Toon Saint

Still amazed Les and Ralph sat through that yesterday and convinced themselves the bog-eyed gump is worth persevering with. What do they think is around the corner, what do they think the master plan is, where is any tangible sign of progress? Completely baffling - especially as there is absolutely no objective reason for keeping him on after a drawn out post-season review. This season is just one drawn out sense of powerlessness and impotence in the face of glaring incompetence. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wasn't expecting miracles from him and he's been feeding off of scraps. Given that Pellegrino clearly pushed for the signing of an ex-player it's kind of galling that he doesn't appear to have any idea how to set the team up to get the best out of him. Despite the clueless approach of the manager, two assists in two games is a fair return - hopefully the likes of Boufal, Sims, and Gabbiadini get more game time alongside him.

This is probably ludicrously wishful thinking on my part, but given that Les was on the pitch with Pellegrino pre-match, is the Muppet finally being put under some sort of scrutiny? Or are we still waiting for the penny drop?

Exactly this really. You can imagine Lesley, in a darkened corner of Staplewood propped up against a spluttering Black Box, furiously scripting the would-be official Saints press release if we were to miraculously survive. There would definitely be a not-so veiled reference to West Brom's ownership restructure and managerial change, and various boll*cks about us trusting the process, sticking to our principles and not panicking. But of course this season will end in tragedy, so Les' against-all-odds diatribe will never see the light of day.

Eh? I said it was Gao's daughter after a previous post referred to her as a 'random woman' and made a joke about her being a prostitute.

The random woman is his daughter so not sure if they are that close.

And last. Put away the tea leaves. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I guess that sense of urgency about the situation is still 'developing' then. Les is rolling the dice big time, dreaming that David Hynter might one day write another smug PR piece about how we trusted the process, didn't panic, stuck to our principles and backed Pellegrino to come good. The famed Southampton way still blazing a path to 17th. Sadly the sane among us know how this will actually end. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

PR puff pieces and empty posturing. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Ross Wilson is now Director of Football Operations, which I think was Les' old title before he got bumped up to vice-chairman. Presumably a fair bit of the responsibility lies with him. I seem to remember him being on holiday during the month long end of season review last year. Seems like he went walkabouts this transfer window as well. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

This is the man who used the Lemina signing press release to take a swipe at other clubs' transfer business: “In a volatile market with some extraordinary and inexplicable transfers taking place, we are determined to go about our work in a diligent and correct way. This is a player who has won trophies and played in the Champions League final less than three months ago and he has signed for Saints amid a host of suitors." So puffed up on his own self - importance it's untrue. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

1/10 - the worst window since we were relegated to league 1. Milked the PR about Liverpool dancing to our tune when we sold VvD, but the only tune Les has been dancing to is the Benny Hill theme. We overpaid for a Monaco reserve but bizarrely couldn't fork out the VvD money for any actual quality and have missed out on every primary target leaked to the press. Think Les needs to be put out to pasture as he seems to lack the energy levels to deal with the pressure of a PL transfer window and can't manage more than one transaction a month. Hope that the rumours of retirement are true as think we need a younger more dynamic executive at the helm to drive the club forward. From owner to board to manager we seem to be affected by a weird malaise and sense of self - satisfied complacency. It was up to Les to shift that perception this window but he has failed big time. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Given that Carlos Carvahall, who came from a mid table Championship club, only has one less win than Pellegrino after 5 games in charge, it's hard to disagree with that. Also makes a complete mockery of the insistence by some that there is no better out there. There are several managers in the Championship that could a better job if only Les were brave enough to dare prise an active manager away. Maybe too much work for him and wee Ross to do this transfer window with one signing of a reserve player for a club record fee - bet all they want is a nice breather after it shuts today. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Should've gone ages ago, but I fear the ship has sailed for anyone new to come in and have a fighting chance of keeping us up so I expect he'll stay on. Apart from being a nice guy, he has no discernible philosophy, still doesn't know his best XI, his in-game management is appalling to the point of being self - destructive, and he hasn't shown anything to suggest he can coax any sort of consistency out of our players. He's basically been saved by a few plucky draws against top 6 opposition which have all been false dawns as they haven't led to improved results. Our only hope is that Carillo and hopefully Promes hit the ground running. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Anyone know who actually is supposed to close transfer deals now? Les Reed as vice chairman or Ross Wilson as director of football operations? Both failing miserably by all accounts.

Just sounds like negotiations to me and the release clause doesn't sound completely unreasonable given his standing in the league. Doubt we'd go in for him if we hadn't received some encouragement. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

If we did get Silva in then maybe Jorge Mendes can give Ross and Les a bit of a hand in the transfer window as they seem to be struggling big time. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Out of interest, anyone clock Les at the game on Sunday? You'd hope him and wee Ross have braved the Moscow snow, with a bottle of vodka each in hand, and a briefcase stuffed full of 75 big ones, ready to do some serious business.

More chance of me catching Quinsy tomorrow than Promes signing. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

We're also trying to buy from a club who have absolutely no need for the money. But hey at least we've finally got a bid in! Almost like wee Ross was on holiday again like he was during that end of season review that seemed to drag on for about a month last summer. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

'A sense of urgency is developing'. Jesus wept, it's like that scene in Austin Powers where the security guard stays rooted to the spot as the steamroller slowly crawls towards him. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Maybe Les pulled the plug on the deal as he wanted to cash in on the sell - on fee. All part of his masterplan I'm sure. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Excellent? It was a fawning puff piece. Jeremy Wilson & Sam Wallace are the closest to the club. David Hynter at the Guardian used to get a few exclusives but he seems to spend more time writing fawning puff pieces for Spurs nowadays. Which must really annoy our Les... Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I'm guessing he we will be thinking about his World Cup prospects too and a relegation on his CV wouldn't be the best way to force his way into the reckoning. Can't really blame him for not wanting to come here. Just can't help but think that if we pulled the trigger on MP a few weeks ago our chances of landing our primary targets would've been much better. Reckon that Palace result would've put a lot of potential signings off. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk