Saint Keef

Romeu was a brilliant and loyal servant for us, who never gave less than 100%. At his age he deserved whatever move he wanted and it was good to see the club didn't stand in his way. He left with dignity and I am grateful for the years we had him. Of course the Lavia injury has been very unfortunate and AMN has taken a while to get going. For me though, Diallo is not the answer. Lyanco is a bit of a loose cannon, but he does have skill, can put in a tackle and his distribution is as good as Diallo's and I wonder whether he would be an option in that role. Anyway - just thoughts

Blimey! The dugouts must be enormous!

I'm actually wondering if Ralph has had enough. He doesn't look happy. He won't want to walk away of his own volition because he won't get any compensation. He has already intimated he will retire soon. It's almost like he's waiting to be sacked, collect his compensation - meaning he'll probably never have to work again and then disappear from the whole football scene into retirement. Unless I misheard him before tonight's match, he said something like his players don't need motivating. Well I've got news for you Ralph - they do!!!! And with his whole current demeanor, I'm not sure he has actually got it in him to motivate them. From someone who has until now, wanted to keep Ralph, I'm afraid it's time for a new face, new ideas and a fresh approach 'cos whatever he's doing ain't working. The team and he, look completely bereft of ideas.

By paying to watch that Saints team tonight, in a way you are actually giving to charity. Tonight, all proceeds will go the CFBS. (Criminally F*cking Bewildered Society)

Dreadful. Did we actually have a shot? Did their keeper make one save? I don't recall one. I have always been in the "Keep Ralph" camp, because I think stability pays off eventually, but I am seriously thinking his time is now up. I really can't see him taking us any further forward. That performance was on a par with the Pellegrino era. The only bright spark was Larios who didn't look overawed at all.

Physio table for me please. I think I just tweaked a calf muscle going from my living room to the kitchen to put the kettle on.

You appear to be missing one of the Armstrongs.

Haven't they just given him a two year contract as well? I bet he's on mega wages too which won't help their situation.

I don't particularly hate Leicester, but I am thoroughly enjoying seeing Rat Boy Vardy and Billy Big Bollocks Maddison struggling at the wrong end of the table. Relegation for those two would be very sweet indeed. Couldn't happen to two nicer fellas. For a very long time it seems, they have relied heavily on Vardy's goals but they now appear to have dried up quicker than my lawn this summer and without his goals they appear to be well and truly fu**ed

And who knows, with the World Cup approaching, there might be new talent on show, so far overlooked, maybe an emerging striker who has so far gone under the radar, and we apparently have £30m or so ready to splash. Just a thought.

SAINTS LEGEND! You can only ever ask that a player gives 100% for the club and he gave it in bucket loads. Very best wishes to him.

I don't particularly dislike Forest, but part of me is now starting to wish that they do fail. Seems like a complete "scattergun" approach. Someone above mentioned that some of the new signings won't make match day squads. Some of of them will be lucky if they can get into the stadium on match days at this rate.

The bidding war will go something like this: Villa: "We'll give you £20 million for Bednarek" West Ham "We'll lower that offer to £18 million" Villa "Okay then, we'll go to £16 million" West Ham "How about £14 million?" Villa "Nice try,....but we can lower that to £12 million?" West Ham "Alright then, £10 million and not a penny less" Villa "£8 million and that's our final offer" Leicester "We'll have him for £6 million" Saints "DONE!"

Yeah - happy with that one. Seven all prem ties. Four ties with no prem clubs. Five ties with one prem team (all at home). Liverpool and Man City drawn at home.....of course, but can't complain drawing Sheff Wed at home. Full draw: Leicester v Newport County West Ham v Blackburn Wolves v Leeds Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Manchester United v Aston Villa Bournemouth v Everton Liverpool v Derby Burnley v Crawley Bristol City v Lincoln Manchester City v Chelsea Stevenage v Charlton MK Dons v Morecambe Newcastle v Crystal Palace Southampton v Sheffield Wednesday Arsenal v Brighton Brentford v Gillingham

I haven't played football for about 30 years now, but I'm going out tomorrow to buy a pair of boots. I reckon, that by about next Tuesday, there's a pretty good chance that Forest will have signed me.

By chance, I happened to see Tino at St Mary's last week and was able to have a quick word with him. He has a 4 to 5 inch scar to the side of his left knee which he confirmed was from the current injury (i assume the surgery). He didn't mention how long he thought he would be out. He wasn't limping though (haha that's my professional assessment completed). He was with Perraud, who when asked why he wasn't playing, said that he is injured. I have to say, both lads were really pleasant and stopped to sign autographs for kids and have 'selfies' taken......and before anyone asks, no I didn't. Here endeth my ITK input 🤣🤣

I don't know which game Tuchel watched this afternoon. He says Chelsea were "clearly the better team". Leeds 3 Chelsea 0. I watched it live, Leeds absolutely played them off off the park. After last week's antics, could the pressure be getting the Chelsea boss? He reminds me of a petulant child. "Thomas, go and sit on the naughty step until you've calmed down".

My mistake - I was thinking it was Chelsea next week. Cheers.

Some of these points have been raised previously, however.... Broja not in the Chelsea squad today.....just sayin' Koulibali red card. Presumably he misses next week against us. Bednarek available if they want him.....£20m......just sayin' Saints currently above Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea, Wolves. Everton, Villa, West Ham, Bompey & Leicester......just sayin' Our result against Leeds last week starting to look a pretty decent result.

I drove past St. Mary's earlier. There was a bloke who struck me as rather pedantic looking, standing outside the stadium, holding what appeared to be, a 24 hour vigil. He was holding a massive banner which read "PLEEEEEASE SIGN JAMES GARNER NOW. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU GET THIS TRANSACTION COMPLETED FORTHWITH". I sounded my horn in support. He shouted back at me that it is "actually unlawful to sound ones horn after the hours of darkness unless it is in the case of an emergency" I don't think it was MLG though......he'd spelt "PLEASE" incorrectly.

I would be sad to see Oriol go. He has been a brilliant servant for this club. Not only will we lose a damn fine player, but we will also need to nominate someone else to wind up and taunt Jack Grealish! We need to start a "KEEP ORIOL" campaign. Only my opinion, but I would much rather we were looking to move Diallo out.

I don't know if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but from what I saw on Saturday, I do wonder if Adam Armstrong could be utilised as one of the attacking midfielders. As an out and out striker, it hasn't really worked for him here, but there's no denying he puts in the miles with his work rate and puts himself about. His control is pretty good (it was just his final shot that was letting him down). His cross from the left on Saturday was a decent set up for Aribo's goal. I would imagine he could play left or right of an attacking midfield (no. 10?). I would really like it to work out for him here, and maybe it's an option. Also a shout out to Djenepo. His willingness to take on a man has always been there, but his final ball has let him down. From what I've seen so far, he looks to have "upped" his game a notch or two and the final ball looks better. So, this being the transfer thread, I would actually look to keep AA and Djenepo and not, as some have suggested, get rid of.

Yeah, good luck to him. He's had his moments, good and not so good, but has been a good servant in my opinion. Probably a good time to move on, for himself and for the club. Watford should have a few quid to spend as well. having lost Dennis and isn't/hasn't Saar going/gone as well? so hopefully we get some of that.

Changing the subject slightly. This made me smile yesterday.....at about 6.04pm this came up on my phone as I was travelling back from St Mary's. Question. "What time are Man United kicking off against Brentford?" Answer "About every 5 minutes at this rate".

A few tears ago, playing against Arsenal, he apparently lobbed Seaman from the half-way line. (the old ones are not always the best!)