VectisSaint

Charles will be a very good player. He showed glimpses last season, but early on when he was used as a CB, he made some awful mistakes and it seemed to knock his confidence and the confidence of the manager. Downes also developed into a star in Shea's best position. He will come good, I'm sure, certainly good to have in the squad. Perhaps we should be looking at his younger brother, Pierce, apparently a ball playing keeper, Sheffield Wed 17 year old.

In the current era only 50% of (outfield) players play the full 90 minutes, and it's usually the attackers who get subbed (nearer 100%). Usually 3 at 60 minutes. Not saying I agree with it but it's a fact, not many attacking players play start to finish these days.

OK three good players, but not exactly inspiring as a three, needs someone with some flair in there as well.

We can't take JWP back, he would expect to be Captain, and that's Jack Shoehorn Stephens job now.

They might even be waiting for the transfer window to open (14th) at least for Ings.

That's what happens when you come back from injury. He wasn't a spent force at all, just not back to full fitness. He also didn't move to Barcelona. he went to Girona first, and Barca went in for him on the basis of what he was doing there. Complete madness to believe he was washed up 2 years ago. Mind you if he had stayed would we have seen Flynn Downes?

Based on our past performance that is clearly not the case. Not sure we have signed anyone half decent since Niemi.

I would imagine the negotiations with Neil Warnock will be concluded soon.

Most of the groundwork for this transfer window would have already been done before Wilcox left, whichever scenario occurred. Targets identified already, the thing we will miss is reaction to changes, players who turn us down etc. Would expect new DoF to be in place by end August, it's not like there are dozens of candidates sat around waiting to be called.

Absolutely. Plans for next season must effectively ignore Bazunu, you can't go into a new season in a new tougher league relying on a keeper who will miss the first half of the season (at least). We have to bite the bullet and bring in a new No 1, McCarthy is not the answer, despite his heroics in the last few weeks. We know his weaknesses, time for him to move on with our thanks and good wishes. When Baz is fit again, there needs to be competition for the #1 jersey.

It's debatable whether you ever fully recover from a dislocated shoulder. Wasn't it Charlie Austin who suffered with this for years after he first did his shoulder? ABK got back in the PSV squad in February and has played 1 minute for football since (he may have played for Jong PSV, can't find data on that). Has he really recovered or is there still some issues there? David Brooks similar injury is a concern. It occurs to me that this could be related to his cancer treatment. My experience with my family in this area is that chemo can have all sorts of side effects/consequences not least to bone and cartilage strength/structure. Hope this is not the case with Brooksy but it probably should not be discounted. Much as I admire the guy for what he has been through and like the way he plays, I haven't been convinced that he is right for us and to have those niggling concerns about injury makes me nervous about signing him permanently.

Affordable housing can mean various things both for ownership and rental, but examples are shared ownership, first time buyer discounted etc.. Generally affordable homes are ways of providing homes to local people at less than the true market value. The developer often retains some part ownership of the property to protect their investment (make their profit).

as soon as you can after 8 seasons in the 1st team squad. FFS. He's still made more league appearances for Saints than for his other clubs combined.

Don't recall too many people objecting when Surman joined back in January. Always think it's good having past players involved in the club, no great fan of Lallana but he is a good role model for the kids (even if most of them think of him as a Liverpool player).

New Olly Lancashire. Player coach in the u21s, possible emergency player for 1st XI. His kid is in the Academy. As long as he doesn't take a squad place from someone else think it's a win win for Saints.

He did get off to an awful start yesterday, I counted (at least) 4 misplaced passes before he got one to a teammate. Still he did have a good game after that. He will be OK in the PL, he has been before and he has more to his game now than he did. If we're going to play 3/5 at the back then we will need at least 2 more CBs to be in mix. I think THB and JS are key to the way we play now, not the tippy-tappy sideways stuff, but the penetrating balls through the middle, either on the ground or over the top that open up defences and make chances for the likes of AA. People think that we played the same form of Russball all season (at least until the last few games) but overlook completely the changes that started just before Christmas with these long incisive balls that turn defence into attack at high speed. I don't think Bednarek gives us this option too often, but makes up for it by being a better defender.

Hadn't realised until yesterday that Fraser and Martin were roommates with Scotland, seems like they are good buddies.

I read somewhere earlier that Fraser is a done deal on a free from Newcastle.

Was that Ralph Krueger there as well? I thought he had nothing to do with Club these days, but reasonably sure it was him (sort of hope it wasn't).

This. Downes makes us tick. Delighted that THB will be a Saint, but this is more important.

First "final" I've missed in my lifetime (too young for the 1900/02 Cup Finals), hoping everyone at Wembley has a great day and we get one over on Dirty Leeds. Hoping we get it done without the need for ET and certainly not pens. COYS A rendition of Things Can Only Get Better (with the Leeds crowd) would be a nice touch.

Does he alternate with home matches at The Arsenal? Perhaps you are confusing Starmer with Captain Mordaunt.

That's a big "lick"

Think Larios has been back in training for a while, but RM said specifically he would not feature until pre-season. Then again that was before the play-offs.

Just check they are for the Play-off Final and not the League Cup final knowing how Royal Mail work on the Island. How is Teletext these days, have not been home for a couple of years now, so haven't had the chance to check it out.