Now with the enforced squad changes, only John can claim to be an international regular with Skacel in the wilderness. Of course international players tend to attract premium wages and Saints' financial troubles have forced them to effectively give away all but John and Skacel to avoid the wage burden.
One of the problems of an extended spell in the Championship is the steady dilution of quality in the squad.
To try and counteract that either you spend big - even then it is difficult to attract genuine quality outside the Premiership - or you build from within. The alternative are the Championship journeymen that leave the club with little chance of escaping the league except through relegation.
Saints having tried the former path and falling just short of the playoff final two seasons ago are now attempting the latter. The emphasis on youth is a logical step not only to avoid administration, but also to have some hope of promotion.
Promotion is a long way off with experience a valuable asset in turning out consistent performances. Accordingly, the youngsters have excelled and underachieved already in their few outings.
It is encouraging that the club managed to fend off bids for Lallana from Fulham and Surman from Reading in the transfer window, although of course everyone at Saints has their value.
One positive is that the youngsters will only get better and should the inevitable forced sales occur, then their transfer value will rise.
With so many players at the start of their careers and the few remaining veterans at the end of theirs, it may well be several years until Saints can feature several internationals in their line-up again.
If we do, it will mean that the youngsters have fulfilled their potential and we have finally made it back to the Premiership or Saints have finally found a financial backer worthy of the club's potential.