 | News
Comment | Southampton At Sheffield United The Verdict
at 14:46:38
Each to their own I guess, Farlow but I guess the downvotes suggest you're in the minority. He made a mistake against Sheffield that we could've been punished for, but he's rusty after a period of time out.
He was brilliant in the game against Liverpool which, I think, was a glimpse of what he's capable of. You need to remember he's only 21 and has come from a much less physical league in France. We can't expect him to slot into the Prem seamlessly, but he's made a very good start I think. |
| News
Comment | Southampton At Sheffield United The Verdict
at 19:55:03
Farlow - both are absolute steals in my opinion.
Reed didn't want to stay and (injury crisis aside) just wouldn't have got enough football this season). I think Diallo better AND he's 5 years younger.
In the summer we desperately need the board to support Ralph and provide the depth he's saying he needs. When everyone's fit, we look like a top-6 side, when we have 3 or 4 injuries we are relegation fodder.
I think we need:
- New contract for Bertrand and a backup LB.
- SIgn backup RB, Ramsey not yet good enough. Sell Valery.
- 1 more young, up and coming CM (JWP, Diallo & Romeu great options)
- Sell Redmond, sign another 'number 10'
- Either extend Ings contract, or spend the money we get from his sale on a replacement |
| News
Comment | Ings To Have Scan On Injured Knee Today
at 10:05:48
The Athletic reporting it's not as serious as first feared - phew. Even if precautionary, could leave him out against Newcastle and let him (hopefully) recover during the International break. Bertrand does worry me a bit - JWP moving to LB really unbalanced us when Bertie went off, and doesn't seen Ralph thinks Vokins is ready. We have lack of depth at RB too, as Valery seems to be regularly injured and hasn't been great when he has played either... |
| News
Comment | Ings Set For New Deal, But With Clauses
at 17:10:06
Similar view to you, SanMarco; hope he doesn't leave but wouldn't begrudge him a big move if the money is right.
What do people think a reasonable release clause would be? Ralph mentioned £100m but that would be a little farcical - would £75m be unreasonable for a clinical goalscorer like him? Another season of 25 or so league goals would suggest not.
I think it'd likely be £50m. |
| News
Comment | Saints Still A Work In Progress !
at 10:20:46
I disagree with wessexman and Nick - Walcott is a smart signing in a position that was very much needed. Boufal's gone, our experienced options are Armstrong, Redmond and Djenepo (the latter has big injury problems, Tella good prospect but inexperienced). The number 10 role is a massive part of RH's system and we didn't have nearly enough strength in depth there, so Theo's a great signing.
In terms of 'using the money' to sign a CB, that money was £50k a week wages, no transfer fee - funds which were freed up with shifting of Hoedt, Boufal, Carillo etc. What options out there (for free) would people advocate signing? I for one think Vestergaard is coming good, Bednarek had a poor game against Chelsea but many defenders will struggle against the pace and movement of Werner this season. Salisu is a huge talent who has been dismissed as too inexperienced before he's played a game - Fofana is 19 at Leicester, Upamecano is 21 and one of the top CBs in the world - he'll likely come in soon and could well (I think he will...) be the solution at CB you crave. |
| News
Comment | Saints V Brighton The Verdict
at 13:21:17
Good chance to give fringe/youth players a chance - not many of them impressed, but pleased we tried it nonetheless. The Bournemouth game is bigger in my mind and (contrary to another commenter) I believe the players need a bit of a breather. Yes, they're professional athletes, but 3 games in a week is not for the fainthearted, especially when your game is all about constant pressing...
Agree with the points about Harrison Reed - seems tailormade for Saints' system and would love to see him given a chance next season. I might be proven horribly wrong, but in JWP, Romeu, Smallbone and Reed I see a strong enough centre of midfield for next season.
In defence, the signing of Salisu would shore up defence sufficiently.
Keen to see Forster given a go in goal again, if no-one can pay his wages/asking price - him and McCarthy would be 2 quality keepers (send Gunn out on loan). Both have errors in them, but are quality on their day.
Think Boufal might have played his last game for Saints. So frustrating as he's probably the most naturally gifted player we've had since Le Tiss, but he just hasn't done it at Saints and don't think he fits into our system well. Would love us to sign another tricky, pacy winger to replace him and complement Redmond, Armstrong and Djenepo.
Up front I think we're alright - Ings is brilliant, Adams I think will come good next season if given a run of games, and in Long, Obafemi and N'Lundulu I think we have decent enough back up. I'd love us to shell out on another 20 goal a season striker (Darwin Nunez?!), but beggars can't be choosers and I think there are other priorities. |
| News
Comment | Saints Looking At A Swap Deal Option For Celtic Star
at 12:30:23
Saintmark - I don't think Nick/the press are suggesting it would be a straight swap, it would be KWP plus (less) cash . . . For what it's worth, I think there are better options than Walker-Peters out there. Yes, we've not seen a lot of him, but think Spurs have overpriced him and someone like Maehle might be a better choice.
Ntcham looks a real player and agree he would be a good replacement for PEH (although I still hope he'll stay). Dreamland would be if he's a Romeu replacement, giving us options of Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg and Ntcham at CM. If we have top-half ambitions or even a push for Europe again, that's the strength in depth we'd need.
