 | News
Comment | These Are The Six Positions That Southampton Need To Fill For Premier League Survival
at 11:36:35
I think on the centre halves Caleta-Car's deal was like THB, it becomes permanent and Lynaco isnt returning either, he's off to Brazil so its only ABK whose future is up in the air. I dont think Cody would be player we'd go for but he does have experience in a three.
I would assume unless / until Romain Perraud is sold we wont go for another left back, even if sold we may do without if Fraser is expected to play LWB rotating with Manning and Larios to be given a chance and Meghoma as emergency/peripheral. Also if we keep KWP we dont need a left back cover we need additional right back or left/right back - hence links to Ben Johnson on a free
JWP (which I cant see happening) and Llanana would complete midfield spaces with Downes, Aribo and Smallbone unless upgrades are available/JWP alternative.
We also need two strikers in addition to a goalkeeper. Additional wide player if Sulemana is written off after poor Championship season. Need to be able to revert to 4-3-3 for some games / in games. |
| News
Comment | Southampton Linked With La Liga Striker
at 11:25:27
The missing / implied but not state piece to this story is that he had an effective and complimentary partnership with Adam Armstrong while at Blackburn. I agree it would be good to get an additional name but if we are playing 3-5-2 or 3-4-1-1 and losing Che then only having Mara, Armstrong and Stewart as options isnt enough and we could do we signing two players. (this assumes Onuachu cant be brought back into the fold / isnt fancied by Martin)
Brereton Diaz as one of two new signings seems a good option but would hope the club have a list they are working down and there may be names ahead of him they are trying to get. Equally he is likely working down a list of clubs with his agent and others might be ahead of us on his list he is waiting / hoping for. |
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Comment | James Ward Prowse Future At West Ham Said To Be Uncertain
at 00:09:33
Modern transfers mean they probably still owe us 2/3 or 3/4 of the fee, does that mean a deal could be done without any outlay?
I think that would mean we could still recognise the profit on the sale last year for PSR, but would show a transfer fee now spread over whatever contract length he had with us.
Tough one, would be good to have him back in many ways but getting bit silly with ex players.
Can’t see this one happening. |
| News
Comment | Saints Can Now Start Planning Their Transfer Strategy For The Premier League
at 10:09:26
Back up to 64% as I didn’t vote either and I’d welcome him back!
Ings not sure about, every club needs goals and he’d probably be good to have, but might take up too much budget given what he’d be looking for.
Be good to have ABK, Charly (and even Tall Paul given his form) reintegrated and firing but if they think they are bigger than the club - or any non-top four club - we have to move on. They don’t bring the experience we need either.
What happens with Sulemana? Wasn’t trusted and didn’t deliver in a dominant team, is it just youth inconsistency or “betterthanthis” syndrome or is he actually just not as good as we thought he was when we thought he could be another Mane… |
| News
Comment | Would Southampton Fans Welcome Back Adam Lallana To St Mary's
at 09:55:21
Yes. Never felt the betrayal that others did. Completely different to Walcott who only played for us for six months the first time. Lallana gave us excellent service, stayed when we went to L1 after the humbling final championship season then grew with us to be a full England international through the leagues. I felt Oxlaide-chamberlain departure was more mercenary and Surmans hurt more (even if club probably needed the cash in Surmans case) than both Walcott or Lallana but I think footballers need to be selfish for their careers and Lallana wasn’t going to win all those trophies at saints. The what could have been if we kept everyone team is a fantasy.
It should be purely up to RM if he wants him or not, but Brighton reportedly wanted to keep him so clearly they thought he was still capable of contributing in the premier league.
As mentioned on Total Saints Podcast, look at Bednarek or Fraser, redemption is possible. If AL helps us stay up and build a sustainable future in the premier league I’d happily take him all day long. |
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Comment | Would Southampton Fans Welcome Back Adam Lallana To St Mary's
at 09:55:20
Yes. Never felt the betrayal that others did. Completely different to Walcott who only played for us for six months the first time. Lallana gave us excellent service, stayed when we went to L1 after the humbling final championship season then grew with us to be a full England international through the leagues. I felt Oxlaide-chamberlain departure was more mercenary and Surmans hurt more (even if club probably needed the cash in Surmans case) than both Walcott or Lallana but I think footballers need to be selfish for their careers and Lallana wasn’t going to win all those trophies at saints. The what could have been if we kept everyone team is a fantasy.
