Latheal

Need to give Puel and the players time. Where I sit in the Northam, already seems that many have made their minds up about Puel and the formation. Its nowhere near as bad as some are making out although its not great either. Obvious that players are struggling with the formation but its not as if we are not fashioning chances. The passing can be a little slow at times but when we quicken it, we do look half decent (i.e first 10-20mins and last 20mins). Need an attacker with a serious goal threat. There were numerous times in the first 20 yesterday that we were inside the box with a shooting opportunity but didn't take it. Reminded me Arsenal and trying to pass it in. Like others, not overly convinced with the formation but can see what he's trying to do. Austin looked completely off the pace after a pretty good start (fitness?) and there was a different awe around JRod when he came on. Didn't think Targett had a bad game tbf and Bertrand will sort that out. Fonte was a little worrying but not 100% yet. In an ideal world, two pacey attakers with a goal threat (if Jay Rod leaves - which he shouldn't), one attacker if he stays. People calling for Puel's head after 3 games is a little bewildering. We were a lot, lot worse at the start of last season. The 0-3 Everton home game was one of the worst performances I had seen.

Thought Puel showed that he wont change his formation for anybody. Matched Man U for large parts. We created more chances than last 2 years. 1st goal Davis and Fonte were awful but still a great finish...but that's what you get with £350k a week. Not sure it was a pen but not a lot we can do about that either way. Passing for most part was excellent. Players seem to have bought into it. Tadic, VvD, Holberg excellent. Agree that we look a little toothless up front but I don't think that is a lack of chances, just finishing. I didn't think that formation would work against a 4-2-3-1 as its basically 5 £30mil players against 3 £10mil ones. As it turned out, the quick passing was excellent and we were not outplayed at all. Finishing is the problem. But we have Austin and Jay Rod to try. When we've exhausted those options, I will start worrying. People saying we didn't create any chances were watching a different game to me. We may have won their the last two seasons but that was as an attacking a display as we have done there since Poch lost 1-0. It will take time. I'm willing to give Puel that.

So lets test that theory. Fonte's pay rise is budgeted. We can afford it. If he stays, I don't reckon we'll get a number 10 until Jan. If he goes, then we have a chance to redistribute wages, which could result in more players. The transfer fees are not the issue, its the wage limit. We're steadily increasing this and its the right way to do it. Not that I think we would spend over £16mil anyway. And there is nothing wrong with that.

Happy to provide. Wish the club would just tell us it officially as sure the majority of us would understand it and then the pressure would be on the FA to change the rules, not the club to spend what they can't. Kat isn't taking any money out. We've a debt that needs to be paid for Osvaldo, but everything is manageable. We have money to spend, but we're limited on the wages we can offer.

It absolutely isn't. Happy to completely disagree on this. The above is not based on what Redslo says, I just think he does a very good job of explaining it. There are a host of sites that also explain it pretty well. We're also now under UEFA FFP. The only reason we could afford Austin in Jan was the deal we did with QPR for Caulker. I'm out of posts (I think) but you can check that with AR10, KBilly and Guan. There's a reason our our wage bill was just under £56mil in 2014 and just under £60mil in 2015. There's a reason why (and lets remember, we came up at the same time) that West Ham's was a lot higher. There is a reason that the stadium deal for them is amazing, because all that gate revenue and sweet fa cost will allow them to pay even more. If you go to financial fair play dot co dot uk (all one word) there's a pretty self explanatory flow diagram that explains it. For argument's sake, however, lets assume I am right. Would it change your opinion of the way Saints do business?

