MarkSFC

City fans (my ST holder mate there at least) were calling for Pellegrini to play Iheanacho earlier and more. They/he also seemed annoyed by his relatively negative tactics. I'm not convinced by him albeit his CV is suitably impressive in terms of clubs. It may be of course that he's a better manager with a smaller budget than a huge one but he's not my preferred candidate right now! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

11m does seem a little low but it always seems to me that prices the so called 'big clubs' pay for 'smaller club" players is always slanted in favour of the bigger club........we never really know the fees where Saints are concerned. He's been a good player but limited in his ability, great in slow paced games and when we have a lot of possession but against fast players and when we are under pressure a lot he struggles particularly when he gets turned and is running back to goal. I'm sure we will get better or at least someone more mobile if not quite so brutal. Romeu is tough enough. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I think the statement is perfect! They are making it clear that the club is bigger than any individual. We don't pander to egos. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Good post Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

BRILLIANT, MADE ME LAUGH!!....."YOU'RE A DICKHEAD.....""

Well, I think its a shame that he looks like leaving before the end of his contract but perhaps the club has someone lined up who they see as a longer term option now (rather than next summer) and in a sense we are in a stronger position now than we potentially might be next summer. The fact that he hasn't signed an extension suggests he didn't want to, or maybe the two parties couldn't agree on the length, and once that is the case i think its probably best to let him move on now. I suspect that the interest of Everton facilitated this attitude. Player wise I'm sure there will be the usual bed-wetters worrying that we will lose loads but its clear that we are looking longer term with the recent signings and with the likelihood of others to follow. This approach also suggests they would like a manager who wants to be here for 3-4 years rather than the usual premier league average of two or less!! It wouldn't be Saints without a summer of turmoil but Im sure this will be less so overall than the last few!!

According to a list of the top 20 paid managers Koeman is on £2.3m. It seems logical that any significant extension (2-3 on top of his final year) would be at a much higher salary, at least double I would suggest. If Koeman has been on holiday it may simply be a case of waiting til he is back in Southampton to sign, I guess the club and him know exactly what the situation is already. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

A "big club" will almost always be in a big city. We cannot change this, it's a natural consequence of the number of residents. We can become a bigger club than we are currently viewed as by most of the media and other football fans. How? Well, like the OP states, winning things over a number of years and competing in Europe regularly, and competing at the top end of the league every year. We are at the beginning of this change but whether we can continue only time will tell. I think the next few seasons will continue to be exciting and see a quality football team representing our city. Inevitably we may not finish higher every year of course but that should not be the only judgement. We must also ensure that our future is secured during this time of huge tv money and the club must look at increasing our capacity or even rebuild. When the money reduces which surely it will at some point, having a stadium that will hold 40-45k will mean there is a good chance of remaining competitive in the years to come. As soon as The Dell capacity was reduced to 15.5k we became less competitive, and hence the move to St Mary's. The argument that we might not always fill 40-45 is relevant but counter productive. Better to have 38k every game with a few sell outs than 19 sell outs at 32k. The next 5 years though I imagine is focussed on performance on the pitch in order to maximise options off the pitch. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I wasn't that surprised, I will be interested to see how many STs they sell in 4-5 years time though!

£15m and they can have him......

In light of VVDs long contract and based upon the assumption that other key members of the team and any new additions this summer will follow in similar fashion, this "new direction" Guan hints at suggests a more stable longer term approach versus the 2-3 year revolving door of players and manager. Although this has served us well to this point perhaps the increased financial status allows us to look further ahead. With that in mind I'm in two minds regarding Koeman and whether he should leave this summer if not going to extend, but more inclined to think he should leave early summer or sign. If we do need to replace him this summer I think Howe would definitely be a good longer term option although obviously does not have the gravitas of Koeman which may be a hindrance. I'm not convinced by Rodgers credentials, he seems to have lived on the back of other managers ground work but only for a season or two and then been shown up. Pellegrini seems too dour for our club. I'm sure the club have their contingency lined up but hopefully they won't need it and Koeman extends for a few more years!!

If they sign either or both and want to get rid of Carroll then he would be a great signing.

