yorkie

Pre-season friendlies are OK if you like that sort of thing - I've even been to Luton for one in the past and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and relaxed approach. If people want to critice the turnout - I guess they need to blame the club for the timing and the clubs selected. There will always be a cost associated with such a tournament - and after being promised a "top" Premiership side - the club didn't deliver and settled for some German outfit instead. If a trophy is to mean something then it has to be played for with gusto - unfortunately pre-season friendlies are not the option. If they really wanted to capitalise on the promotion - the tournament should have been held the week after the end of the season - the turnout then would have been much greater - but even footballers need a rest! I didn't go Saturday - I didn't fancy getting in after midnight again for a friendly. There was the issue of fuel to get to SMS -as it is a 500-mile round trip, and I have a wedding to attend this weekend in Kent...I know how difficult it is to balance enthusiasm and loyalty with a sensible approach with everything that has to account for our incomes. Looking forward to the new season (thanks to Markus) with slightly bigger crowds to last. I do wish other fans would stop picking on the other 50,000 who went to Wembley to have a day out, or the other 32,000 at the last game of the season for not going - but you don't stop loving Markus for what he did by not going on Saturday...

Apparently Stoke have dropped their interest in him - so our offer the only one on the table...I wonder if there will be news from SMS today now?

According to Solent about 6,000 - a very disappointing turnout for our saviour. I guess holidays, the cost and the format account for that!

Both going to West Ham!

The statement of intent was more of a wish...how many 17 year olds know what they want? I really think if the fans get behind him I think he will have a change of mind and see sense! We all listen to our parents but often we go totally against their wishes. Might be time to change tack, leave home and grow up out of dad's influence? I'm 100% behind the clubs decision to fine him, and totally behind him playing today. I doubt if therenwill be any booing when he gets the ball. To be honest it will be interesting to see how he performs against decent sides. A valuable lesson for him which could backfire if he really turns it on, or may just get a rude awakening...not as good as you thought?

Didn't Paul Gilchrist go there for a spell?

He certainly fits the Adkins mould of being young with potential plus experienced at this level. If a deal is being done could be player and cash involved - plus is he out of contract or refusing to sign an extended deal? I'm sure there are plenty of people speculating and the vultures circling - personally I'd rather have a British team with a smattering of johnny foreigner than a team full of johnny foreigners and a smattering of British lads. Language barriers aside I think British lads aren't just coming for the money or the next move - they will see Saints as a club going places (like Cork) and want to get on the bus. Compared to PNE - Saints would be a massive move for the lad. Here's hoping...

Just take a look at the name of the poster...spoonerism at it's best...WUM#1!

Well I guess with Holmes playing well - Gary Roberts deal in the bin! He played for Huddersfield last night in a friendly against Wrexham.

So what staus have the team reached with the flag then? Is there a final design agreed? Has all the funding been found? Is the club helping in any way?

I think the issues with players is Adkins likes team players - many of the likes we have been linked with do not appear as team players, more individuals. His methods seem to work - he's got the best out of the squad and they all look to be loving it. It is a developing squad and to be honest some players might be intimidated by the togtherness of the existing squad. I think any player coming in has to be a bit special - he must have the thumbs up from Adkins (without overloading us with his old boys) and fit in with the squad. Most of all they have got to want to play for Southampton...and believe it or not I think that is where the problem lies. Many people over the years were attracted by lucrative contracts and easy money and no will to win due to expectations. It's different now - sensible money and an air of expectation...it's all pressure!!

Lots of good players - does not mean a goos team!

Any away in Yorkshire will do me or a bit further north! Doncaster would be nice as Nigel could spend the weekend at home...Barnsley, Leeds, Hull or Middlesborough all OK by me! Derby would be OK or Forest - both decent pints pre-match!

Blimey I can also remember all those games - the atmosphere at night was special! There was something of an edge around The Dell at night - dark corners but very bright floodlights. All time favourite night was Channon's testemonial...but I think that was because of the events the weekend before. Remember Glasgow Rangers at The Dell one night game in The Archers...hmmm not the friendlieat of visiting fans!

I think this is a little unfair having a dig at the regime because they are successful. We all knew if we got promoted it comes with a cost - a more expensive season ticket. I've never had one or ever want one - I have always gone when I want even if it did mean every home game of the season! As a man I expect to retire at 65, and with that comes a reduced income and belt tightening is inevitable. The club made if easy for the over 60's to get in on the cheap - but they are now looking to seek the next generation of fans and don't under 11's get in free? Swings and roundabouts - football has got inceasingly expensive over the last 20-years - and it certainly won't be getting cheaper if you are striving for The Premiership & regular trips to Europe. I'd be more worried if they banned over 60's - not having a season ticket doesn't stop you going!

