Does deadline chaos hand ammunition to Southampton critics?

Where the blame lies for Strasbourg defender Abakar Sylla's deal collapsing at the 11th hour is unknown but Saints believe they were let down.

The 22 year old's decision to U-turn on signing for Saints came so late that there was not enough time for him to complete a move to Parma either.

Saints will feel the signing of left-footed centre-back Sylla was probably not essential anyway but it was another slap in the face in a miserable season.

They moved for the Ivorian after injuries suffered by Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jack Stephens in the same game saw Joe Aribo deployed in defence.

The fact that the club's second most promising talent Sam Amo-Ameyaw, 18, had already completed a move to Strasbourg that day compiled the misery.

Then came more fireworks with news breaking of West Brom's accepted loan offer for Adam Armstrong with just 20 minutes until the deadline.

The incredibly late nature of that move left both club's bosses heading to bed without a definitive answer from the EFL on whether it had cleared.

It adds to the picture of chaos in the club's offices and there were similar scenes at training grounds all around the country, as there often is.

It all comes amid more leadership change at Saints, after chairman Henrik Kraft stepped aside last month to be replaced by Dragan Solak.

Dragan Solak has assumed control as Saints chairman (Image: Stuart Martin)

Sport Republic remain in discussions over appointing Johannes Spors as technical director after initial work permit rejections but are hopeful.

If appointed, Spors, 42, would have a big hand in recruitment and provide much-needed clarity at a time when direction has been confused.

At the end of the window, Saints had completed five incomings in total, although only two of those are expected to improve the first team.

Both have already made their debuts in Saturday's 2-1 win at Ipswich Town - defender Welington and midfielder Albert Gronbaek.

Joachim Kayi-Sanda, 18, and Victor Udoh, 20, signed permanently from Valenciennes and Royal Antwerp respectively to bolster the under-21s.

The final deal was a surprise loan for Goztepe midfielder Izzet Furkan Malak, 20, who will also spend the next six months with the academy team. 

Brazilian left-back Welington impressed supporters at Portman Road but already agreed to join at the end of his Sao Paulo deal back in July.

So it means Gronbaek - who joined on loan with an option to buy - is the only real senior signing Saints initiated and completed during the window.

It is a window of a club who have already accepted their fate in the Premier League, still 10 points adrift of safety even after Saturday's win.

Former boss Russell Martin hinted he needed results in December to "get help" and maybe if they had six more points the approach would be different.

Manager Ivan Juric has been clear that he needed more quality to compete and laid his wishes to the club over regular conversations this month.

Ivan Juric's squad has hardly improved this month (Image: Stuart Martin)

The 49 year old will surely feel underwhelmed with what he has been given to work with for the remaining four months of the season.

It is hard to imagine that Saints have added anywhere near enough quality to change the trajectory of the club in the short-term.

However, there was likely a reason it was such a different approach to the 2023 January window, in which Saints splashed around £60million.

In some ways, Saints are still paying the cost of that failed final roll of the dice under the acting head of recruitment Rasmus Ankersen.

On this occasion, Saints are probably set for the same Premier League finish - 20th - but have instead managed to reduce their overall costs.

Ben Brereton Diaz cost Saints £7million in the summer but has rejoined Sheffield United on loan with wages covered and a £10million option to buy.

They will also receive the majority of Armstrong's wages covered by West Brom, in addition to a loan fee, as the deal has been approved.

Adam Armstrong was the subject of an 11th hour deal (Image: PA)

While the second Premier League loan slot went to waste, the club are no longer paying Maxwel Cornet to merely train after his loan was terminated.

Saints failed to move on Charlie Taylor, who had an offer from Hull City, while Armel Bella-Kotchap remains at the club - he might now be useful.

It is a similar story for Kamaldeen Sulemana, Paul Onuachu and Lesley Ugochukwu, whose futures were all uncertain but are now important players.

At full fitness, not including long-term injured Ross Stewart and Juan Larios, the squad is 27-strong, which is still too large but subtly reduced.

Crucial development loans have been secured for Gavin Bazunu, 22, and Ronnie Edwards, 21, who could be key players in the Championship.

The club also cleverly engineered a better financial package for the re-loan of Shea Charles, 21, to continue his development for next season.

Ultimately, these financial boosts are not immediately visible to fans, who want to strengthen now and make a late Premier League push.

However, if they serve to ensure the club has steadier footing amid the likely loss of Premier League revenue this summer, they could be key.

Udoh and Kayi Sanda - the latter in particular - are seen as high-potential players but the academy will be disappointed to have lost Amo-Ameyaw.

Sam Amo-Ameyaw departed permanently to Strasbourg (Image: PA)

Saints believe the former Tottenham Hotspur starlet, out of contract next summer, would not sign a new deal on terms they deemed acceptable.

As such, they felt they had to cash in and a €10million potential package means they have made a profit of nearly 1000 per cent in just two years. 

But it is still a disappointing loss for the club, who have been ambitious in restarting their academy conveyor belt under owners Sport Republic.

Joe O'Brien Whitmarsh, who Saints signed from Cork City 12 months ago, and Dom Ballard, both 19, secured English Football League loans.

It has not been the most inspiring window but given the relative certainty of the situation, some may consider that a wiser approach than in 2023.

Only the club's bosses will know exactly what their decisions this month will allow them to do in the summer - Saints will likely require a rebuild.

One positive not to be overlooked is keeping hold of 18 year old breakout star Tyler Dibling, who continues his 10-year association with the club.