Its a lot worse than people think. And its absolutely no fault of the board. The rules are basically designed to help the top clubs and those who previously overspent. It basically screwed those like us (and Swansea) who had actually run a tight ship and is the main reason why West Ham can pay more wages than us for the same players. There is a reason we voted against it as we could see where it would lead - exactly where it has and those wondering why we can't pay players £100k a week would be wise to read up on it. Its not a question of whether we can afford it. Its the knock on effect, which we are seeing right now with Fonte. Increase everybody's wages, those already under contract will want/deserve a rise. if we increased to the crazy places of £100K a week, then did that for two or three others, we go over FFP and are open to points deductions, fines, all the other stuff. And seeing as we're not a Utd, the FA would probably do it as well. The TV revenue doesn't help massively with this, despite people thinking it does as that's already included in the year on year increase I believe. So yes, we have money to buy players. Yes we can actually pay them. The problem is, we're not allowed to. The rule is a joke and I am totally with the club in how they are trying to combat it. Its behind the focus on the commercial revenue. The only strange thing is, if they just came out and just said it, or leaked it, I think most people would understand. Its not as if the players and the other clubs don't know. And before people start claiming other clubs like Stoke, Palace, Hammers etc, etc pay more than us - 1. Hammers are on another world with regards to wage bill, look at where their wage bill was set when we came up together...the £52mil (now £60mil) per season does not apply to those that were already above it. 2. Ditto for Stoke 3. Palace aren't in Europe and just got new owners who injected equity...

Strangely, no. I had my meltdown three years ago. Wasn't bothered last summer about the ones that left, not bothered this year either. Club has earned my trust for now. There is a lot of people asking where the money has gone, but its blatantly obvious. Its kinda ironic, really, that the club signs a load of 1st team players on increased wages to the club, then fans moan that we can't keep any players. Its arguable, that without the sales, we couldn't have made the offers - not just financially, but actually within FFP. Its worth reading Redslo's blogs on FFP and the only ways you can increase the wage ceiling. It may open a few eyes. The club are doing the right thing in my mind. I actually don't expect anybody else in and I'd still be ok with that. We're not like other clubs, we're trying to be different, we've been pretty successful at it. It may not be as good this year as previous, but you know what, we're in Europe, we're no where near as bad as what's been written, we look half decent and we'll get better. We actually have players that seem to want to be here (excepting Fonte) and I wouldn't want to spunk £20mil on Ayew, £28mil on Bolasie, or £32mil on Benteke, (although I do think the latter is a good player for Palace). I've enjoyed the ride back up. The only thing that really worries me is the formation, but Puel deserves respect and time. Be interesting to see if he goes to Utd with the same formation or changes it. There seems to be a core of Saints fans not excited by Puel - and that's fine, opinions are opinions. But the guy is yet to lose a game (god knows the meltdown when he does) and its was only a few months ago we were all jumping up and down at the Austin signing. I'm quite excited to be honest. But I may also be deluded.

Not disagreeing that it would have been better, just I can see the business thinking behind it. Hopefully, other clubs follow suit. It would be potentially 3,000 of them at £30 though, as Virgin are subsiding the extra tenner per ticket. Peanuts, I agree, but it could also pay for a £15K per week player each season and hopefully the ground is full.

Pretty sure the home team gets to keep the entire gate receipts for league games. So if they reduced saints away to £20 but Virgin made up the shortfall, we'd just be giving money to our rivals anyway. This way, we don't actually lose any money, but probably gain some as more people will be able to come and Virgin pay Saints the shortfall. Pretty smart if you ask me financially, but yes, doesn't help the average Saints fan. Will help with the overall "brand" of the club though and perhaps, just perhaps, add a bit of pressure for others to reduce the price of an away ticket.

