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.

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.

Photo: Action Images

Block8 added 09:47 - Aug 4 We need points on the board tonight, to start with a win would be great but a point is not the end of the world. Until the window closes our massive squad and the unpredictability of who stays and who goes will definitely affect both the team, the manager and hamper the progress of our youngsters. The squad numbers, via the echo are below ( I know Tinos still showing) and it is big! 1. Alex McCarthy 2. Kyle Walker-Peters 3. Ryan Manning 5. Jack Stephens 7. Joe Aribo 8. James Ward-Prowse 9. Adam Armstrong 10. Ché Adams 11. Nathan Tella 12. Paul Onuachu 14. James Bree 15. Romain Perraud 16. Will Smallbone 17. Stuart Armstrong 18. Sékou Mara 19. Moussa Djenepo 20. Kamaldeen Sulemana 21. Tino Livramento 22. Charly Alcaraz 23. Sam Edozie 25. Lyanco 27. Sam Amo-Ameyaw 28. Juan Larios 29. Jayden Meghoma 30. Jack Bycroft 31. Gavin Bazunu 32. Kamari Doyle 34. Dominic Ballard 35. Jan Bednarek 37. Armel Bella-Kotchap 45. Roméo Lavia

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HythePeer added 10:12 - Aug 4 Massive squad? They'd probably lose if they all played!
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Bowlercow added 10:17 - Aug 4 Good to see Doyle and Ballard in the squad but I am a bit surprised that they did not feature in the pre season games If I was a betting man I would be putting my dosh on a 1-1 tonight Draw away win at home equals job done
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WestSussexSaint added 10:52 - Aug 4 Despite the uncertainty about who will be here when the window shuts I would play the strongest possible team based on who is available. The only caveat to that is whether certain players are mentally in the right space to perform. Although JWP and Lavia may well both be available I would say Lavia in particular seems to have gone through the motions this preseason while JWP appears to have been the consummate professional. Therefore I would start with JWP and Charles in centre mid with Lavia on the bench. I expect KWP to start at right back with Tino half way up to Newcastle and possibly Manning at Left back as I think Perraud may still be injured. Bednarek and Stephens to start as CBS and Baz in goal. Unsure about the attacking options but hope Charley Alcaraz and Tella are in the starting lineup.

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StEdmund added 10:53 - Aug 4 Early fixtures again newly promoted teams are always tricky as they are still on a high. Interesting how the Saints perform at this level, a win will be great especially after last season's trials, an away draw would not be a disaster.
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JoeEgg added 12:00 - Aug 4 It will be interesting to see just how many goals we give away playing silly passes backwards and forwards around our own penalty area. As for the forwards, they have much to prove as the Premier League revealed their limitations at the highest level. We should BEAT Wednesday with the squad that we have - but if the pre-season games are anything to go by - a win Friday is more than a little optimistic. So how long will we give Russell Martin to put us decisively in a promotion position?

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ElSanto added 13:13 - Aug 4 Bazunu Stephens Bednarek Walker P. Manning Smallbone Charles Tella A.Armstrong S.Mara
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ElSanto added 13:15 - Aug 4 Bazunu Walker P. Stephens Bednarek Manning Tella Smallbone Charles A.Armstrong Alcaraz S.Mara
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SaintPaulVW added 16:13 - Aug 4 Finally some football to distract us from all this off the field shenanigans. Hopefully we can pick up a few points while all the moving and shaking plays out. Tonight may be tricky. Hopefully not. Going to have to accept the odd mistake being made in picking up this new system. However we want a team with a recognisable style and paid experts seem to see this particular style as the way to go. Got to back the team to succeed. COYR

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