My only concern with Ntcham would be attitude - someone who's willing to speak out publicly about his concerns with the strength of Scottish football, and a desire to leave. That's exactly the sort of attitude that's bitten us badly in the past - perhaps we just have to deal with it if we want to attract top quality players? |
| News
Comment | Saints V Burnley The Verdict
at 14:10:19
Very disappointing result of course - Djenepo has lost that spark from earlier in the season, and we looked lethargic going forward in the second half, having just seemed to have run out of ideas.
Agree we were hard done by with the penalty call. Arms made Mee bigger I think and he was jumping - that's what blocked the cross, so it's a penalty. After our early season luck, we've been very hard done by of late, with Son's 'dive' and the trip on Ings vs Liverpool too...
Decent debut from KWP - got forward and looked good with the ball at his feet. Will only get better, and start putting in some crosses, give him time.
Last point - completely agree with the point on the crowd. I'm unsurprised our home form is so shambolic. Why can't the crowd just support the players for 90 minutes straight, then get on the backs of the players from behind a keyboard if they really want to? The away fans sing their hearts out every week - it's no coincidence that our away form is excellent. Genuinely think we don't realise how much of an impact we can have at times (positively and negatively).
Winnable series of games coming up - come on Saints, let's secure safety then start looking up the table! |
| News
Comment | Saints V Burnley The Preview
at 12:13:31
Nick, you might want to change the typo in the first paragraph - "make a top three place a real possibility" might even be a bit deluded for Saints' 'happy clappers'.
Completely agree with the premise of the article though: this is a match that will set the tone for the rest of the season. Win & we're looking up at the top 8-10. Lose and we will begin to be dragged back into the scrap. Think 18th this year will have a record points haul - let's please avoid that being us.
Think Ralf will be sensible with Prowsey and won't risk him if any danger is aggravating the injury. KWP simply has to start and I think we'll benefit hugely from having Armstrong back starting on the right.
On another note, it's been a long time since we've had so many exciting attacking options on the bench: Djenepo, Boufal, Obafemi and Adams could all change a game in a heartbeat. |
| News
Comment | Saints Transfer Window ! Good Or Bad
at 14:47:12
Saint4Life247 - assuming you're talking about Danso when you say 'a versatile defender who we never played in his natural position'? He hasn't left the club, though I also find it baffling he hasn't been given a chance at CB (at least in one of the cup games..)
As for Bowen; undoubtedly a talented player but I for one would rather the club didn't spend £20m on a player who we simply don't need at the moment. He plays on the wing/up front where we have plenty of good options. If we have that money to burn I'd rather we spend it on defence.
Finally, on Maddox - know nothing about the lad, but it's a loan WITH an option to buy. He's been loaned to the U23s so would assume he's a bright hope for the future and will not be challenging for a place in the first team . . . |
| News
Comment | Saints Transfer Window ! Good Or Bad
at 14:31:25
It's a risky strategy, but if we don't get any injuries we have enough to get through the season. Given the games we have coming up, top 10 is not an unreasonable aspiration.
The January transfer window was certainly a bit of a damp squib, and I agree with Rustyhelmet that a few defeats will drag us right back in. Jan really isn't the time to be buying though - I will readily criticise the board if we start next season with the same lack of depth and weaknesses in key areas, but think we were right to not react with a knee jerk signing (Carillo anyone?) |
| News
Comment | Saints At Liverpool The Verdict
at 10:29:54
This is what we voted for when we axed Puel - I'd always rather Saints go to the big teams and take the game to them than park the bus and try to scrape a 0-0. If we lose trying to win the game then so be it. As you say Nick, the scoreline flatters Liverpool hugely.
Some encouraging signs, and but for some appalling refereeing decisions and sloppy finishing we could have at least drawn this game.
On to Spurs on Wednesday. Would love us to have a cup run again! COYS.
|
| News
Comment | All Change At Right Back For Saints
at 09:25:54
It's funny how everyone suddenly becomes outraged when the club gets rid of a player who has criminally under-performed over the last 3 seasons. Yes, Cedric's been playing well recently, but this is a player who doesn't want to be at the club and is regularly at fault for goals and breaks down attacks with his poor crossing. I think he's a good professional and has had great moments with Saints, but we're getting in a promising young full back to complement Valery (who's got big potential) and are trying before we buy, not making the same errors the board have made in the past (knee-jerk, expensive signings). We'll have a chance to invest is a good Right Back in the summer where the market is less volatile and more good defenders are likely to be available.
Those saying this decision is going to cost us league positions are likely the same who berated Cedric in the games he's cost us points. Get behind the club and cheer us on to top 10. |
| News
Comment | Saints At Brighton The Verdict
at 22:52:32
Plenty of positives to take from this, even if we were helped by a moment of madness from Andone. Like others, impressed with Boufal and Djenepo - would love a strike force of Boufal, Djenepo and Redmond behind Adams/Ings. Could it work or would that be too attacking?
One point that's not been picked up on is that Locadia is about a foot offside for his chance late on... |
| News
Comment | Nathan Redmond Signs New Contract
at 11:24:03
Quite possibly our best signing of the summer.
Redmond has given so much to this club in far from ideal conditions - he has blocked out the haters and become a key player under Ralph. Time to give him a bit of love and make him a fan favourite. Big season for him :)
COYS |
| | arthurfane
|
Site Scores| Forum Votes: | 0 | | Comment Votes: | 397 | | Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 397 |
|
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.