mcbendy

MLT last goal ever at the Dell for me. But, though slightly off topic, Lambert's goal v Scotland topped it. I jumped up and spilled my pickled beetroot everywhere.

Oh, wait. Soares doesn't have a squad number yet. That won't work... Anyway, does anything want a friendly sweepstake-style 'bet' on how many assists he'll get. I'm going with 11

You're right MLG. This forum would work much better with a series of numbered threads, by squad number. Because conversations never stray off topic we could simply discuss the merits of each player and then get on with more important jobs like doing the ironing.

We have lost a good right-back in Clyne, but his crossing wasn't the best. From what I've read and what I've seen on YouTube (De Ridder, I know...) I think we'll see some awesome deliveries fired into the box from Soares this season. Better deliveries would play to Pelle's strengths. I think Soares will finish the season with 10+ assists.

Yes, particularly not if/when he is injured or exhausted. Other than that it's genius logic

I can't agree with that - we need a bigger squad if we are going to compete in Europe and also maintain form in the Prem. I think we need Toby/CB (possibly a second CB), a young 2nd choice RB (unless any of the academy lads have been ear-marked), a DM to replace MS, a playmaker to replace Gaston (I think that we will offload him this transfer window), a decent 2nd choice goalkeeper (better than Gazza) and another proper centre-forward to provide competition for Pelle. To my mind the only area that we are really flush with is attacking midfielders (or 'behind the striker' forwards, depending on what terminology you want to use). So - from back to front, I think we need: Goalie Centreback (poss x 2) Right-back DM Playmaker Centre-forward

I think CB is most likely too. DM will wait until if/when Morgan moves on. Could a Mod please turn this into a proper poll? Thanks

Could someone who knows how please turn this into a poll? Following the departure of Clyne, the write-off of Osvaldo and the arrivals of Juanmi, Soares and Stekelenburg, what will Saints next signing be? * a goalkeeper * a right-back * a centre-back * a defensive midfielder * an attacking midfielder * a lead-the-line striker * another position Interested to know what forum members think.

I think you're wrong here - my understanding is that most of the kids that we saw in yesterday's video will drop back to U21 and not travel to Austria. Only some will get selected. I might have misunderstood of course. I think that the 'internationals' will travel and be involved in the training camp, but do I remember hearing that they will not play a part in the RB Leipzig game? Anyway - this is a distraction - my underlying interest is in which of the academy kids are likely to step up and make an impact. Isgrove, Targett, Reed, Gallagher, McCarthy seem likely. McQueen, Turnbull, Stephens perhaps. Any others?

A few other names that seem to be mentioned more than others: Jack Stephens, Jason McCarthy, Dominic Gape, Jake Flannigan, Jake Hesketh and Josh Sims. Plus there was the recent hype about Callum Slattery. Do any of these have a chance of making a meaningful contribution to the first team in 2016? Jason McCarthy looks like he is pushing up the pecking order?

It was interesting seeing the training photos from yesterday. This is clearly a chance to impress for some of the youngsters, with the prize of a place on the Austria pre-season trip up for grabs. I recognised some but not all of the faces in the photos. I live up in Scotland so I don't get to watch U21 matches live anymore. Which of the kids look most promising and how might they fit into our plans this season?

Fortser MOTM for *that* save. W.O.R.L.D.I.E. If you only saw it live, wait until you see it on MOTD...

Superb from the lads. So much desire and togetherness. A very proud day. We March On! :-)

Are you serious?!?!?! I hope that's a joke. Have you watched him! Shocking keeper.

Oh. Whoops. Times flies!

No question on this one! I'm amazed that there is any debate!!! Lambert header with first touch on England debut v Scotland.

With the players that left and the players that Koeman brought in, I think it is fair to say that given time the team would have worked itself out and settled down to be decent. Top half at least. We had retained most of our defensive unit which was one of our strengths and brought in decent attacking talent. But I firmly believe that it is Dusan Tadic that has ensured that we have gelled into a winning side as swiftly as we have. He is one hell of a player and a huge upgrade in the creativity/assist department on Lallana. He worked out how to get us scoring goals in no time at all and is a total assist machine. His vision, touch, precision, passing - I just can't praise him highly enough. It seems that just about every time the ball lands at his feet he creates a goal-scoring opportunity. All hail Dusan Tadic. P.S. Has there ever been a better time to be a Saints fan? Not in my lifetime.

I'm game for a threesome if you two are... Or I can just video you two if you prefer?

You might enjoy this...

Something by Nat King Cole surely?

This is a great read... http://strictlygentlemen.com/2014/09/15/on-the-move-victor-wanyama/

This may have been covered elsewhere - apologies if so. Unlike most injuries/reasons for absence, we don't seem to have heard anything about what is going on with Sam. Is the reason known? If the reason is a private matter then I don't mean to pry. It would be good to have some sense though of the timescale for when we might see him in the shirt again. Is there any sense that whatever 'issue' it is might be career threatening?