospect of waiting around for those games.

A proper " make-shift " side with a 40 year old goalie, a 30+ y.o. centre back and 3 U16 lads making their debuts. Having won the group already -expect to see more experimentations in the remaining 2 fixtures and hope to see " the real B team squad" getting a good Cup win.

If we can get to the semi-finals by beating the remaining L1 sides in the competition it'll be some sort of achievement. However, it may be a good move to play some of those B team teenagers, who seem to have little trouble in finding the net.

The fans (above) who have been so critical in this thread should recall that - even in our best seasons past - trips to Merseyside are quite often pointless in the end, but at least we managed to score one goal this time. Looking at the table, and this season's start we have fielded the youngest and least-experienced sides we've had in my long memory, and a series of injuries to some of our brightest talents hasn't helped either, although their replacements have done their best. Those of you who don't like stats being quoted should avert your eyes, but the truth of the matter is that 3 of our 4 worst defeats have been in away fixtures against sides who spend the equivalent of our entire transfer budget - on just one player - every season, and they rarely buy anyone who isn't an established international. If Liverpool had fielded their bench players , the score might well have been a similar result, but the reality is that 4 of our other defeats have been by a one goal margin - in games where we failed to score at all. Whatever we may be seen to be doing right, just isn't resulting in goals and it doesn't need me to repeat who carry's the can for that. If we have any positives to draw from this game, it can be that we showed fight that has been lacking before, and with better luck we might well have come away with at least one point, but the final result was - to say the least - predictable.

Regardless of the eventual outcome , I'll be interested to see the performances of the young players who are likely to get - even half of a game - against Wednesday. The current Academy / Youth set-up is one of the best in living memory and the U18 and B teams are packed with teenagers (some have already played for their respective countries at their age group) and are champing at the bit to get some game time. Bring 'em on say I.

A quick look at the Prem. summer signings answers that. We signed 9 (or was 10 ) new players for just £60 million, whilst a number of other " big " clubs paid that sum for just ONE player. We are batting way above our level, (and in all honesty) are grateful to survive each season as long as there has been 3 clubs worse than us. There is now a great danger that we may become one of those three.

Many were quick to say "sack the manager" but having done that it's never easy to find a suitable / better replacement. Ralph's departure may be a relief for those who have been pressing for his dismissal, but few of his critics can come forward with a list of suitable names for the job. Having signed a bagful of young talents in the summer, we have (predictably) seen that it takes time to adjust to " the best league in the World " and as we saw last season, "young bodies" (Livramento and Broja) take a lot more stress than they did in Prem. League 2 , and injuries come easier. We now have one of the youngest (and least experienced) squads in the Prem. and perhaps a younger manager who has a track record with youth players maybe the answer, but we are unlikely to recruit another Koeman. Ralph's biggest achievement was to keep us up in the Prem. for 3 seasons, whilst being denied any sort of budget to buy players whilst the club was still burdened with the debts incurred in buying the mismatched squad bought in to replace the successful "Koeman Squad". In truth, but for the two seasons with Danny Ings, we might well have been relegated a couple of years ago, and we can be thankful for that. "Saving the Saints" was a thankless task from Day 1, but Ralph accepted that despite all the other problems. IMHO he deserved a break from the pressure of the job that has befallen far more experienced managers in bigger clubs with far better resources than Saints have ever had. " Sack the manager ", blame his tactics and use of substitutions, or the "wrong" selection of players, but the statistics alone show that the real problem has been a squad of "shot-shy" footballers who can't find the net from 3 yards out, and just can't cut it in this league. Ralph gave us his enthusiasm, dedication and sometimes even his emotional response to games. He gave us his best, but never quite made it. He deserves a reprieve from the stress he's endured in the last 3 years, and chance to return to Austria and quietly contemplate his mountain. The fans may perhaps rightly blame him for some misjudgements, but a few of the players also need to take a long look in the mirror and ask themselves a few questions about their own performances and their future careers.

I think we had little choice (and little money ) at the time and both Che and Adam looked good in their big seasons so we (Ralph? ) made the obvious deal. Maybe you were one of the people who thought we should have bought A.N.OTHER ?, but not sure who that might have been. I think that one or two other Prem. clubs made very big deals, and those players didn't hit the ground running either. I don't think that Ralph scouted them himself and he was probably given a choice of those in-form players that we could afford at the time. The fact that neither player is hitting good form at present is just another whammy that we have to live with - until they can find form, or the January window opens.

