As Oscar Wilde would have said (had he branched out into football punditry): to lose one striker may be regarded as a misfortunate; to lose two looks like carelessness; but to lose all three looks like relegation.
Things would be less of a concern if Saints had any kind of regular goalscorer to replace him with. Despite a promising start David McGoldrick has failed to hit the target outside of a penalty since August. Of the loan strikers brought in, Robertson scored a wonder goal on his debut, but nothing since and Pekhart has a solitary strike to his name.
Saints still have three big earners on the books, Skacel, Euell and Davis and with attendances way down on last season, will be open to bids, loan or otherwise, despite the vital experience that they would add to the side.
With finances this tight, unfortunately the club will risk losing the young gems in the squad, England U21 squad members Lallana and Surman, whose performances have attracted Premiership interest.
Never have the club needed the supporter base more to safeguard its future. (And if you're a goalscorer, bring your boots...)