Dusic

Interestingly this was the same reporter who broke the news about VVD being out for 3 months after the Vardy tackle. Everyone then said similar to the above quote but he was correct. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/2697859/southampton-news-hammer-blow-for-saints-as-virgil-van-dijk-ruled-out-for-up-to-three-months-with-ankle-problem/

Krueger has had an absolute Hooiveld if we do end up selling him. Why go through all the hassle of the summer and then cave in at the end? Would literally be no benefit to Saints. Could just have sold in May and moved on, with probably a different transfer budget to what we had. Bednarek an increasingly bewildering signing were VVD to go.

Long is ****e. People are only suggesting him because of disatisfaction with our recent performances, not because Long is suddenly a better player. Many of those suggesting Long have mentioned about Gabbi plahing in the hole, or out wide. Look at virtually all his goals for us, they have come by playing on the shoulder of the defender and using his movement and instinctive finishing - moving him further away from goal hardly makes best use of that. Keep Long on the bench because better players are ahead of him and his finishing is ****ing woeful.

He wasn't selected in the initial squad this summer but then did get brought in as a replacement for an injury, and then got injured himself which is a shame. Previously though, I think at U17 level he was one of the key players. Slattery also captained England at U16 level and similar to Sims only made the last squad as an injury replacement. Nobody expects players of the quality of Shaw, Chambers, Walcott to always come through but across those age groups there are upwards of 80 players selected so you would expect a decent Academy to have more than one representative considering there are only about 15-20 Cat A Academies and most England youth players come from those.

I think this time we have Bertrand in the senior squad and Vokins in the U18's. That must be the lowest for a number of years across the age groups combined. A couple of years ago we probably had 10 involved at all levels with England and key players in most of the younger age groups. Of course JWP and Redmond are no longer eligible for the U21s but it shows how there is a gap of talent coming through the academy ranks with only Vokins involved. Some other PL sides have 10 or more players between U17 and U21 level alone. With relegation from the U23 league last season and a couple of poor seasons at U18 level it is hardly a suprise but nonetheless not a great look for a club that puts so much emphasis on its Academy. From those with more knowledge, are some of the younger age groups more promising?

Good to have Dave, Eric and Ron back like the good old days. Andy

If we sell him in these last few days of rhe window then I am at a loss to understand how that is better than just selling him in May (most were expecting him to go anyway), avoiding all the bull**** and disruption during the summer and having a bigger transfer budget to spend? If he goes now the Bednarek signing seems even more bizarre as I think we would still need another CB to come in. Despite the signing of Hoedt, without VVD, our CB options are the poorest since our first season back in the PL. Admirable stance not to sell but it has to be carried through otherwise all we have done is actually harm ourselves IMO.

Didn't Liverpool say they would only bid if they were encouraged to do so? Maybe they have been? I think we will sell as its not as easy as just hoping he completely changes his stance when the window closes. We also clearly need to spend the money, or at least some of it, on another CB if VVD goes and an attacker.

Is he? Has been poor everytime I have seen him. Awful defensively.

A direct and pacy attacker, not necessarily a striker, would complete a well balanced squad. Someone in the mould of Antonio would suit very well as we are still a bit short on height. That said, can see quite a few squad players being frustrated with lack of game time this season - especially if we carry 6 CBs or sign another forward and keep Long.

Good addition, bringing much needed height and power to the central role. Slight caveat to all the optimism - lets remember he was the 4th choice CB at Lazio at the start of this season and will likely take time to settle. A few comments from their fans that he is quite slow but clearly a beast in the air and good on the ball. That said, from MP's comments post WH about our inability to defend crosses and direct play, I expect him to start at the weekend. That said, with who?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/08/22/southampton-sign-15m-centre-back-wesley-hoedt-virgil-van-dijks/ Clearly not a good situation with VVD. Part of me thinks a huge bid from Chelsea or City would be the best ending here. Take the money, invest it and move on.

He is unless anyone actually wants him. Very unlikely anyone will pay a fee for him so likely will end up loaning him out which is a shame.

Poor pool of players, hence relegation last season and with a few of the best ones injured at the moment that doesn't help. The likes of Bakary, Wood, Little etc will never be PL players. Some of the younger ones are more promising but there is nobody who is going to make a breakthrough and impact the first team this season. Big gap in class from the JWP, Targett, McQueen group to the current one.

Interesting that Lazio say he is leaving as wangs guarenteed first team football and they cannot provide that (despite playing 3 CBs). If VVD isn't available then he would be a starter. If he somehow reintegrates then you would imagine its not completely as cut and dried. Seems a good signing and will add much needed height. Good age and profile, classic Saints hallmarks. That said, €17m for a non first choice player isn't a terrible deal for Lazio either.

I think he will have been a little disappointed with getting a poor reception yesterday. IMO that wasn't needed. It didn't end in the most pleasant way but he was a great captain for us and had the best years of his career here. He should have been respected by the fans. Too many just boo every ex Saints player without giving it much thought which is a shame. Right time to sell him though.

Interesting that Lemina was actually deeper than Romeu most of the time. I had thought it would be the other way around but it did allow us to make use of Romeu's forward passing which was excellent. Lemina looked powerful and competitive which is what we were lacking. On the ball he reminded me a bit of Wanyama, you just want him to keep it simple rather than try 40 yard passes.

Change needed here. Yoshida and Stephens both tidy players but neither dominant enough and we are always going to be vunerable to balls into the box with that pairing.

Keep believing that. IMO he is up there with any attacking midfielder in the PL. Excellent goal record. £35m an absolute steal.

Crying out for a centre back to win the ball in the air.

Unfortunately looks like Burnley are going for Chris Wood. Is there anyone else who might realistically be able to take Long off our hands?

Interesting comments from Pellegrino when asked about the need for another CB signing. Effectively said he has made some decisions and its an area he thinks we need better options and can't wait because of competition. Sounded to me like either, or a combination of, not being overly impressed with the CBs we have and not being overly patient in waiting for VVD to suddenly decide to play. http://sfcne.ws/Press2170817

Potentially when the window shuts we could have 6 first team CBs: VVD - if he stays and somehow reintegrates (I'm not so sure...) then you have to assume he plays every game and is frst choice. Hoedt - if he signs would imagine he competes for the second starting spot with Stephens and Yoshida. Adds height but Lazio fans on social media seem to think he is a little slow for the PL and ultimately that fee for a 3rd choice CB was good business. Stephens - Lots of potential, needs games and has earned a chance. Would benefit from playing alongside a more dominant player in the air than Yoshida. IMO will start most weeks this season. Yoshida - reliable 3rd choice for many seasons and IMO that is what he should still be for us. Less than a year left on contract so will be interesting to see what happens. Gardos - got to be looking to shift, even if on loan as contract ends at end of season. Unlikely to make 25 man squad if VVD stays. Bednarek - not commenting on abilities as havent seen enough but seems an odd signing, especially if VVD stays and Hoedt joins. Will likely be 5th choice if the above happens. U23 regular or loaned out to the Championship maybe? Certainly hard to see him get games even in cups if we keep the main four. Then there is Alfie Jones who the club seems to rate and yet would be 7th choice as it stands. Hope VVD stays but if he does and we sig Hoedt then surely Gardos goes and Bednarek is loaned out? Even then one player who is used to starting would suddenly be a 4th choice which is hard to imagine...

From the tone of Pellegrino he didn't seem to think VVD would be available to him anytime soon.

And still isn't sctuslly training with the team. I'm sure he hasn't read what Krueger said and given up his idea of forcing a move. Wouldn't see him til late Sept IMO if he stays.