WATERSIDEIFASAINT

I am getting worried that all the players AP wants don't want to come here hence no signings so far so he is probably onto the B or C list.It is hopefully clear to him that players like Pulis and Molyneux are just not good enough and a lot of the kids won't be ready this season.

Jerome Thomas & Julian Gray have both not got contracts from their trials elsewhere.Maybe worth a look at if they can be convinced to come to a div 1 side.I'm convinced that is the reason its taking so long to get any bosmans in.AP has got his work cut out to sell Saints to the sort of players we need to attract to move forward. Also Sodje,Jaidi,Holland & Connelly all still not snapped up.Lets hope he's talking to a couple of them and wrapping up John staying and Murty signing

This season it could be damaging as it has made it harder to reach the play offs imho as AP hasn't got enough time to assemble the right squad for the off. Long term it is probably a blessing in disguise as it gives 2 seasons to build a good enough side to compete in the championship and expectations are more realistic from most Saints fans this season. It seems a lot of mercanaries are trying to join us player wise as AP says he has been bombarded by agents and players wanting to join us now we have the backing of a billionaire and he says he needs to get the right players in who can do a job for us. Also commented how Saints have signed alot of dross of the last number of years who have not lived up to expectations.So I'm confident AP will recruit the right players to take us forward.We just need to be realistic about this season.

Says in the echo today he is close to finalising the contract.There will always be a bit of negotiating but sounds like he is close to signing.

I will be concerned if no new players have arrived by the end of next week as we need a rb,commanding cd,midfield general,winger and pacy striker to have a half reasonable side.We certainly ideally need the pacy striker,winger and cd before the season starts as without them I fear we will get embarrassed by Millwall & Huddersfield who are 2 decent sides who will both fancy their chances of making the play offs this season. I'd be happy with the rumours of Jaidi,Holland and Markus Bent were correct. If noone has signed next week it will send out the worrying signal that noone on AP's target list fancies coming to Saints. Yes we need to stay patient but isn't it difficult with us all knowing just how poor our current side is!?

AP said he didn't want to miss out on any bargains first which is quite right.I bet the majority of fans would be delighted if we signed players like Connelly,Lita,Mifsud,Volz,Sodje,Murty etc. It makes sense to see who we can get from the list or abroad 1st on bosmans He did say he has a list of targets currently under contract at other clubs but would also keep an eye on the loan market and experienced players at bigger clubs who fall out of favour. I have no doubt we will spend some cash but we might aswell see what positions we can get sorted out of the bosman market 1st

I thought players like Sodje,Fortune,Volz,Hoefkens,Connelly,Mckenzie etc were all still available.Get 2 of them in,a couple of loans and then buy 3 promising players like Whitbread,Lambert,Dickson,Gradel and Racon. Sign up Murty unless he has someone better lined up and we then should have a decent side. From AP's comments on the Salisbury game we will definately be getting in a big commanding central defender who can cope with height.Darren Purse?

Any news if Murty and John have been offered deals?

Have any of the free transfer forwards got any pace?That is what we seriously need upfront assuming we keep John,Patterson and maybe Saga.I would personally bring in Lambert and Connelly upfront if we can't get Lita which I think is very unlikely as Sheff Unt fans think he is signing for them. Kandol,Varney,Gray & Mcleod have all been bought by Pardew and one of them could easily be a target?Varney scored loads of goals for Crewe at this level and is not getting in the Derby team.Maybe worth a look at. We need a very nippy winger who can actually cross a ball(premiership loan maybe) and a central midfielder who can control the game.Also a right back and commanding central defender. 4/5 signings and keeping Murty,Mills and John and we should have a team capable of reaching the play offs. We could then add loans if Lallana,Schneiderlin,Holmes etc don't regain their confidence and start proving themselves or if we get crucial injuries

6 signings plus John,Euell & Mills new contracts

Already very clever management by AP.You don't come into a role and say you need 7 new signings and totally demotivate the players.You say you need 1 or 2 to keep everyone on their toes and motivate the current lot.With a few additions we have the basis of a decent team if he can get the best out of players like Rasiak,Saga,Schneidelin and Lallana and help players like Patterson,Mills and Gobern progress. If he signs Murty,I believe a pacy forward,winger and creative midfielder are the crucial positions to fill

we now have a far better manager who will no doubt get the best out of players like Lallana & Schneiderlin or move them on. If we had had John,Rasiak,Saga & Murty in our side last season we would probably of stayed up!! Mills,Patterson,Gobern,Mclaggon,White all more experienced now. So if we added a new lb,cb,cm,lm and pacey front man the team would be good enough for the championship not just div 1 imho.

