Morning roundup: Cowley hails Saints, Larin call looms, Thursday 13th August
News summary
Praise from an unlikely source. Danny Cowley watched his Colchester side lose to Saints in the cup, then talked up their top-flight credentials.
"They look a Premier League team to me," the Colchester boss said at full time. High praise, three days out.
Team news hangs on one man. Tonda Eckert is weighing a Larin start at Watford, wary of rushing a striker still building fitness.
Larin is only lately back from the World Cup with Canada. He is easing back in.
His goal, and one from academy man Romeo Akachukwu, saw off Colchester 2-0.
Saints go away at Watford on Sunday, a 1.30 kick-off shown live on Sky. Fans are heading to Vicarage Road in numbers. The travelling end sold out weeks ago.
Stoke and Millwall come next in August, before West Ham visit St Mary's in the cup on the 25th. Kick-off there is 7.45pm.
Transfer news
One more academy name heads out. Jay Robinson has joined AC Monza on a season-long loan.
There is no option to buy, so the winger returns next summer. Monza are coached by Ivan Jurić.
Saints fans remember his brief, painful reign. One win in 14, then the earliest relegation the Premier League has seen and the sack.
Robinson will hope for a happier time under him.
Incomings have gone quiet since Mubama landed. With the Charles money banked, Saints are still tipped to strengthen a few areas; a striker remains high on the list.
The promotion picture
Saints will not have it easy. West Ham and Wolves both came down from the top flight, hungry to go straight back up.
They have spent, too. Between them the pair landed the likes of Raul Jimenez and Manor Solomon, while Middlesbrough splashed out and Will Lankshear is already off the mark for Boro.
The top eight will be a scrap.
Saints Marching opinion
Cowley is a seasoned EFL man, so the compliment is worth a nod. When an opposition boss calls you Premier League, you take it.
The optimism has roots. Saints closed last season unbeaten in their last 19, before Spygate wrecked the play-off run, and much of that squad has stayed.
The four-point deduction is a downer. A quick start at Watford would begin to wipe it out, and up top, Eckert now has options.
Mubama, Downs and Larin are all chasing the same shirts. Maybe it's time to give Downs a fair go after a bumpy first year.
Sunday brings the first test. There is a point to prove after Spygate, and a noisy travelling end to play for.