Its only pre-season but I've liked what I've seen so far. Ball movement seem a hell of a lot faster and definitely less direct (which can be attributed to not having a Pelle like player). Austin's hold up play needs to improve but there is some frightening pace out there with Jay Rod (yes, needs more time and confidence), Redmond and Long to come. Can see us playing variants depending on opposition with a 4-2-3-1 against the bigger teams away from home, 442 diamond against weaker at home, 4-3-3 against weaker away as a few others have said. Excited about a renewed goal threat from midfield. Wanyama was excellent at what he did did but lets be honest, his passing was awful and was always moving on. A lot has been made of Pelle's and Mane's lost goals but Austin without doubt is the Pelle replacement. I'm happy enough with that. Mane's goals comes in spurts and like others have said, went a long time without scoring. Between Jay Rod and Redmond I'd like to think we could replace the 12 goals he scored, and hopefully spread across more goals. Mane was always a threat though, even when not scoring, and had that ability to relieve pressure by carrying the ball 60 yards. I get the same feeling with Redmond, and Jay has done that before. Those comparing Mane and Redmond from last season would do well to realise that one played in a relegation team that did not give him the freedom to express himself and the other played in a team in the top half that did. Romeu and Hojbjerg both look like they have goals in them and give us a threat from range. Clasie has looked good. JWP seems to be getting better. Reed is in backup and Davis to return. Redmond will get goals. Like others, I 'd like to see another attacker added but I believe the club has full confidence in Jay Rod. Whether that is well founded remains to be seen but he deserves our support. He was the first to sign a long term contract after all (albeit when injured). When you look at those formations and think you could play either Long, Austin, Redmond or Jay Rod in a central striker role and Long, Jay Rod, Redmond, Tadic, Davis, JWP in the 3 forwards positions in a 4-2-3-1 its only a 4-3-3 we really struggle in. If we're playing 4-4-2 diamond then we have a choice of 4 plus the youth as backup for the two as Tadic/Davis/JWP take the offensive midfield position. If we play 4-2-3-1 then we have a choice of Tadic, Redmond, Long, Jay Rod, Davis, JWP, Clasie plus youth for the 3 with either Redmond, Long, Jay Rod and Austin as the 1. If its 4-3-3, we probably only have Tadic, Redmond, Long, Jay Rod and possibly JWP as the choice which is where we are probably short. Question for the club is, do we spent £10-20mil on a player for that one formation who would possibly upset others or give that option to youth? You'd think that any player we bring in would add depth to the other formations and be another option but that means somebody misses out each week in the match day squad. Hard decision if you ask me. The other thing that seems apparent (and I know its PR, I know its edited) but the players seem genuinely happy. I never felt Mane and Wanyama in their interviews on youtube or Sky seemed that bothered about the club. The ones here now genuinely do (cue Clasie signing for Everton tomorrow).

Depending on the length of contract, about £21-£33mil at a guess.

Not so much step down as sideways step. Facts are; We were 3pts off Champs League We're in Europa League Asked Saints to act on ambitions (hence 5 yr contracts for VvD, Fraser and JWP) We're pretty much established as a top 8 side. Said countless times he would see out his contract. Allegedly was happy with the new contract and ambition shown. Personally, it's nothing against Everton. Would be the same if he left for anybody apart from a mega club. Talk of history is pretty pointless - it's about the here and now and creating our own history. Talk of billionaire owners is pointless as well...every club in the Prem has them, including ourselves. The fact you may spend £100mil means nothing. Newcastle did near that last season. Look across Stanley Park to see how far your neighbours have progressed in the last few years spending silly money. There's the top 4/5 perhaps 6 at a push big clubs in this country...and then there is everyone else. Whether Everton want to believe it or not, at this point of time, your the same level as us. You're trying to push on and so are we, so are West Ham, so are Stoke. That's why we (well, me at least) think it's a sideways move. It's why most pundits thought the same initially. To take Everton further than Saints he has to get Champs League. No ifs, no buts...that's a fact. For the money you have spent on him, personally think there was better available. Hand on heart, do you think he will do that in 2 years? Nothing against the club, just disappointed in they way he has acted and if you think he has left for any other reason than money, bare this in mind...he had already agreed a £2.3mil per year contract at Southampton. You've had to pay nearly 3x that to even get him to talk to you. Plus another £3mil to us in compensation.

