Fitzhugh Fella

When we bought Austin I was pleased but surprised as we really didn't need a forward...THEN, but if Pelle goes then I can understand why Austin was signed as his replacement. I also think Redmond is Mane's replacement. So I don't expect another incoming forward. Is that sound policy? Probably not - I like the emphasis on Youth but that only works if the Youth are good - it's a gamble if they are not.

1st hand actually

Not sure you read the article as it says Under the Spanish system, prison terms of under two years can be served under probation

One bad night and they could be out - too much emphasis is placed on the Champions league - its just a euphemism for wanting more cash

To be fair he did alright for us and didn't let us down

What is the point of making obnoxious personal comments about our current owner? Wtf has she ever done to you for you to get so personal. Criticise her for her actions (though as far as I can see she has done a great job) but do yourself a favour leave the personal stuff in the gutter where it belongs.

Asst manager apparently - still a vacancy for fitness coach? 4 have left only 3 in

Have to confess to feeling slightly underwhelmed, he has a big task not only finding his feet in an alien environment but a completely new country too. Pochettino and Koeman both had a ruthless streak which you need to survive in the Premier League and a lot will depend if he can gain the respect of the senior pros. I wouldn't like a situation like we had with Paul Sturrock for instance. I am not sure he was Reed's first choice either but having said all this we the fans have got to get behind him and give him a chance. This is very much a make or break appointment.

About time too! Good Luck Claude and welcome!

I think you will find it's "all in place" and it is not Pellegrini

Kumbaya

Regardless of the arguments and differing perceptions we have of ourselves, our image to outsiders is of a well run club who sadly cannot hold onto their best players. People I know who don't support Saints respect us but also pity us.

When good players leave many are quick to highlight that player's shortcomings and I see there are quite a few on here pointing out Mane was inconsistent. While not denying he had an off period during last season I thought there were times when he was virtually unplayable and those sort of players do not grow on trees. He is a bargain at £32m and replacing him will be very tricky (please tell me Redmond is not regarded as his replacement). You simply cannot to sell the likes of Mane Wanyama Clyne etc etc and expect a black box to find like for like replacements. Sooner or later that policy can only lead to regression. But how do you hold onto these want away players - silly wages seems to be the answer and one this club won't countenance having been caught out once before. For what its worth I think we will struggle in the bottom half next season and I will be happy to just stay up, now and maybe have a small run in the Europa Cup. You can accuse me of having a low expectations or being over negative and hopefully I am being too pessimistic, but that is what happens when over 2 years you lose as many managers and a host of top players. Football today is a predatory, dog eat dog business and older fans such as myself can surely be excused yearning for the days when we were able to hold onto Europe's finest centre-forward season after season. I am not having a go at the Board, it's difficult, may impossible for them, but if you keep playing Russian roulette one day you will cop a bullet.

That will satisfy me

This seems a sensible stance, there is bound to be doubts but the club have earnt the right to give them the benefit of doubt.

Well, because Reed got it right last time (although Koeman's premature departure showed perhaps he was not as perfect as we all thought) he deserves our patience and trust, but the time it is taking is telling me either the club have been caught on the hop a bit or their chosen candidate is proving awkward to land. Or he could could still be involved in France.

There are 2 ways of looking at the time it is taking to annoint a new messiah. Either we are being thorough and diligent in making sure we get the right man (again) or we haven't got a scooby and no one is buying into "the Southampton Way". I hope it's the former.

You are right - Reed and Co have delivered in the past and fair play but all I am saying its let's not get too far up our own backsides.

No need to get all snotty, just because I come from a generation that remembers when football was just football. But I understand it is a business these days and as such has to move forward along those corporate ideals you have so kindly explained. But I reserve the right to express my cynicism, forgive me for not swallowing all the bull....

And there's me thinking we were a football club first and foremost

Today is a good day to bury bad news. The trouble with appointing good young managers who then do well is they get poached. Appoint a good young manager who then fails, you get relegated. A poisoned chalice then for Reed. My one concern is the club are starting to believe their own PR, ie too much emphasis on "the Southampton way. "

Gordon works in the media dept, trust me these guys find out the same time as the rest of us, just as the players do.

As long as potential transfer targets (Redmond?) aren't being jeopardised with us not having a manager we can afford to be relaxed for another week. As for what the echo says, I really wouldn't pay too much attention - no disrespect to Adam Leitch but I don't think they are too high up the food chain when it comes to titbits being fed from St Marys. I reckon 75% of what they publish they get from this forum and the rest from the nationals. The Echo's glory days are long long ago.....Alas!

Not ITK info at all but Laurent Blanc fits the bill and must be worth a flutter?