In the 6th and final part of this mini series, we take a look at our striking options, which as it stands are quite extensive and at Championship level, pretty impressive, but who will stay and who will be gone by the start of September.

As it stands Saints head into pre season with 6 striking option, all but one proven at Championship level or above, but the truth of the matter is that although it would be a surprise to see all 6 leave, some of them will definitely be on their way or will they.

The issue here as we have found previously will be wages, none will find it easy to match the money they are on at St Mary's and that could be a problem.

So lets start with Tall Paul Onuachu, at time of writing it is being reported that he is on the verge of a move to Trabzonspor in Turkey, but as we have found over the last two years in dealing with this club, being close is in reality nowhere near being close to it being finalised.

Anyone who has been to Turkey will be familiar with the markets over there, where it takes 10 minutes to haggle over buying a fake T shirt, Trabzonspor seem to be very much in line with this, they can't agree a deal without haggling and even when it seems all is agreed they haggle again.

So although this deal could be agreed and sealed by the time I have finished writing this article, I would not bet about it crawling on till the final day of the transfer window in about 9 weeks time.

For me although Tall Paul has shown glimpses of being able to score goals, the stark truth is he has only done so rarely, he is too one dimensional, he is reactive rather than being proactive and although it could be said that he had a raw deal and didn't fit into Russell Martin's system, he didn't really fit into Ivan Juric's either, he didn't offer anything off the ball, runs into channels, creating space for others, creating chances for others, in modern football banging home a goal or two from close range is not enough.

The verdict from me is very definitely GO & I wish him well.

Adam Armstrong is one of those that found it hard to bridge the gap between Championship & Premier League, however where he differs from Tall Paul for instance, is that scoring goals is only a part of his game, he does run into channels, create space and chances for others and those who look at him only on his goals tally are not seeing the bigger picture.

So his spell at West Brom might have worked out, but at Championship level he is still lethal, why would we want to get rid off one of the most prolific strikers in this season' s Championship and sell him to a rival ? So the verdict is STAY.

Cameron Archer became one of the season's forgotten men, he showed glimpses of his talent and showed he had an eye for goal, but a familiar sight last season was Cameron Archer making a run down the channels only for him to have to pull up and get back onside as Saints recycled the ball time and time again rather than playing a forward pass.

So for me I would keep a player who has a good track record in the Championship so STAY.

Ross Stewart has had a torrid time at St Mary's with injuries, but at the tail end of last season he had his longest spell of fitness and against Arsenal in the final game, not even did he score, but he showed that he too can work hard and create for others.

It could be that Saints want to bring in a fresh face, but given the difficulty with finding someone willing to pay a decent fee and match his wages, I would keep him, so STAY.

Ben Brereton Diaz started the first game of the season and looked lively, but after that you could see the confidence draining out of him as he was played out wide and not in the centre, starting just 4 games in total plus another 6 off the bench it was no surprise he was loaned out in January to Sheffield United.

So I do think that if anyone of the last four names reviewed has to go then it is Brereton-Diaz

If he was too stay I would not be too upset, if he, Armstrong, Archer & Stewart all stayed, we would undoubtably have potentially the most potent strike force in the division, that would be great, but it would not keep all four of them happy, I would be happy keeping Brereton Diaz but the verdict is GO.

Dominic Ballard seems to have attained legendary status amongst part of the Southampton fan base.

It is hard to pinpoint why though, yes he has been a prolific scorer at U21 level, but the lower divisions are littered with strikers who can claim that, but have failed at League level.

Dom's loan spells out have not been successes, at Reading he started well with 3 goals in 10 games in League 1, but injury ended his season.

Last season he started the season on loan at Blackpool and 10 starts plus 8 off the bench yielded just one goal and by the end of the spell he wasn't getting off the bench, so both clubs agreed to a termination of the deal.

Next stop was Cambridge United, a similar number of games yielded just two goals, both away from home, one of them at his previous club Blackpool making it the first time that their home support had seen him score.

That though was a similar story for Cambridge fans, his one goal for them being at Blackpool meaning that the only goal he has scored at the Abbey Stadium is the goal he notched for Saints in the Carabao Cup 3 years ago and that seems to be the only real evidence for those calling for him to be given a chance can put forward.

I hope Dom Ballard has a long career in football, I hope it is at Southampton, but there are a lot of players ahead of him, I think he needs another loan in League One and this time he needs to show that he can score goals, if he does then perhaps he could return in the second half of the season. STAY but LOAN

So overall the striking situation at St Mary's is healthy as it stands, so it depends how much Will Still wants to freshen things up, but we shouldn't make change for change sake, we have to be bringing in better players than what we have & from that perspective I would think we would find it hard to find better than what we already have.

