Saint86

The problem is, one day the tv monies will not be there. The clubs that have expanded will then have a colossal advantage. Personally think should look to expand (even if to only 40-45k) as it will future proof the club to a degree. Far to easy to slip back into the Sheffield united and Coventry bracket with only a 32k stadium. Times have moved on now, when we had the dell, old trafford was 55k and was far and above the biggest ground. Now west ham, man city, tottenham, chelsea, newcastle, united etc are all in and around, or above, that bracket. Not only that, but the more kids saints get coming to the ground is important for the future. They will be future players, future fans and the lifeblood of the club for years to come.

And what a 7 years! Thank you Markus!

Pelle is the most inconsistent player I've seen at saints for a long time. And he isn't that good. He's pushing 31 and he has one year left on your contract. We have Austin, Long, JayRod already, Dost is a suitable replacement for a a squad player.

I don't disagree, but key attributes at the highest level are the physical ones. Mane has superb balance, strength and speed/acceleration. As well as a great touch and finish. His ability to just run around defenders who should have been dead certs to get the ball first is ridiculous. He could run a circle around them to get the ball faster than they could turn. Then they could never get him off it afterwards without fouling him. Boufal maybe good, but Mane was the best player I've seen at saints in many a long year - absolutely unplayable when he was on form. No way on this earth are we getting an equivalent player for almost as much money. and ofc I am no expert but I don't think the glimpses i've seen of Boufal's skill will make up for his weaker physical attributes (relative to Mane). Good player he may be! But I'd rather we were after cheaper talented players such as the Payet's, Mahrez, Mane, Tadic's of this world. Last time I checked, saints are not the club to splash circa £30m on a player, and if we are... why the hell didn't we just offer mane the money to stay

Its an awful lot of money to spend on a player 1 year younger than Mane and nowhere near as good. Mane is lethal. This guy has good balance and some nice footwork... but often he seems to be on the deck flat on his back, or the loose touches he gets away with in France will be lapped up in the premier. He'll need time to settle in for sure.

When even you can only praise the club with "its alright", then you know its ****ing **** and an embarrassment. This is up there with Cardiff's nearly two tone red kit - except they had the good sense to change it PDQ.

Glad I got last years kit in the sale. That is vomit inducing. Total fail by the club again and we are stuck with them for how many years? Now I know why my Spurs mate hates UA. Disgusting. But it is only a kit at the end of the day. Its the players that matter.

#BarRaised = Bra Raised?

Think its possibly one of the worst kits in recent memory based on those mocks ups. Real shame. And how hard was it for the collar and shirt trim to be the same colour? Terrible kit incoming.

I agree, would be one of the worst saints kits in my lifetime. Fortunately that isn't our kit.

Saido Berahino?!?!

So poor he was their best player and scored a 25yard screamer vs saints.... but then you didn't watch that either.

That article is complete bullcrap. Come one guys and gals. Les Reed may be selling the club down the river again this summer but its only ambition we lack. We aren't gutting the whole squad again, just enough to line a few pockets why we stay top half.

Being reported tonight that french, German and Italian plans for a European super state have been leaked to Polish media and it has caused a degree of uproar. Calls for nations to effectively be dissolved; no more individual foreign policies, the signing over of armies to EU control, no more national central banks, all members of the population will be given an EU tax code in place of national tax, etc etc etc. Early days yet, but if this is actually proved true (we all know its been the long term agenda), and so soon after the referendum, then I am very glad we voted out. It will also be absolutely shocking that such immediate plans were kept from the electorate during the referendum. There is absolutely no way that the remain group did not have that information. I will go so far as to say that if this is true; you saved our democracy and gave your kids a say in their futures.

FTSE 250 ended 2% down on friday.

"Much like Southampton, Athletic Club have largely improved season-on-season in recent times. When they won the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup at St Mary’s in 2011, Marcelo Bielsa had not long been in charge of the side, with striker Fernando Llorente tipped for a big season, and young midfielder Ander Herrera making his breakthrough at the club. Despite leading Bilbao to the Europa League final and making it into the round of 32 the following season, Bielsa left his post at the end of the 2012/13 campaign. He was replaced with Spaniard Ernesto Valverde, who has taken Bilbao to three consecutive top-seven finishes in La Liga, as well as Champions League qualification and a Spanish Super Cup title. In that time, Bilbao completed a new stadium, with the impressive San Mamés opening in September 2013, boasting a 53,289 capacity. And Blibao have become a symbol of progress in that time under the guidance of Valverde, taking the team to a fifth-place finish in La Liga last season, which included progression to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, as well as a Spanish Super Cup success. Read more at http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/20160621-athletic-club-pre-season-friendly-profile-3147360.aspx#40eyVvePfAhG4vI1.99"

I raised Valverde a while ago in immediate response to K Billy's "mystery man" comment... It wasn't dismissed or denied. I reckon it could be him. We have solid links with Athletic and we are playing them this pre season, not only that but we are involved in the set up of their club, they have always relied on bringing through local kids, they play our style of football and they love Matt Le Tiss. Would be excited if he is the man. But, he hasn't even been linked elsewhere so no idea. Will claim itk though it it does happen

Get your tin hats out guys, praising Nigel or anything from the Cortese era is near suicidal on this place. Nigel is a legend for me!

Get your tin hats out guys, praising Nigel or anything from the Cortese era is near suicidal on this place. Nigel is a legend for me!

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/20160617-gallery-steven-davis-southampton-career-3145389.aspx The title alone on that page from the club. FFS. Why is a basic understanding of English not required in media? The people are put in a perfect position to influence young minds (talking media generally), and yet all across the media sector we give these roles to drop outs and idiots with no actual brains or intelligence.

Sorry mate, but that is pure rubbish. Saints will continue what they have always done... Sell for a profit and bring through the next batch.... and repeat. Naive to think that we can't do that as the 6th best team in england.

This summer is all part of the current 5 year plan. Everything is going exactly how the club have predetermined!

People who vote to remain better understand that they are voting to be part of a European super state; with one foreign policy, one army, and a political elite that control their lives but that they can never vote out of power. All the while it will suck more and more of each nation state's independence, powers and industries away. It is the socialist dream and people are either sleep walking into voting for it because they don't see it coming, actually want it(?!?!?!), or naively think we can just "get out" before it gets that bad. We should be getting out now and build our links with the rest of the world. The commonwealth alone is a 3rd of the worlds population ffs, we have far more in common with all of those nations and they represent a far wider market range rather than the sick man of global markets in the EU. Madness to stick with Europe whilst it drags us down and then end up leaving when we'll be in a far poorer position to do so. I don't if its fear, apathy, or just mass lefties. But I hope to god the country votes out.

Amazes me that people think he isn't a good player. Honestly think our fans need to learn to move on! I loved watching lallana for saints, and I love watching him for england. 2 of the best players on that pitch were our academy players. We should take pride from that and enjoy it!

So is the mystery man Elnesto Valverde of Bilbao? He is 52 though which seems to go against Guan's "young" hints. Only other ones that I can think of that might be in the running but haven't been mentioned are Loew and Dunga (just fired and total gamble).