Saints fans consider Ben Brereton Diaz unworthy to attract a summer move, snapping up the initial optimism by Don Goodman's £10m claim.
The whole of St. Mary's feels buzzing as they march towards the first friendly win under Will Still. But more than the pre-anticipated win against Eastleigh, it's been for how the game has been the first unveiling of the manager's plans.
Admit it or not, Still had us all startled with his starting XI, but safe to say, the decision has paid off with the fans finally affirmed on some key transfer decisions.
But, the most certain of them has been the supporters' Ben Brereton Diaz verdict.
Despite having gotten a starter opportunity to impress the new boss, Diaz once again looked far from his version, on whom Southampton had spent £7m last summer. Yet, what's new this time is that the supporters feel to have had enough of the forward, not trusting him anymore.
Saints fans straight up say what they feel for Ben Brereton Diaz
Recently, speaking to Football League World, fan pundit Martin Sanders put the fans' judgement of Diaz straightaway, saying: "He scored a few goals, looked handy and came to our place, played out on the right-hand side and I see him kick it out more than he kicked it to a team-mate. So, I'm not sure that clubs are going to be queuing up for Ben Brereton Diaz."
Honestly, this may sound harsh to some but no one can deny that this verdict needed to be presented. Specifically, how, Ben Brereton's failure hasn't just cost Southampton but proved renowned Championship pundit wrong big time.
In case you remember, on the back of a brilliant Sheffield restart, Diaz was tipped to be one of the favourites to command a permanent move as per Don Goodman. But the claim hasn't aged well, with the Saints bewildered on what to do with the 26-year-old ahead.
On top of that has been Chris Wilder's unexpected Championship exit which makes another loan opportunity difficult for Ben Brereton Diaz.
To say, St. Mary's recent callout on Diaz doesn't solve the club's dilemma for him. But, maybe it does cool down the frustration built up among themselves for the player's tenure.