austsaint

For the little you can take from five minutes of highlights in a pre-season opener against weak opposition, the following things stood out. Reed looked composed and busy in centrefield; I'd be surprised if he doesn't make an impression this year. Mayuka looked good; great touch; smart lay offs and real pace. Targett certainly has a genuine left foot and showed deft touch

Small point - Boruc is 33, isn't he? No need to age him prematurely.

more importantly - is Shaw going to be replaced by a specialist LB? Or are we going to d ick around by using Clyne out of position (to our detriment) or hope that Targett is a) ready or b) good enough.

What about Vlaar being unveiled. Return of the two Ronnies.

Yet Shaw is a rare, exceptional talent with the physical development to match his skill, which means we not only got away without an experienced LB but had a special player right from the off. Hard to see that happening with Targett, Gallagher, Reed and even JWP. Too much reliance on the kids could be a strategy to regret.

PS. I'm sure the other Ron will have noticed.

If he does go are we any chance of recruiting Ron Vlaar? Hasn't he had a brilliant WC.

And a very promising CB in Stones. Seemingly if Stones and Barkley were with us Liverpool or Man U would be trying to lure them away. Everton's stability is hard not to be envious of.

I hope MS stays, but if he doesn't, his apparent willingness to talk things over with RK shows a bit of class and respect - something a couple of others failed to demonstrate.

Yep, one of your best offerings, Wes. What a deeply disappointing character Lallana has shown himself to be. I don't begrudge him the glittering prizes of a fat wedge and a trophy Club, but the way he has gone about getting there labels him as blunt, insincere, selfish and egotistical. My only consolation is the near certainty that he has probably already played his best patch of Football and will see even more bench time from here on in.

Looks like there's a bit of work for the Club dietician judged by the pics of Sammy and Ronald.

Feeling a bit indifferent to Lallana's move. The way he has (apparently) gone about getting what he wanted makes it a rather hollow announcement. I will be surprised if he justifies the price tag in the seasons ahead - in time, last season might be judged as his peak.

My guess is Baz Sanchez

Agree with this. Of the players who have left and those who may move soon, Lallana is the one I think we will miss least. Played out of his skin for most of last season under MP and I suspect that will be the best spell he will ever muster. Throw in the way he has gone about things since seasons end and the sale price and departure seems about right.

I won't give up watching the game, but having watched JWP for two seasons I doubt he is going to be a top class player. Neat, tidy, good dead ball delivery...but lacks pace, passes are often sideways and back, not particularly aggressive in the tackle and easily out-muscled. Hope I am wrong and he turns out to be the new Beckham/Gerrard.

I'm with you here Jeff. Lallana's been great for Saints and last season he played out of his skin under MP. However I will be amazed if in 12 months time he is valued at anything like that money, and his apparent determination to be off has dulled the affection of many a supporter, including me.

Agreed. I think Lallana has talked his way out of his contract with Saints and the Club is probably better off with the inflated fee for him. I have a feeling last season will be seen in time as his best, under MP.

I see what's going on with Lovren and co. as the inevitable consequence of big business - which Football is. Mostly about opportunity and profit, with loyalty well down the list. The scope of our business was talked up by Cortese, and MP imparted some gloss and shine on several of our players sufficient for them to set course for the bigger prizes on offer...Champions League and fatter pay slips.

I'm with you here Window. Adam played out of his skin for most of last season, though he seemed to taper in the last part of the season. I just don't see him sustaining that level of performance at the WC or at CL level should he go to a "top club" Also, unless the reports of his comments and stance have been mis-quoted he is nearly a lame duck for Saints. It would be a major surprise if Ricky played a significant role in the WC and his influence at Liverpool may not be great. And then there's Luke; he is a beauty, no doubt; but still has a bit to prove at both Prem and International level. Maybe the values and reputations will not be enhanced by the time the World Cup is over.

I hope, for his sake, that was an aisle seat, not a middle seat scrap for the armrests! Once you de-sensitise from the Club's previous Dutch Coaching experiment the prospect of RK's arrival is quite exciting.

Well said! A true Club legend.

Fantastic? Don't think so, more bitter, than bitter-sweet. The fact that Glasgow or whatever his name is now likes it nails it to a mediocre place.

Yes, I agree he would be an exciting appointment, and don't we need some good news. My point was that Glasgow's bald statistics comparing MP and RK are misleading and not the full story. RK does have the better record as things stand but he has had considerably longer to build the CV. In time I expect MP to be managing better clubs than Spurs.

nn How about a bit of context, Glasgow. MP with a stint at a selling club in Spain, relying on youngsters ultimately and a little more than a season at Saints where he had us playing some of the best football seen in the Prem. The other with multiple opportunities at the strongest clubs in the Netherlands and Portugal for a considerably longer time frame. You may have changed your moniker but the rest is relentlessly the same tripe.

Lovren, Morgan and Vic are the worries for me.