Despite reports suggesting that Mateus Fernandes' transfer to West Ham is a 'done deal', Southampton manager Will Still maintained that he had left the player out of the midweek squad for different reasons.
After the match, Still was asked about Fernandes being left out of the sqaud and said: “No, it's nothing to do with transfers or anything like that.“
Whilst the argument that Fernandes was in need of some recovery time, after playing three times in eleven days, has some merit, it's difficult to believe that transfer speculation isn't driving Still's team selection to some degree.
Pragmatic squad rotation is a priority in the cup competitions
Midweek matches in a cup competition are hardly the priority and Still has taken the opportunity to rotate the squad pragmatically.
The manager's rhetoric is somewhat misleading in this aspect with repeated claims that he will field the strongest side that he can.
His captain, Jack Stephens (Stevo) has missed both cup matches - away at Northampton and Norwich. Alex McCarthy has deputised for Gavin Bazunu in goal in both matches too.
If the team that started the match at Carrow Road is indeed the strongest that the manager had available, what does that say about Damion Downs and Taylor Harwood-Bellis position in the squad?
West Ham fan-sites claim that a deal is all but done
As far as Fernandes is concerned, a West Ham fan-site, has claimed that a deal is in the final stages of being agreed. This seems far-fetched wth the Hammers valuation of the player a long way off the valuation that Southampton have set. The use of Fabrizio Romano's famous 'here we go' catchphrase was used to draw readers in but there was no substance to the claim.
Already, Southampton have rejected West Ham's opening offer of £30m including add-ons, so there could be some truth in the manager's comments after the Norwich City match.
Still himself remains adamant.
"We left Stevo and Matty at home just for recovery, for loads and all that, but that's it."
As the transfer window deadline hurtles towards the squad like a derailed Bullet Train, Still is in danger of having his squad flattened, while Johannes et. al. stand obliviously on the platform.
Southampton's early transfer business was promising
Saints' early business was good. Getting Sulemana, Bednarek and Onuachu out of the door for good money made sense. Bringing in Damion Downs from Cologne will prove to be an inspired move despite the American's initial struggles to adapt.
Since then, it's all gone a bit flat.
This week, at least, Saints have completed the impressive signing of Mads Roerslev from Brentford.
The Danish right-sided midfielder was superb against Norwich, making well-timed forward runs, being assured on the ball and challenging strongly in duels. He is an upgrade on Yukinari Sugawara who has joined Werder Bremen on loan this week.
All eyes will be on Southampton this week as they look to strengthen further. You would think that they need at least one addition in midfield. Eduard Spertsyan of Krasnodar and Finn Azaz of Middlesbrough have both been mentioned as speculation around Fernandes has gathered momentum.
If Fernandes is about to depart for another club, be it West Ham or another, he will need replacing. Mateus 'Matty' Fernandes has become a popular figure at St Mary's and Saints fans will not settle for another speculative signing of a young player with 'potential'.