Dusic

We are where we are precisely because of players like Lyanco, i.e ones that are not good enough for the PL, have huge flaws and who we shouldn't have signed. He was bought in the Gao era because he was cheap when we needed to sign a starting XI player. Not bothered what fee we get, just get him gone. Awful player who cons fans by showing some emotion.

Nice sentiments and I am sure they are genuine. But he isn't going to turn down a PL return at a decent club if one is offered. None of our players will. Thats what happens when you get relegated.

I don't think he has ever said that and why would he? He may well be happy to stay but could be equally or more happy moving. I doubt any of our players would turn down a PL move to stay in the Championship if it was a direct choice between the two. That said, surely we would be quoting something starting with a 3. Brighton are cash rich after big sales and Caicedo cash to come but would they stretch to that? Who knows. He is definitely a class player.

He is a Schneiderlin type of player, not his role to score or assist. Would be more a Lavia replacement. Obviously a Martin favourite.

Flynn Downes linked. Makes a lot of sense and would be a better signing than Grimes. £30m plus Downes for JWP?

Imagine JWP is a floater on many teams recruitment lists depending on whether they can get their first choices.

https://www.swanstrust.co.uk/news/trust-statement-russell-martin/ This is an interesting read and helps to put into context some of the numbers during his time at Swansea. I am pretty sure when he joined Saints that Poch would have lost more games than he had won at Espanyol - sometimes its more nuanced than that. Clearly there is a feeling that with more money and better players he will be able to do better at Saints than he did at Swansea - hence why he has chosen to leave them and join us - we have more resources to offer. Its pretty clear from the pieces we have all read that the attraction is him being able to coach and clearly implement a particular style of play, one which Wilcox is well versed in.

Good to get it sorted, good that Wilcox was the driver behind it. Interesting to note the section in the announcement basically asking fans to give him a chance - think that is fair enough. The guy has been in management nearly 4 years and is yet to be sacked so he must be doing something right!

The three bits that sometimes get overlooked which are probably big motivators: 1. Money - he has very likely just been given a pay cut, yet moving would probably earn him more than he was on in the PL with Saints, and substantially more than he will get this year. 2. Pride - he wants the Beckham record, he has worked really hard to eatablish himself as a PL player and occassional England squad member. The inner motivation of a pro athlete will be to compete at the highest level possible especially in a tournament season where depending on injuries etc he still has a chance of beint selected. A year in the Championship and that chance is zero. 3. He is probably quite pissed off about what has happened at Saints over the last few seasons, especially as he has really given his all. Over the summer, someone in the PL will come in for him and I very much doubt he would turn down a PL offer to stay in the Championship.

Martin has known for a month, possibly longer that he is going to be Southampton manager in this upcoming season. Barely anyone is at Staplewood, most stuff will be dealt with on the phone, Zoom etc and as part of the 'recruitment process' I am sure he has been involved in whatever has been needed. I highly doubt during that month that he has done absolutely nothing that might help prepare for the day when his contract is officially signed. Just like Wilcox. Just like Crocker.

As said, the league should enforce their rules. Our issue should be directly with the league, not with Everton. Its not Saints job to enforce FFP.

When you see what some players move for I would say anyone signing Lavia for under £50m if getting a pretty good deal. Obviously big profit for us too even accouting for the sell on % Talent ID last summer pretty good considering we also wanted Colwill, Ramos, Gakpo, Hojlund etc. Shame not to be able to get any of the others!

Just an opinion but I think Aribo could still have a big role for us. He started last season quite well before the whole team became awful and he was always playing in different positions and clearly lost confidence. He built his reputation in the EFL, is more suited to a style with more of the ball and from the Coaches Voice video I could see him suiting Martin's attacking shape quite well. He clearly has ability and has a record that suggests in the right team he can add goals from midfield.

It would have been pictured ages ago. I would say it has little to no impact on a move. I am certain he will leave if an acceptable offer is made and that could go all the way to the deadline in reality.

Martin must be one of relatively few Managers to have moved job twice over 3/4 seasons but never been sacked.

Can add Ings and Clyne from the past (same applied to Vestergaard too even though he obviously flopped at Leicester) and this summer Salisu and Adams will both go for less than their true value and probably less or equal to what we paid for them despite now being far more experienced. Its been a problem, especially if the model is to buy, develop and sell because the sell bit relies on being able to sell for substantially more than we paid and that never happens when players get to a year left.

If we ended up losing Ballard and JJM without either doing anything for the first team and without generating a big fee then its such a poor look for our academy and its actual benefit.

One thing we have been so bad at for ages is contracts and letting players get to one year left. Hopefully Wilcox can work out a better strategy, even if its just to get fee protection like with MacAllister and Caicedo. On Ballard specifically it depends who the offers are from but surely if he has a fairly major role for us next season it should persuade him to extend. Ditto Kami Doyle.

I'm pretty sure Martin is being involved in the key discussions regardless of whether he has been officially announced. Just like Wilcox was before he officially started.

He doesn't do the basics of defending. In the Championship you need CBs who can turn in reliable performances three times a week and can hold a particular level. He can't do that.

Would be good if something comes of that, especially if its a permanent move but won't hold my breath as they won't be able to afford him. Remember at the time under Gao we were also linked with Tosin Adarabioyo and didn't want to pay £12m for him so instead bought Lyanco for £7m, beating Watford to his signing (which is enough to signal alarm bells). Couldn't speak English and had struggled in Italy. Unreliable, rash defender who tries to mask it by being overly emotional. Two years later one is being linked with a move to Inter Milan and the other with a move back to Brazil. Re Alcaraz - just like the whole squad, if he gets a sniff of a PL offer he will want to take it.

The rules should be upheld by the bodies who set them, rather than in this way. If Everton have broken the rules they should be punished accordingly. Regardless of what Everton did, Saints and the other clubs deserved to be relegated.

I don't think JWP would be seen as good enough for what Villa are trying to do and now they have Tielemans, Luiz and McGinn I don't see why they would go for him. Aside from West Ham, I wonder if someone like Brighton might come in for him if the price reduces slightly. They value good senior pros/leaders and will likely lose Caicedo. Good opportunity to play in Europe too.

Darren Mowbray is in charge of recruitment, reporting into Wilcox.