AussieDog

I think those are the players most fans would like to move on (maybe not Lemina), but we won't be giving them away for nothing, so it will depend on what value other clubs put on them. My own opinion is that there would possibly be a few others on the list who could go if their valuations are met - and then there are the ones who want to leave, even if the Manager wants to keep them (Bertrand, maybe?). I'd add to that a few of the fringe players too, like Targett, Reed, Hesketh, Barnes (what's happened to him this year since he got "promoted" from the U23's?),Gallagher, and a few others in the U23's to make way for the next generation. I'm sure they won't all go, but the Manager wants a smaller squad and will surely want to bring in some cash to fund some key players, so he will be keeping his options open. I expect at least half a dozen to go - just not necessarily the ones we want.

We’d be nuts to sell to a relegation rival

I’ve always thought he was under-rated. If he is so bad, why has he been picked 50 times by various England teams - including 30 appearances for the under 21’s?

So who, exactly, do people want us to be like? Moneybags (and soul-less) Man City? Arsenal (with almost zero english players)? Fulham, Brighton, Huddersfield, Cardiff, and probably another half a dozen clubs of a similar ilk (let's see if they are in the Premier League in a couple of years) Everton (the only thing in their favour is "history") Liverpool - well, to be honest, they do at least play entertaining attractive football, but even they lose players if a bigger club comes calling (plus, they are arrogant to55ers) Leicester - living off past glory of 1 Premiership (and who have sold several of their key players from that team...) Watford? - they might finish 6th this year (unlikely), but how many of their players can you name (and if they do well this season, do you think they will hold on to them next year That leaves Man Utd - as much as I hate to say it but pretty much the biggest club in the world, Spurs (how much did they spend in the transfer market this year?), Chelsea (how many players have they sent out on loan each year for the past 4 years - I think it was around 40 last year wasn't it?) Oh...and Newcastle....great fan base but f*ck all else. Let's be honest, most of us that support Saints do so because it is OUR team. It's where we originated from, migrated to, or gained an affinity for being an "underdog" who occasionally kicks a big teams arse. My ONLY gripe is we don't gamble more often with some of our talented youngsters, or gamble on a lower league player (without having unrealistic expectations if we do sign them). Over the years, which players have given you the best memories? Moran? Williams? Channon? Le Tissier? The Wallace brothers? Bale, Walcott, Even Lallana! It doesn't matter that the majority of them moved on, but they were OUR players. I will still go through the fixtures through the leagues each week and see which teams have ex-Saints, and how they have done, even if they never made it, or made barely any games for our first team (Dom Gape? Lloyd James?, Ben Reeves?). for me it's all part of OUR club and OUR history. I will still follow the U23's and Academy results and be almost as disappointed if they lose as the first team. I could go for ever on home-grown players who have had bit parts in our history and evolution (anyone remember the few games Tony Funnell played for us and the significance of his goals?) Of course, we have signed good players, but normally those who are slightly past their peak, but these days they are asking unrealistic salaries and unless the game introduces some form of salary capping (never gonna happen), things won't change. So, come on all you moaners. Tell me who you want us to be like?

Maybe the physicality of League 1 can toughen Hesketh up a bit, and hopefully Flannigan can prove his fitness and get back on track. I would imagine it's the last chance saloon for Flannigan. If he doesn't succeed at Burton he will not get another contract from us. I'd still like to see a few more go out. Obviously it's in everybody's interest for Forster to go somewhere, but possibly Slattery and one of either Johnson or Tella to find out if they can handle proper competitive games where they have to fight for a chance to play each week.

Whether Jack Schitt was full of it or not, the fact that some people feel the need, or think it is OK, to ridicule and abuse (ie bully) ANYBODY is quite sad. I've never understood the need. There is a big difference between telling someone you don't believe them, and in heaping ridicule and abuse on them (which happens far too often on here). It's getting harder and harder to pick out the useful info on this forum in between all the posters having a pop at one another. From my point of view I could put the bullies on ignore, but occasionally they also contribute to a decent debate or post and if I do that the thread becomes meaningless, so I choose to skim through the pointless posts and try and pick out the interesting content. Any bets on which of the above people are going to get on their high horse first and try and defend their (indefendable) actions?

Jake Vokins played for England U18’s in May, I believe.

Sign Hughes. Review the upper Hierarchy and the powers they have and what they actually bring to the club. I believe Reed has been instrumental in our success over the past 6 years - but it's time for him to move on. Krueger? Not sure what he adds to be honest. I think our new owners already know that and will be making changes. Massive clear out. Get rid of those who don't want to stay. Assuming that means Bertrand, Cedric, Forster, Boufal, and unfortunately Tadic & Gabbiadini. Don't know about Carillo as I don't think he really had a fair chance to settle in but if we can't get a decent return on the money we spent, then keep him for another 12 months. I hope Hoijberg stays, but he has to add some consistency to his game. Same goes for Lemina. If a couple of others have to be sold to balance the books, then so be it, as long as quality replacements are found. For the first time in my 50 years of supporting Saints, I don't think there is any player I would be sad to see leave. Be realistic about what we can afford, and set realistic objectives for next season (top half and some good Cup performances). Next season is about consolidating once more, and building a team again. We've lost our way. Don't sell us as just a stepping stone club so that we can be used and abused by foreign mercenaries. One quality right back. One quality EXPERIENCED centre back. One quality creative midfielder. One quality Striker. Possibly an experienced keeper as backup for McCarthy, although I wonder how the lad on loan up in Scotland might have progressed. Make sure there is room for some of the younger lads from the U23's to get at least some bench time. Get rid of those in the U23's who are really just makeweights and are never going to be 1st team material (Tella, Johnson, Rose, Wood, Little, Barnes, Olamola, Seager, probably Reed, to name but a few). Got to make sure the U18's get early game time to see their potential (like Obafemi, Vokins, Smallbone). I have a feeling there are a couple of gems in the U18's waiting to shine.

