 | News
Comment | Jan Bednarek Pens New Deal At St Mary's
at 07:35:41
Every player has faults and misgivings but Jan has made the best of his career chances and (aside from Jack Stephens) is the longest serving player left from the unfortunate crop of misfits we bought following the relative " success" of the Koeman era.
Although it maybe difficult to grade him as " a fans favourite"?... I think it's generally accepted that he DAJFU and in general is a lot better than many CB's we've seen of late.
We may see him as a candidate for team captain, as Jack's contract goes out next summer.
|
| News
Comment | The Knives Are Out For Russell Martin In The Media But Do They Have Substance
at 16:25:52
It took time for RM to instill his formula into last season's squad and we had a few lucky results at the start of last season, before the " September crash", but after the revival in beating Leeds it started a 25 game unbeaten run. Although it's unlikely that we will get anywhere near those performance levels, it should be remembered that once again he is starting with yet another new squad, however we must turn the corner...and PDQ.
Last season we blamed the defence for conceding too many goals, but now the boot is on the other foot. Two games have been lost by a single goal (which were down to individual errors) whilst we have had 42 shots in 3 games and yet scored only once - in stoppage time in the 3rd match. The Armstrong / Brereton Diaz combination has yet to yield a single goal, but it now seems that creativity is somehow lacking in the midfield despite the high possession % stats.
I'd go along with " West Sussex Saint" (above ) and say we have to grit our teeth and wait for a change of luck, but I don't see panic sackings so early in the campaign. A few points on the board will change the drop zone considerably and some of the teams above us are looking equally uncertain a.t.m.
|
| News
Comment | Southampton Agree Transfer Fee For Tall Paul Onuachu
at 15:58:08
another case of ..what might have been...but his loan to Turkey was a case of the right player at the right time --for them, as there are few teams likely to buy a 30 year old for the fee we paid out in haste, and the real winners are Gent, who pocketed the 18 million in the original deal, and Trabzonspor who have got a player who fits their needs - at a genuine cut price for them.
In retrospect, transfer buys in " the Nathan Jones era " all went wrong - in different ways.
The deal for Orsic never got off the ground, and although Alcarez looked a good buy at the time, he always seemed like a square peg, and although we made a small profit on his return to Argentina, the big deals for Onuachu and Sulemana will be an expensive lesson
that Sport Republic will want to avoid again. Although James Bree came at a small fee, he was never first choice last season and is unlikely to feature much at this higher level.
Of the 60 million paid out in that window, we have recovered barely half, with Sulemana's uncertain fate, SR are unlikely to balance the books even after his eventual departure.
|
| News
Comment | Vacancy- Ball Playing Goalkeeper Wanted Apply St Mary's Stadium
at 15:59:58
Yes. McCarthy DAJFU in the playoffs, but not by choice. Sadly he is not a Prem. standard keeper and the idea that he could "hold the fort " until Bazunu is fit ...is simply grasping at straws. The Newcastle game may have made big headlines for another reason but every Prem. manager is going to make their goal incident his first talking point before playing us.
Even if Bazunu comes back "superfit" by January, meantime we must rely on AM or Joe Lumley (ho barely played more than a few Cup games against lower league sides).
Neither was really a first-choice for Championship matches.
If it all goes "pear-shaped " we could be 10 points adrift at the bottom by Christmas.
Another experienced goalie should have been first priority in June.
|
| News
Comment | James Ward Prowse To Be Allowed To Leave West Ham United
at 15:47:21
Better left alone. A bit of a downer for him to suddenly come back. He was a great servant to the club and leaves good memories. Those who criticise him should find the You Tube clip with all his free kicks ..OK so he didn't beat Beckham's record but he DAJFU in several roles yet was ignored by an England manager who praised him to the skies when his U23 captain, but was afraid to upset " the experts" and drop some of the media favourites .
I really don't think the England midfield was so much better without him.
In one of his last Wham games, Prowsey scored direct from a corner and gave an assist.
Moyes understood his potential but WHam ditched him after he won their first trophy in an age, now they have a new manager and deserve everything that goes wrong.