It should be purely up to RM if he wants him or not, but Brighton reportedly wanted to keep him so clearly they thought he was still capable of contributing in the premier league.
As mentioned on Total Saints Podcast, look at Bednarek or Fraser, redemption is possible. If AL helps us stay up and build a sustainable future in the premier league I’d happily take him all day long. |
| News
Comment | January Transfer Window Mixed Bag For Southampton
at 11:40:20
Although not ideal Holgate has gone, can’t really blame him and can’t stand in way of players who want to leave, he came here to play and couldn’t dislodge what had become our first choice pairing and to know two players have to be injured or suspended or possibly three (if Shea Charles picked ahead to give him game time) makes sense. Would rather have the wages going on brooks. If we get a run of injuries then we’ll have to dip into the u21s which is no bad thing for their development and sometimes it takes being thrown into a proper league game that matters surrounded by an otherwise full strength side to truly test them rather than mixed teams and PL2/U21 games.
Rothwell was a surprise but seems to me we didn’t have a back up to do what Stuart Armstrong does or brings and so makes perfect sense from that point of view. With Aribo coming back frorm afcon we could allow for Charly to go.
Brooks is the standout signing - are there any better January deals across the championship than that? Adam Armstrong has done well in that position but now we can adapt and have more options.
Overall a good window in my view. |
| News
Comment | Everton Defender To Have Southampton Medical Today
at 10:26:54
Howe also has said Ryan Fraser coming our way, does that mean Tella and/or Sulemana are leaving? We seemed well stocked for wingers with Djenpo and Arma and Armstrong able to cover.
Holgate surely as back up initially as can’t see Bednarek or Stephens not being first choice. Wood to come as well since ABK to leave and Lyanco not rated. |
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Comment | Southampton At Plymouth Argyle The Preview
at 19:24:25
I would have thought it would be pretty clear, Shea in. Alacarez and Stu start ok the more advanced midfield roles and then later on if one needs to come off either Aribo comes on or Armstrong slots in behind Adams (either on from bench or moving from the striker position) into the other no8/10 role.
Issue with that is will Adams be available to play or even be on the bench with the Everton interest. Could we see a rare opportunity for Mara or Tall Paul?
I would have thought very little chance Stephens moves out of the back four. More likely if the above didn’t work that we’d see a change of shape.
Perraud would be a good shout in an emergency or one of the u21s, got to assume he’s looking for a move as can’t see him being happy to be a bench warmer in the championship when was playing a fair amount in the prem. Surprised no one has bought him yet. |
| News
Comment | West Ham United Agree Deal With Southampton
at 15:07:05
Not sure of the sums but if our net spend last season was £140m+ then I imagine firstly all that has to be covered, then wage/other commitment gaps, and only then can new money be spend.
Hopefully Alex McCarthy to palace stories are true to free that off the wage bill, I also assume ABK will go, if not and hes fit he'll be immense I think. |
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Comment | West Ham United Agree Deal With Southampton
at 12:45:29
Got false hopes up that he might stay. Given the uncertain futures and/or reliability of Charly, S.Armstrong and Aribo this does mean I'd be a bit concerned if we were left with just Charles and Smallbone having to play every game... plus if Smallbone wont sign a new contract presumably he has to be sold as well?
So that means we will need another one in through the door, is Grimes even an option - will swansea deal with us or will we have to overpay and get a taste of our own medicine... |
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Comment | Southampton At Sheffield Wednesday The Verdict
at 08:25:48
I also think Lavia at £50m is not over valued, whoever gets him will be getting an amazing player assuming he stays on track.
Only concern was that it was KWP-JWP-Che that got the second goal and can’t see any being here after the window closes. Don’t see why we would be linked so heavily with Max Aarons if KWP was staying. Smacks of they all know he’s going but waiting for other moves to take place in the chain.
Would be great to see Che stay but he’ll have an idea of the contracts on offer from Prem sides, and don’t think we’d be brave enough just to let him run his contract down.
