Saint Matty 76

Ramsdale (loan), holding midfield back-up, a starting creative midfielder (O'Riley?) and a starting striker away from what I'd say is a decent window. Probably about all we could've hoped for. Enough? Certainly not sure about that. Think we'll require a couple points deductions elsewhere to have much hope.

Interesting as it's just come out that Ipswich pushed at the last second, so maybe he spoke to them but chose us in the end.

Kits average, ruined by a sponsor that would look bad on any red & white design Away is okay, meh

What a truly insane waste of time

I’d say that’s a pretty big part of it

Hahahaha that’s fucking terrible

Definitely looks rough. So far we'll have spent about £60m to have a team no better than the one who came 4th in the Championship.

Good to get Downes done early, although I'm sure he'd have been fine turning up the day before the season and being plugged into midfield. McCarthy Sugawara - THB - Bednarek - Edwards - Taylor/Fraser Smallbone - Downes - Lallana/Aribo Armstrong - Stewart What we'd be looking like at the moment for the opening day. Hoping (praying) for another GK, CM and ST before it's done. Obviously on the assumption that KWP is gone, but would be a nice surprise to have him slot in on the left!

I think we're close as well, with Sugawara basically being confirmed. I think at an absolute push it'll be; 1x GK, 3x CM, 2x ST. However, you could see us cutting corners and going with 2x CM (Downes and one of O'Riley/Camara?) and just one ST, who could even be Che... KWP, ABK and Onuachu to definitely leave. Alcaraz, Sulemana and Mara possibilities as well.

Wonder if we'll see Alcaraz as one of the front two in the 5-3-2 this year as a rotational option. He was definitely the bright spark in the months leading to relegation. It's just whether he'll be trusted when we have less of the ball, which he loves to give away, or if we'd be willing due to his off-the-ball work. Signing/Stewart - Armstrong/Alcaraz Would assume Sulemana will get some minutes there as well if he sticks about. Fraser/Edozie likely to get their minutes at wing-back.

I'm not too sure. Dutch friend said it's a Hamstelaar/Rutget collab, and there's an AZ fan in the replies saying very reliable.

https://x.com/transferwatchnl/status/1810717957099511838 Dodgy translation of: FIRST: Yukinari Sugawara from AZ to Southampton. Sugawara will one of these days be presented by the English club. 🟢

Because he suited the slower style of football in Spain at Girona. There's no need to rewrite history. It's why he was deemed surplus here.

Romeu is a lovely bloke but he's also a midfielder whose biggest issue was passing the ball and ended up getting replaced by an 18 year old who'd never played professionally due to it. I'd be absolutely gobsmacked if it was him. I could definitely see it being Reed though as RM seems to only like British players. 14/14 signings so far.

Lavia on loan or JWP are the exciting options. Reed I'd take as a depth option, Charles won't cut it. Anything else, apart from maybe Hojbjerg I'd be out on. However his wage demands would be silly for us.

And only the most depressing of you would argue that it isn’t deserved. Forget the crying about increased pay-off’s if it actually happens, but for now he did all we could’ve asked and made me excited to go to football again. Also adapted when it mattered and provided me with my favourite day as a fan at Wembley. Let’s hope he can adapt again where necessary, because we know it will be.

Saints believe they are close to signing both Ronnie Edwards, 21, and Nathan Wood, 22, on permanent deals. Told initial fees as low as £3million each - which is an absolute bargain. Have to assume there's some other stuff in there too. What the fuck? From Alfie.

You'd assume we'd need 5 CBs if we're playing what we did last year, so I'm hoping that's not the case. Lyanco, DCC and ABK all to leave instead I hope.

Sticking in the 532 with THB - Bednarek - Edwards as first choice defence, with Stephens and Wood as rotation/back-up. ABK sold to (hopefully) cover the cost of Edwards and Wood? Sounds like strong business to me.

https://fixupx.com/nickmashiter/status/1808130670394277967 "Southampton have bid around £6m for Bournemouth's Max Aarons (which will be rejected if not already). Saints also close to finalising Nathan Wood and Ronnie Edwards deals. More @BBCSport" Close to finalising Wood & Edwards apparently? I promise he's a real source despite the name.

Apparently £5m for Wood, can’t complain with that for an England u21 CB. Have to say I wasn’t impressed in either game, but you’d assume he’s either 1. Not coming in as a starter, or 2. Bumping Stephens down the pile a bit. THB, Bednarek, ABK, Wood & Stephens CB room first area to be sorted? Or does ABK go and we get one other?

Could probably get away with Edwards' height if we stick with the 5-3-2 and play him wide.

Good shout, forgot about Danny! Players signed in our most recent top flight era, I should've specified.

Can’t believe people are disappointed about Perraud. Just because the second worst defensive left-back I’ve ever seen was currently alongside the worst, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try and improve. Genuine liability.

That's an exciting link for a change! My Dutch mate thinks he's class and said he was expecting him to get a better move. Bittersweet on KWP though unless we're planning on him being on the left permanently, both as wing-backs.