eelpie

It's a sad, distasteful trait among too many that they seem to think big of themselves by posting venom. They just demean themselves. If they can't tell the difference between controversial debate and personal insult it has to be up to the hard pressed mods to have to weed them out. Why should posters be bullied off the forum by them?

I do like optimists sometimes

It would be a shame if Ronald didn't take advantage of this talented free signing.

It would be a shame if Ronald didn't take advantage of this talented free signing.

You're really souping this up. All he said there is "At that time, I didn’t want to be captain. I was 24." In the context, what is wrong with that? Get over it. She's moved on.

This (hopefully)

I think you've hit the nail on the head. We need players to play at their best in a system that makes the most of their talents. and not have off days like post-Europa match tiredness. Simple.

Bournemouth have done best (relative to their income), not sure who has done worst, but it ain't Saints.

It's tough on mums

How does Claude Puel's new diamond system affect the youth teams? In recent years the more senior academy squads were said to be following similar tactics to that of the first team in order to provide a seamless transition upwards. Does anyone have any information on whether this is still happening? And does it matter if youth and the first team might have different tactical styles? Does anyone have views on this?

WUM

Boufal's signing is a great relief, and even if he can't play for a while, to have a young professional of his calibre here will be a great boost to players and fans. Meanwhile though we are still weakened by Wanyama's departure in midfield because our midfield has been looking a bit bullied by taller tougher teams, and this needs to be addressed, especially as Boufal is also small in stature. And we still need a tallish sharpshooter up front to replace the presence that Pelle gave us. This is not a moan, just an obvious fact. Hopefully the rumoured addition will resolve one of these concerns - please.

Welcome Sofiane. A timely recruit.

The buck has to stop there. Les has been instrumental in steadying the ship over the last few years, but perhaps he has become too overconfident in his own ability to always get things right. On the other hand it is early days and perhaps Puel may prove to be a good manager. I just don't find his version of the diamond entertaining to watch, so far.

Weren't the academy teams supposed to be playing in the style of the first team to aid seamless progression to the first team? That could be difficult now.

True, I don't have the insight or knowledge of the manager, but I have eyes.

I do agree. Jay has to be given game time, and although it may still be too early for him to play at his best for 90 minutes , as a sub he will steadily improve. Puel does seem to have a negative attitude.

It hurts a lot to see our 'Southampton Way' discarded to suit a new manager's rigid doctrine of how football should be played. And I'm shocked with my own reaction. Why is the lively, positive football style, that I have grown up with, not valued by Puel and Les Read? (Les must espouse what we are seeing). Saints have been in our family's DNA ever since my grandfather, born 1887, took me to my first match at the Dell as a tiny lad in the 1950's. Then we weren't playing well but new manager Ted Bates was beginning to rebuild a relegated, despondent, in debt SFC. Then, as now, people were saying give the new manager time. Ted Bates was already a hero from his playing times, so he came to the job with some goodwill. He was a natural fit. But Puel isn't, sadly. His diamond doesn't fit the players he inherited, that is obvious. On the pitch they don't seem to know where each other is or should be. Their wayward passing and flick-ons are to players who aren't in the positions that they ought to be according to the system. I see three Saints players running after the same ball and they look disjointed and unhappy. Puel has had enough time over the summer break to make the system work. Our players have professionally tried to make it work, but they are looking uncomfortable and worried. It seems that to make his diamond work he wants to discard and replace. We have transferred poorly so far this summer, and I do not want to see our best players wanting out. I'm sorry, this is not the Saints I want to watch. This shocks me.

No, not yet playing 90 minutes, but if he needs game time it would be better that it were here, coming on when he can make an impact. He can score goals and seemed more match fit than others.

True. Over the last few years Saints have improved their players making good players, very good to excellent, but I watched in disbelief a collective tepid and bewildered Saints low in confidence, lost and uncertain where others were or should be, kicking wild and generally playing well below their capabilities. It doesn't look good. Thank goodness for Jay, another quality player that the manager wants out of St Mary's. It was not only the ref who didn't know what he was doing.

You have a praying tapatalk?

What caused it? Springboarding?

...not to mention matching earlobes

My constitution would be happier if incoming springboards happened before the springboards they replace were springboarded out.