Southampton have made some emphatic transfer errors with Sport Republic at the helm. Few Saints' fans would disagree with that. They could be about to make another.
Former England Under-21 centre-back, Ronnie Edwards, has undoubted quality at Championship level and fresh links with Queens Park Rangers should set alarm bells ringing.
Tonda Eckert has persevered with Nathan Wood and Jack Stephens in his system but neither has the technical quality of Edwards. Although he is not the finished article just yet, he does already possess the attributes coveted by the manager.
Undoubted qualities Southampton are missing
Edwards would be comfortable bringing the ball out from the centre of defence and playing it forward, unlike Wood who just seems to dwell on the ball and then pass it sideways or backwards.
Edwards is reported to have loved his time on loan at Loftus Road last season. He has strong connections with the club and a move back would be a popular move with Rangers' fans. The very fact that he is not a regular starter for Southampton this season will no doubt baffle them.
To be fair to Will Still, he did not hang the young player out to dry after his mistake gifted Wrexham a penalty in the opening game of the season or even when he was at fault for Preston's opening goal in Still's last game in charge.
Eckert, on the other hand, has for the most part left Edwards out in the cold. Given the form of Wood and Stephens, many fans are beginning to question why.
Wider context that needs consideration
There is also the wider context to consider. Saints are not overloaded with young defenders who can step in and play Eckert’s preferred structures.
Whether it is a back three or a more conservative setup in difficult games, Edwards offers flexibility. He may not start every week, but squad building is not about the best eleven; it is about having reliable options when the season inevitably turns awkward.
And then there is the QPR angle. Letting a player like Edwards strengthen a direct competitor mid-season would be bordering on self-sabotage. Even if the fee looks tidy on paper, the cost is felt elsewhere. Depth is reduced, options narrow, and suddenly Saints are a couple of injuries away from scrambling.
Perhaps most importantly, this would send the wrong message. Southampton have talked endlessly about patience, development and building something sustainable. Selling Edwards in January would suggest that talk is conditional, that youth development only matters until a bid arrives.
Edwards does not need to be a guaranteed starter to justify keeping him. He needs minutes, guidance and time.