mcbendy

I thought the bit about him having the same agent as RoKo was interesting...

Looking at this from a different angle... it's a shame we haven't already signed a new centre back. I can't imagine us getting one cheaply now...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p059d9ph Pre season virus hit Austria camp Wants to strengthen positions (plural) and other snippets

https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-07-19/fraser-forster-new-southampton-five-year-contract-announcement

Some of the posts above boiled down to 'yes we are well run, but we should build on this summer's stability by signing a few 1st-teamers'. I agree, and I think that we will. I think it's likely that we will sign a 1st team/starter DM, an attacking midfielder and possibly another centre-back. If it gets to the end of the transfer window and we haven't strengthened in at least some of these areas then I'll be disappointed.

Yes, for folk of a certain demographic! I don't think footballers have Winchester and all of its charms high on their radars! Nor Soton for that matter. The south coast is a lovely place to retire to and for some of us of working age a fantastic place to live but if you're a 20-something multi-millionaire footballer looking for the bright lights then.... not so much...

Good question. If the choice was to build the club up gradually so we are steady in ~6th place versus 'taking a punt' and risking boom and bust then I know what I'd prefer. If we can remain stable in 6-8th then there is always the chance of a few factors combining with a bit of luck and resulting in a top 4 finish. I still think that's pretty unlikely though. Is it realistic that we will break into the top 4 consistently? I would say no - all sorts of factors combine to make this unlikely. Not least history, population size of cities, the fact that we are based on the coast which limits our catchment area etc. Indeed I think the fact that we are as high as 6-8th shows exceptional management of the club, capitalising (not wasting) the Liebherr investment. I actually think that being a stable top-half Prem club with a good philosophy and structure, with a tilt at a cup from time to time, is a pretty good place to be. Compare that to the League 1 days!

I spend a lot of time on Saints Web during the transfer window in the hope of getting a sniff of what's going on behind the scenes at the club. This season, more that usual, I have a sense that no-one on here has a clue. The forum is a painful read. One thing that is very clear though (and this is probably true of all football clubs) is that a lot of our fans aren't the brightest. Honestly, some of the rubbish you read on here: - I'd take a punt on [hugely expensive mediocre high salary player past his market value peak] - The club don't reinvest the funds from player sales [despite the published financial accounts in the public domain clearly showing that we do - http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/15155581.Saints_invest___94m_in_squad/] - [high salary 1st team player] should be made to train with the kids, as if that makes a grain of sense either financially or for morale around the club - The black box isn't working [while simultaneously moaning about much-loved recent signings being tapped up or signed by bigger clubs] - The most laughable of all, which I saw today, is that the club isn't being run in a sustainable way! This despite the (relative) financial prudence of the club, and also the very obvious indications from our performance and growth since league 1, which has been the epitome of sustainable growth. Yes, expensive signings are 'exciting', but they often don't make good business sense. We've had our fair share of flops (Gaston, Osvaldo etc), but our policy of buying younger players at least gives some chance for improvement and resale value. Would fans really like us to carry on like West Ham, Pompey of a few years back, or QPR? Maybe we should get 'arry back to attract some near-retirement big names to drain our bank balance and send us back into the Championship? Personally I love the way that the club operate. I understand that if a player is proven in the Prem, is in his late 20's or early 30's, is a fringe player for a 'big' club and/or is on a high salary then it's highly unlikely that we will sign him and I'm grateful for that. I also fully expect that when it becomes clear that we *are* about to sign a player it will be someone that I know almost nothing about and I'll have to frantically Google. I accept that there is a risk that these players will not develop in the way that the club hope that they will, but for every flop there is a Virgil, Victor or Mane. The 'buy low sell high' model generates revenue or at least reduces losses and, along with a policy of developing our own talent, makes sound business sense. Is it too much to ask that our fans would 'get this' and would be grateful that our club is - in my opinion- one of the best run clubs in the Premier League?

Looks like he could play in a wide position as part of the 3 in a 4-2-3-1. From the vids (...) he looks technically good, good awareness, knows when to offload, energetic, pacey, good finisher. Reminds me a bit of a young Michael Owen.

He was an awful man who did awful things but are you seriously trying to argue that Hitler was NOT one of the world's greatest ever leaders? Don't confuse values/morals with leadership qualities! The fact that he inspired followers to do such awful things is evidence in itself of his leadership qualities.

Announcement today? Who wants to have a guess on timing? England U21's game tonight to work around. 6pm? Or tomorrow morning?

Wow! Good stat!!!

Periscope stream - low quality but better than nowt https://www.periscope.tv/w/1OwGWvErlBeKQ

Bruma? So says the wisdom of Twitter...

At the Espanyol game - arrived with Fonte?

Bastien at the game tonight? Walked in with Fonte?

Feeling confident about the defensive side to our game after watching the pre-season friendlies so far. Less confident about where the goals are coming from. Not so much as not being confident in the strikers ability to score, but in the team/formation/tactics ability to set up goal-scoring chances. Redmond did well in this regard, and also young Hesketh has something about him. I much preferred 4-2-3-1...

I agree entirely with your post and entirely with the way in which the club are proceeding. Some fans on here are pathetic.

Buried in here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3693819/Cedric-Soares-set-rewarded-new-contract-Southampton-look-build-new-manager-Claude-Puel.html

Just read an article suggesting that Gazzaniga wants to go out on loan for 1st team football. It says we're looking to replace Stekellenburg and that Harry Lewis will step up to number 3 keeper.

ON PAPER I would disagree with your maths...

When Clasie was being rumoured to sign I watched a few full 90 minute games with him playing in and said (with the caveat that he should be given time) that I thought that he lacked the physicality or the fitness for the Prem and that I could see him being off the pace and hence anonymous, with the game largely passing him by. At the time I was shouted down by people who were hyped up about his signing. This season will tell us whether he can adapt I think. I fear not. I'm more optimistic about Højbjerg. I fact, with him signing I wouldn't be surprised to see Clasie leave to go back to Dutch football.

Surprised to see the likes of Ben Arfa and Berahinio linked to us and fans so positive about them. After the Osvaldo saga surely we all want real team players in the, erm, team?

Flashes of a certain MLT in that montage...