Ox would be my number one choice for summer business, closely followed by a left-footed CB. He is exactly at the sort of age that we focus on, is in and around the international set-up and still has potential to improve. I don't see the injury thing as a problem, there are all sorts of reasons as to why and I do not think Arsenal have a great record in that regard. I think he should play in Davis' role but he has some flexibility too. As someone else mentioned above it would also prove the grass is not always greener. If Mane was to go, and i do not think he will, Depay or Townsend would be adequate replacements, but I would be amazed if we went near either of them.

May as well call it a round £50m...

Good old scaremongering!!

Those stars don't look great but he is still only 22. His development has stalled but that does not necessarily mean there is not a chan e he can still improve. I think he's one of those who needs to be trusted and given a chance in one specific role and I think he could be a great AM. I also think if we did get him back he would likely be here for a long time. We could probably get him for less than 15 whereas a slightly more established AM may easily cost 20+. It's going to be an interesting summer I think for signings especially given that it's Euros which likely means a few early signings by clubs but most likely most won't happen for 2-4 weeks post Euros!!

And on top of that they believe the myth that Wenger/Arsenal are good at developing players. They simply sign 18-22 uear olds in large numbers and get lucky a few times but the vast majority do not make it. From the outside looking in it seems to me that Wenger has "a system" which he applies to all and if that works he looks great but he does not flex his system to suit the individual. He is clearly a very stubborn ego driven coach.

He's more than good enough to be a good improvement on Davis and as such (given the fact it's not worked brilliantly for him at Arse) he would have an excellent opportunity to establish himself as a top player for us. I'd love it if he came "home"!!

Eddie Howe is proving to be a coach who demands hard work and good skill, high tempo positive football; ideal for us. My only concern if we went for him straight after Kieman is the gravitas he has compared to the genuine legend Koeman is. We can only improve by signing a certain calibre of player and that would likely be harder with Howe than Koeman. However I think Howe is going to be a top manager. The dream manager for me (although won't happen) is Diego Simeone!!

If we only made 3 signings this summer and it was those three, I think that would be pretty exciting. Chambers left far far too early in his development and he has suffered for it. You can always understand why hex went to Arsensl but if you look at the facts ( and the Ox, and Theo to a lesser degree) have not fulfilled their potential under the so called master that people think Wenger is. Get all three back, decide whether Chambers is a CB or a RB, play the OX as the AM and sit Morgan in front of the defence. Sorted!!!

you can if you base it on how good they were when they played for us and the impact they had for us. But on pure ability...no contest

Despite their foray into the Champions League I think Leicester will drop back into the pack next year - partly due to the extra games partly due to the fact that a few of their players are just "an awesome season" (Morgan, Vardy, Huth) and will return to normal level far more often, and partly because they will certainly lose 2-3 players. I think the OP is spot on though that this is a massive summer in our history. I think we need to see at least 3 or 4 players signed in the 15-20m bracket (assuming Wanyama goes, I think Mane will stay) in order to have a real opportunity to get top 6 or even 4. We need a top quality left footed CB, a top class Defensive Midfielder. an Attacking midfielder who can score, and a young fast very mobile striker (to replace Pelle). In addition we need a RB. Either one who is better than Cedric in a 4 or at least good enough to push him when we play with 5. If Stek does not sign then another GK also. This may cost 70-80+ but 20-25 will come back in from sales. This number is big to us but this needs to happen to strengthen our position and is relevant to what everyone else is doing. It then gives the kids a little bit more breathing space (1-2 seasons) to burst through, saving money in future seasons.

I am. Looking forward to it.

A journalist being interviewed wouldnt be doing his/her job if wthin t they didnt throw out some sort of rumour/suggestion that generates debates and further gossip now would they??!!! I'm with you I dont think he "knows" anything, he has always struck me a the Mr Nice guy journo only in it for himself and that means pandering to the "only london, liverpool and manchester" matters mindset because thats where there are most if their customers. The only journo in the mainstream papers worth his salt is Jeremy Wilson. If he stated that the club was for sale I would believe it. I really dont think it is and Im with you I hope it isnt for a very long time.

Targett is no where near good enough - that's not to say he couldn't be in 2-3 years - and JWP will only be considered if he starts scoring from open play. What this thread already highlights is that for the first time in quite a while we have a pretty decent group of players and whoever the 11 is that starts there will some quality in the bench. We could win it but I think this will be a good euros regardless!