All Photos Via Reuters

Block8 added 10:43 - Jun 24 If the rumour mill is correct, we have a striker coming? Onuachu is a go, he's very willing but I think British football is too fast and physical for him. Good luck to him if he leaves. Stewart is a definite stay & hopefully he'll stay fit and I'm sure he'll score goals,however everyone has his price. Archer is similar to Armstrong & potentially a better prospect so if one has to go it's Armstrong. Bereton-Diaz played left midfield for a fair bit of the time at Sheffield but like Armstrong has a great record at Championship level. And unless we can get better then stay. Ballard needs a fit season somewhere to assess his ability to play at a higher level.

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Bowlercow added 11:16 - Jun 24 BBD played as a wide left player for Blackburn and made his name as a goal scorer doing that If he stays the Frazer would be surplus Frazer though gives more effort than BBD so BBD can go Armstrong a must stay.Where else would we get a 20+ goals a season striker from And his work rate is top notch Archer is a total mystery We have seen him under3 different coaches and he hasn't performed for any of them He could go and make way for a new buy We haven't seen enough of RS to make a judgement so keep him at least for the first half of the season Dom Ballard needs to thrive under Still I would certainly keep him and give him game time in cup matches or last 20 when we are we'll up

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WestSussexSaint added 13:02 - Jun 24 As I have mentioned on previous posts about who will be here next season, Adam Armstrong is a difficult one to call. There is no doubt he has the ability to score plenty of goals in the Championship. It’s also true that the clubs aim is to get promoted back to the PL at the first attempt where Armstrong has had several attempts and failed to cut it. Therefore will Adam have the motivation to put in the effort needed to get those 20+ goals over this season when realistically he will be dumped if we do get promoted. The stay or go debate may well come down to an honest conversation between AA and WS about future plans and whether AA can prove he has the fight for another promotion campaign knowing what that might mean.

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WestSussexSaint added 13:02 - Jun 24 As I have mentioned on previous posts about who will be here next season, Adam Armstrong is a difficult one to call. There is no doubt he has the ability to score plenty of goals in the Championship. It’s also true that the clubs aim is to get promoted back to the PL at the first attempt where Armstrong has had several attempts and failed to cut it. Therefore will Adam have the motivation to put in the effort needed to get those 20+ goals over this season when realistically he will be dumped if we do get promoted. The stay or go debate may well come down to an honest conversation between AA and WS about future plans and whether AA can prove he has the fight for another promotion campaign knowing what that might mean.

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underweststand added 13:49 - Jun 24 You probably wrote this before ONUACHU's deal was posted, but that solves one problem. Both BRERETON-DIAZ and ARMSTRONG were previously recognised goalscorers in the Championship, but differing issues meant that they both had highly-forgettable seasons. The problem with loans is that many managers tend to see them merely as an extra ar*e on the bench in favour of their own regulars whilst we want them to get lots of game time. If a good offer comes along.. expect one of them to leave - or maybe even both - if Will has some other names in his plan. I feel sorry for ARCHER. There is a good player in there somewhere, but he rarely got a full 90mins. and was often given different roles to play in the last quarter without any glory. He should stay and have a chance to show his best form. IF ..he doesn't shine, than maybe a loan out in January would be a good alternative. Ross STEWART is almost like a new signing after a wretched time with injuries. In the little we saw of him at season's end, he looked like a real CF should and I hope for much more. I'm glad that Dom BALLARD is on your list. He was outstanding at U18 level alongside both Dibling and J.J. Morgan and outscored them both with ease. His two loan-outs were blighted by freak injuries that kept him out for long periods, but he seems to score with ease and reminds me of someone ...like Kevin Phillips or even Marian Pahars. I'd have him on the bench for half the season and if he shows up well, will manage to avoid yet another loan-out after the New Year. I think he will eventually score lots of goals and hope that it will be with Saints. Expect to lose 3 or even 4 of the aforementioned, and a few new names that "Will" may know better than we do at present.

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WoolstonSaint2 added 16:40 - Jun 24 Sell ‘em all and start again. Along with about 15 others in the 1st team squad. We are desperately in need of multiple quality players at CB CM and CF, and GK if Rambo leaves.
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Monksway added 12:23 - Jun 25 Whilst ultimately the "stay or go" decisions will be made on a financial basis - money generated, wage bill trimmed, who has suitors etc - this strand has been really interesting in gauging different opinions. I feel we need to plan on a two year basis rather than simply on getting promotion, however difficult that is. We need to own at least five Premier League standard players when promoted and then add four more if we are to survive. Last year, we spent money on making our loans permanent and only Ramsdale and Fernandes were genuine upgrades. I think it's time to shed those players that have been through two relegations or can only do a job in the championship and focus on those still with potential.

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