SKD

IIRC (i'm sure I saw somewhere), Koeman wanted both and flirted with the idea of playing TA as a DM (as he had played in that role a few times that season). VVD was a long term target for us. I honestly believe we would have brought them both (especially given the relatively little fee's.. c£26m for the pair is unbelievable business, given the resale value of them both a few years on)

This, which makes it even worse to think we didn't just pay the money when we had the chance. The thought of TA and VVD in 1 team

If we have anything about us we wait until the Keane transfer is concluded before we entertain any bids for VVD. If Burnely really do get £30m for him, we can only expect the price of VVD to go up.

Michael Keane to leave Burnley at the end of the season according to 'Sky Sources'. I reckon he'd be a cracking Fonte replacement. Perhaps a bit above us now, could see him ending up at Everton to be honest.

I predict he doesn't answer this one

Personally I don't think Davis is good enough defensively to play in a 2 (for me his best position is in front of teh 2 holding midfielders, but he just doesn't score enough goals to warrant playing him there at the moment). For that reason alone, I'd give PEH game time (he's 21, he's going to make mistakes and clearly isn't the finished article). If PEH had come through our academy some on here would be drawling over him. For me, he is better than JWP was at his age.

To be fair, someone posted this in the post city match thread: Of course could also be BS, however its not the first we've heard about unrest with certain players in the dressing room...

Ahhh they return..... 2+2 = 5 but could this mean the return of the little man http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/southampton-takeover-chinese-billionaire-wang-3036588

Pretty much spot on IMO. Getting to cup final has brought him time, but if the football we've played (for the majority of this season) continues into next then we need to pull the trigger. Not all is down to Puel. Les and the board need to take some of the blame and this summers transfer window is massive. Interesting what you note about Pascal / Black. Do you know if it is likely for us to replace him?

Is this even possible? I'd assume to reverse we'd need to re join the EU. Can you imagine our negotiation position if this was the case, I suspect it'd be a lot weaker than it already is... Ultimately Brexit will happen whoever is in charge. In order to get the best deal for us, we need someone in who supports it (not that May does, well didn't, however I do not see any other credible candidate).

Irrelevant how much money she has if she's not willing to invest anymore of it....

Certainly not the only one mate. I know many who just don't enjoy it anymore, to the point where I and a few others won't be renewing ST next season (first time in 20 years for me). IMO a lot of this has to be down to the football we've played this year. I've had a cracking time in Europe however I found myself thinking that the game was the worst part of the trip!

I believe it is directed at the 'pigs' (police). It only seems to happen in the Northam though. I honestly do not understand how anyone with an average mental capacity can sit in the Northam. Full of absolute spastics.

A small group of left wing hippies protesting about Israeli/Palestinian politics at a football game. 95% of which have probably never been to the area.

Who are the 8? Bertrand Long Forster Jay Rod Tadic Cedric? VVD? Austin perhaps Doesn't surprise me that he is not respected though. Done very little as a player and manger (to date) and I can imagine his tactics are very fustrating, especially for the forward players.

If Everton had Puel and we still had Koeman I suspect we'd have been in top 6/7 and they'd be 9t, certainly wouldn't be above us. I don't think we'd have progressed much further in Europe however (perhaps 1 more round). I think next season we will finish roughly the same as this year, so no, no improvement.

With this season being all but over, what should our targets be for next season? No European fixture overload (which we haven't had since 8th December anyway), A full pre season for the (as described by some on here) world class coach Puel, and a chance for him to get his own players in. No excuses next year. Expectations: European qualification, either via cup or league, as a minimum. Predictition: 13th-9th in the league, quarter final of EFL cup, 5th round FA cup.

If decent football is slow build up play, 5 yard passes in the centre of the park allowing opposition to regain shape then he's already mastered this.

So by that logic, does that mean our victories against Liverpool and Arsenal in the EFL cup and Everton in the league were due to them basically being crap? (I actually think it was, but would be interested in your thoughts on it) He is right in that we've not been good enough against the top 6 this year and when we took the game to city (parts of the first half, not enough) we looked the better team. They were vulnerable at the back (great going forward) why play to their strengths? Personally, I wouldn't say the tactics were sound and I'm yet to see anything to suggest Puel is nothing more than a mid table manager

Off the top of my head: Puel's tactics/questionable substitutions at times. Saints fans clapping beer Sheva fans in Isreal. A bloke in the saints end wearing a Forrest shirt in Israel. The bloke in the face paint. Longs finishing. Forsters goal keeping 95% of the time.

That'll be our tatics.. sit back, try and hit them on the break. As shown today, we are best when we play on the front foot, for me, it just doesn't happen enough. They are much better defensively than city, 2-0 Chelsea.

Nope, the Mane thread

Give him time and he will come good. Struggled with injuries and the physicality of the PL and hasn't had a chance to get a good run in the team. Give him a pre season with our medical staff and judge him this time next year! I'm confident he'll be one of our best players

Personally I don't think the result reflected the performance, well first half anyway. 1st goal was vital and if Tadic had put his chance away in the first half then it would have been a totally different game. Once they got their 1st it was always going in their favour with the pace they have on the counter. Feel like we should have pressed more, especially when Bravo had the ball at his feet. Disappointing to only pick up 1 point off the top 6 (assuming Everton will drop out of there tomorrow) so far this year, as previously we've been a good match for them, even more so when we are at home. Not basing on today's performance as I feel he played okay (well on par with everyone else), but I feel Davis isn't good enough defensively to play as a 2. PEH will get there, not there just yet, but a position we really need to strengthen in for next year.

Agree however Austin is a different option to any other strikers we have. Would be foolish to not have a 'target man' for a plan B.