We seem to have a few good young keepers (including Harry Lewis on loan up in Scotland), but there is a huge leap from reserve football to Premier League. I think they would have to go on loan to a championship club for a season to prove themslves at a decent level first.

JWP would go and I think Austin would too. Don't forget the other players out on loan - Reed, Olomola, Seager, Lewis. I think Olomola in particular would have a shout in the championship after spending a year toughening up at Yeovil. Reed was never quite good enough for the Premiership but would be OK, and although the quality of football may not be the best in the Scottish championship, Lewis will have gained enough experience to be a good backup to McCarthy. Oh...and everybody seems to have forgotten about Gardos....best leave it that way...lol

on the plus side, I was thinking of coming back to Southampton to see family and try and see half a dozen games over the xmas period this year. Pretty sure I will be able to get tickets. On the minus side, I'm not sure I really want to see this shower of sh*te who earn more in 90 minutes than I earn in a year (and that's assuming they only earn 50k a week and play all 90 minutes of all 46 games in the Championship next season). I might re-think that plan.

Funny that. I think the same about a large proportion of those that post a load of twaddle on this site

So, Sky Sports have said Double VD can go. The club you "support" have said he won't go. At the moment it is pure conjecture, but you choose to believe a a media corporation desperate for ratings, over Saints? And you are surprised that you get slagged off....lol

Pretty much all of mine have already been mentioned, but I'll add a few more. Terry Curran, Charlie George, and my personal favourite, Tony Funnell.

We got ours through a club Wembley accredited reseller and paid 350 pounds each and that included a night in a cheap hotel in Hammersmith

Did that train journey for the 2010 JPT (although we wimped out and landed a few days earlier before travelling up to friends at Watford). Train was really quick and simple. Of course we were sharing the train with a bunch of Carslisle fans which I am guessing might be a lot more pleasant than sharing with a bunch of Utd fans!

Got tickets in the end via an authorised reseller from club Wembley. Expensive, but included a night in a hotel in London on the Saturday. If anyone is still desperate for a ticket, might be worth a try.

well flights are booked but still no sign of any of my friends/relatives being able to source me a couple of tickets so the way things are going we are going to need to use one of the ticketing agencies (unless the ticket supply goes down to members without any games at all this season), so has anybody actually used a ticketing agency and can give a positive report?

Nothing surprises me on this forum anymore, but there are a bunch of pompous self-righteous ba5tard5 on here. I would never want us to become a club like man Utd where the majority of supporters have no real ties with the club, but just because some of us may have ventured to places where we are no longer in a position to make the pilgrimage to our very own Mecca on a regular basis, it doesn't make us any less of a supporter and there should be a method where we at least stand a chance of getting a ticket. The club itself has said it is trying to grow itself as an international brand and part of that should be encouraging and offering opportunities to overseas fans. I save 90% my annual leave so that I can travel back every couple of years to watch us play. I am coming back for 3 weeks in the hope of getting 2 tickets for the final, but even if I can't I will still be at Wembley on the day to enjoy the whole atmosphere. I'll also try and get tickets for the away game at Watford, but that's going to be a challenge too! It's not easy being a Saints fan overseas!

get me 2 seated together and I'll pay £200 each! Flights are already booked and paid for!

As a 16 year old, queued up all night at the dell for a 76 semi final ticket, but missed out on a ticket for the final. Vowed then I would move heaven and earth to get tickets for any future final (or Wembley game). So far have managed charity shield ( was still a novelty back then), '78 league cup final, ZDS final, 2003 FA cup final, and the JPT final (even though i had since moved to Australia). Surely somebody is going to help me (and the Mrs, who has naturally been converted) to get a couple of tickets?? (Please....lol)

I've also got vague recollections of a semi final against Rangers - Texaco Cup? In the middle 70's I think. Or I could just be imagining it!

Reuben Agboola and Danny Wallace together away to Man Utd were both unexpected and pretty good. We've had some pretty good ones over the years, haven't we!

I have been known to be a bit cynical, but I don't think he was being 100% truthful with his reasoning. No doubt he was disappointed with the financial offering but I suspect there was also the issue of Saints aim to produce a larger percentage of squad players from within, and both he and the Board realised he wasn't prepared to give them a chance, so it was convenient for both parties when the Everton offer came along. Fair play to him for getting us into the top 6, but the opposing views meant the parting of the ways was inevitable.

his shirt number is...