Adam Lallana is allegedly set to take out a full page advert to thank Saints supporters for their support during his time at St Mary's.
There can be no doubt that up until a month or so ago Adam Lallana was one of the most popular players at St Mary's, indeed perhaps only Rickie Lambert could undisputably be claimed to be more revered amongst Saints supporters.
However in the last few weeks of his Saints career his relationship with the fans was soured by his apparent eagerness to desert Southampton Football Club and head for Anfield. I think most Saints fans had expected him to leave, it was just that he seemed a little bit too keen to do so and that hurt.
Now it seems that the player himself is about to make a very public thank you to the fans by paying for a full page advert in the Daily Echo to thank the fans and perhaps I would hope explain his behavior over the weeks with an apology for a couple of little faux pas perhaps not going amiss.
The sorry thing about the whole affair is that Saints supporters have not been able to wave Lallana off wishing him all the best in what is a good move in footballing terms for a man who in fairness has given good service to Southampton Football Club and on the other hand is also a very good deal financially for the club.
I would hope that if Lallana is taking out the advert that his message is one that is not only heartfelt but acknowledges that the supporters have been hurt by his behaviour, if he does that I think Saints supporters will understand why he felt he had to go and will feel able to wish him all the best as well as being able to look back on him with fondness.
If Im honest i think that Adam Lallana has given this club good service, when Saints went into administration and dropped to league 1 it would have been easy for Lallana to leave, when we failed to get promoted in our first season in the third tier he continued to stay loyal at a time when undoubtedly he could have moved to a club in a higher division.
For this he perhaps deserves his move and the chance not only for a big pay day but an opportunity to challenge for honours and compete in European competition, we Saints supporters perhaps have to begrudgingly admit that for the man himself it is a hard offer to turn down and also admit that it is very good money for a player as well.
A thank you from Adam would perhaps bring closure on what has become a situation that has developed into a bad taste in the mouth, this hasn't been the first time a player has left the club in similar circumstances, it wont be the last, but it would be nice to feel that our heroes still retain an affinity for this club.
So good luck Adam Lallana deep down i wish you were staying, but I also know it was time to go, but my sadness is tempered by the fact that we have a nice large lump sum to improve the squad with.