Ronald Koeman departing for Everton was initially a blow to Saints fans, but not to Dusan Tadic who was not happy under the Dutch manager, but could now sign a new deal.

Whilst the club were securing the long term futures at St Mary's of half a dozen members of the first team squad, one member had no intention of signing a new deal, in fact he was looking to get away from St Mary's this summer. That man was Dusan Tadic who had fallen out with Ronald Koeman.

Although Tadic was a key member of the Saints side and not only scored his full share but created many chances for others, you could sense that all was not well between player and manager, on too many occasions especially early in the season, Tadic appeared to be the scapegoat and would find himself on the bench or if he started substituted, despite others being perhaps more serving of these honours as such.

Now Koeman has gone Tadic seems to be keener to stay at St Mary's and media reported are saying that contract negotiations are already on going and that Tadic is keen to sign up for longer now that Koeman has left the club.

This is good news for Saints and their supporters, the three players who have so far left have been in the main part of the bigger picture and in that respect planned for, but Tadic is a different matter and to lose him would have been a bigger blow than any of the departed trio.

As is often the case a player like Tadic is often underestimated, to get the bvest out of him you have to use him in the right way and although there is a case for saying that Koeman did just that as was shown by his goals and assists tally, clearly Tadic himself did not think so, hence the unrest.

Now hopefully Claude Puel will look to really push Tadic to the fore, if the wide man can play so well when he is unhappy then what he can achieve when contented will be something to see !

Photo: Action Images

Lazz added 07:59 - Jul 15 https://mobile.twitter.com/caughtoffside/status/753823949662720001/photo/1 Is where Koeman lives
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ChristchurchSaint added 09:04 - Jul 15 Very good news, also a little tongue in cheek, Lazz, but very good!
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SanMarco added 09:22 - Jul 15 Yes but Mane was "more likely to stay" after Koeman left. If the "right" offer comes in it will be "cash in" time I am sure.
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BUCK added 09:51 - Jul 15 We need to keep Dusan at all costs. This man is the assist king amd will chip in with at least 8 goals this season. As soon as he's signed a 5 year deal, I for one will be over the moon, I rate him higher than lallana and that's not me being biased. I still feel we could do with a prolific striker. Let hope charlie Austin proves me wrong.
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pintsizedsaint added 11:08 - Jul 15 Allthough completely different players, it's interesting to compare Mane and Tadic in terms of performance and effectiveness. Common held view is that Tadic had an indifferent season, Mane had a good season (with peaks and definite troughs) but enough to be seen as one of Saints top players. Mane was preferred to start (30) slightly more than Tadic (27). Mane: 11 goals and 6 Assists. Key passes per game: 1.1 Tadic: 7 goals and 12 Assists. Key passes per game: 2.2 For an "indifferent season". Tadic was Joint 3rd in the Assist table in the league last season. Only Ozil and Erikksen were better. As you say nick, if that's Tadic when he's not on full gas - imagine when he is! Sign him up!

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BaselSaint added 11:31 - Jul 15 I was completely unaware of the tensions between then. I also hope he stays s he can really contribute a lot.
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PhantomTippler added 12:45 - Jul 15 I still can't bring myself to preorder the new shirt cos I just don't want a free DVD of our greatest ever PL season congratulating the Dutch "ass hat".
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SanMarco added 12:47 - Jul 15 Thanks for those stats Pintsized - very interesting comparison. Tadic, after a spectacular start, is not often talked about in media circles. Can we have more players like that please?! Mane was somehow always more 'newsworthy'.
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BoondockSaint added 13:24 - Jul 15 I always thought his game slipped when he was moved from the left over to the right to make way for Mane. I could never understand why Koeman in games where we would desperately need a goal, he would take Tadic, a playmaker off. Then, in a game we were losing, he would have Tadic come off the bench in the last few minutes and expect him to save the game-if he didn't, he would sit the next game. Meanwhile, Yoshida would make mistake after mistake and still start. One thing is for sure: Tadic will be on fire when we play Everton!

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Alehouse added 15:46 - Jul 15 I read this twice to see if I'd missed something but it really is empty speculation." Media are reported as saying Tadic wants a longer contract now that Koeman has left". Show us some respect Nick, if we want BS we'll read the Daily Mail.
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Gizzle007 added 19:30 - Jul 15 I'd be more gutted if tadic left then mane both amazing players and as said above when he has confidence fed into him amazing player even on a off day he still plays with his heart,and mane can't play in winter but tadic has learnt to adapt
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Gizzle007 added 19:30 - Jul 15 I'd be more gutted if tadic left then mane both amazing players and as said above when he has confidence fed into him amazing player even on a off day he still plays with his heart,and mane can't play in winter but tadic has learnt to adapt
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