Dusic

Regardless of tactics and style, RM seems to be a good leader: consistent, clear and willing to take responsibility when things don't go well. A good combination.

Both are well known within their age group and obviously followed by other clubs so need to continue giving them game time to show a genuine pathway. Difficult as all our games til end of the season are "big games" but sure there will be times when they can feature.

"Lads, todays session will be about implementing certain things and stuff."

https://trainingground.guru/articles/southampton-aim-for-world-leading-programme-with-big-academy-changes A significant amount of change, good summary here.

We should have Bree, Edozie and Kamaldeen as starting options by the time this comes around so could make changes and still pick a relatively strong side. Doubt Liverpool will be full strength given their run of games around then too but even so its a free hit for us.

Contract up summer of 2025, imagine we have/will offer him an extension.

If Safri doesn't start a game like this then you have to wonder if he has played his last game for us?

No point flogging key players like KWP, Downes, both Armstrongs etc. I would go with something like this, a shame Bree isnt available: Lumley Stephens - Charles - THB- Meghoma Dibling - Smallbone - Rothwell SAA - Mara - Edozie

A serious one. Besides, I don't think its ever been categorically stated that he is out injured for the whole season. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/24007379.southamptons-ross-stewart-sidelined-end-season/ Was more that he is unlikely to have time to build up match fitness having not played for so long and that it would be a risk to bring him back for the last say 2 or 3 games even if he was technically fit. In the end it may well depend on our situation as to whether they would push him or think its better to just let him fully recover and then have a full pre season.

He is ok and am sure will do a job for them but is not someone who you would be gutted seeing sign for a rival or suddenly feel that by signing him it has made it significantly more likely that Ipswich will get 2nd instead of us. Of all the Jan signings for the teams at the top I think Brooks has the potential to make the biggest impact and would get in any team in the league.

Surely got to be considered a pretty good window for us. Brooks shoulf add quality at this level, Rothwell depth and importantly we haven't lost KWP or Adams. Wouldn't say any of our direct opponents have signed anyone I would be bothered about either. Well set to end the season strongly.

Seems very unlikely because he is out of contract in the summer and surely better for him to wait and take his pick of options once he knows what league teams are in? I would be amazed if anyone else comes in at this point. There isnt really a need for anyone unless Adams goes and his situation is the same as O'Hare and seems now that he will see out the season. Holgate exit we can cover for and little point keeping an expensive player who won't even be named on the bench due to us having 6 loan players now. For once our squad actually looks pretty balanced, with a very strong bench.

Hopefully he does really well and then even if they don't take up the option then someone else will at least pay big money for him, or he comes back. Great signing by SR last January really, considering the relatively little outlay, and extending his contract in October was another smart move. As Brighton especially have shown, the south american market does have value.

Di Marzio is very reliable, especially on Italian football: https://gianlucadimarzio.com/it/juventus-alcaraz-southampton-calciomercato-news-30-gennaio-2024 Amazing to think Juve want someone who can't get a start in the Championship. Would be amazed if we were to agree to loan him out so doubt anything will come of it. Maybe the club knew of potential interest and the Rothwell signing in part mitigates it. Alcaraz has only started 13 Champ games, in a way he isnt an essential player despite being a fan favourite and clearly having huge potential.

Leicester will finish top comfortably. Their results barely matter aside from when they hopefully smash Leeds in Feb and then lose to us in March!

Our bench is going to be ridiculous when we are at full strength and now that Edozie and Kamaldeen are almost back it gives a chance to make changes during Feb without making our attack weaker. Noticeable that our recruitment has focused on British players - probably our best starting XI only has one non British/Irish player and not often we could have said that for a good few years.

Odds on Holgate (or Rothwell) smashing him in training on Wednesday?

Brooks would be a top signing, ideally suited our style and something to prove. Wouldn't be letting Mara go without a replacement though!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/9376900.stm Mad to think this signing was made 13 years ago and propelled us to promotion from league one. Hit the bar and got an assist in a debut win away at Exeter - demonstrating the pace, power and intelligent movment that would later see him snapped up by Port Vale. Who says the best players are unavailable in Jan?!

Was always going to be this type of selection, similar to the last round. Volume of games in Feb is already high, and next round is midweek so even if we get through today I think he would go with similar again. Great for Dibling and Meghoma. If they don't start these kind of games they never will, and then would be pushing to leave...

Benson seems like a low risk move on loan. Only started 14 Champ games for Burnley last season, with 19 apps off the bench but still managed 11 goals. Doubt we would want him long term but even if he came in and won us a couple of games off the bench it would be worth it.

Managerial merry-go-round will be in full swing this summer. Imagine De Zerbi will be one likely to be targetted and sure RM to Brighton links will crop up...

Fraser has played almost exclusively from the left, ditto Edozie and Sulemana. SAA is a kid who is learning but probably not ready to be expected to have a genuine impact yet. AA might be needed to play centrally were Adams to get injured or leave and we have lots of games. Rak-Sakyi plays off the right, scored 15 for Charlton last season and won their POTS and is highly rated at Palace with PL apps this season and nearly joined Leicester in the summer on loan but then Zaha left. We obviously want a right sided player as all our genuine wide players play off the left and he would be a good option IMO.

This is the sensible view that is more likely to result in promotion. Even read further up someone suggesting it would be great if Leicester feel the pressure of Leeds too...personally would rather Leicester feel absolutely zero pressure from Leeds as that means we are more likely to be well clear of them too.