 | News
Comment | The Knives Are Out For Russell Martin In The Media But Do They Have Substance
at 13:10:20
The article has no substance so click bait. I think we have to bear in mind:
- the board have backed RM in the transfer market with a dozen new players.
- many of these new players are likely better than what we have but need some time to get used to the system. RM pointed out that the team would be different for Man U after 2 weeks of training with the players not on international duty.
- RM deserves his chance to prove himself - 3 matches is no time!
- Sports Republic were burned last time in the PL with chopping and changing managers so I think they will be more cautious this time.
RM knows it’s a results game and will be well aware that if he wants to keep his job then these need to improve but I doubt we will see any changes until Xmas at least. |
| News
Comment | Southampton At Brentford The Damning Verdict
at 10:28:46
With all the transfer dealings going on last week plus the Carabao cup game it wasn’t really a surprise to see minimal changes. From my viewpoint this is what i saw:
- Ramsdale is clearly a mile ahead of any other GK we have at the club. Bear in mind he only had 24hrs with his new teammates so at times his distribution wasn’t great but that will improve over time.
- RM won’t change the ethos of passing out from the back but as mentioned in the article the decision making of players needs to improve. For the first goal, had JS received the pass on the half turn he had two options ahead of him to break the press. Because he remained facing our goal the only option was to go back to THB who then compounded the issue by dithering. For the second JS and JB got in each others way. Beating the opposition press relies on outnumbering the players with short quick passing but if two players are in the same place that nullifies the advantage of the team playing out.
- the passing out needs to be quicker. Players need to trust the receiver can accept the pass at pace, which in turn will give them a little more time to control and make the next pass. The passes were too cautious and so Brentford were able to anticipate and close quicker.
- Going forward AA looks like he did 2 seasons ago. Out of his depth. With the players coming in I would expect him not to start the next game and be an option off the bench later in games when he has a bit more time and space as player tire.
- The 3 CBs with The idea of JS moving into midfield to be the out ball hasn’t worked as per my comment about the first goal on Saturday . I would rather see two defensive midfielders in there who are specialists in that position which in theory then gives more passing options to break the press but maintains protection for the CBs.
- RM post match comments did allude to personnel changes for the next game. With 2 weeks training for the newer players coming up that should help them get up to speed. I’m hoping we see a 4-3-3 against Man U with JB + 1 as centre back, Downes plus big Les as the holding midfielders and Fernandes ahead of them, with BBD on the left, Cornet replacing AA on the right and Archer in the middle. I still don’t see Dibling starting but he definitely is a great option off the bench.
Big test for RM coming up. Let’s hope he gets then messages over to the players and the players can execute. |
| News
Comment | Southampton Still Have Two Irons In The Fire For A Goalkeeper
at 08:16:13
The links with Ramsdale could just be someone linked with Arsenal trying to generate a bidding war to push up the price or force a sale rather than loan position. It doesn’t make sense to be genuinely interested in him if he doesn’t fit the style of play and we have a decent alternative in the Dutch guy.
Either way we have to get someone who can play the system better than McCarthy. |
| News
Comment | James Ward Prowse To Be Allowed To Leave West Ham United
at 21:28:41
I like the guy and always gave his all for Saints even though at times it felt he was trying to do too much in a poor side and compromising his performances as a result.
If a deal could be struck which makes financial sense for Saints then I think he could play a role in the squad. However i simply cannot see how the financials work.West Ham are likely to want to recoup a decent chuck of the fee they paid, probably £15-20m and his wages will be much higher than those he was on at Saints as our highest paid player. That’s too rich for Saints when we have higher priorities such as goalkeeper.
Good luck to him but a return would be mainly driven by nostalgia which isn’t what we need right now. |
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Comment | Southampton And Wolves Interested In Lazio Keeper
at 12:35:49
A loan for Ramsdale still seems to be the best option in my opinion. Proven quality and if the reports are correct that we need to sell first for more signings then we should be able to accommodate a loan even if the sales for ABK, Tall Paul etc don’t materialise quickly.
