Daft Kerplunk

Agree

Is it really nonsense though if we want to be at the top end of the table? MLG, you pride yourself on having decent football knowledge so realistically, do you see any of that next crop (Prowse isn't included as came through under Nigel Adkins) playing to the level needed for the top 8? This is not me having a moan about the academy, far from it, but it is very difficult to continue producing really top players year on year and some periods will produce good, but not outstanding players. I'd say Ronald's view was perfectly reasonable from what I've seen and I've seen a fair number of u23 games live this season.

Pretty fair from what we have seen from the current crop of players on the edge of the first team. Good, but not good enough to be in a team aiming for the top end of the table, however much hype there is. The U23s last night weren't good and that included several players talked about for the first team. This isn't unusual though and we may need to wait awhile until the next bunch come through. In an era of marketing hype, I'm sure the football side of SFC is being honest and realistic and knows that they need far better players to come through if we are to hit the 50% first team squad (competing in or qualifying for European football) made of academy players target.

Irrational overseas investments eh. That rules out football in one clear statement. Football is an ego project for the super rich, not really a rational business in the truest sense. Hopefully here is someone else out there who fancies a dabble in being a super rich premier league team owner.

Hold on to as many players as possible bar the likes of J-Rod who will sadly never return to what he was by the looks of it. Then let Puel do what he was bought here for and develop Hojbjerg into a very good midfielder, get the head and body right of Boufal, get Gabi to be scoring all season and continue developing the other players who fit into his system. I would imagine Les would also want the academy to produce some players more on the level of those who came to the fore or were developed primarily under the previous regimes. The academy must be absolutely key to our business model and needs to produce genuine world class talent if the aim is still European football. Top 8 should be the minimum for this club. Cup runs are a bonus.

Virgin Media sponsor the club, club gets revenue, revenue gets spent on players. That's how it works. Very very simple. Therefore not a con.

If and when (as in this close season or another in the future) VVD leaves us, he should go to one of the great clubs, but, and it is a big but, he could easily end up at Everton if they agree to pay us and him a stonking great fee. From a football perspective he would be daft but agents aren't always motivated by football reasons and neither are the players who 'follow' them and take their advice.

Too quiet, too loud. It's football, it's supposed to be loud and if the fans don't make the noise then the club should. Music choices were excellent yesterday as well, better than the football.

Wonder why nobody is applying the logic to Katharina that is applied to players. If they don't want to be here, let them leave

If we are serious about becoming a 'relative' force in football then European football is a must for the majority of seasons. Unlikely this year as we had too crap a period between October and February but with a reasonably settled squad next year plus some key acquisitions, we could get there for 18/19 and look to maintain it from then on.

Things move on...but not to everyone's taste. The music at the match is not too loud as far as I'm concerned, it's great and could even be louder. It is definitely not as loud as a concert. Not even close. Live music is quite a lot louder than St. Mary's will ever be...apart from when that ex Take That dancer performs there of course As for the Saints Way song, it was created by the players because they wanted to give something to the fans to sing. Does that not say something to our fanbase or is everyone so slow on the uptake? For one thing, it shows they feel part of our club which should be celebrated quite frankly. Also, maybe they want us to make more noise. I'm going to make a very easy guess and suggest the players want us to be louder, more vocal and intimidiating during matches. It might help their performance or keep them going, let them know who they are playing for or that we Saints fans actually give a sh!t. Wembley was amazing. Colourful and noisy, albeit only with one song but I bet the players absolutely loved it and want it more like that every week.

Motion proposed and agreed. Oh, and navy blue shorts would be good.

Clearly nobody has a grasp of Italian landscape, there's no way Les would shop for a Lambo in the South!

I like this kit thread more, it has pictures. Rank Xerox/Air Florida Patrick inspired kit FTW, then never change. Ever.

Only just started wearing Under Armour so might have picked up a knock before he signed that deal

With the new TV money, probably £750m per annum, agents getting £432m

Ross is probably going to take Les' role when he retires so might be too early for him to move on

We can but hope I guess. The very essence of professional sport as entertainment is that there is a chance your team can one day do something great, so perhaps there is a recognition that we have another great opportunity, an who knows, maybe the players believe it too.

100% agree with all the top bit. We absolutely need to get more of the younger people in, not just for now but for the future. Don't agree about singing OWTS when it's the only song that everyone knows these days so that's up to us to make more songs, but for that, see above for the group of people that could make that happen. We aren't rich and as fans we can't do anything to stop players moving on but being an intimidating noisy stadium is entirely down to us fans. It looked and sounded great yesterday and this needs to be something that happens way more often at home matches. Oh, and not many left early either, which is how should be given that it is just 105 minutes of life.

As well as not losing anyone significant, we need a midfielder who can pick out the runs Gabbiadini makes, or has the confidence to play it forward more often. Gabbi is absolutely different class so far and not just for his goals.

Gutted, but no one let the team down, and our fans showed they could be noisy. More of that at St Mary's please. I'd like to be back at Wembley soon watching my team and representing my city.

I'll be wearing a flat cap, Lyle and Scott v-neck jumper, adidas Munchens, eating a prawn sandwich, followed by dabbing. Football fan across the ages, representing the amount of time since we won a major trophy. But as for a mosaic, great idea. Get on it saints, no time like now

There is nothing like playing to be match fit. Players do not look as good after pre season as when they're in full swing. Can't imagine Puel chose to lose the game v Arsenal, just a sign that our reserves/third team weren't as good as theirs, which is expected given their resources.

RK and Poch dream team

We should be aiming to lose no significant player this summer and add a right back unless Piet returns fully and is decent, a centre back to replace Fonte, a new attacking midfielder and if possible a defensive midfielder. Exits Martina Reed - I personally can't ever see him making it at this level Isgrove - see above