Could be believable...if they are including Ox + £17mil. 7 years of continual improvement, we've just qualified for Europa League Group Stage, club has my patience and belief. Would rather not have players here who don't want to be here. Will be absolutely gutted if Tadic leaves. It does seem a little surreal having seen the end of the season and the team spirit that seemed to be evident in that last game (celebration for Pelle's goal). Its been an amazing journey, and I don't think its over yet. Pelle is worth keeping if, as others have said, he wants to stay. Makes absolutely no sense to get rid of a proven Premier League goal scorer. He does actually seem to care about the club. As long as there's no "my head is in x club" articles anybody that leaves goes with my thanks. Anybody who comes in, will have my full support. The interesting thing is, the usual "I want to leave to play in Europe" stuff won't fly this year. A few of them thinking of jumping ship may do well to have a look at Clyne, Lallana, Lovren, Lambert, Morgan and to a lesser extent, Shaw. Yes, they may have all just got to various cup finals, but two of them didn't play and the others aren't in Europe next year and we are. Perhaps the whole Leicester thing may make them think what can be achieved by staying together? If its a money thing, pay accordingly, to what we can afford, and to the level of the player's importance. Mane, Wanyama, Tadic should arguably be in and around our highest paid players anyway. The Club has shown its willing to renew contracts in recent weeks and Forster and VD were huge statements. If we offer and they turn it down, fair enough, but lets reward those that have got us here. End of the day, we were only 3-4 points off Champions League. Not saying it will be that close next year, but the foundations are there to build on. Koeman's comments around ambition were telling. Fully expect him to be here next year, but one thing missed with the Leicester love in and their race with Spurs was that Leicester's net spend this season was actually £30mil on top of those they kept in Vardy, Mahrez, Morgan. Spurs made a profit in their trading, and when all was said and done, when the Ali's and Dembele were missing, Spurs self destructed. Would be good to see the club spending a bit more than we receive if we can afford it now, and backing the manager. The value of the club is only going to rise with a good season in Europe. Mane will be away this year for a month for African Nations (season before last, that really impacted us). Whether he stays or goes, we need reinforcements in his position.

Thought he was excellent first half. Faded massively second half. But the talent is there - needs to bulk up a bit as lost a couple of 50/50 challenges because of strength but that can be fixed. Morgan needed time. So too will this guy. Might take him all season but he looks a good addition to me and something different than what we have got. Great movement off the ball when we have possession to make space for himself as well.

Squad better, first team overall marginally worse, but only because don't have Morgan. First choice back 5 is the same I believe. Midfield (defensive) currently weaker - which effects our back five as well - but losing Morgan is almost impossible to replace. Still, we have more depth there with Romeu, JWP, Wanyama, Davis, Clasie, Reed. Felt last year when Morgan was out, we really struggled. Can lose any of that midfield now and it doesn't make much difference. Midfield (attacking) - much better, but not necessarily because of new signings. Tadic back to his best, Mane on fire, Davis scoring goals, Jay Rod, Gaston, Long and Juanmi in reserve. Attack - again, much better, Pelle on fire, if injured, Jay Rod, Long and hopefully Seagar to step up. Add in the creativity of Tadic and menace of Mane, we look like scoring goals this season - and a lot of them. I expect us to score a lot more than last season but also concede more. Right back reserve is a problem - but Cedric for Clyne is fine - don't think we have lost anything there. VVD for Toby - probably gained a bit in a goal threat and he's looking better and better defensively. Plus, VVD wants to be here - always a plus. Will be interesting to compare once the first XI play a bit more together. I'll take your bet by the way - 7th or higher for me.

As good a first half as I had seen us play for some time. Both goals things of beauty. Thought Clasie offered us something different in there and his movement to gain space and then play to feet was excellent. The front four were also excellent - the whole team were to be honest. Was worried about the missed chances as we're nowhere near as solid as last year and there was no way they could be as bad 2nd half... Wanyama on a booking is like carrying a man. The more I see of him, the more £20mil looks like a Lovren-like deal. Can't pass, can't organise...yes he's a presence but as soon as he takes a booking, he is an accident waiting to happen and he loses the one thing that he does do well - the ability to tackle. That sending off has been coming for weeks. Would also rather have players playing who want to be here. Not singling him out, we completely stepped off second half. Tadic and Mane seemed to be in no man's land defensively second half, exposing both fullbacks - Pelle couldn't hold it up or when he did, there was nobody to pass to. Clasie tired and without Fonte, there was no leader. Still, Fonte was there for the Leicester match and it was pretty much the same. Its 3pts, but it should have been a 4 or 5-0 game - Koeman needs to sort that - the obvious sub in the second half was Wanyama for Romeo (and if Clasie was struggling for fitness, then JWP for him) - doesn't leave us exposed with 10 men. Maybe there is a bit of pandering to Wanyama to try and get him to sign a new contract. At the end of the day, somehow we are 7th, with a plus goal difference, unbeaten in 7, plus home qf in the cup - lots to be happy with. I also think there is more to come as well and look forward to seeing it. Pelle (2nd half not included) looks like a man possessed. Oh, and can we keep Tadic on the left please. Would be an interesting stat to see how many assists he has from the left, compared to the right.

