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Comment | Celtic Launch First Safe Standing Area
at 10:31:46
I prefer to sit when I am St Mary's but I have long been in favour of this arrangement for parts of the ground where supporters prefer to stand. Terracing is only dangerous when over crowding occurs. I really don't see the difference of one seat being replaced by one standing spot.
I prefer to stand at away games as do most travelling fans who tend to be vocal in their support
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Comment | Wanyama Speaks About Leaving Southampton
at 11:19:36
I tend to take a very pragmatic view regarding players/managers signing and then 2/3 years leaving.
Wanyama has played a significant part in taking us from 14th in the PL when he signed to 6th and the Europa Group stage should he shortly leave. The cost to Saints will be roughly £2m fee (inc the add on clause Celtic) plus his wages for the 3 seasons. If offered that at the outset I would be surprised if any fan declined that deal
Similarly with Koeman - If you were offered his services for two years, he would improve our PL standing by 2 places, set two record points tallies, get us into the group stage of Europa for next season, oversee a vast improvement in squad depth AND Everton would pay his wages retrospectively, would anyone say no thanks.
I'm disappointed that they both will have left but we are stronger club for having had them on board these last few seasons |
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Comment | Can Saints Make The Champions League ?
at 13:03:22
I don't normally place any additional significance to any one match but the Chelsea game does throw up an interesting scenario, touched on by harrydunn999 above.
A Saints win is probably the final nail in the coffin for any lingering hopes that Chelsea have of making 4th
It would take us above Utd for 24 hours, longer if they fail to beat Arsenal at home on the Sunday
Man City and Liverpool don't play in the league, and then play each other mid week. Both clubs have a lot of fixtures to squeeze in over the next month
West Ham have Sunderland at home
I think if we are still in the mix after the Bournemouth game the squad will quietly believe that it is possible
Fast forward to the end of the season and imagine a top four containing Leicester, Spurs and Saints. This would be cheered to the rafters in Italy where they will perceive that it will give them an opportunity to improve their European co efficient at English clubs' expense and give them added ammunition to push through their motion of creating a European Elite League where certain clubs are guaranteed entry.
The Law of Unintended Consequences |
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Comment | Who Is Your Player Of The Month For January ?
at 21:31:41
Forster for the catch from the 40 yard rocket United (Blind the centre back) mustered at Old Trafford in 90 minutes
A close second for the month was Davis. Outstanding
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Comment | Gaston Ramirez Signs For Middlesbrough !
at 13:33:50
Has ability and had professional approach to his time at Saints but can anyone explain to me why Ramirez attracted so many "deserves one more chance" comments from the fan base?
Others get slagged off unless they are immediately at the top of their game on joining Saints - Mane, Long, Claisie, Forster to name just a few - but Ramirez seemed immune to any criticism during the entire length of his contract. |
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Comment | Mourinho Tantrums Took The Credit Away From Saints
at 15:50:54
I think the Old Trafford result was a "smash and grab". Although excellent we had a tactic to allow Utd to have the ball and won the game with one of the few efforts we had when Tadic scored
As you say, and I was trying to infer, this was a complete performance. The second half was a revelation in solid defensive play and fluent attacking play, and not just the odd break away when we won possession. |
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Comment | Southampton Women's FC Announce New Home Ground
at 11:19:08
Pleased that you have given the womens game some column inches Nick and thanks to wellsy for the added information. Not living in the city or region anymore means that I sometimes miss out on the less publicised stuff.
I for one would like the club at some point to return to supporting the women's game in the area and if I am honest I am very surprised that they have not under the current owner and regime. |
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Comment | Mourinho Tantrums Took The Credit Away From Saints
at 11:14:37
I only got to see the second half "live" but based on that and a re run of the whole game I would agree with you Nick. Also, that Pelle was outstanding and MOTM for me too.
Am I upset by Maurinho's rantings? Actually no. In fact, it makes the match even more memorable for me.
The media will always focus on the large fan base clubs, it is what their audience wants to hear. I've got used to it now and am happy that we are largely under the radar.
If this performance was a sign of things to come, a lot of teams are going to be very wary of playing us either at home or away. I think that it is clear now that on our day we can beat any team and not just on a "smash and grab basis". |
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Comment | Agents Actively Trying To Sell Young Belgium Star To Saints.
at 12:00:21
It so gives an indication of where Saints are currently perceived in European football, both in terms of playing status and financial clout.
