UpweySaint

An ex saint in the 18s and 19s too in Max Alleyne and Jimmy Jay Morgan. Seems to suggest we're developing promising talent again.

Fair based on the dross Everton served up today but the squad/toxicity he has inherited would have been tricky for any manager to do much with. FWIW I think they'll come down this year along with Luton and Sheff Utd though if they keep above the dotted line it will largely be because the likes of Wolves have fucked up or Fulham fall apart without Mitro up top. 17th would be a good season for them, much like us they've been circling for a good few years and are weighed down by a cycle of woeful recruitment and muddled squad building.

To an extent yes, if we're not the most physical we will always be vulnerable at set pieces. That being said with some organisation and intelligence we could be better than we are even with the limitations of the squad. Christ, we couldn't really be much worse!

I would suggest the merits of the line up would be better judged after the Norwich game. If we get a decent result the dross we served up midweek will feel marginally more justified. That being said are woeful ability to defend set pieces is such a frustration - at least we've recognised the issue and got a dedicated set piece coach in with a good reputation. The poor showing does illustrate the importance of keeping our best XI fit and firing this season. For such a big squad we are lacking in depth/quality for key positions. Until we've got past Sept and have time to bed in whatever new recruits we end up with things could be rocky. Provided we're still in touch towards the top of the table by Oct I personally would be happy. All the same fair play to Gillingham. It sounds like they had a game plan, worked hard and executed well. They've had a few tough years so good to see them on the up.

Early doors but this looks okay so far: https://cdn.sportcast.fun/embed77/?event=stack.html&link=1&domain=&force=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sportcast.fun%2Fnginx.php%3Fid%3D35&ask=1691179200&lgt=3

Such a bizarre one. Early days I was convinced we had another VVD on our hand, he was an absolute ball magnet. No clue what actually went on behind the scenes but all the conjecture seems to be indicative of a player who couldn't get his head right to reach his clear potential in his time with us. I do wonder if we'll ever get the full story of what went on for him. Hopefully we've included a sell on and he reaches his potential at Monaco.

I was planning on cancelling mine, when I went to do so I got a fixed £9.99 for a full year rather than £7.99 a month offer to keep my subscription. If you're a monthly subscriber worth seeing if you can get it cheaper.

Fair point. He's probably been tarnished a bit. Most of the team he was parachuted in to last season looked utter w*nk so deserves a fair crack next season, have to admit I found myself nodding along with the Bree is rubbish stuff. He's not as exciting as Tino but we are where we are as a club.

I've had some joy following the fb link without needing to log in: https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/video/live-goeztepe-vs-saints?fbclid=IwAR3z2qaDXuCLfXPYJuhos43wA__3a9ko9F1xuEhfF9QJu6ONCnX0qFihrko

Best of luck to him. It will be interesting to see how he sets them up considering they'll be one of the 'bigger' teams in that League and he'll have a preseason to bed in his ideas/influence recruitment.

I could be wrong but I think City have a 20% sell on clause so £40mil now would in effect be £32mil to us. Unless we're convinced his value would depreciate or he'd be disruptive if he didn't get a move I can't see any value in us selling this summer unless there is an offer that we're not convinced we could get next summer. He is too good for the championship but that doesn't change that we are (hopefully) in the driving seat to some extent due to the length of contract. Personally I would want to see any fee match or exceed the £50mil hail mary Chelsea threw our way before he'd even proved he could be consistent over a full season.

I get this but he is likely to hold value next year and is unlikely to be worth less than £32m to any interested party. Therefore for us, presuming we play hard ball, there is no incentive to sell now and weaken the squad unless there is an offer that exceeds that. I've seen £45m mooted as a value and given market rates/his high ceiling I don't think that's bad value for any club buying a player who could be a key part of their midfield for the next decade.

Selles is on a fixed term contract so it's not unreasonable for us to be exploring options for when that contract ends. A bit of transparency wouldn't hurt though if he is as in the dark as he is claiming. We could argue he is 'interviewing' for the permanent post while an an interim position but he has clearly not done enough to warrant the permanent post.

Really sound post. I think most saints fan are familiar with, and broadly supportive of, the supposed model but as you say the execution is key. We've made too many poor decisions both in the years preceding SR and in their time. We've obviously made one too many big mistakes in quick succession and it has really caught up with us evidenced by the dross we've served up most weeks on the pitch and the state of the squad/staff off it. While I'm not expecting us to walk the championship (losing is a hard habit to break) next season could be good fun if we get more of the big calls right.

Christ this is painful to watch. Not the first f*cking clue what the plan is here and I don't think the players do either. We're in miracle territory for the last 30.

Very very unlikely. Willing to admit I'm clutching at straws - I think I have been for most of the season to be honest! 😆 Lavia has everything about him to be world class. In the spirit of frantic straw clutching he is only 19 and has had one season of men's football. A second in a well coached (don't laugh), familiar side in a decent standard of competition (even ignoring Rasmus bullsh*t metrics) could be better for his development than a season potentially bench warming. Really depends on development pathways etc - the counter argument is somebody like Foden who has benefitted from a gradual introduction into a top side.