Aside from the drabbings we got v. Spurs and Chelsea, our defence looks a little better than last season .... but with 5 defeats by a one goal margin, all results that could have been reversed for the want of just one goal. Whatever it was Ché Adams and Adam A. did right at their previous clubs - just ain't working for us. Clearly the transition to the highest level is more akin to climbing a mountain than making a step-up from a lower league, and the Board's failure to sign " the striker of their choice" cannot be laid at Ralph's door, and starting the season with the same " strike-force " has become obvious, and can be summed up in one old-fashioned expression. S.N.A.F.U. In part the midfield is to blame, as we lack players with the creativity that was apparent when Dusan Tadic drifted around creating chances out of nothing and he ranks alongside Mane and Pelle as those who sadly have become " irreplaceable ", and Ralph's perseverance with his chosen formation does little to improve things with players being moved around positionally from week to week with little success. I'm not against experiments, (quite the opposite ) but at present it's clear ..that ain't working either. Most of our " new boys " (and I use the word advisedly) show some real talent, but clearly it will take time for them to establish themselves as they are forced to begin their careers at the highest level with little, or no experience of " men's football " at any level. Survival this season could be the watermark for a much-improved squad next season - but in which league?

I thought that Carleta-Car looked the part alongside Salisu, and given some freedom, Lyanco was a revelation. A real " street-fighter " who doesn't take prisoners. Agreed Elyounoussi's good showing deserved MoM award for his input, and Stuart Armstrong made a very difficult finish look like a practice ground tap-in. We were definitely worth the point against a top end side who have been going like a train since Day 1 this season. For once Arteta had no complaints.

I noted that your post was 2 years ago... but I brought a lot of Saints memorabilia with me to Sweden, and would be happy to pass some on to a good home. I'm not looking for a lot for the cost, but postage from Sweden could be a bit dear.....but I'd be happy to share that. If interested ?....e-mail me direct to david.cross@live.se Best regards

I agree with your comment about Jankewitz @ O.T. but we' ve had a drought of good Academy graduates of late and few have shown up well enough to warrant a first team start. Where Ralph made a mistake was in giving a young, headstrong talent, (who was demanding a transfer if he didn't play) such an vital opportunity. Although Ralph might have reasoned ...." if you think you're that good son, here's your chance " , and AJ blew it in the first minute. Perhaps someone ought to have looked at Jankewitz's B team disciplinary record that season .. (one red and a handful of yellow cards).. and considered he was a loose cannon to begin with. However, I might differ with you (Chas) over a potential selection of Lewis Payne, who has been outstanding in many B team games whilst still qualifying for U18's. He wouldn't be the first young FB to show up well - given the chance - and I might be persuaded to start him for the first 60 minutes at least, and see how it goes.

An eventual replacement may be a question of "when"... and not "If" we continue to lose games in this manner. Saints have historically been very lenient with their sackings and given managers (and players) a long leash and chances to improve themselves before finally wielding the axe. We know the Board have been faithful to the concept of supporting Ralph, but IMHO he has until November 12th to turn things around. Before you rush away to look at the calendar, that's the last Prem. game before the World Cup break, and it happens to be away at Liverpool. Another result in line with our visits to Tottenham and City will surely be the last straw, and although few may expect even one point, if we go down without a real fight... and are still in the drop zone ...then Ralph position will be untenable.

For those of us who grew up in an era before the phrase " must win " became popular, and grew to accept the ridiculousness of it.... at this point I ought to say..... this is a " must win " ...simply because the whole team morale is suffering badly. We have lost too many games in the last month - without scoring any goals (OK we got one v. Everton) but it's wrong to blame our defence when the so-called strikers can find the net - whether in the sunshine, or with spotlights in the dark. We have to fight, and score and start winning PDQ. Wham are a typical side we regularly struggle to beat , and despite their Euro successes they are also fighting to keep their heads above water in the Prem. This is the first of three games in a week that are all critical for our survival, and IMHO we need a minimum 3 points to stay afloat, and on paper this game is the best chance of a win.