29 Jul 2021 09:01:25
Diego Costa aged 32 is considering signed for Turkish outlet Besiktas on a free transfer. Former Chelsea Striker has been without a club since January, due to high wage demands putting many clubs of potential signings. It is believed Diego and his agent have decided to lower that wage demand to just £50,000 a week.

Would he be a good fit for Southampton? Would this signing convince Ings to stay? Would Danny and Diego be the perfect combination? How many young Southampton starlets could learn from such an experienced player?

1.) 30 Jul 2021
30 Jul 2021 18:28:23
We don't want this mercenary in our team, i'd rather have Tella than Costa-Lot. It doesn't fit with our style anyway, Teams are made where the Sum of the parts are worth more, and my view is that we are only 2/ 3 players short of having a great side.

When Saints were at their best, it was because each player knew what was expected and they played for each other Costa doesn't give a toss about anybody but him.

Looking forward to the new season, there is one one player that we have to rely on, Che Adams is looking good and i think he will knock in 18-20 goals this year.

James Ward-Prowse will always give his best and he's making a good captain. Armstrong is the most under-rated player in the team and Walker-Peters will come on again this year.

My breakthrough player would be Will Ferry, he's an intelligent youngster and i'm hoping to see him get minutes to prove it. Would be good to get Smallbone fully fit, shame, the game he got his ACL in was his best game.

If there was one thing i would give my right arm for, it would be to see Sam McQueen somehow get a start and prove that he can be part of the team. This is what being a Saints fan is about, not looking to spend volumes of money per week on old laggards.

Come on you Saints!

2.) 31 Jul 2021
31 Jul 2021 13:02:27
Saints being 2 or 3 players short of a great team is an interesting perspective Pete but not one I agree with sadly. We are bang average in most departments individually and collectively - probably only Ings is a proven ‘great’ player.
I do agree that we need to bring on our youngsters and not invest in mediocrity (as we have done over last 3 seasons or so) .
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we need a quality GK - neither Forster or McCarthy cut it and without the quality we’re accustomed to (Shilton, Flowers, Niemi, the list is endless) we will be bottom 6 rather than top 10 side.
I like your optimism Pete but we’re in for a bumpy ride starting in 2 weeks time!

3.) 31 Jul 2021
31 Jul 2021 18:46:07
We will See Millertime, but i'm feeling confident that Tella is a class act and that Walker-Peters is looking more solid than last year.

We still have the Goalkeeper situation i agree, we've had some fantastic goalkeepers over the years. can't see Celtic coming in for Forster now that they are out of Europe, so it looks like we have to cope with what we have.

We need Cha to really make an impact this year. Disappointed that Danny looks out of sorts, if his mind is with leave best he toddle off and we re-invest what ever we get maybe the guy from Blackburn.

We will finish 8-12th in my opinion, so 9th would be great! still think 3 players and we could go 7th/ 8th!

4.) 01 Aug 2021
31 Jul 2021 22:44:50
Pete, I so hope you’re right and you’re clearly a glass half full guy. I’m probably more pragmatic and whilst I hope I’m completely wrong I cannot see us being in top half of the table after the first half a dozen games.
Only time will tell but I will gladly bow to your better judgement come the end of the season if your predictions prove correct. I would even put my hand in my pocket and buy you a pint! Cheers.