JWP won't get much game time but I hope (like Ings) he gets the most out of his contract.
|
| News
Comment | Southampton At Newcastle United The Verdict
at 14:24:10
You have all covered the major points (above) so I will just agree as follows: dellboysaint,
A 1079, American Saint, ItchenNorth.. We all agree. McCarthy has to take the blame....
(a few people trying to be kind because it was first game doesn't disguise the obvious.) On another day we'd might have got at least one point.
Kristian J.. the Board has (so far) ignored a problem we all knew was obvious and a new keeper should have been our no.1 priority. Thank goodness we have been reminded early season, and not in two months time.
El Santo ...Agreed .I long to see BBD terrorising a few big names this season. Referees are too soft favouring defenders. It's a strikers job to hound the back line. The red card was strictly according to the rules, but Ben must pick his fights more carefully in future.
andover pedro....It was tough luck on Sugawara. He looked up for the fight and was just as effective (better) than Edozie's contribution.
All things considered - a disappointing result, but an encouraging display especially at SJP. |
| News
Comment | German Club Agree Deal For Southampton Defender
at 09:48:05
Arrived whilst still in his teens (?), hard to settle and got an early setback with injuries.
Obviously has talent, and playing on home soil may bring the best out of him.
If w can get a profit on the deal , it's one less problem to think about. |
| News
Comment | Southampton About To Break The Bank For Greek Forward
at 09:45:06
yes ..I also agree with the above.
If it means laying out that sort of money, let's get a deal with Celtic for O'Riley and get a proven player who will meet the requirements. Russell Martin is sold on the idea - go for it. |
| News
Comment | Kyle Walker-Peters Situation Is Win Win Says Russell Martin
at 09:41:29
providing we don't get scre*ed by Spurs on the deal (as normal) this is a win-win situation.
KWP has been consistently good during his time with us, and IF he is happy to stay we will have good coverage at full back - in case of injuries, and he'll be worth a new contract, Many players who move down from London ..eventually long to go back after a while and remembering that Kyle was a Spurs graduate from the start of his career.
Hopefully there will be a suitable solution for both player and club(s).
|
| News
Comment | Southampton Hold Talks with Goalkeeper
at 10:46:14
although we know the shortcomings in McCarthy's game, we should be grateful to him for his input at the end of last season, BUT the Premier League is another world and not one that McCarthy will be likely to survive in.
Having satisfied ourselves that Lis is not a viable alternative at this level, and Lumley was not even proven in the Championship, we have no real alternatives and the expectation that Bazunu may come back after the New Year fitter and better than before is a most unlikely outcome, by which time we may be back in the drop zone.
Every Prem. club need keeper(s) of established international class and a proven defence in front of them. We have fortuitously managed to cobble together half of a new squad for (in Prem. terms) a fairly miserly 60 million, but without a safe pair of hands at the back we will be fragile to say the least.
Ramsdale fits the bill and we must go for bust in securing someone of his quality - or else.
|
| News
Comment | Sheffield United Interested In Saints Defender
at 09:43:52
With a new influx of defenders for RM's Prem. squad it looks as though Bree would be spending a lot of time on our bench - when he would prefer to be playing every week.
Admittedly there was some truth to the statement that he.." was one of the best FB's in Championship ", but that's about his level and he' d struggle to get game time in Prem.
I think there is some mileage in his career at that level, and Sheff. United would surely benefit from his experience. Hope it gets sorted... to everyone's benefit. |
| News
Comment | Southampton Set To Smash Scottish Transfer Record For Celtic Star
at 12:11:05
Oh ..forgot this thread was about the possible / potential / probable record-breaking fee for a player little-known to many - except perhaps Russell Martin.
