Fitzhugh Fella

Without wishing to be considered to be the least bit sycophantic, one tweet from Solent today made me think the future is reassuring. When Clyne scored for Saints, apparently our owner, Miss Liebherr leapt from her seat just like a true fan. Also, the fact she travelled up with the squad last night and stayed in the same hotel makes me think if she has not actually become a fan she is showing a healthy interest in the club over and above just being a random owner. Cortese regularly missed matches and sometimes Saints previously were not even represented in the Board room at games. Maybe, just maybe we have an owner who has become genuinely interested in our fate and that can be no bad thing. I know we lost today but there were encouraging signs on and off the pitch. Onwards and upwards. Christ I sound like NickG

once it enters your dna there is no point fighting it

once it enters your dna there is no point fighting it

groin injury according to Adam Blackmore but seeing Tadic today I don't think there is room in the team for both

groin injury according to Adam Blackmore but seeing Tadic today I don't think there is room in the team for both

I like this line Southampton, who should essentially be considered a success story, have spent far too much of the summer as a slow-down area for the sport’s rubberneckers

Quite, this thread is not really needed, maybe best to close it.

2 Guardian journalists predicted relegation for us, one being United lackey Jamie Jackson

Went last night and really enjoyed this. A good night out for everyone, fan or not. I got last minute tickets so if you want you should be able to still get a ticket but it ends tomorrow. Worth it.

F**k me - better dig out my boots!

What makes this so good is the commentator is a Skate who hates us!

Today's article was posted by the news desk who did not think to check with the better informed sports desk! So our interest is still wide of the mark.

Yep you are right although I wouldn't agree with the mismanagement allegation, a lot of what has happened was unavoidable. Chambers leaving was the biggest blow for me.

Well no one really knows the exact price but money in the bank doesn't get you points. Let's give the lad a chance before knocking him, I think he will be a success.

The Echo are saying that reports linking Saints and March are "wide of the mark".

Agree it's sorting the wheat from the chaff that is the problem.

Could be a bit late by then

It is frustrating but these sort of deals are so complicated. Look at the Sunderland Borini farce, it happens to all clubs who aren't Man Utd/Chelsea, Real or Barca.

In that case I apologise. I know it's hard to give sources but I had no way of knowing whether it was pub gossip or genuine links.

As things stand he is a better player than Reed or Ward-Prowse and has higher energy levels, £3m is giving him a way.

"I've heard" is a wonderfully emotive, self-important three words to utter but everything depends on the reliability of the source from where you have heard your information. It could be your cat or it could be you have an actual source at the club who has loose lips. Forgive me for thinking right now that your info has more likely originated from the former rather than the latter. But even if it is the latter then the fact he is spilling beans to a mate who posts on forums makes me think your source is not reliable. Sorry.

Your first two words clash a bit

Manji you do make me laugh sometimes

Yep you have nailed it. Cortese's recklessness with the cash has meant there are Saints fans out there with totally unrealistic expectations.

I think a lot of Saints fans are suffering from delusions of grandeur. There was no way Hernandez (or those of his ilk) would come to Southampton when clubs like Inter and Athletico can offer CL football. The days of us signing the likes Keegan from under the big club noses are - alas - forever gone. We have to accept we are, at best, a mid top-flight team with sound, sensible owners (that can't be said for many clubs). Shane Long is exactly the sort of player we should expect and welcome. He brings skills we lack and his presence could make all the difference in avoiding an uncomfortable season. Now of course if we were filling a 50,000 stadium week in week out I might raise my aspirations to join the disappointed fans currently moaning about Long's impending arrival but in the meantime I will stay in the realistic camp and be grateful it looks like we will be increasing out attacking options.