Saint86

People being overly pessimistic. He's a good young player being bought into provide squad depth in the CF position, played 1 year of senior football at a senior level and done well by all accounts, prior to that played u19 bundesliga - so still young and made a good step up. Strong, pacey, and generally athletic. Appears to have good movement and finishing. Let's be honest - even if you looked at it as a like for like replacement for TP, it's an upgrade. And barring a bad injury, he'll offer more than Stewart has done in 2 seasons 😄😄

And which one of those players would anyone like to see lining up for saints in the premier league in 14months time? 😄😄

So two players (who the forum has pretty much all agreed are not good enough for the premier league) doing better than him for us that season, is now an argument that he wouldn't have then been washed away with the rest of the team in the premier league is it? He wasn't an exceptional / stand out player for us, we largely stood still last summer as it is, we'd have certainly stood still had we signed brooks, and the past season was embarrassingly poor - we need to be signing players who at least have the potential to be starting players in midtable prem squads -and also, who would he have replaced in the starting 11? Fernandes? Dibling? Less than 1000minues for a mid table bournemouth side is just further evidence that we need to do better than him. The naysayers are correct on this one.

Does this mean we can look forward to Chelsea have a renewed interest in our academy players 😑

The perfect solution is that Ramsdale stays here this season. If we get rid of him on loan, we will be similarly tied to finding a loan keeper to come in and cover him. Equally, we'll find it harder to attract keepers if they know they'll be playing second fiddle to Ramsdale next season. He either stays or leaves imo - and a decision needs to be made before too long or we just tell him he's staying regardless.

What's the fee / damage at the end of the day then?

You'd rather sell the likes of Ramsdale/Fernandes/Dibling? If selling the fluff around the edges means we can keep one of them, then i have zero issues.

I was comparing it to this one (the original):

If Birmingham can get through that start with a good tally they'll be on it all season.

Another which is much better than the original 😄

Good shout that one!

Anyway excited just to see a list of fixtures that don't just read like "LLLLLLLL" in your mind? 🙃

Reckon Wrexham have to be the most likely choice for the friday night curtain raiser?

Goes both ways. We should have beaten them twice this season, their squad is unsettled immediatley by the loss of delap, and we haven't made any major sales as yet and appear to be holding on for good sale prices (which will likely mean moves late in the window). I'd rather play Ipswich early on when both clubs are trying to turn around last year's form than after they've built up a head of steam and start smashing teams.

Wouldn't be the worst one to get out the way early on.

On reflection, going to go for Bristol City away.

I think the fact that basically no saints fan will say a bad word about him says it all, doubly so as a great many will have only positive things to say. That's no mean feat having been part of the two worst Southampton teams in recent history as well 🤣. Fair play to him for sticking around last relegation, and for continuing to give his all this year with his contract running down and risking a bad injury etc. Can only wish him all the best - A great signing for us all in. Think my favourite moment for him was his first goal (i think) against Man City 🔥🔥

Reckon they'll be getting one of the relegated sides - Televised on the Friday night...

Coaching shake up looks good. Some good pedigree and a mix of backgrounds in amongst it. Interested to see what difference changing the goalkeeping coach has. Feel a bit for Rusky, dropped in the shitter and above his level really, but he's a nice guy with a pretty dry sense of gallows humour - guessing he didn't want to step back down and felt it was time for something new. Anyone know any more to it than that?

ffs! have corrected that! I know what you mean about the wingers and brooks - but Edozie is another year older with regular footy under his belt, and we should have one of Dibbling/fernandes to supplement the side. We do need to strengthen in the attacking mid / winger section regardless, but i think we'll be about the same with only 1 of those 2 leaving.

Wrexham will be getting one of the relegated prem sides at home first game - nice match for the TV audiences. Expecting us to having scum away around Christmas time. Have a feeling we'll get a nice run in at the end of the season (jinxed it now haven't I ) Ideally we want Brum to have a harsh start, lets not be having another Ipswich type side building up momentum.

I wouldn't write Armstrong off. Ralph bought him to play in a pressing high energy side at the end of the day, he offers genuine speed, plays across the front free (on the right a lot for Martin's side) and has a great work rate. He's proven at this level as well. I think people also forget how many times he got down the wing in put in very intelligent crosses for attackers as well. He is also the only attacker still on the books who is proven to be a very good player at championship level. Sure, if a good offer comes in, AND the club think they can suitably replace him, then we might sell - and fair enough... but i'm more than happy to keep him. He was a key player for us last time out.

On other news, Lyon have been relegated to ligue 2... Wonder if there are any good young players there that Still may know.... Let alone ARG.

Not sure, but i've heard a well run b&b could be in the offing....

Our season was finished a lot earlier than May 🤣