Polaroid Saint

Quite. These are top athletes - they are not going to forget how to kick a ball or stay in position because of a couple of weeks off. Players with injuries or suspensions mid season can miss a couple of weeks or more and slot right back into the team. Sure, after a long lay off with injury a game with the reserves is good, but not always required. Preseason friendlies are not purely 'match fitness' exercises. Work away from the pitch, on fitness and tactics, is just - if not more - important and that is happening ("its happening"). Of course Fonte will be fine to start against Watford, and so will Forster and Soares if picked.

GK CB CB WB WB RM CM LM AM RF LF (In attack, obvs, the WBs drop and the midfield flattens in defence, forwards expected to run the diagonals)

How did I miss this? Sorry for the double post... ...I feel like a S*n sports editor now, the shame.

The S*n recycle the Tello story for the billionth time today but add in something about Midfielder from Malaga, Recio: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/premierleague/1512888/southampton-line-up-15m-double-swoop-for-barcelona-striker-cristian-tello-and-malaga-midfielder-recio/

#BraRaised

Brilliant. First time I'll be able to wear a shirt with VIRGIN on the front since my 25th Birthday Bash. Anyway, those of us who visit The9's shirt thread knew this weeks ago. Red n white, virgin/saints/Mary all good. Carry on.

Brilliant. First time I'll be able to wear a shirt with VIRGIN on the front since my 25th Birthday Bash. Anyway, those of us who visit The9's shirt thread knew this weeks ago. Red n white, virgin/saints/Mary all good. Carry on.

Chris Packhams polo shirt on tonights springwatch. Replace the brown with red. Perfect. ****kng spring watch? Yep, rock n roll me.

Point of pride this. Thanks for sharing.

That's the one. Left under a cloud and maybe not enough club experience, but from what I could make out at the time it was a case of managing huge expectations and equally big egos got the better of him - two things that (arguably) not such an issue at Saints. Hugely regarded coach who maybe needs a 'SFC' to rejuvenate his career. Total speculation on my part, but if I were Less I would at least get him over for a chat.

Julen Lopetegui Derided for over tinkering with what was arguably the 'best squad' in the league, but has fantastic experience working with youth development, which might fit our '5 year plan' perfectly... ...worth a left field gamble?

So that everyone is on the same page, here is the BBC report from today. As Hamwic rightly says no-one really knows what will happen; but logically if the plan is to stop economic migrants coming to the UK from within the EU (which, from what I can understand, is a major part of the 'out/leave' campaign) then that would, of course, subsequently include all current EU footballers. Meaning they would be treated with the same restrictions Non-EU footballers are now. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35919247 Seems like a fairly neutral article to me, but I am sure some will take umbrage as it is the leftie-pinko-eu-loving-BBC, but still, worth taking on board the opinions of those in the game (agents etc) even though NO ONE KNOWS. Personally I feel the suggestion that 'Elite sSport will have the clout to do what it wants' is probably the most salient point. I would also recommend reading Soccernomics which does a great job of explaining exactly how important a country's financial status is to its subsequent success in both domestic and international football.

Gutted he has gone to Stoke. Thought we might get him in the summer. I have been tracking this player for years and years. He is class, could not rate him any higher. *wonders if anyone will bother to read op*

I have had the 'pleasure' of being at the last four abysmal away games at Sunderland (the league loss last seaaon was the worst game ever in the history of all football, at any level, ever, in the world, ever). Because of this, today, I am as far away from the North East as possible. As all of Saints results are all about me, obviously, I predict a Saints away win. Score? A one-nil thumping.

Yeah, Yoshida was utter sh!t at RB versus Villa too. FFS. Whilst Cedric is definitely first choice RB, we've seen RK deploy a slightly 'lopsided' defence effectively before. Anyone watching can see Yoshida is a clearly capable player who's gradually reducing the number of errors each time he plays. Players can get better you know? UTS

Can anyone recommend a stream for the game? Cheers.

Inspired. If we all write a letter it might help? here's mine: Dear Big Vic, I , as a lifelong Saints fan... ...wish you all the best in your endeavours and hope you are feeling better after your stomach upset this week. It's a shame you missed the game on Thursday, but I don't think even your 'giant-pirouetting-on-skateboard-whilst-shielding-a-baby-otter' routine would have elevated the 'pile of poo' performance from the whole team enough to scrap a result. Frankly it's a shame the whole team didn't have a stomach bug, perhaps the under 21'a might have shown more guile and gumption. But I digress... ...good luck playing football this season, I hope it is in the stripes (yay stripes!) of Southampton. Since you have joined, Kenya is my favourite of the African countries. We love you and sing songs for you lots, so please stay; it's about respect. A Saints Fan (since that thing we won n that that time ago).

The regulations clearly state that any attempt at 'Irony' or 'Sarcasm'* should accompanied by a or a , possibly even a . *I would suspect that 'Sarcasm' is the (ever-so-slightly more) correct description of Darth Fry's effort here.

Second Oldest Club in Football? Cambridge University AFC. Think Whelk's 'stereotype' is more to do with Fry's sexuality, and well done to Whelk for being open about it and having his perceptions changed! Gosh, Gays like football too! Who'da'fortit?! Girls will be playing it next, or something. Edit... ...not now CUFC, my bad!

BBC report gets it spot on. Points out FCMidtiylland are a better side than Vitesse, that we improved second half, that their keeper made two great saves and that we had a goal disallowed. JWP their MOM.A balanced and correct report. Forget the nonsense spouted on here by, (mostly) well-meaning, but ignorant fans.As you are fellow Saints I can't help but love you all; but, really, some of you are right d!cks, la. Keep the faith, UTS.Southampton 1-1 FC Midtjylland - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33994069

Rather annoyed about a score draw as it goes. Hurrumpf.We can win in Daneland though. Yes we can. Hurrah. Up the Saints.Tim Sparv. Bless him (the git).

Family Enclosure, because the Chapel is a bit too rowdy. And I never stand. Never. Or else Lord or Lady Stewart will have to walk all the way up the steps, point at me and tell me off; making everybody stare at me instead of watching the game. Never stand, you bast&rds.

Even a semi final gets you to Wombly these days, a semi final in the Europe League would be all kinds of awesome. So I've down graded the question to not even winning the thing, and EL is best. yay.

Now that I have bothered to learn how to use the 'ignore list' (cheers Sarnia) I have very much enjoyed adding to it any posters that referred to those Mane chances as 'sitters'. A solid point in the end.

The Times 'the Game extra' pre season guide notes, brilliantly, that Saints three key outs are "Clyne, Schneiderlin and Jos Hooiveld".