SaintLondon

Alright lads and ladies, I just missed out on Fulham away tickets - I know it’s just sold out so I’m probably a bit premature but if anyone can’t go, please could I put my hat in the ring for a couple of tickets. Many thanks!

This is extremely underwhelming. When you consider the fact that if we'd pushed the button earlier on Ralph there could have been a conversation with Emery or Lopetegui to be had. Not saying they would have come here but we could have tried to sell them 'the project.' Not only is this a massive gamble in the management stakes but also on the January recruitment drive. You look at those aforementioned managers with 5 Europa titles to their names and they are a pull to players with European experience / desires. No disrespect to Nathan Jones but a playoff semi final loss isn't quite the same draw. Some will berate me for negativity but the board have massively misread the room if they think this will placate the fanbase after months of dismal on-field performances. I can already hear the middle management bullsh*t speech from Semmens, "Nathan really epitomises all that The Southampton Way is, he is young and hungry with a real desire for success on and off the pitch"

I saw some opta style mathematical forecasting site has us at 44% for relegation - so that's fun and reassuring. I want a win tonight of course but SURELY anything other is curtains? How many times have we said that? Daily since 2020.

They’re gonna keep Ralph all season aren’t they…

I don't know much but I know for a fact that this did happen. Weird to come out now to deny.

Not ITK at all - know a few people who know have decent sources etc. Anyway, they're getting nothing back at all, not even cursory messages to their enquiries. Which I'm told is unusual. I would imagine it's one of two things, something is happening behind the scenes re a new appointment and they're trying to be as water tight as possible to stem the flow of any leaks. OR he isn't going anywhere and they can't be arsed with the wrath of the fans. He (RH) seemed really rather chirpy post 4-0 thrashing to suggest he wasn't going anywhere and the fact that him and Semmens are thick as thieves you'd think he might know something if he was due an imminent sacking. Semmens would say we owe it to Ralph to keep him in the loop. My feeling is I could see a scenario where we lose to West Ham on Sunday, Ralph goes on Monday and new manager is in on Tuesday.

A few people on Twitter saying it’s done and it’ll be announced in next 24-48 hours. Sounds speculative at best but we shall see. I often wonder whether fan discontent plays any part of the upper echelons decision making. Over the years there have always been RalphOut people but equally at least (seemingly) half the fan base were still staunchly RalphIN. This has now changed so much (that I can see) to 80:20 Ralph Out - I wonder if this contributes to speeding up any decisions. I like the bloke but I think his time is up and you don’t, well shouldn’t get paid a reported £6m a year for being a nice bloke. If that were the case I’d be in line for a salary reduction 😏

He’s staying at PSV - confirmed

I have a feeling that PSV are going to pull the plug on this one... Just feel it's so late in the day (for them) and if we've just agreed a fee it doesn't really leave them much chance to spend the wedge. Luckily, we don't have too long to wait to find out!

Sky reporting that we bid £21m for Gakpo and they're holding out for £25m - surely (if we really want to make it happen) we can stretch to that...

Che won't be going anywhere.

Some guy on Twitter saying we’re being linked with Nmecha from Wolfsburg. He only signed last year for them and had a decent season - he’s ex Man City and they’re suggesting Joe Shields is pushing for it. Twitter = bollocks I know but this is a transfer rumour thread!

Maybe let me rephrase then, we need to sell to buy. Simple as that. Funds from players sold will go towards new players coming in. Bednarek is our most saleable asset (that we're looking to sell) so funds from this sale (and others) would go towards the striker but also towards any other sales we have incoming. Reality is that the other signings will most likely be in and around the €6-10m mark so it's not as crucial. Striker as Ralph has said is the most expensive hence the need to free up funds. I maintain my point though that I believe we now need to sell first team players such as Bednarek before we can finish our window.

He’s most definitely for sale

I’m not saying it is true, just what I heard. Agreed a striker is priority but perhaps it’s the hardest piece of the puzzle and the squad needed much improvement so they couldn’t sit on their hands and wait. Btw not claiming any ITK here - just been passed on some info, whether or not it’s true I don’t know!

The club *is* actively looking to shift Bednarek, Moussa and Theo. They thought they would have sold JB by now but no takers. I’m led to believe this is the reason the Delap / forward deal is being delayed as we’re now in our normal position of needing to sell to buy. Whether or not that means we *can’t* buy anyone else without selling I don’t know but time will tell!

I'm pretty sure we'll end up with Levi C whether that's on a perm or loan I'm not sure... Delap too, I think the Broja loan last year shows that we will play him - I think we'll still sign another striker along with Delap. I also think an attacking player will be dancing down the Itchen Bridge at some point this summer too. More to come but got to shift a few first.

It's going to be quiet on the incomings for a period, need to offload some players now - more in line with traditional methodology of Southampton FC's player transfers.

Confirmed to Chelsea according to Secret Scout

The away kit…. 👀 ….. and not in a good way.

I’ll eat my hat if we sign CHO. I have heard that Levi C is keen on the move and is very tight with Dynel and Tino which helps. Lots of moving parts and I’m once again not claiming ITK status, just what I’ve heard.

Not at all - just heard something but I'm not claiming that at all.

Same as I've heard, defensive reinforcement, an exciting one to boot.

May I ask what this was in reference to? Many thanks!

I wonder whether they’re thinking of moving Shane Long into a coaching role… How not to score.. Actually, that’s an area we’re already blessed in.