St Louis

My GCSE artwork was of one of Jim's celebrations (cant remember which) 😂 Wish I still had it! All I remember of it, was how difficult it was painting the weird big Draper Tools scroreboard thing that was in the corner at The Dell (if anyone remembers that)!

Might have been the xG, so expect a 0-0 with so few good chances

I know for a fact that the academy staff generally rated Robinson as the better prospect of the two, and most likely to make the first team. There was a little surprise with how well Dibling performed as soon as he reached the first team. So its always hard to predict, as young players develop at different rates. I'm really excited about Robinson, I love his confidence and how direct he is. He already feels like our most exciting attacking player in the squad (admittedly havent seen any of the new guys yet), but its great that we keep producing them 👍

Sad but 100% true. There won’t be one player in our entire squad who wants to be playing for Saints (I’m not saying they aren’t enjoying it while here, but it’s not the destination they dreamt of) The Premier League is now completely broken too, where a player like Isak isn’t even happy to be at a huge club, with great support and in the Champions League! The modern day player (like most modern day muppet fans and media too) just want Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, etc. So boring! Give me the Championship any day.

Ward Prowse has just been made West Ham Vice-Captain, so I would assume they expect him to be staying. I know things change fast, but guessing Potter doesnt plan on moving him on.

He's been free to leave for a long time... The issue has been getting another club to take him!

I thought it was unreal that he said that the same 5-fold gap in revenue exists between Saints and the smallest/bottom League Two clubs! Just shows how awful the Premier League has become and how impossible it is to compete with the 'big clubs', that gap is just too big now. The Champions League has played a huge part in killing top flight domestic leagues (all over Europe). And a billionaire cant just come in and save the day anymore either, we need to generate our own new/bigger revenue streams.

Maybe while he doesn't have a club, we are allowing/happy to have him train with us and use the facilities. I'm sure he's a great influence around the place. Even if we weren't looking to sign him up.

Going by todays training videos, seems like Fernandes trained, as did some of the other 'injured' players THB, Downes, BBD... but no sign of Dibling (unless I just missed him). But the video clearly focussed on Fernandes a lot, just to let us know he's still here, so you'd have thought they'd do the same if Dibling was involved too (given the rumours).

He had a decent season and scored 7 goals (vital late ones too) the last time we had a season in The Championship. He also scored in the Playoff Semi and assisted Armstrong's goal in the final. So I wouldnt wish him away too fast. We dont have world class players tripping over themselves to join Southampton. He's probably on relatively modest wages too, wants to be here, came through the academy, etc. I would definitely have him in the squad. Personally I would keep him over Aribo for example, for all of the reasons above.

Probably the only player they could guarantee would still be here, and I'm sure that does come into the thinking with any club marketing. Its also a heritage campaign, and he's been here nearly 15 years. And I know he's often the scapegoat for many, but he is the captain, didnt have a bad end to the season, will be decent enough in The Championship, will always fight for the club, etc, etc. We dont really have a 'star' player or 'golden boy' anymore either, maybe Dibling if they were certain he would be here to wear it?

Did they reject any? I'm not so sure. I imagine we took whoever offered the most money/perks. Given that 'Midnite' are the new training kit sponsors, I dont think the club has made any stance against betting companies and taking their money (makes a pleasant change!)

It was more the ‘no doubt about it’ part I was intrigued by. But yeah, you never know, perhaps a ‘76 inspired kit? Well kept secret if so!

To answer my own question… The BBC commentary by David Coleman included: “Stokes… oh he’s put it in! Bobby Stokes! And there’s no doubt about it now!”

Am I missing something with the ‘No doubt about it’ part? I’m wondering whether it’s something a commentator said when we won the ‘76 Cup? Or am I overthinking it? 😆