Saints travel to Hillsborough for the first game of the English football season in any division with fans unsure who will and will not be available, perhaps Russell Martin will have a enter idea of who is and who is not actually undergoing medicals.
The rumour mill is rife about three of our squad, it looks like Newcastle have finally got realistic and upped their deal from an initial `£12 million to one that is over £40 million, this tells you a little bit of how they intend to operate as a club going forward.
The situation is less clear on Romeo Lavia and James Ward Prowse, depending on who you believe both Liverpool & West Ham have either pulled out of a deal or improved their offers with a medical imminent.
Saints supporters would obviously prefer for both to be involved tonight, but the situation at time of writing is unclear.
In goal Gavin Bazunu is first choice again, he had his critics last season, but that was the Premier League and this is the Championship, he was thrown in behind an awful defence with no experience at that level, now it is a lot lower in standard and to be blunt he can ply with his feet and Alex McCarthy can’t and in Russell Martin’s possession football game the keeper playing from the back with his feet is crucial.
At right back it is an easy solution, for this week at least for the departing Livramento, Kyle Walker Peters comes in, the centre of defence is a little more tricky, [pair two from three, Jan Bednarek, Shea Charles & Jack Stephens.
Left back also simple, Ryan Manning was one of the best in the Championship last season and has looked good in pre season.
Central midfield is trickier, if JWP & Lavia are with the squad they play, but let’s assume that they dont.
If that is the case then Will Smallbone and Shea Charles will be the centre two, Smallbone is proven at Championship level and will not let us down, indeed it is likely he will be pivotal this season, Shea Charles although playing in the centre of defence in the friendlies is a central midfielder by trade and looks like he is ready at this level.
Out wide and up front we have plenty of options, Charley Alcatraz, Sam Edozie, Nathan Tella, Che Adams, Stuart Armstrong Moussa Djenepo, Amo Ameyaw and Adam Armstrong, will all be in contention, of those I think both Alcaraz and Adam Armstrong are nailed on, both have had good seasons and fit the system Martin wants to play.
So even without Lavia & JWP we have a capable side at this level and when we have sold the departing trio aforementioned then we can get in their replacements.
I keep mentioning the phrase "this level” that is key, we have to judge on the Championship and not the Premier League, there is a big difference, Nathan Tella and Adam Armstrong have about 5 goals between them in about 90 Premier League games for Saints, in roughly the same number of Championship games in their last season each at this level they have 45, they are proven at this level.
Likewise Gavin Bazunu, one of the best keepers in League One on loan at Pompey, but thrown to the Wolves and other Premier League teams last season, judge him on what he does in this one.
I am optimistic fo this season, but I am not demanding instant miracles, there are still some players to leave and still a few to arrive, we need to get through August and then we can truly get started.