 | News
Comment | Southampton V Blackpool The Preview
at 10:48:22
There is one thing I don't understand in our striking dilemmas. Che-Mara-Arma can possibly reveal their full potential IF a competent true goalscorer plays alongside them. We are STILL waiting for this person to embark since Ings left. OK, there are difficulties in the market and so on, but HOW this doesn't affect the playing time of Dom Ballard and JJ Morgan???
Ballard didn't stop scoring for a calendar year! He did this at EVERY level, including our first team and the Three Lions. Doesn't that count for anything? WHEN should he be deemed good enough for at least a place on the bench?
Morgan is reportedly looking to leave. He is also highly valued by the coaches. HOW didn't he earn at least 5 minutes with the first team?
The situation, it seems at the moment, is as follows:
- maybe decent first team but we don't know for sure, because of the lack of a goalscorer;
- nobody from the outside seems to fit or buy into our project;
- we HAVE super talents in two youngsters, but we don't find a way to test them for whatever reason, possibly because we insist on more opportunities for the first teamers.
It's a paradox, isn't it? But how this matches with our profile of promoting youn talent is beyond me. |
| News
Comment | Are Sport Republic About To Add Another Club To The Portfolio
at 12:14:58
Last month there were strong rumours that Solak is in negotiations to buy Levski Sofia, one of the biggest clusb in Bulgaria. It appeared that talks are ongoing, as Levski have some uncleared debts. Solak himself has strong business positions in the country, so it would't be a surprise if "Bulgarian giants" Levski become a satellite club for the Saints.
It also appears that SR have strong interest in the Balkans, so it would't be a surprise if we hear about other clubs from the Balkans.
In my understanding, there is no difference whether future clubs will be formally bought by Solak, Ankersen or other persons within SR. What is important is that the plan for a network of clubs with the English one being the top asset is very much in the making.
Good news for Saints supporters. |
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Comment | Could This Weekend Be The Start Of The Greatest Ever Season For Southampton FC
at 13:18:38
A short note by a person that according to this article is a typical "armchair fan".
It is true that I have nothing but admiration for people supporting their local clubs, however this is not only the case.
I have chosen to be a Saint (or Saints chose me) in 1996 Bulgaria with no persective to meat a fellow fan in the forseeable future. Since then I have listened to all radio commentaries, and since 2012 I have watched 99% of our games on TV (well, we overseas desperate fans have our ways to do so).
And not only this - there are Saints fans that do not visit England often, but follow the everyday life of the club extremely closely on the internet. It is amazing how much quality information somebody can aquire if he is persistent enough.
Today I run the Bulgarian Saints community and I can assure you that there ale dozens of supporters in my position. We go to St Marys only on special, almost once-in-a-lifetime occasions. We follow virtually everything said about the club, we discuss it thoroughly in our own exotic language, we feel we know of Kane Ramsey or Harry Lewis as much as any die-hard fan working near the Bargate. And yes - we have our annual gatherings, as well as the odd meeting for collective watching of games, surrounded by crowds of stunned top-club fans in the pub. There is even a footbal club called "The Bulgarian Saints", and there are many fans in the country that you can call if you happen to pop in a specific place in Bulgaria ( https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1UvrtCag2CeInV48JdkBrYnbIW0g&ll=47.
So what I try to say is just an offer for an alternative perspective to Nick's view. Yes, the Saints community cannot exist without its local support - that's crucial if we want our club to survive in the Prem. On the other hand - believe it or not, Saints are slowly becoming a real global club with passionate supporters. The internet makes it possible, so if you want to be a 24/7 Saints follower, it can be done even without breathing the Solent air. What is funny enough, when a Sotonian meets such people he could be a little puzzled by the detailed discussions that may arise.
Of course, we are not the global trend of the CL favorites and may never become such in the next couple of centuries. But maybe here lies the exact reason for our love of the Saints.
Anyway, if Southampton are to remain an elite club for years to come, we must develop our global mentality. I don't imagine there is another way for the club regardless of a cup success.
So let us finish above 14th place and let's have a go at the Cup. We are long due a true trophy in our cabinet! |
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Comment | Saints V Everton The Verdict
at 14:11:44
We don’t need no primadonnas
We don’t need no big payroll
No monkey business in the boardroom
Ralfie’s Saints are marching on
Hail Ralfie, Saints are marching on
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Comment | Saints At Stoke City The Verdict
at 15:50:30
I owe respect to any player and staff at SFC for their commitment. So my view is not about personal vendettas. However problems must be named and blame should be taken for the constant underperformance of a very competent team...
The Stoke game was lost by M. Pellegrino - personally and without any chance for excuses.
1. Our best defender Hoedt is suddenly dropped - unexplicable!!!
2. The half-time talk provided negative effect: from second one we showed total disintegration, both teamwise and individually.
3. How could Mr Pellegrino remove Davis and leave the worn and ennerved Tadic? How can he take Lemina (our best midfielder) and leave Redmond? Unexplicable!
4. MP said that Long, Gabbi and Austin were players of the same type and this was the reason to play only one of them up front. How come we saw the three of them in the second half???
