david in sweden

well..let's face it ....there's sure to be one or two more. After all, Claude Puel must have his own list of " want-to-buys," and one suggested is a Mr. Sidibi, a former Puhl player at Lille - who is a full back. As we have no " nailed-on RB " at present, does that mean that even Ryan Bertrand might be on the move, too.? The Telegraph has printed a story suggesting Pelle is on his way. Either to Conte's Chelsea, or Koeman's Everton....or even a club in his homeland. Either way it'll be more money in the kitty, and the possible arrival of a few more new faces......

..true, but you might have mentioned Rickie Lambert by name.....surely the prime example of ... " it's never too late..."

Good post Eric. Mane did seem very shy, and coming from Senegal ...and having played for some years in different Euro countries, you can't expect so much rhetoric in an interview. I wonder if he'll feel equally at home with the banter in the L'pool dressing room ...where nowadays English is a second language for many of them? A prime example of a player who wildly radiated between genius and invisibility, but who let his feet do the talking for him. On his best days, he was unplayable. The £34 million?...was surely a no-brainer. I doubt if he was the only good one in" the Black Box" , and there are surely more like him to be found in the future. If he doesn't " deliver " on a regular basis, I fear the Kop may not be so patient with him as the fans were at SMS.

Our fantastic run-in at the end of last season must have been embarrassing for RK - (knowing he was on his way to Everton). Few people expected us to finish so high. Had it been Saints who finished 8th ....he might have got some sympathy....(I did my best ...this team can't improve)...then his departure might have seemed more acceptable (to some), but to have to give a final press conference....and smile....when we we're on the verge of a Europa League place must have taken a lot of gall. One can only think that if he doesn't better Everton's dismal 11th place finish.....he might recall the comment that " money doesn't always buy success " Thanks for the 2 years Ronald..... but don't expect too many good luck wishes.

If we win a trophy (of some sort)..... or finish 5th or better......we'll feel glad to have seen the back of him.......

Yes Matt Le Tissier - you ought to be ashamed of yourself for missing that one..... but whilst we're on the subject of missed penalties...........Schweinsteiger's miss didn't impress me either..........

I saw that too, Patrik. Zlatan has become a national ikon in Sweden (even Volvo using him in their advertising campaign) except it should be Made In Sweden.! I fully expect the sports media here to hang on his every word (and they'll be plenty of those) with after-match interviews and that endless analysis of his every kick, and of course ....on the national news broadcasts with dozens of re-runs ....when he actually scores a goal. How long is his contract for?....

Going through Saints Academy looks good on a youngsters CV. I agree that, in time, both Sam G. and Jack could hold down a regular place at Championship / L1 level. Noted that Joe Lea, (former U18 player) has moved onto Yeovil and they are very enthusiastic signing him. Only time will tell if he can make a career in the game. Not every lad who comes through the Academy ends up with a Luke Shaw type deal, but last season I counted more than a dozen former Academy graduates making a living with lower league clubs, so it's not all bad news - even if they don't all get to debut in the Prem..

Agreed. He has a bit to learn in order to make proper sense, but at least he's a step up on Pochettino who couldn't give a talk to the media without his interpreter.

they probably will..... in pre-season games, but there are still 6 weeks until the first Prem. game and I'm sure Puel knows that .......between him and "The Black Box " there's an answer.

the next England manager might take a different view of Hart's " talents "......

or Assistant ....to the Assistant ........

oh ...so he'll be Pochettino's next target then .....

Roy Hodgson may have done well at Fulham, but he didn't have many fans after the time he spent at Blackburn and Liverpool. However, his selection of 6 Spurs players with minimal International experience v. Iceland was very amateurish, whilst he let Milner, Lallana and Clyne sit on the bench. A lot of managers haven't " won things" , but still do a fair / good job. Puel has at least delivered fairly consistant results over a longer period. As far as I can see Eric Black isn't there to pick the Saints team (!), he can ...(as told) speaks French, and Puel knows him from previous contacts. If he only does a job as " a good interpreter" then he's worth the investment. Managers need people around them that they trust, and move clubs with their own staff. Maybe we shouldn't always condemn everyone on past experience. There are a lot of poorly run clubs, with ......untalented players, and there are limits to everything. You can't blame just one person for a club's downfall.....in the end it's down to the 11 men on the pitch....and as the proverb says.. you can't teach an old dog new tricks. I think it's ridiculous to keep dragging up Les Reed's sad sojourn as Charlton manager. There are far more illustrious names of former players who were equally poor. Les Reed is fulfilling a vital role at Saints, and doing it well....in time, Eric Black may well surprise a lot of his critics. If we are going to entrust Puel with the team management, then we must also trust his judgement on the staff he chooses.

it's their money, they can waste it on who they want.......

After watching last night's game v. Wales ....Koeman might want to re-think that one .....

Had Koeman stayed ....... .....Stekelenburg would undoubtedly has been the no.2 to Forster, but he was only loaned because of " the Koeman Connection " and now there will be fewer Dutch connections in the squad, and so it's hardly surprising that he gone to Everton. Look for more RK / Dutch-connected signings ..in fact almost any UK-based player whose taken the ferry to Ostend, or a flight to Amsterdam might be on his short list.

......with Zlatan finishing his international career I really hoped he would go off the radar, but considering who he's signed for they'll surely show every kick of the ball he makes and take up half of Match of the Day highlights. Those Swedes I know who (say) they are MU fans will become more insufferable now. My judgement on him is that - on his day - he will undoubtedly be a match-winner and on a very good day will get the odd hat-trick against poorer opposition. Playing in France was walk in the park for him, as PSG were a mile better than any other team in the League....however, it has been noted several times, that in the more important international matches for Sweden he often went AWOL and hardly got in the game. BUT.... .considering who he's signed for, and who he'll be playing alongside, I fear we may be sick of his egotistic outbursts by Christmas, as he thinks he's special, too.

....not exactly sure what he was doing mixed in with the Koeman Klan's training programme. RK said he found it hard to understand his Scouse accent, and I suspect that Puel would have even more problem with him (given the level of Puel's English). Great character,(Sammy) but will probably be happier getting a fit with a Northern club.

.....seems an ideal choice given the fact that Puel has confidence in him, and will translate (where necessary) Black knows Football and that can only be good. It doesn't matter what people may think about him - if he's part of a successful managerial group - even better.

Blanc YES.....but Zlatan ......ouch ! ...SMS is too small for his ego... he's off to Man U.

Saw this story a while back, but was reminded that Liverpool's infamous "transfer committee " identified Mane as a possible target more than 2 years ago , ......but the (then) manager Brendan Rodgers - didn't want him........ Gee thanks Brendan......

Of course a lot of bedwetters won't agree with you, but it seems like every year we have a summer sell-off ( I said sell - not sale)....we just get better and better.....

The next group to come in who you've probably never heard of, but .....

I saw that too......of course not, but.......maybe the talk about Puel is just a smoke screen...... No!.... of course not ...it won't happen - will it, I mean ....but what if ?......