Dr. Kucho

Was hoping to see another player coming in, however I do think we have a squad that should finish in the top 8-10. Forster Cedric - Van Dijk - Fonte - Bertrand Hojbjerg - Romeu/Reed Redmond - Boufal - Tadic Long/Austin/Rodriguez A very decent squad that has played together for some time. Just ditch the diamond, or make it work very soon.

Anyone attend the match or watch it? How did the youngsters get on?

Rodriguez was in amazing form in the months up to his injury. If he hadnt had that injury I reckon he would be one of the top strikers in the league.

Thanks for the article. It states that in the French league they have started changing from 4-2-3-1 to the diamond formation and that other leagues could follow. Could it be that the club expect the PL to shift to the diamond formation and want to be the first to master it? Have to say I prefer the 4-2-3-1 formation as it allows to play more attacking players and protects the defence.

Insigne is 5ft4. Would that work in PL? And we do seem a little short up front with Long and Redmond both under 6ft.

All I seem to read on here is how the diamond formation doesnt seem to work with the players we have. Sadly I dont get to see many Saints games due to living abroad. So could someone explain the new formation and what the tactic seems to be? I understand how we line up and that we try to keep the ball and play it forward. However what is expected from the players when we attack (who does what to set up the goal) and what would be the best diamond formation line up if we had kept all the players since we got promoted?

Head says: 3-1 to Manure. Long to score first, Utd to dominate the half but not score. Second half 70th minute they score and we sadly collapse. Heart says: Saints 1-0, Redmond with the goal. Line up I expect to see: Forster Cedric - Fonte - Van Dijk - Targett Romeu Hoijbjerg - Tadic Davis Redmond - Long Hope to see this line up: Forster Cedric - Fonte - Van Dijk - Targett Romeu - Hoijbjerg Davis - Redmond - Tadic Long

Believe it was last week, didnt take to much notice of it. Says we had a offer of 15m euro turned down.

Havent seen it mentioned on here before, but the Italian website Tuttosport (dont know if its reliable) had us linked to Stefano Sturaro. Sturaro is a midfielder who can be used as a box to box or defensive midfielder.

As he has just signed a new contract, it would be a very expensive buy for them. Would you swap VvD for Chambers and Oxlade-Chamberlain? (I know its highly unlikely, but Chambers could play RB or CB, AOC would be a great attacking option and we could splash out on a new CB). VvD would be are second largest lost, after Fonte.

Someone like Mane? First thoughts are Davy Klaassen who captains Ajax. Likes to get forward and can score goals, his contract runs till 2019 and he is rated at 15 million euros.

Didnt we play 4-2-3-1 last season? wouldnt that suit the players more? Something like, Forster Cedric - Fonte - Van Dijk- Bertrand Hjobjerg - Romeu Redmond - Davis - Tadic Long Hjobjerg and Romeu the new Wanyama/Schneiderlin. On another thought, what about Clasie this season? Clearly a Koeman buy and with Davis, JWP and Reed who play pretty similair to him, do you see a future for him at the club?

Of the academy players that have taken part in the friendlies this pre season, are their any that seems like they could be part of the team on a regulair basis? Saw the names of McQueen and Alfie Jones being menthioned quite often.

Thats the first I heard of that, a cheeky bid would be up to 20 million, doubt Wolfsburg would accept that. Back on topic and I would like to see the club look in the lower leagues for English talent. Having good English players would mean clubs interested have to pay big bucks, and others wouldnt be interested. The careers of AOC, Walcott and Chambers might also put some players of leaving the club early.

Julian Draxler wants to leave Wolfsburg, should we try a cheeky bid

Just to quote myself, I dont know where DD came from, thought I read that we were talking to 3 French managers (or their agents), and someone confirmed one of them was Deschamps. New list then: - Claude Puel - Vitor Perreira - Frank de Boer

So just to confirm, the ITKs and well informed journalists are certain we have spoken or are intrested in: - Claude Puel - Didier Deschamps - Vitor Perreira - Frank de Boer Rudi Garcia has dropped out we understand. Any names I have missed or can be removed from the list?

Georges Prost

De Boer has been quoted saying he only wants to go to a club where he can stay for a good few years. I know thats doesnt mean much in football, but he might just come to us and stay for a while.

I think it could be John van den Brom they have been talking about. On the exception of a poor time at Anderlecht he has done well at every other club.

At the end of 2014 De boer had won the title 4 years in a row. However Koeman performed above expectations with Feyenoord, with a smaller and weaker squad. Before Koeman went to feyenoord he was seen as a poor coach. He had failed at Valencia and Benfica, hadnt set the world alight at Ajax, AZ and Vitesse. Feyenoord saved his career and showed what he could do as a coach. Looking back and I would have chosen Koeman. De Boer is going to be a very good coach, though Koeman had that experience abroad and had just shown he could get a weak squad to play good football.

It could be that Les is dealing with a potential new manager and that its down to lawyers and agents to settle the dispute with Everton. Anyway looking forward to see who our new manager is going to be, hope to see someone who promotes more youth team players. Koeman may say that the academy players werent good enough, but if I remember rightly, Harry Kane didnt set the world alight at his various loans in the lower leagues. A good manager gives the players cofidence and lets them flourish.

Emery, de Boer, Pellegrini, in that order. Jorge Sampaoli as an outsider.

Between Cocu and De Boer I would pick De Boer. Cocu did win the league with PSV the last 2 years, but also had a far better squad than de Boer had at Ajax. Mate of mine, who has been a season ticket holder at Ajax for over 10 years, says Frank de Boer likes to promote youth and improves players. He claims on the downside that De Boer let Ajax play boring football (note: Ajax fans demand they play Barcelona style football), and that due to inexperience he at times makes silly mistakes. Its a risk to employ De Boer, but if we cant get Emery, de Boer would be second choice.

Love him or loath him, but at these times we could do with Cortese in charge. He made his mistakes, but its hard to find someone better at the club in negotiating with other clubs.