Fair enough - not doubting his work rate and showed flashes, but he's a hell of a lot better than he showed today. To be fair, he didn't get a lot of the ball due to our woeful midfield - just hold him to high standards now and he was well off it in my view. And what the hell was that chip all about? Though VvD was our best player - not sure why he was one on one against Dyer out on the right for the 1st goal though, need to see it back. Didn't do enough to stop the cross, but then Tadic had let Dyer go before that.

Put us back on the map, large part of saving us, changed the philosophy of the club and probably a large part of making us believe anything was possible. I had (and still have) no problems with anybody publicly stating they were going for top 4 when they "shouldn't" be there. Nothing wrong with that in my view, I like the confidence and the arrogance of the man and applaud him for his ambition (I'm a big believer that somebody smaller will break into that top 4 soon anyway - perhaps not year on year, but I think it will happen in the next decade). I also think his ethos has been a pathfinder for other clubs. Not simply content with coming up to the prem but pushing for Europe. Yes, Swansea did it first, but Saints rise was probably more impressive with the integration of Youth and the attacking football that was a mandate for the managers. I've felt we've always "had a go" when playing the bigger teams in the league and we rarely parked the bus. You now see other teams like West Ham, Palace, Leicester, Bournemouth, Norwich, Watford, and Stoke all doing the same and getting their own rewards. Its made the prem better in my view. Felt he misled us with finances and how we were "debt free" when we blatantly were not and felt he wanted that "big name player" at any cost to make a point that we were a club worth talking about. No problem with that if it works, just unfortunately they didn't. Had massive issues with the way he dealt with the "community" side of the club and began to feel we had lost some of the "Southampton Way" and it was more about him than the Club. Adkins was dealt with harshly, Pardew too, dealings with ex players who were a larger part of this club that he would ever be and while both sackings may have ultimately been the right decision, there were better ways to do it for manager's who in the main had been a massive part of our journey back. Felt the players were playing for "him" and not "Southampton". Remember seeing Luke Shaw's father's tweet at the time he left - something along the lines of "Southampton - what have you done?". Did feel somewhat let down by that - and the ridiculous wage he paid himself. He was massive for our rise, no doubting. Wish things had turned out differently really, he obviously had something that the players loved and an ambition that was to be admired. Ironically, he seemed to create this community ethos and togetherness but didn't embrace it himself. He can't expect to run a business with somebody else's money without being accountable to anybody however - especially with some of the overspending he had done. Would have been interesting to see how it would have worked with Koeman and him - would he have chanced £10mil on a striker last January when it was painfully obvious we needed one if the money was there? Would he have seen last season as a failure or success? Wish him well.