5. The problem with MP is his stubborness! He persists in his mistakes, playing Tadic and Redmond, who both slow down our play. Our "pretty football" is counterproductive and deceiving the eye - we seem to have the ball, but don't create anything serious. This is purely because the ling between the striker and the "attacking midfielders" doesn't click.
6. Shane Long is not a striker. He is best suited as an attacking winger WITH Gabbi or Austin to communicate. This is so blatant I am in awe of MoPe's refusal to explore this scheme. If we want to win the next games we simply MUST use Long on the wing, tormenting defenders and passing unselfishly to Gabbi.
7. I am afraid that the talent of a very capable Gabbi are just wasted at SFC for the time being. We don't need another striker - we just need to utilise our available staff properly.
8. The PR hype around MoPe was all about his tactical nous in Alaves. So far we have seen the contrary at Saints. Absolutely no will to be proactive, to adjust the style according to our players' strengths. It's not E. Black or L. Reed, it's the stubborness of our manager, who is turning to be a worse copy of Claude Puel.
Summary: If M. Pellegrino doesn't change his attitude immediately, he will enter Puel's trap - failing a very capable team into staggering mediocrity. |
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Comment | Saints Fans Want The Club To Stand Up And Make Van Dijk Situation Clear !
at 21:53:33
The situation IS clear: The Club is taking the matter in a proper manner. They HAVE stated their stance publicly and beyond doubt or any hint for misinterpretation.
For Saints to go state every 3 days that they have not changed their position would be demolition. So in this respect our board's behaviour is spot on.
As for VVD, he may well desire to go do LFC, but he has decided NOT to make the transfer request, therefore he must be content to stay for another year. Otherwise he would have made that request days before the Austrian camp.
It is another matter that his agents and VVD himself know very well that it is in their PR interest not to comment on his status. This builds us momentum and undoubtedly holds VD's status sky high.
A third matter is that LFC have chosen another "wise" tactics: to hide behind the mouths of J. Redknapp, J. Carragher and D. Hamman. Their campaign is malicious, indeed, however can hardly be sanctioned by the PL because of the "private sources" that sustain the rumours.
In many respects, this is what we are at the moment: trying to hold ground and prove to the world that we are no feeder club etc., but harrassed by the media just because we are supposed to be such. By the end of August I will be happy to conclude that Saints have endured.
Make no mistake, this is a crucial point in our recent history. We have been sound in our business deals, but we are fighting for a higher PR profile. We should be prepared for such inconveniences along our way. But we are going in the right direction PR-wise and that is what pleases me most. |
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Comment | Rumours Starting Over Puel's Future At St Mary's
at 11:05:16
The "Puel out" rumour started on Monday from a gossip-"article" from L'Equipe, suggesting that CP may not be at the helm come August through a rhetorical question and nothing more.
The "Tadic criticising tactics" plot is understandable, though not believable. At the moment Dusan will do everything to attract transfer attention. After all, he's the Serbian top national player of the year and not-too-often Saints regular. He was not helped by the penalty miss, either.
The truth (no matter appealing or not) is that Puel is quite suitable to the Board. And the Board will not risk a managerial change in the context of a possible quick takeover of the club.
Both the board and the training staff will be content with "top half" achievement. Both - fans and players - know that this is not satisfactory, especially when the team is obviously underperforming.
In my reading the sell of SFC is far more possible than a change of managers. The unpleasant fact is that it will happen soon, although we don't know when exactly.
The most worrying fact recently has been the Daily Echo behaviour: the paper is clearly reflecting the board's policy to convince the public that a Chinese takeover is the only way for Saints to prosper. Thus KL will keep her aura as a true Saint and the club itself will be sold as a "CL contender"... Only that the fans are not so easily deceived by such manoeuvres.
In many respects, this has to be the lowest point of governing SFC since the last 8 years. I'm afraid Reed and Krueger have lost the plot in the last 3 months. The rest is just a consequence of that. COYR |
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Comment | A Rough Guide To Milan
at 13:32:37
Seriously, Nick - sublime introduction to the article. Bulgarian cheers from Poland! |
| News
Comment | Saints Keen On Moving Sadio Mane On !
at 10:29:37
As Adam Leich said at the discussion panel two days ago, sometimes letting players go is healthy for the Club for various reasons. I think this is the case with Vic and Mane. The Senegalese had his moments with us - both magic and controversial, and 30 mln is more than sufficient to improve the squad with 2 quality players.
We have to accept today's Saints FC is a platform to enhance your image and experience and move on to the richer clubs if some of them come calling. But our strategy is there and so far it has proved to be working perfectly. I'm positive the Club is run in an extremely healthy way. We have a plan, let's stick to it and see if we can maintain our prestigeous status in PL.
Any Saints fans spending the end of July in Bulgaria are welcome to join us at the Third national meeting of the Bulgarian Saints in the mountain resort village of Bozhentzi (details: tangalog@abv.bg). |
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Comment | Pellegrini Deal Could Be Hijacked By Russia
at 21:37:38
I think Pellegrini is a cert for Saints. The only thing is that his unveiling will happen on July 1st, because until June 30th he is officcialy under contract with City.
