You don’t need to be bright to notice that all of the problems at Saints are entirely due to weak leadership.

Had Kruegar and Reed told Lallana that he wasn’t leaving, at any price, and if he refused to play he would be selling burgers under the stands and kissing his England career and sponsorship deals goodbye for three years he would soon have stepped back in line.

As soon as one was allowed to leave the house of cards was sure to follow. Weak management. (Lambert was different, he was always likely to only have been a bit part player for this year).

Now, what top class player or even Championship player, will join Saints? Let’s face it, we’re back to our relegation battle mentality and this is entirely due to weak leadership.

We complain about people like Cortese, who are control freaks, but we love the sense of optimism and authority they give.

I guarantee that no one would have been allowed to leave with him in charge. Back to the rollercoaster of being a Saints fan......

MARK JONES, Hampshire.