Something like, we agree to City activating their clause early with agreement for a 1 year loan? We lost out on being able to hold a bidding war but we keep Lavia for one more season. I think he's already too good for the championship but would have to start as a squad player at best in the type of sides who realistically would be going for him (top five/six clubs). I anticipate there is a valid question about what could be better for development - consistent games in the championship or training with top quality players and coaches with hit and miss game time.

It doesn't by itself, as you say big part of the reason we've come up short. Our best teams have had a blend of both and clear, coherent leadership which we've sorely lacked. I don't agree we need 5-6 but it depends what's left next year. A midfield of Prowse, Alcarez and Lavia is good enough. We should be able to put together a decent CB partnership from the bunch we have - they're internationals and with the right coaching should be able good enough for the championship. Baz has been thrown in to the deep end and in a proper side with a settled defence you would hope he might fare better but accept we could improve. Up front - the right striker would do wonders. We went big on tall Paul and I'm still not sure why. You may disagree but I fancy Adams to get goals in the championship but much prefer him in a two. I hope Ballard get's a chance to show if he's got enough next year. Probably a bit of an idealist w@nker but in lieu of competing for trophies which seems an ever distant prospect one of the few things that gives me a bit of joy being a saints fan is when we bring decent talent through the academy. Spreadsheet manager or not I just want to see somebody with a coherent plan and as you say ideally a big of experience! Ralph before the 9-0's scared the life out of him, Poch (probably loved a spreadsheet), Koeman (probably only had one to tally up the golf scores), Adkins ... Even Puel I sort of got it - didn't always like it but you knew what his plan was on the pitch. With the late stage Ralph, Nathan 'I don't recognise myself in this team' Jones and Selles I rarely have a clue what our plan is in games. I mean, Aribo starting today - why? Where did we see the goals coming from?

Cooper would be great if available or Potter if attainable. Rowett has rebuilt a once promising reputation and knows his way around the championship. I genuinely don't think we would be the worst attraction next season. There is enough quality in the squad (even with some departures) to compete for promotion if they can get some early momentum. The board, despite some major cock ups this year, have backed us financially and seem likely to continue to do so. We have some exciting young talent to work with and mould. Premier league jobs are hard to come by and highly coveted so anybody fancying building a team in their own image and taking them up may fancy it - just look at the amazing work Frank and Silva have done! Both managers I would have wanted in years gone by but well out of our reach now. I expect we'll also be paying good wages comparative to most top European leagues so should be able to cast our net wide if there are promising managers elsewhere - Knutsen seems to be linked every time a mid to low premier league job comes up and he's got some pedigree.

Insane how much time he has to get that shot away. We're done short of a minor miracle. Such an uninspiring watch - we look clueless.

While it's not likely it's good to at least have half a chance. Let's face it, if Jones stayed we didn't have a hope in hell! If we go we go but we at least look like a side that will be fighting rather than going down with a whimper. Momentum will be key. If we can put back to back results, even a win either side of a draw and the psychological shift will be massive. Brentford aside we've actually looked like scoring the odd goal in most games since Selles took over and that may be the key to get us over the line. Alcarez, Walcott, a little spurt from Adams (we can hope), JWP to keep doing JWP things ... The only game I would write off is Arsenal away. CIty at home is almost in that camp but we've shown this season we can pull off a result against them - albeit the cup game they had made several changes. Away at the Amex could be tricky but it may be a non event for Brighton by that point and a credible draw or a sneaky win isn't entirely out of the question. As ever it's the hope that kills you but results like today keep suckering me back in to believing we could just pull it off.

First win blatant pen. Second one? They're both at it! Stupid as you like from DCC but a bizarre decision from the ref.

Gallardo is certainly a manager with an exciting reputation. Probably unattainable but certainly worth a discussion and a chance to 'sell the vision' (whatever that currently is!)

Can Jones get through a single presser without being a complete cock?!? Honestly I didn't expect him to be able to perform miracles but we look beyond inept. It doesn't say much about him if he has been letting others dictate style of play, personnel or tactics be that the club or the fans. I would be gobsmacked if as part of the interview process he did not explicitly give an overview of how he planned to get the best of the squad and what recruitment he felt was necessary - any decent coach would. We're a long way from Poch, Koeman and bugger me but even Puel had a plan - dull as it may have been. If we want to scrabble for silver linings today at least we shouldn't be ransacked if we do drop. Some of our players stock must be plummeting. How many of our players based on the way they are currently playing would have many suitors? KWP? JWP? Somebody who thinks they can get the best out of Salisu? (I rate him highly but he's regressed and the carousel of CB pairings can't help) ABK who has looked good in flashes? Adams maybe to a side who will play two up top? Lavia for less than Chelsea bid in the summer? I could see some of those going but beyond that I can't see many vultures circling.

Embarrassingly fucking easy that goal. Pressure on the ball? Challenging a man? Having anything resembling a shape? Forget it. Brentford hold up such a mirror to the clusterfuck that is our club. No stars but a clear plan on the pitch and off it executed well.