CandH: How confident are you that we can – as a minimum requirement  – maintain our position as a strong Premier League  force this season?

DS: ASK ME AFTER TEN GAMES, the loss of AC until late November is a big one. A lot will depend on how quickly Mr Valencia adjusts, as he’s a huge talent and our big summer signing.

 CandH: It must give you a lot of pleasure to see the kids coming through – what are your thoughts on that as you were very frustrated at the raids on the academy earlier?

 DS: I’m still frustrated, agents are always tapping up our best youngsters.

 CandH: You have been extremely busy ahead of the new campaign. Ideally how many more players would you like to see arrive and how pleased are you with the business we have done?

DS: I’m pleased, but we never planned on AC needing a serious ankle operation. Hopefully we’ll sign one, possibly two more players, but its not easy.

The thought that Southampton are paying £12m for Shane Long is madness, as was Fulham’s signing of Ross McCormack for £11m. Where do you sign a striker in this market ?

CandH:  How soon can we expect a resolution to the Winston Reid situation?

DS: Who knows… maybe a few weeks, maybe never. Ask the player, we’ve made him a fantastic offer.

CandH:  Are you confident – given Sampdoria – that we are on our way to become a more attacking side?

DS: I expect to score more goals this season than last