Fitzhugh Fella

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.

You obviously don't know Gordon, I would tend to believe what he writes as being true at the time. Things do change of course. If he says the Byram deal is no longer on then I for one believe him.

This, Gordon would not write this sort of thing unless he had checked some reliable sources

Absolutely this. Some fans on here think the money is theirs. I'd rather it be spent on players who improve us and Long does just that.

As things stand scoring goals is our biggest problem, hoping for a fox in the box to arrive but can't imagine we will get Hernandez so would settle for Ings.

Still a forward is our most pressing need - a fox in the box if you like - would take a punt on Ings

In the film clip! You would laugh if you knew what Dougal was up to now, but he still follows Saints from afar

Cheers I thought it was interesting seeing the view of the Milton from the Archers

Some (especially those from the Brighton area) say this game was fixed so both Saints and Spurs would go up. It did feel a bit strange watching it and when Funnell hit the post in the last few minutes it seemed he had to score but here is some footage shot from the Spurs end which I have not seen before, plus if you scroll down some more photos. Might stir a few memories and good to see those chocolate boxes http://www.ohwhenthespurs.co.uk/#/soton-v-thfc/4542136173

Disagree, he knew it was windy but he just wasn't concentrating as hard as he should have. I love him but he can be a liability

The players hold the aces these days - once they want out it is rare they stay. I have an old saying, "when the pendulum needs to swing it usually swings too far". Players needed emancipation in the 60s but look at how ridiculous it has become and now Ralph Krueger has dug himself a big hole.

The players hold the aces now - once they want out it is rare they stay. I have an old saying, "when the pendulum needs to swing make sure it doesn't swing too far". Players needed emancipation in the 60s but look at how ridiculous it has become and now Ralph Krueger has dug himself a big hole

Sorry Artur is flawed, his kicking is atrocious and he is a liability in the Premiership. A character and when he concentrates he can be wonderful but......................................

I really do not think Sky executives and producers sit around discussing ways to stir all things Saints. You do spend a lot of time on here, Mike, jumping all over media outlets that dare to paint Southampton in anything other than glowing terms. Yes we know you are an uber fan, yes we know you are the forum's most positive poster, yes we know you deride bed wetters and you positively shoot from the hip any messenger who dares to carry a slightly uncomfortable home truth but could you please just try and concentrate on a non media slagging, non bed wetting, non blind loyalty point of view. I can't help it but I find you the most irritating, irrational and grammatically incorrect poster on SWF. Sorry mate, I know your heart is in the right place. No offence Duncan

"another" striker? we have lost Lambert Rodriguez and Osvaldo since this time last year and have brought in Pelle, I would say another striker is a priority

I am intrigued by the option element of this deal, I assume we have agreed a fee with Inter if we decide to exercise the option but can the player himself block the move?

He does seem an almost identical player to Schneiderlin

Cortese did more harm to our club than a lot of people realise and the ship had to be righted. Although mistakes have been made this summer (getting players in sooner and not holding onto Chambers) I still trust the current board and ownership in their desire to do the right thing.

Cheers an illuminating read. Gone are the days when Ted Bates drove to Burnley, had lunch with Bob Lord the Claret's chairman and then drove Brian O'Neil and his boots back to Southampton that same afternoon, and that was our record transfer at the time.

Interesting read but as of now we haven't even signed anyone on loan

Roswell got over the line quite quickly by all accounts

I hope Koeman is not as nervous as I am. Right now things are looking iffy