Charlie Wayman

There seems to be a worrying lack of momentum in this pre-season, partly it must be said because of the Euros but that is not the only reason. The Dutch tour is obviously something that was set up by/for Koeman and has a distinct 'old regime' feel about it. So far we have seen or heard little from Puel (the invisible man?), certainly no sign of the charismatic leadership that both the players and fans need to build excitement and anticipation of a bold new venture. Despite the departures of several key players from the last campaign the club have given little sign that we will replace them - it is possible of course that recruitment is far more difficult nowadays, that potential incoming players hesitate because so many others have left and we have a relatively unknown coaching team. With 20 days to go before kick-off we seem to be leaving it a little late to pull everything together in time and many must sense that we are about to enter an important new season with an engine that has not been properly maintained and is not firing on all cylinders. To me it seems that Koeman's departure was so abrupt that the club had no plan B and whilst Puel may turn out to be a super coach in his own right he seems unable to provide that big personality feel (Boris Johnson) that grabs people's attention and convinces that the impossible may be possible.

No doubt Gaston wanted to stay? No doubt Deano wanted to stay? No doubt Chappers wanted to stay? Cuts both ways. It's not one way fickle and cut-throat.

...who happens to be the mentor of our new manager, whose name still escapes me.

That's not true 'though is it? This choice was forced upon him by Wenger only. Saints could let him do both roles but come on lads, it ain't going to happen the guy's a Londoner and a superstar and probably only ever found his way to Southampton because he was on a coach to SMS.

Ryan is a very shrewd guy, given his almost last chance at Saints he has grabbed it with both hands, improved himself beyond measure, become a regular first pick on the team sheet and forced his way into the England squad. No way was he going to rock his little boat in the choppy waters of Saints close season squall. Some players never learn when they are well off, they think it is all about money. Ryan clearly is not one of those at all. Good luck to him, I'm chuffed as bunny.

Fonte and Cedric next to go? You heard it here first?

Effing Reed couldn't seal a deal on a free senior citizen bus pass, whenever he's involved we lose out. The old fool is a liability and will ruin this club.

I thought it was yellow submarines queuing up in the Mersey?

Well let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, most of that article was from a briefing script prepared by Reed.

Misguided and unfair.

If it is so then it'll be Mr Reed politely telling Mr Koeman to FO.

He's just realised he's been sold a pup by Reed and has to stick it out for at least two years before he can flee back to the Côte d'Azur. What, not even a beach? Scare Bleu!

Yuk. How did they get it so wrong. Taxi for the design manager please. Still the stripey bit is the right colour. Shocking.

The opening half dozen fixtures are a nightmare combination of "easy (must) wins" at home and impossibly tough games away, not to mention a sprinkling of energy sapping EL matches in amongst them. It'll be tough enough if we do not lose any more talent in the next few weeks but if we end up fielding a string of new players or erstwhile reserves Puel could be on a very steep learning curve indeed.

Before we get to the point of further signings, there are 8 weeks left in the transfer window and you need to worry about who else might decide "Out" once they return to training and see what's left of our team and staff around them. Didn't see Tadic or van Dyke yet and Pelle surely will be getting scent offer from Italy. Redmond is hardly the sort of signing to set other player's pulses running especially when you've spent the summer rubbing shoulders with world class players and opponents.

Can't stand the truth? Wait 'til you're out of work and there is no dole money.

If you are looking for endorsement, you've got it! Great player plagued by injury and being associated with Chelsea. Sound familiar? Ryan Bertrand, Jack Cork, Oriol Romeu. Scousers rob us, we rob Chelsea sounds like a deal. I have always thought Romeu to be a better than Wanyama but not given the best chances through Koeman's erratic judgements of individuals, one day your crap the next day the bees knees. Give the lad a five year deal if he'll take it, we will likely depend upon him and Jordie Clasie this year.

Well, I do! This season will be his coming of age in the PL. He now knows what it takes and believe me he will deliver. Predictably, next summer all his critics will be moaning because another of our star players is scooped up by the money set.

Most of us will know what's likely to happen after 5 or 6 league games! Why not say what you really think?

Let's hope he is not another Burley.

Wrong, Sammy is fluent in Spanish and it's worth a bet that he has had an offer from The Geordies that he could not refuse.

Untried gently persuasive French Manager plus Eric Black a combo that promises lots of goals and attractive free-flowing open football (we don't play for draws!)... hang on, I read something like that last year in the Birmingham Post. Ever had that sinking feeling? Still we didn't have to endure Sherwood. Thank goodness Redmond knows his way around the Championship

Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat ad nauseam.... ?

These matters always have context. It was said when everything here was rosy and the idea of RK and others leaving was never even mooted. It's a different ball-game now, Conte has extracted more from Graziano than our coaches ever did and a possible move to Chelsea might even be on the cards. It is if you will a modern day Lambert story, an unknown from the lower echelons of the Italian league turned into an international at Saints but with a different ending. I want him to stay but doubt he will with the current mood in the camp, exodus of the big rats and an unknown manager. What's to stay for from his point of view... oh and he is now playing in a 'foreign' country.

You do live in a happy, hippy rose-tinted little world don't you? Are you really that naive and clueless or did I misread your essay??