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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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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Comment | Ruben Selles ! The Lowdown
at 13:19:15
I agree with comments on this and in the other article that of all the risks to take Selles seems the greatest and I'm not aware of any examples where the step up has been made under these circumstances that doesn't end in relegation.
Marsch was slightly unexpected but think the arguments made via media briefings suggested the club were happy with him. I find it hard to believe contract terms couldn't be agreed, so either the stories over player revolt (a very bad sign) or more likely lack of alignment at the top of the club meant a quick about face.
Bottom line is we should be doing everything we can to stay in the premiership, anyone talking about going down and rebuilding has forgotten or didn't live through it before - all the decent players will be gone including the youngsters, the only ones that will stay are ones who are paid too much to go anywhere else (ie no-one else thinks they are worth it).
We'd lose our entire back five plus the promising youngster back ups and we'd be lucky to be left with Lyanco and Stephens in front of McCarthy with Bree and possibly Small (or Larios if we are lucky as full backs). There'd be no Tino, ABK, MS, DCC, KWP (or JL probably). Midfield we'd be lucky to keep Diallo alongside Smallbone and Aribo (no JWP, ML, CA), and up front it'd be Adam Armstrong, maybe Ezozie and maybe Mara. All the rest would be out perm or on load and we'd be picking up players from other relegated clubs or from within the championship.
We attracted the best(!) young players because we promised to play them in the PL (not the championship) and we attracted PL quality (in theory) slightly more experienced players because we were a PL club - they'll want out, at best we'd get a year out of them while they had one foot out the door.
We should be going all out to stay in the league, with the money spent and wasted on NJ offering Marsch a longer contract or performance bonus or whatever would have been simple.
The leadership being impressed by watching training is ridiculous however good a coach they think Selles is.
Here's hoping I'm wrong and he's the next Mourinho or at least a lite version of him (or Frank) - but compare who they was mentored by and where they worked to Selles and I don't think its comparable levels.
Amazed there is no talk of Rafa Bentitez but he'd probably cost more over six months than Marsch in 2.5 years! |
| News
Comment | Southampton Sack Nathan Jones
at 10:39:55
In hindsight should have gone all out for Dyche after decision to sack Ralf. Even though Everton didn’t sign any new players still now expect them to stay up.
Ralf wasn’t given the striker they all agreed he needed and then not given the World Cup break to further install his tactics into the team. He’s probably the best man to come in to try to keep us up given his knowledge of the club and players but it would never happen and no one can leave on 100% good terms with everyone.
Should also have recalled Stephens and Tella in January for different reasons (Stephens to weaken a rival and for leadership in dressing room, Tella to go into side)
Bielsa seems wrong choice due to sweeping change and time but would be bold, Marsch would be sensible given plying style (if all memory of it not destroyed) but his record no better than Ralfs. Don’t think Gerard or Lampard are right either….. if only Chelsea would sack Potter!
Just hope the comments at the fans forum regarding financial health mean can mount very strong promotion challenge and not see even more mass player turnover as if that happens we’ll be gone for another 5+ years and may never return. |
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Comment | BBC's Adam Blackmore Gets Nathan Jones Situation Spot On.
at 10:13:01
It may be an unpopular view but I think we would have been better off keeping Ralph, Jones has benefitted from Lavia being back fit as well as the new signings Ralf didn’t get. He would have used those 5 weeks getting everyone working together in his 4-2-2-2 system or a 4-2-3-1 variant.
Jones should go as soon as a suitable replacement is lined up and surely it’s only a lack of such that is keeping him in his job. I don’t think Bielsa is the answer because his approach is complete change of coaching staff and would take time for the players to adapt to. We can’t go backwards with Ralf (if he’d even want it) and Dyche is unavailable (and would probably have turned us down even when Ralf went let alone now…)
Surely Sports Republic or the club have potential candidates from across Europe or further afield that aren’t household names in england but have a better track record than Jones across more than one club and who can command the respect from elite level players. |
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Comment | Should Southampton Recall Nathan Tella In January
at 13:36:08
No, we should not recall him. The primary purpose to recall would have been if he wasnt happy / wasnt getting game time and if we thought his development would be best served at Saints or elsewhere in the football league. I would suggest he is benefiting from the loan and getting good experience and game time and he should have the chance to stay there until the end of the season. |
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Comment | Southampton Have Busy But Satisfying Transfer Deadline Day
at 18:39:10
Happy with the transfer business but we do look lacking a central defender with the loan departures plus Valery exit. Just four with Salisu having the most PL experience is a bit of a worry. Has Lavia played there in his development? I also don’t mind at all that Theo and Redmond are still at the club, they are both excellent players and I hope they benefit from the extra energy the squad changes will bring and feel lifted / motivated to re discover their glory days as I’m sure they will be called upon at some point with all the games to play.
On a slightly less serious note, the main thing that has a little niggle in back of my brain is the squad numbers they have chosen! AMN at 3? Surely 6 was there for the taking or if already gone you go >11 if you want to be seen as a central midfielder! DCC could have had 5. Madness! |
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