On paper he may look the part, and so let's hope it works out well to everyone's benefit. |
| News
Comment | Back To Stripes Back To Reality For Southampton
at 12:06:18
As a fan for over 60 years ...you can imagine my joy at seeing the traditional red and white that was the standard style ...way back when. At least, for the short term we've ditched these weird colour combinations that looked like some work of modern art and looked nothing like an attractive football shirt. Stripes for me . |
| News
Comment | Southampton Set To Smash Scottish Transfer Record For Celtic Star
at 12:01:14
OUCH !..well saint mark has just about ditched all of the Saints striker force.. Oh! you forgot Mara (but I wouldn't dispute that decision). Not sure what your ideal striker looks like? ..but even if we got Ings for nothing, his salary might blow away the buffer we have for other players not yet joined. |
| News
Comment | Southampton At Eastleigh The Verdict
at 16:33:33
Fun for players and fans, and agree that Diblings defence-splitting pass was a joy to watch.
Difficult to judge how good we were, considering the huge gap between the two sides.
Have noted that some people are " building molehills" about the absent players but there can be many reasons for that, but it was a good chance to see the youngsters get game time - even against a National League outfit.
Note To Joe Egg...are you worried that ROSS Stewart might still be injured ..or ? |
| News
Comment | Saints Agree Deal With West Ham United For Flynn Downes
at 17:46:19
This is a deal that will please Russell Martin most of all and he can plan more precisely what his " new look side " will look like. No problem at club level as FD is a player who fits the Russball style of play , and seems well-liked by other players and fans alike.
The real question will be ....can he rise to the required Prem. level to hold his own ? |
| News
Comment | Southampton Have Opening Bid Rejected For Midfielder
at 16:36:43
Well.....perhaps you're not familiar with bargaining and negotiations (Colburn), We're not buying a second-hand car, but hopefully get a deal for a player with a good future.
We're talking millions here and - when we HAD to pay 20 million for Harwood-Bellis (undoubtedly a good buy )..but IF we really want this player there is figure that will get the deal over the line, but surely no-one would agree to the asking price at the first meeting.
His club see Saints' potential Prem. income and will want " their share" ...and a bit more.
Although Alcarez was a good prospect and is now worth a lot more, sadly the Mara deal seems a disappointment - even though both players cost around the same amount to buy.
IF ..Carmara is " the real thing " he'll be worth the fee (whatever it is), but every player has a price, and Saints still have more players to buy and every million saved could be vital in the end, remembering that we have to pay a salary to these guys as well.
|
| News
Comment | Southampton Said To Have Agreed Terms With Brazilian Defender
at 14:15:14
(to Bowlercow). Think I read that we also sold Perraud for around 3 million.. and a bit.
(highfield ) ...I agree with you about Stephens.... and his contract goes out summer 2025.
Manning and Bree may have managed OK-ish in the Championship, but I don't see either as first choice Prem. players. It means Bednarek is the only experienced CB in the club.
Interesting that the mooted signings of; Ghoddos, O'Riley, Jeronimo and Welington might help create interest in their home countries as the big money clubs have always tried to recruit overseas players and it helps to get attention for Prem. clubs. |
| News
Comment | The Calm Before The Storm The Transfer Scrum Begins On Monday
at 10:09:55
The last two seasons has seen a massive turnover of players, but now we will likely see the biggest influx since Ronald Koeman started his managerial reign with 9 new signings.
Last season we finished with 5 loan players on the books, and 3 others who then went out of contract. Now that the dust has settled, we have Harwood-Bellis permanent, and then hopefully Fraser and Downes back in the fold, plus an untold number of new recruits.
Lallana will be the Stuart Armstrong replacement (for however long he lasts) but we need to fill quite a few more gaps - to get a squad even good enough to SURVIVE next season.
We will see some of the " dead wood " leaving (already Perraud and Lyanco gone) and a number of our promising young talents going out on loan to Championship / L1 sides where they will regularly play against seasoned pro's who have been around a while.
Keeping McCarthy - even for a season - seems a sensible move, but with KWP likely on the move we need at least two more FB's, two more CB's (you can never have enough central defenders in my book)...plus an extra pair of experienced legs in midfield and at least two strikers who can score regularly and not just on high days and holidays. Nuff said! |
| | underweststand
|
Site Scores| Forum Votes: | 0 | | Comment Votes: | 2156 | | Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 2156 |
|
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.