The Lazio lad may have the right skills but it seems a high price for an unknown quantity and also someone who could end up as back up when Bazunu is fit. |
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Comment | Southampton V Getafe The Pre Season Preview
at 11:11:12
Oh how I missed the doomsayers after the early part of last season. Have a little faith!
Matches against the likes of Newcastle aren’t our main battle this season anyway. Success is 17th and anymore is a bonus. |
| News
Comment | How To Open A Fanzone And Keep The Beer Queues Short - The Southampton Way
at 17:48:44
At the end of the day Saints are a business like any other and will want to maximise their revenue. They will have an idea based on past seasons how many pints they expect to sell so if that number falls due to the price hike then we may see a price drop. Fact is some fans are willing to pay those prices the question is will it be enough for the club to stick with the higher pricing. |
| News
Comment | Russell Martin Confirms No One Is Refusing To Play
at 13:13:39
This is a non story. Every club will have players that don’t feature in their future plans and won’t play to protect the market value (against injury) and to enable those players who are in the plans to maximise game time in preseason. Certainly Tall Pall and ABK fall into this group and while the club are more on the fence about KWP staying or going they and the player certainly don’t want to risk injury when there is potential deals to be made. |
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Comment | Where Is Kyle Walker-Peters ?
at 12:43:17
I think you are looking for drama where there isn’t really any. It’s no secret that Saints would happily sell KWP if the offer was right. I’m sure KWP won’t be adverse to a move if the wages are better than Saints can afford. So it makes sense for him not to be included in the preseason plans as it protects him from injury which could scupper any deal and also gives game time to others who are more likely to be here in the longer term. If KWP doesn’t move then it’s good news and he shouldn’t be adversely affected by lack of involvement in preseason given he knows the system. I guess we will only know for sure once the transfer window shuts. |
| News
Comment | Newcastle Playing Hardball With Southampton Over Ryan Fraser
at 07:54:16
Aside from the reported animosity between player and manager there are plenty of parallels with the tall Paul situation. I think most fans want Saints to get a fair price for tall Paul’s transfer so is this really any different to Newcastle holding out for the same for Fraser? |
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Comment | Southampton Receive Formal Transfer Request In Writing From Player
at 13:36:25
By putting in a formal transfer request I believe this means the player waives the right to any loyalty bonuses etc. thus saving the selling club (Saints) some money. From tall Paul’s perspective I guess the hope is that Saints would be more inclined to receive a lower fee if they haven’t got to pay out to him. Given the relative lack of service he has given Saints I would say that waiving his right to loyalty bonus should be a bare minimum! |
| News
Comment | Ryan Fraser Set to Train With U21 Squad As Newcastle Play Hard Ball
at 10:09:48
Whatever the rights and wrongs of their relationship at Bournemouth, it serves no one to drag this out the way it’s being portrayed. Eddie Howe should be mindful of how the optics of this may play out as it’s not a good look to his potential bosses at the FA. |
| News
Comment | Saints Agree Deal With West Ham United For Flynn Downes
at 17:01:42
The Athletic are reporting a deal worth £18m but no details on how much of that is upfront and how much is performance related or if there is a sell on clause.
Also confirmed that the Downes deal is independent of any potential deal for KWP so remains to be seen if he does now leave. I expect the club are pretty relaxed now they have Sugawara in the building. |
| News
Comment | Arsenal Goalkeeper Linked With Southampton
at 15:22:17
I agree that a loan deal makes sense. Saints are wedded to Bazunu long term but need a quality keeper for next season (McCarty will still be back up). Arsenal have the option to keep hold of Ramsdale longer term - perhaps with a mid season cancellation clause if Raya gets injured. Ramsdale gets match time which may prove crucial to his future England prospects if a new manager comes in and decides it’s time to move on from Pickford.
On separate news I see we have completed the deal for Downes. With him back and Ramsdale in goal I would think getting another striker is the last piece of the puzzle for next season. |
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