ozzmeister

I think I read Koeman will be used as a filler until Xavi becomes available in a years time. Would allow Koeman to tick off both his career goals, and maybe he can come back and manage Netherlands next summer!

A lot of comments on here annoy me. He's a proven player at Premiership level and his stats for every season (including this one) speak for themselves. He is the best (or maybe second best) in the league at breaking up play and intercepting the opponent. He is the perfect player for Ralph's double pivot and yes he is not the most progressive player but he disrupts the opponent and protects the defense. He has also given us 4 years of loyal service. When he signed I suspect it was on the promise that like with many we would be a shop window to a bigger club, much the same as Morgan, Mane and others. This was (still is???) our big USP to prospective players. We sign players from big clubs (like Bayern), allow them to develop then sell for a profit. That is our model and we should enjoy the players whilst we can.

Anyone remember The Pink?? Was that also produced by the Echo?

Bennett was a truley shocking centre back!

Bet the players are all looking for to a trip to an all inclusive in Spain.... oh wait! ia there even a break or is straight into pre season? Well don’t lads, living in Essex I need to give my boy a reason to support saints and not spurs, the last 6 weeks have certainly helped!

As I am sure everyone else has I've been delighted with the recent run of form and performances of the team. I am slightly concerned that we are playing better without fans. Couple of factors that make me think this: - During games you can clearly here Ralph yelling instructions, when to press, where to move etc, will this be lost with crowd noise? - The general pressure and nerves the players face when playing in front of fans (especially at home). Hopefully no crowds lasts a bit longer!!

Are we a better team without fans??

If this happens could we rename St Mary's to 'The Dell'????????

Whats with all the BMouth hate - yes they are our noisy neighbours but the more south coast teams in the Prem the better as far as I'm concerned - least we have our own mini league then! West Ham, they've always thought themselves to better than us, Villa and Norwich. To go up Leeds, West Brom (family connections to both) and Brentford - play attractive football and a new team.

I actually thought we weren't terrible bar the two howlers which led to goals. We looked good in Midfield, especially during the second half. If we consider the natural football hierarchy a loss against Arsenal is expected. Watford next week is now key - they are ateam we should be beating if we ever have aspirations of being a top half team.

Would that still be the case that like Leipzig in Germany we get to a point of challenging the elite?

And all English as well as the Goalkeeper - how many teams can say that!

Can we also include players who were great for a season but then duds after? If so I’d add: - Saganowski - Fox - Sharpe

In the spirit of the thread, and I’m assuming the OP wanted to make a selection of left back not list every single one. I’m assuming as they played for us, not the player they became: 1 Bertrand. 2 Harding 3 Luke Shaw 4 Benali (purely for longevity) 5 Targett 6 Danny Fox 7 Patrick Colleter (a Strachen favourite) 8. Gregory Vignal Honerable mentions to Bale and Bridge who although didn’t play long were still quality in the time they did.

I've signed up - really good in depth articles. Hoping for a full season preview at some point this week?

My preference still and always will be a on demand use system. Each manager can call one/two VAR review per half - similar to what happens in tennis.

Read an article on BBC and he is easily (and often exceeded) the stats of Europe's best defenders. Based on that I'd argue he is one of the best in the world: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49208153

Not saying lying its just a bit odd. If its minor, assuming its done privately, why not just wait until Sunday or Monday? Has there ever been a club statement as to what happened to the assistant?

Im sure its just co-incidence but does seem a little odd the assistant disappears then Ralph is absent. Really hope I'm not reading to much into this, the summer has been unusually incident free after all!

I’ve scanned the pages but not seen this mentioned. On pretty much every social media post, especially on o stagram Boufal is heavily featured, as in the main picture or main focus of activities. I think this is the plan to get him back on the side of the saints fans and that he is very much in Ralph’s plans!

I have a feeling we played them in the Woot season, we lost but played well and I thought the Dutch experiment may have worked!

I can see McCarthy going to Villa or Sheffield United - they are looking for a keeper aren't they??

Is JWP going to be an every game starter (I'm a big fan so for me he would) - Just not sure where he fits into the potential 4-3-3 formation currently.

Problem is we are notoriously bad starters. I’d Almost prefer a few tougher games whilst we get into our groove, certainly dont want a full of confidence Norwich or Aston villa for the first game!

Wonder if a swap deal for Gallagher is part of the discussions??