There will be more games but what is the point of trying to beat a continental team when we want to get up to speed in beating Championship sides? WBA will be a good test to see how far we have come - but we will be 10-days away from starting the season and guess they will be a few games behind us in fitness stakes. Perhaps with out Italian connections we will go there for a pre-season? Do not think Sweden/Scandinavia ever got us prepared properly - perhaps some Irish or Scottish teams to give the mighty army a chance to follow the pre-season without costing a fortune? Whatever I just get this positive feeling we are going to break our first game of the season hoo-doo - I forecast a win where ever & who ever we play! The last win was ages ago - from memory 1-0 at Coventry scorer Egil Ostenstat in the 89th minute...that's how long it has been. In Nigel and the squad I believe...stepping up a league is more than promotion it's about maintaining the momentum started when Adkins joined.

Personally don't have any preference today... Huddersfield tomorrow preferably as it's another close game in a Yorkshire town. Swansea tomorrow as we owe Reading big time - they are a local club for all you lot down south to go to! As for the big one at Wembley - just want to see a feast of football - but with all the hype it's bound to be sh*te. It's all going to end up Messi for Giggs I Imogen!

I notice Jamie O'Hara is up for grabs with a £5m deal on the table at Wolves. IMO he could do a job for us!

I'm not Xenphobic - but johnny foreigner don't do it for me. The era of the loyal Scandinavian has gone...it's all about African mercenaries or nationalised Europeans from the dark continent. I have been impressed with Guly - OK a Brazillian but has adjusted well to the demands of League 1. I remember old sulky boots (Fernandes) at Cardiff p*ssing around behind the goal at Cardiff when Strachan wanted him on - he totally ignored his frantic waving for him to get his kit off! Look at the Poles - Saganoffski! Contract then off with all the effort! I know we have mercenaries in this country too - look at our squad. If Forecast or Pulis had any honour they'd pay back all but £50,000 they have earned in the last 3-years to show their loyalty to SFC! No I don't think so!! Players coming in? Young lads who have potential and are hungry. I used to think Dyer was in that mould until the night club incident and he got too big for his boots (even though he's a squirt!). Nigel will know what we need, and they won't unbalance a ship already on course to go further up the leagues. Harmony and competition must be the key to a succesful season next year. Saying all that we need a clinical finisher. We missed the power of Kenwyn Jones and when he left he was really raw. I don't think he has progressed that far as in the Cup Final he missed a 1-on-1 at 0-0. Any striker worth his salt should have converted that one chance. At times in The Championship we may only get one chance - even Connolly isn't Mr. Perfect. It is going to be a long hot summer - but I want quality and passion. Someone who will become as much as part of the club as our home grown talent - fat chance I know but we can all have dreams.

Truly great - half way around the world - after a 10-hour flight they get met but a Saints fan. I really don't think the players realise how many fans live outside of Southampton. Global club with one fan in Vegas to greet them. I might have to drive down to Scunny and welcome Adkins home now! Don't you just love the togetherness at our club?

Surely he's worth at least £2m of the Geordie's money after selling Carrol?

A colleague came in first thing - and stated it was all kicking off again after reading a piece in The Express (I think). It went on about Le Tiss not being invited and how Benali was in dispute of a housing rental...why can't people get to grips with the situation? Gone are the days where clubs had to look after players once they retired, because now they earn millions when playing. Matt is gainfully employed and has other commitments - if he wants to go why he can pay like the rest of us. Sure he finds it difficult to get tickets - so did the rest of Southampton! Look I grew up watching these guys earn hundreds of thousands of pounds - I don't hear Ron Davies bleating in the press about not being invited! This man earned slightly better money than the average Joe when he played, and is probably as well known as any of our so called legends. I wish celebrities, politicians and legends would start digging into their own pockets for once - of course you realise who pays indirectly for their attendance - yes us the fans, not the club or Mr Cortese!

I think in the same way Norwich appraoched this season - aim to go up automatically!

We absolutely battered them there but had no luck in front of goal - I'll settle for that with a bit of luck in front of goal...6-0 please!

Never mind that what about Benali - he is another Mr Southampton through and through.... I guess that's a no Nicola?