To be put on the same level as Sevilla, who have just won the Europa league, is no bad thing |
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Comment | Clyne Deal Officially Announced By Liverpool
at 13:39:21
If Liverpool play him as a right back, as we have for the most part, he will do a good job for them. I don't think he would adapt well to being a right wing back, playing further up the field, and I think this is why Van Gall opted out (he has the same problem with Shaw - good full back that can over lap but not a comfortable wing back).
Though seeing some of Rodgers teams last year he may well get an outing at left midfield one week and right centre back of three the next week
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Comment | Clyne Set To Join Liverpool Today But Palace Have Sell On Clause
at 11:45:43
A 400% mark up on our investment (excluding wages of course) and a significant contribution from Clyne to get us from Premier League newbies to the 7th best is my assessment of the deal.
Thank you Clyne for your service. I wish you well (although I hope Liverpool struggle) and as Saints fans we move on to the next adventure. |
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Comment | Saints Stepping Up Search For Schneiderlin Replacement
at 10:47:32
Like most I will be sorry to see Schneiderlin depart but we've had, and will get, a great return for our £1m investment in an unknown 18 yr old from France.
Those of us old enough to remember Shearer's departure will have some perspective. We received , at that time, a huge £1m fee for him but squandered it on Kerry Dixon and Perry Groves, neither of whom wanted to play for the club and their spells here were a disaster for us.
In reality we went backwards when we were forced to sell our prize asset. It does feel that we are in a different place now, both in how we intend to spend the income and the quality/enthusiasm of the player (s) we can attract |
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Comment | Fulham Relieved As Stekelenburg Move Saves A Fortune In Wages
at 11:22:15
Fulham were a very poor side in the year they were relegated, descending into chaos and eventually farce under Magath.
What I saw of Stekelenburg, including our win at The Cottage, is that he looked dispirited by the whole situation, including the (lack of) defence in front of him, and was not able to rise above it reflecting in his poor performances.
Undoubtedly a good keeper if he gets himself focussed and motivated for the new challenge that lies ahead of him. |
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Comment | Saints Set To Pull Off Transfer Coup In France
at 10:44:00
Don't know the player but I think you are correct in that Saints have taken a significant stride forward with Europa League qualification in what we have to offer.
It certainly puts us ahead of the queue for the players we want if we are in competition with other clubs of our standing.
Year on year participation with evidence that the U21 development players will get some playing time in the Europa League will further enhance the academy, particularly those in the 16 to 18 age bracket who are considering their first professional contracts, either with us or at other clubs |
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Comment | Saints, Arsenal And Liverpool In For German Midfielder
at 10:35:17
Bender will command a fee of £20m plus and wages of £50k plus, and we are not in that league for new acquisitions as yet.
I think that we are in the range up to £15m and £50k with both being top end/push the boat out for the right player.
We can offer higher wages if the fee is lower, which might apply to Alderweireld as he is a player we know will perform in the PL
We can offer higher wages to senior pros on renewing contracts - Fonte, Schneiderlin, Clyne - that we wish to reward/keep
Just my thoughts and not based on any real knowledge other than that is speculated |
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Comment | Liverpool Hit Stumbling Block In Clyne Deal
at 10:44:23
Good assessment Nick. Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph is a trusted source in my opinion and he wrote
1. Saints will stand firm the £15m or close to
2. Cyne will have to ask to leave - the inference being a transfer request thus foregoing the wages of the last year of the contract
I will add my view that
Saints would prefer not to sell at all. Soares is a squad addition not a replacement
Saints would rather sell to Utd, if they have to, but they have yet to show a firm interest with a bid
Liverpool have no recognised experienced RB, which is a major weakness for them when negotiating and squad deficiency that is a potential disaster for them next season if not rectified. In other words, they will become increasing desperate to get some one in soon (not necessarily Clyne) |
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Comment | Saints Squad Building To Gather Pace
at 10:28:08
I think that much of it is still fluid as we don't know (though the club may do) what Clyne and Schneiderlin will do.
So I think a goalkeeper will be next, which is a tricky one to get right when your £10m first choice is out long term injured, and a resolution to whether Alderweireld will be here or not ( I don't think Saints will hang around beyond early July for Toby unless we are clearly in the front of the queue)
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Site Scores| Forum Votes: | 1 | | Comment Votes: | 68 | | Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 69 |
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