Club belongs to supporters AS Adam Lallana was substituted on Sunday, I was one of the few people who stood to applaud him off. It gave me a chance to show some thanks for a young man who demonstrated great skill and commitment to Southampton over a number of years.

Since then I have thought of the widely reported poor treatment Lallana received from the Saints supporters.

I read reports which say that Lallana was unjustly treated and that he did not deserve such abuse as he had shown great loyalty to South-ampton up to the current season. I believe this is only partly true.

Did Saints receive bids for him over the last six years?

It is reported as yes but I do not think bids came in from clubs bigger than ourselves until the end of last season.

Lallana grew with Saints until he realised he could not go much further with us.

We may sneak in to a Champions League place this season or – more likely – a Europa league spot but even if we do, will we be able to sustain our Premier League success?

The Tottenhams, Arsenals and clubs above them will always be an attraction to players at clubs like ours, and it’s not just the increase in salary.

These players are trying to better themselves.

They want success and here is the great nub of the problem and why we will boo and throw abuse at Lallana and Lovren and probably Morgan Schneiderlin next year.

We, the supporters of Southampton Football Club, cannot leave the club. We are trapped by the club, it’s in our hearts not our heads.

Oh, how I have wished I was born to be an Arsenal or Man Utd supporter but I have been cursed to be a Saints fan for more than five decades. I cannot leave to go to another club.

We, the great majority of supporters, identify our allegiance to this club because it is OUR club, it’s not the club of players who stay for a year or two.

No, this is my club and I stand next to like-minded people. We are as one in our support for our team.

We aren’t going to win the Premiership, I doubt if we will get anywhere near the Champions League but maybe just once we may realise the dream and this is what keeps us going back for more.

So Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Calum Chambers, Luke Shaw, Alex Oxlade Chamberlein, Mauricio Pochettino et al who have left, I say to you and the rest who have gone for greener pastures: I thank you for your efforts and I wish you all the best BUT please expect to get stick when you visit us again for we can never leave.