Credit where credit is due, Leicester were fantastic second half. Great football, great work rate, great ability, great to watch. Vardy is dynamite, first time seeing him up close properly and he just never stops running, great couple of goals and should have had a hat trick. Be interesting to see if any of the so called bigger clubs take a chance on him. Having said that, after first dodgy 15-20mins we probably deserved to be up at half time although 2-0 was pushing it. There was nothing wrong with that formation for the first half. Leicester's strength is in attack, but they can be got at and every corner/cross was a threat. Some of our crossing was great in that first half and we should have been on the end of more. Second half, however, WTF? Vardy will take the plaudits but if you can't deal with him, cut off the source. The amount of space they had in midfield was criminal. Wanyama was completely ineffective after the booking but actually did well to stay on the pitch. Like other's, thought the obvious sub was Romeu for Wanyama/Davies but wasn't surprised to see Clasie on - the boy needs time on the pitch to get up to speed in the Prem but not sure this was the game to do it. Yoshi for Soares, unless Soares was injured, was just criminal. I have no problem with Yoshi at CB- but he is not a RB and just causes teams to come onto us and Leicester need no invitation for that. We couldn't keep the ball for more than 3 passes in that second half and I'm just putting that down to the players away on International break as they all looked tired second half and most of them played at least 90mins, some 180mins, and have been back for 2 days. But give Leicester some credit, they fully deserved the draw and probably more. On to Liverpool. Coupled with Mane's worst performance for a while, Tadic disappearing in the second half, and Pelle not holding onto the ball as well as he had done, collectively that second half was a shambles. I could start on Kelvin, but it is what it is. He's done his best, he's nowhere near good enough and it sent panic throughout the whole back four but if Stek is fit, he wouldn't be playing so its just one of those things. Having got to 2-0, we should have had enough to see it through.

Literally was speechless after the game. We've won against the "top 4" in the last 3 years but none as dominant as this. Watched in a pub with a Chelsea mate who shook my hand afterward and literally said "Could have been six" and he was not wrong. I'll hold my hands up here, Bertrand had made a massive difference. VVD too - first time I've seen him take on one of those dribbles and telling that it was against Chelsea. But that front three...we'll hit 6 against somebody soon in the PL. Could have been today, it will be against somebody. We've just gone to the home of the Champions and put 3 past them. Could, should have been more. Let that sink in a little. Unbelievable performance, not singling any player out as they were all top drawer. 3pts off 4th people...with 4th place up next... Got to be honest, didn't expect us to be in with a shout this season of Europa/Champs League places through the league...but maybe, just maybe...its all coming together...

That he was poor against Newcastle away but set up a goal and was exposed by our tactics. Was poor against a very good Everton side where everybody was awful and the tactics/formation was wrong. Helped to keep a clean sheet against Watford. Helped to keep a clean sheet against Norwich. Helped to keep a clean sheet again WBA away. Helped to keep a clean sheet against MK Dons away - set up a couple as well I think. Did excellently against Montero in second half against Swansea and wasn't at fault for the goal we conceded. I think he's fine and improving. If you do a Squawka comparison with Clyne, he's well ahead.

Worried Chelsea finally click and batter us - they can't go on like they have been for too much longer. On the flip side, their form suggests the game is winnable and they really struggle against pace at the moment. Think Koeman will fancy this one for a win. After all, its a "free hit" - we wouldn't expect much there normally so anything we get can be counted as a bonus. Stek Soares Fonte Virgil Betrand Vic Romeu Tadic RW Jay Rod LW Mane Number 10 Long (swap with Pelle in 2nd half after we have got an early goal and need to hold the ball up :-)) We did well there 1st half last season with pace and a front three without Pelle. Ivanovic seems to be having a mare at the moment, so get somebody to run at him early. Would play Romeu as its his former club and has something to prove. May well be too attacking, but both Tadic and Jay Rod will track back, and Mane will scare the living daylights out of them. There is so many ways RK could line up here, its actually quite refreshing to not know what he is going to do.

Did these go childreysaint or Saintsfannick?

Morgan's loss was huge - but it would have been for any team as he is such a good player. If we look at all the players that have left over the past three seasons, not sure more than 3 would still get in the starting line up. Morgan definitely, Lallana probably, Shaw if fit (although that's not 100% nailed on as I thought it would be). Clyne is interesting as I don't think Soares has been any worse than him - certainly not the Clyne from the second half of last season. Lambert, Chambers, Lovren, Osvaldo definitely not. Puncheon & Cork may make the bench. Find it difficult to say its not our best 11 to be honest. League is a lot more even this year, have results have already shown. I don't think the Lambert - Lallana - Jay Rod is any more potent than the Tadic- Pelle - Mane combination (or throw Jay Rod in there). Probably a bit lighter in the midfield three, but the back 5 are on a par with what we have had.

Anybody still trying to sell two tickets for this? Can pay and pick up straight away.