Play offs.We start this league with no debts and no doubt will be able to get some good free signings and loans.Leeds did not had that luxary and still made the play offs.What they did have was brilliant support from their fans cue our role next season If Markus opens the cheque book for a couple of million and brought in say Ricky Lambert and Zak Whitbread aswell as a few frees like Murty & Holland and kept 2 of John,Saga & Rasiak I'd be very confident. AP has lots of contacts so there could be some very shrewd signings for this league

No doubt some idiots been on Wikipedia and added Southampton but then again why pick him so maybe there is some substance? Murty will be the 1st signing probably which would be a good one. Matt Holland is a stong possibility if he is willing to relocate as he apparantly lives near Colchester. Fortune,Gray,Thomas,Little all possible.Kandol is another possibility.All have played for him. How about young ex West Ham and Reading players who he looked after and have since moved to other lower division clubs and proved themselves.There must be a few out there who he is aware of? Hopefully his rabbits out of the hat will be Lita and Lambert.And Matt Oakley in midfield or someone similar.Could he attract Savage or Quashie?We need someone to control the midfield and pace on the wings.

WGS was playing golf on Monday in this country and from what I hear from people who talked to him he is extremely unlikely to be our new manager.Said we needed a young hungry up and coming manager

Matty Holland carl Hoefkins Jerome thomas Leon Mckenzie mifsud Todorov Rui Fonte Matt Richards All available on frees on pfa site.Also lots of others already mentioned on here like Voltz,Bennett,Scowcroft & Ball etc If we could get Murty,Sodje,Holland,Mifsud and Connelly for experience, a couple of loans and 2/3 up and coming players from div1 or 2 like Ricky Lambert then I think we should have a squad to challenge. Do people think we would be better off trying to keep Saga,Rasiak and John or should go for Connelly,Mifsud,Lambert,Cureton etc?

We all know the majority of fans want WGS.It probably wont happen so why not do a poll without people like Strachan,Keegan,Pearson, Hoddle & Pearson who are all unlikely imho. Why not have a poll with Boothroyd,Sanchez,Tisdale,Coppell,Poyet,Wise,Pardew and Adams.More realistic and we can then show just how unpopular Tony Adams would still be even with these candidates

They are looking for a manager with experince of the lower leagues according to the Sources talking to the echo so I doubt Christain Gross is being considered. Tisdale,Boothroyd,Pardew,Poyet and Cotterill are probably the type of managers we are looking at ie mangers who are likely to stick around for the long haul with experience of this league or the lower leagues.Coppell built Reading up over a number of years and could be the No 1 target as some rumour if he can be coaxed into another job so quickly after leaving Reading. Hopefully things are moving very fast and an appointment will be made before Tues game with Cheltenham as we need the new manager in asap.We need at least 5 new players before the new season and every day we are without a manger we lose out on potential players who could do a good job for us as they are snaffled up by other teams who are far further advanced on having their teams ready for the start of next season.

I Reckon GUS POYET Would be a better bet than Tisdale and certainly would be miles better than either of the Adams's.He was instrumental for Leeds before he left and would know div 1 well.

no doubt JP Seaijs!?

Now Wotte has gone much more likely to stay imho .

Ricky Lambert,Danny Webber,David Connelly & Stern John as our forwards.Would score 100+ goals between them.Better options than BWP & Saga imho.Rasiak would be useful if motivated. Other options include Lee,Scowcroft and Bishop and less likely options of Sharpe,Beckford & Lita

If BWP,Euell and John stay they have shown commitment as they could no doubt get a higher wage elsewhere and have shown the commitment to stay.If they are motivated enough for a Div 1 campaign is a different question as we would need them putting in 100% effort every week.Could we attract better players than them for their positions!?They could all be very useful in this league If Rasiak,Saga and Thomas really wanted to show their commitment to the cause and being part of the revolution they should offer to renegotiate their contracts and have a more realistic Div 1 wage(Fat chance of that happening imho) I reckon Mills will now sign his contract which would be good news. Hopefully Murty will also be signed up soon.

I Would make Connelly my no 1 strike target as he has been released by Sunderland and has a record of being a natural goalscorer in the lower leagues.Cureton,Lee & Scowcroft are other potential strike targets.If we can prize Andy Bishop or Ricky Lambert away they could be excellent at this level for us.It depends on John,Saga,Rasiak & BWP.Do they want to stay and will they put in the hard graft needed in league 1?Same for Euell? I would sign Murty & Saeijs for the defence.We then would need a lb and possibly 1 more CD if Thomas leaves. In midfield I would like an experienced player to help control the game.Someone like Savage or Oakley.I don't think Wooton or Pulis are good enough. Maybe another winger and a goalie if Davis leaves and we should have a team capable of reaching the play offs

Not worried about early pre seaspn friendlies.Team will be very different shortly with players like Davis,John,Euell & BWP hopefully signing new contracts and available and Llalana and Schneiderlin back.Add Murty & Thompson and Holmes if he ever stays fit. I reckon JP Seijs will probably sign if Wotte stays which seems likely.Even Saga might stay. There are plenty of players still available on frees and loans so I wouldn't be surprised if we brought in a couple of players. We might even spend a bit of money to bring in 3-4 players as I'm sure the Swiss will want us to start building a side that can challenge.Interesting and exciting times. Hence I will lose no sleep tonight worrying about a 2-2 draw with Totton