Lallana's Left Peg

Something some Norwich fans pointed out to me is that in the period Watson had been at Norwich Ruddy went from being in the England squad to not being in the England squad and all this while Watson was the England GK coach.

I presume there is a plan but on Day 1 of Pre-Season training the U18's and U21's do not have a Manager. Not ideal. And Uncle Les is looking after his chums isn't he?

I get the feeling this new kit will be so **** it'll make losing Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana look like no problem whatsoever.

Yeah I'd agree with this. I doubt the club would just spend £10m+ on a player on the recommendation of a Manager, but at the same time would want to show support for the new Manager by signing targets they both agree with. It's a decent approach in my opinion.

Right now we've got ~£52m for our first choice left-back, attacking midfielder, and striker. It is suggested that £18m of that will be spent on a new attacking midfielder and striker. There is no way we'll spend £34m on a new left back (I would suggest £5m max on one). So that would be £52m out and £23m spent. Leaving a delta of ~£29m. Remind me, what was the transfer debt going into the summer again...

And also one of the reasons it was suggested the owner wanted a more sensible approach to things. So it appears we've gone from 1 person with football experience on the Board (Les Reed) to...one person with football experience on the Board (Les Reed). Only this time Les Reed makes the decisions and doesn't just have input.

I can understand why Reed was appointed - as you say he perhaps deserves a shot based on his other work at the club plus from a continuity perspective there is lots of value in retaining him. I just don't think it should be assumed all will go well - it's 50/50 from my perspective which is very worrying when you consider the amount of money that is about to be spent.

In which case lets judge him after he has fulfilled his existing role for a period of time. There is no evidence which suggests he has a track record at the level of responsibility he currently has. Previously he has set-up departments and processes for which I think he has done a great job. Now he also gets to make the decision that comes out the other side of those processes and that is quite something different altogether. Which players stay and go etc. Who the Manager is. Hiring and firing staff. I am not quite convinced by him because he has no track record, however what concerns me a little more is that he is the only member on our Board with footballing experience. I find that a little worrying personally. It's not a good Governance model given football is our business.

All I know is that if I'm signing a scholarship deal with a Premier League football club I'd wonder why on earth a better backdrop couldn't be found for my signing picture.

Check out his term at Fulham as DoF.

My original point stands. He was never the decision maker. Now he is. So where is the evidence he gets things right?

What evidence is that then? He's been DoF once and that was at Fulham. Check out what happened if you want, but if you are of a nervous disposition its best avoided. His responsibilities have increased massively post-Cortese. Before he was a cog in the machine. Now he is the ultimate decision maker on all things football.

You simply can't conclude anything until we see how the money is spent.

What a great memory it is for those lads, signing a scholarship with the beautiful backdrop of gasworks in the background. Will bring a tear to the eye. I wonder if any of them have been told who on earth will be coaching or managing them next season

What will his role be?

Yep, you're probably right. If Ings is signed as a prospect then fair enough. If Ings is signed as the Lambert replacement then my point will stand.

A player who has more pedigree and a higher degree of comfort that he can hit the ground running. Basically, a signing that eliminates risk as much as possible. Surely I can't be the only one who thinks that after all the progress we've made over the last two years that going back to Burnley for a striker doesn't seem just a little bit silly? Is this what we are settling for now?

No, because when we signed Jay Rodriguez we just got promoted and didn't just finish 8th in the league and sell players for nearly £60m. I think it's fair to say my view on Saints' status in football is that in the last two years we've made considerable progress to the point I think we can sign better players. Of course if we signed him I want him to be a world beater but if we're now a club that loses players to the very best in this country then I'd like to think we can sign better players then Danny Ings.

Would not be a signing of intent. Thoroughly underwhelmed.

I'm more referencing the amount of change happening at the club. Massive massive risk.

New Manager and half a new team required

I think you've misunderstood me. We won't be spending the same amount of money on replacements i.e. we won't be spending £30m on a full-back.

Can't really say whether the fee is good or not until we see how we spend it. It's two Osvaldo's or four Lovren's. That's just the way the transfer market goes.

We aren't going to be spend the same amount of money on replacements. And nor should we.

Would rather keep the best young left-back in the world than play the game of spending £35m on new players and not know if they'll be good or a bust.