M271

I had a horrible feeling that this was going to happen, but hoped that lightening doesn't strike twice. We never seem to have a manageable amount of players injured seems to come like an avalanche, just hope that at least 2 out of the 4 recent injuries are minor (subs precautionary except Toby obviously) and are OK for Monday. The luck also seems to go against us at the same time: refs decisions, shots flying over the goal not in etc.... On the positives at least we matched Arsenal for most of the match and shows that we are not far away from that level, even with the disruption through injuries. Could have done with hanging on for the point for confidence going forward, if we don't win against Man U means pressure at Burnley to stop no wins out of 4 streak. 1 goal in 3 matches is a problem and the form from a few weeks ago in this dept needs addressing quickly. Koeman obvious knows better than I, but I would bring on a midfielder from the bench if required i.e. Reed for Cork rather then disrupt our solid defence.

Whats the point of having a midfielder on the bench if you don't use them! I would want to preserve the strong defensive back 4 that have done so well for us this season so far. I'll reserve judgement until the final whistle though.

Answered my own question to some extent, hopefully will be confirmed as minor injury once scanned. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/11589979.Saints_hopeful_on_Davis_injury/?ref=mr

Any news on how Steve Davis is? He was subbed immediately after being injured but managed to walk off rather than being carried off, so maybe not too bad.

My feeling is that overall we are capable of getting an average of at least 1.5 points per game for the rest of the season this would mean us getting an end of season total of (28 x 1.5)+22 = 64 points. Over the last 10 seasons 64 points has given a final league position of 4th once, 5th 3 times, 6th 5 times and 7th once, so 5th or 6th is the most likely final placing. For the last 10 seasons the 4th placed side has got 61,67,68,76,72,70,68,69,73,79 points. For Daleks benefit the last 10 seasons 40 points has been enough to avoid relegation so only 18 points needed for safety or 0.6428571 points per game from now on.

Butland is out on loan and Huth is out through injury. A suggestion on the Stoke 'Oatcake' forum is: Sorensen Bardsley Shawcross Muniesa Pieters Cameron N'Zonzi Aranautovic Bojan Moses Diouf

2850. I think this is about what we normally get for a League Game.

Sky only have themselves to blame for the mongs hanging around the reporters and acting stupidly, what do they expect when standing outside football grounds/training grounds? Some may find it entertaining but for me it's the worst part of watching these transfer nights. Anyway come on Saints announce the 2 signings, would be surprised if we let Jos and Gaston go if not absolutely certain.

Failed. Kids outside Staplewood on bikes/scooter, one in sleeping bag playing rough and tumble on the grass!! Other mongs congregating round the country, I wish the clubs would let the reporters into the training ground gates to avoid this annual embarrassment.

I agree things do seem to have gone quiet re: more incoming players, even when rumours start it mostly takes some weeks for things to complete. The club keeps stressing how strong our Scouting set up is and identifying targets months in advance but things still happen slowly once the transfer window opens. I would have thought that they would be ready to spring into action, which they must be doing behind the scenes but without much outward sign so far. It would be interesting if Pelle and Tadic were on the scouting list or just Koemans influence. I'd like to think that the clubs know what they are doing, but even before the 3 transfers out this summer (2 replaced) I thought that we needed 3 players to strenghten the squad, add to that Osvaldo seemingly not coming back then thats 5 transfers needed in the next 6 weeks, let alone the outcome of Lovren and Morgan.

Good coverage of our first pre-season match and associated pre/post interviews. So much stuff is now on You Tube I can't see the point of my Saintsplayer subscription. Doesn't seem to be any exclusive footage on there anymore, only useful for Radio Solent commentary (if out of Solent area) and some extended highlights. It was useful in previous seasons in the lower leagues when Saints weren't shown so much on TV or limited highlights. Last footage that I can see on there is from the last game of the season against Manchester United!!, I'm sure in previous seasons there was lots of pre-season footage. I don't think I'll be renewing this year.

Every local knows it's Saaafampton.

Correct me if I've missed something but I haven't seen an interview quote from him today thanking Saints, both Lambert and Shaw made reference to Saints when they left. There must have been one hell of a bust up behind the scenes for the ex saints captain who has been through thick and thin with saints to not make a comment about his time here.

Words like Want and Intend are words which describe what we would like to happen not what necessarily will.

Not footage from today, don't think it was Liverpool. Hope not because Cork was with him!!

This.... I think that Lallana and Shaw's hearts are already elesewhere but hopefully any other waivering players can be 'sold' the new project and be persuaded to stay and move forward with the club. It will be tough to get players to want to stay who are offered a move to a champions league club and offered a substantial pay rise.

I remember Bruce being over the top, gushing praise for us as a Club and team last season during his pre and post match interviews for both matches. Of course we beat them twice.

I think that Alps and some others on here are like Angry Frank from the Harry and Paul show, he also gets angry and wound up from zero, little and hypothetical information!!

This. I'm not sure that he is the sort of manager or character to fit Saints. I don't get the impression that he creates a strong team ethic or harmony and raises the performance of lesser players to new levels. Saints is more about the team than the individuals and I'm not convinced that is his approach.

I voted for Koeman again, but seeing the Reed interview makes it sound like Yakin to me.

I don't begrudge Rickie going to his beloved Liverpool who are in the Champions League next year, I would have been unhappy selling him to the likes of West Ham where it would have appeared that he just didn't want to be with us anymore. Unfortunately we have reached a stage in Saints development where we are at the end of our 5 year project (and the new project isn't clear, to us anyway), had a fantastic season where our players have shown to other clubs how good they are and invited interest, lost NC, lost MP and there is uncertainty going forward. These in isolation or certainly combined are good reasons why players will be considering their futures and career progression. Again I cannot begrudge a loyal (over 3 years at Saints) player the chance to go to a good Champions League club (home or abroad), we should feel priviliged that our club helped to get them there. If they go to similar clubs to ours just for the money then that's a different matter. I think that all of us, players included, need to keep level headed for the next month until we know who the new manager is, which new incoming players are being touted and clarification of the Boards commitment to the club. If we get a World Class Manager (potentially) better than MP and a class striker better then Lambert then things might not seem so bad. It is important to get the new manager in ASAP though to 'stabilise the ship' and give some direction as far as players staying/going are concerned.

Koeman's agent was saying the exactly same thing about the Swansea job a few months ago http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26554276 , and was being named in relation to the possible West Ham job a few weeks ago.

Interesting article. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2641980/Mauricio-Pochettino-high-maintenance-Tottenham-Spurs-finally-break-sulky-Argentine.html

Must admit I like the sound of this Yakin chap (although I admit I hadn't heard of him til the last day or so!), but I have a feeling that it will be Moyes that will appointed.

IF Poch does go it is the knock on effect which concerns me more and what is happening behind the scene ref ambition. 1)The players who are wavering whether to go on to 'bigger' things may be more keen to move on from Saints. We needed 3 or 4 better players anyway but add to that replacing another 3 or 4 players leaving means over half a new team, look what that did to QPR and nearly did to Sunderland. 2)Has the 'board' lost the ambition/project and is being overly cautious with the purse strings? In this league even if you stand still you go backwards. I hope Poch doesn't leave for consistency reasons and because I feel with 3 or 4 better players we could do even better next season, if he leaves he can be replaced with another good manager but it is the reasons why he wants to move on, the attitude of the board and the implications to the club which concerns me more.