BTW: Bulgarian Saints National Meeting will be held for the third consecutive year on July 30/31 (Saturday/Sunday) in Bozhentsi (the Balkan mountains). Non-Bulgarian Saints fans are fondly welcome. For accomodation or additional info please write to tangalog@abv.bg. COYR |
| News
Comment | Les Reed Claims Clyne Could Stay ! But Would Silence Be Better ?
at 20:03:34
IMO this is an astute PR approach showing that the Board has learned its leson from the previous year - and nothing more.
Of course, common sense tells us that NK and MS will part ways with us. But the aim of such interviews is to show the world that the Board controlls the situation rather than expecting negative media bombardment on a daily basis.
The Escape Route? It's even easier than we could expect: "X (Y, Z) made it absolutely clear that he wanted out of SFC, so we were left without a choice" (... but with a good amount of money).
Saints never losing the right direction! |
| News
Comment | Brendon Rodgers Becomes A Desperate Man
at 09:46:42
I have examined the latest Clyne rumour: it orininated from the speculative piece of Jeremy Wilson from the Telegraph. Although the text suggests that he has inside sources, it is pure speculation (2+2=Rodgers). Funny that in 4 hours time the "news" was adopted and well decorated by other media (e.g. adding Morgan to the drama).
As a rule, these rumours spread during the international break - a pure indication that they are fabricated by the press in need of fresh gossip.
The one real thing worth noticing is off-field: the departure of Paul Mitchell.
We should really keep calm and support the Board. |
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Comment | Chambers Departure Does Not make Good Reeding !
at 21:36:08
I wonder what has happened to all of us: anger, disbelief and relegation... Koeman sent us the message with his first Tweet for today (the second is equally brilliant!, couldn't stop laughing) - unless he wants to leave us, which is of course out of the question, he teases the audience for the coming weeks of incomings. I do believe the plan is underway and many of us will laugh at the despair they showed today. Keep calm and wait for the big time.
BTW, 26-27 July we had the first General meeting of Saints fans in Bulgaria - it was just brilliant. 6 die-hards from all corners of the country (3 others had a last minute cancellation). Anyway - Up The Saints! |
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Comment | Lovren Looking To Force Exit From St Mary's
at 14:52:03
I've been reading carefully all articles and comments and feel I have to raise the question:
It's perfectly understandable to feel disappointed and to blame the Board. But please, am I the only one to have full confidence in out Board? What did KLiebherr do wrong?
This Board is planning long term.
They did not want to sell anyone (maybe with the exception of RL).
Koeman, the new coaches, Staplewood etc. etc. - this is significant investment many clubs of our size simply cannot afford.
AL, DL, MS want/wanted to leave because they think they are ready for CL and feel their chance has come - once in a lifetime.
Should the Board force anybody to work for the Club when the person's mind is clearly away from the Saints?
This Board is here for the long term, it plans everything carefully and extremely intelligently. Our problem is that we can't grasp the extent to which the Club can develop in the next years. It won't happen overnight though. UTS |
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Comment | Adam Lallana Set To Take Out Full Page Advert To Thank Saints Fans
at 22:07:17
IMO the Board statement says it all: no adjectives, no emotion, no wishing well - absolutely nothing.
It is a clear message that the Board felt betrayed by AL or his agent: they counted on loyalty and were bitterly disappointed by AL stubborness to leave (and maybe threatening he won't play for the Club again).
Adam is a good lad and great servant to SFC, but in the last couple of months something happened to his ego - he made a number of faux pas concerning his relations with fans and media appearance - the favela incident, the first comments on Liverpool's website, his photos from Brasil...
It's obvious the Board didn't want to sell him and that he pressed impatiently. Unfortunately, this saga was decided several weeks before the World Cup and what we saw afterwards was just the inevitable completion of the plot. |
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Comment | Time To Turn Towards Winning Silverware
at 10:46:36
A very good point in terms of our perspectives. And the optimistic look at TUI is heartwarming.
I however look at it slightly different:
- As far as I remember, Cortese never promised CL football directly. He was constantly saying that "that is our aim". The CL hype started after a couple of games and the first to mention it was Boruc, quoted by the official site.
- Poch's statement of dislike of the Europa League can also be interpreted in light of his diplomacy with the owner: because he wasn't asked so far about his ambitions and future plans, he uses the media to stress out what he will expect from KL if he is to stay for the forseeable future: funds and support towards reaching the top 4.
- an EL place gives us ideal opportunity: should we be in the mix, I imagine Poch saying something similar to the explanation why he stayed at the Club despite stating he would leave with Cortese one year ago: "Yes, I said that in February, but now we are in a different position - we have a great chance to introduce more youngsters in the squad and to maintain the great team spirit...".
- I completely agree: a EL place would hive Gazza (Cropper?), Target, Isgrove, Reed, Chambers, J. Stephens a unique possibility to play in Europe with no pressure.
Nevertheless, I was amazed by the enegry level of the boys last night: in many ways it was a very important win. Chambers in particular was outstanding. What a good feeling today. Up the Saints |
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