On JWP clearly if spurs match or better West Ham offer he’s going to go, seems Hoijberg’s move to Athletico may be behind that one, he has the greater chance of staying given contract length and valuation. |
| News
Comment | Liverpool Fans Blame Southampton Stubbornness As Latest Lavia Bid Rejected
at 18:26:40
For us to clear £40m after the sell on city we need to be at £50m, right? If we sell for £43m then that likely only means £35m due to the sliding scale. Take off the £15m paid already that only nets is £20m. Which would only just buy us a much lower quality replacement and a young prospect (Shea was £12m, right?) plus any replacements with first team experience will be higher wages.
At less than £50m the maths just don’t work for us to sell, partly due to what we would need fo do to replace, partly due to the buyback clause next year and mainly due to the relative benefit of having the best midfielder in the division and the improved chances on automatic promotion.
I would hope that the player doesn’t do what VVD did which was basically play at 90% after the window closed not risking any potential injury and quick to mentally check out, but even at 90% he’s best player in that position already in the championship.
Just hope Chelsea come in now and steal from Liverpool - he’ll learn more from Poch anyway. |
| News
Comment | How Many Of The Southampton Squad Will Still Be Here After Transfer Window
at 13:21:25
Still think after all the departures the squad will end up looking like the below and will depend partly if we have annoyed Swansea so much we cant sign any RM players to be his voice on the pitch etc. If we could retain some of the players not listed that would be good - especially Che and S.Armstrong
GK - Bazunu / McCarthy / Willy
RB - Livramento / Bree / [youth]
LB - Perraud / Larios / [options - Djenepo filling in / Ryan Manning if signs to replace Perraud]
CBs - Lyanco / Stephens / [new signings x2 + youth / Bree filling in if needed]
CMs - Smallbone / Diallo / [new signing - Grimes?]
AMs - Edzozie / Djenpo / Aribo / [new signing / loan from prem?]
Strikers - A. Armstrong / Onuachu / Mara |
| News
Comment | Saints Launch New Home Kit For 2023/24 Season
at 12:56:32
I don’t like the shirt as a piece of design but do like for two reasons
1) the original was one of my first shirts as a child
2) reminds me of the early 00s uefa cup shirt which I liked, despite its limited use
I probably won’t buy, instead will look to prior championship shirts (if they fit) or if the away/3rd have an appeal. |
| News
Comment | Southampton Fans Want To See Youth Given A Chance In The Last Two Games
at 11:55:14
Players who are/were out on loan cant play for us this season.
We shouldn't field a team of just youngsters, there should be a balance and some element of selecting based on performance in training, the chosen tactics and the opposition - it all has to be considered.
For next season I would predict our team could look like this with some assumed departures (like JWP / Lavia / ABK / Sali etc - any current play not listed below) before further exits/new signings:
GK - Bazunu / McCarthy - straight battle for #1. plus need a third/back up, maybe Willy if he's happy and cheap enough
RB - Livramento / Bree
LB - Perraud / Larios
CBs - Lyanco / Stephens (thought his contract was up in 23 but also seen 24 reported) / [new signings x2]
CMs - Smallbone / Diallo / [new signing]
AMs - Edzozie / Djenpo / Aribo / [new signing]
Strikers - A. Armstrong / Onuachu / Mara
Would like to keep JWP, S.Armstrong, Adams, Sulemana, Charly as well as ABK, Sali and DCC but seems very unlikely and Lavia & KWP going are dead certs. Anyone out of contract (Moi / Theo) also will have to go. |
| News
Comment | Southampton At Chelsea The Verdict
at 12:01:28
I was surprised slightly by Bednarek and AMN being in the line up, but GB aside was it as simple as play the the two best young signings (Lavia and ABK), the record signing (SK) and then pick the most experienced players for the rest of the team? Is that also why we saw Walcott? If Salisu had been for would he have started? Would Che have played ahead of Paul?
Against Leeds will be very interesting to see if KWP starts ahead of RP or AMN, feel they’ve earned their places but KWP has so often been our best player defensively and creating chances with his runs and interplay with the midfield and attack.
Supporting Manure and Spurs today! |
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