Pierre

If we're looking for a creative midfield player this guy looked pretty usefull yesterday: Juan Fernando Quintero. Probably less than half the price of Madisson, and more quality

The Telegraaf is usually acurate about Ajax stories so it's probably true. If we don't get some kind of creative replacement we're in serious trouble...

Press here still claiming the Ajax deal could be on.

Very sensible post. Makes a lot more sense than going for 3 at the back. Our back four are not the problem and if the midfeild functions Cedric and Bertrand can get forward enough in a back four. Stick Tadic on the left of the diamond where he belongs, and can link up with Bertrand or actually put in a good cross. Romeu at the base, and JWP on the right. Lemina can do the box to box stuuf and support the two strikers. My pick would be Gabbi and Long too, but Charlie could partner Gabbi if they play really deep and there no space behind.

I think too many people remain stuck in the Koeman/Poch systemwith two defensive midfield players breaking down opposition attacks. This can actually very easily turn into very negative football. In modern football most space is often just in front of defense, that's why the playmakers are now often positioned there (like Xavi or Pirlo), as opposed to the old position just behind the strikers (an old fashinioned nr 10 like Platini). Clasie should be up to thus role next to Romeu to make the crunching tackles. We do need cover for Romeu which we don't have now. For a similar reason creative players are now played out wide where there is more space rather than centrally. Even Messi is often playing from the right hand side. With Redmond, Boufal and Tadic we have plenty of options there. Centrally you want a link up man who can cover a lot of ground. Davis of JWP seem best suited.

Where did this £70 mln price tag come from. It seems a lot more than anyone has ever payed for a defender. I rate VVD but he wasn't even a first choice in a pretty dodgy Dutch defense.

It is highly unlikely that Holland will qualify for the world cup.

Sparta is more like Saints and it's not just the kit. Breeding lots of talent but always forced to sell to the big teams like PSV, Ajax and Feyenoord. Often when they're very young and not even in the first team yet

Good line-up with sensible thoughts. Clasie could still suprise some people on here. I think he has a better forward passing array than Romeo or PEH who are both a bit side-ways.

You will definately not see another boring Claude game with Roger in charge!

Fraser will come good again

Maybe Luca Caldirola. He could share rooms with Gabbiadini and Italian can always defend.

are we leaving UEFA too?

If you finish above clubs with far greater budgets, you: - have done well - will lose players at the end of the season We all knew we'd be losing Mane and Victor at the end of the season, regardless of what happened. Obviously we can't replace them with the same proven quality, as they're out of our price/wage bracket, but we can replace them with potentially equal or better players. The one which was disappointing to lose was Koeman, specially to Everton who shouldn't be able to out bid us. I think in our case remaining in the top 10 for a couple of years is progress. We're not going to finish top 6 every year. We could have invested in more depth, vertainly keeping Europe in mind, but this would have also blocked any vhances for a youth which will quickly lose it's outstanding reputation if we don't give youngsters a chance. Personally I think our signings look pretty promising, but I also have the obvious concerns: - what happens if VVD or Jose get a long term injury/suspention? - will Jay Rod or Austin ever get match fit? - with the Pied injury right back remains a problem? - can we find a midfield combo that clicks? But i'm pretty optimitic. Give Claude some time and we will start getting results. Suprise players of the season: isgrove and Clasie

A serious Dutch football program claimed the asking price for Ziyech is 10 mln euros. For that price we should definatelt go for him

Fonte is a club legend, who attitude and play have always been top notch. Players like Jose are the reason I love this club and I really believe he loves this club too. He's a great defender but also a player who lifts the rest of the team. I realize this is his last chance for a big carear move, but I have the naive hope that his emotion will persuade him to stay over the money. I think a thread with praise and plees to stay would be more benificial than all these cynical posts that he's deserting us or got his head in the clouds, based on dubious rumours.

Though they both played really well. Proud of our Saints!

Can we please just sign Ziyech. Such a class player

I believe in preseason friendly links: it's gonna be Ernesto Valverde or Ron Jans

Tadic gets a lot of critism but when he plays he often seems involved in any attacks that lead to goalscoring oppotunities. Maybe some people are writing him off to soon. I do think he is more suited for a 4-4-2 than a 5-2-1-2 system Ron seems to be preferring of late. And, as many others, a run of games would probably benefit him.

http://onlinecashandcarry.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/r/e/red_stripe_cans_440ml.jpg and bring back the sash shirt

If we had only won the West Ham game, as should have, we would have been cruising in 6th spot, and no-one would have been talking about a "dip" in form. That was such a crucial game to throw away.

I hope the players don't give up as easily as the people on this forum....

And Jason Dodd?