24 Dec 2013 12:06:06
Southampton are eyeing a shock move to sign former Arsenal striker Carlos Vela from Real Sociedad.

1.) 24 Dec 2013
I hope he can play in goal or centre back, 'cause that's what we need!

2.) 24 Dec 2013
^yeah cause boruc and fonte being back in a week or two is cause for us to panic buy a GK and CB, righttttttttttt

3.) 24 Dec 2013
It's not panic buying. A cb is a must it has shown we have no back up to fonte or lovren. Gazza is a decent keeper just had crap in front of him. ie jos.

4.) 24 Dec 2013
It's a world cup year, most players of the quality of Fonte and Lovren will be wanting to play first team football, not playing back up

5.) 24 Dec 2013
I made the second comment but the replies are fair enough and I get the points made, but as Saints fans we have been told by the senior management and the players when they're interviewed, Southampton FC are looking to be getting Champions League football and trying to win the league sooner rather than later. Then we go into the season with some really, really obvious weaknesses in the squad which loads of fans can see. Disaster strikes and season is looking as if it is unravelling and despite the positive outlook of posters if we don't start to win some games [with Everton and Chelsea coming up it's unlikely] we're looking a the teams at the bottom not the top as rivals. So we should be seriously looking to beef up the squad with quality signings - if that means throwing money around so be it - or are we just playing lip service? For me Championship and League One standard back-ups means we'll always be mid to lower table EPL [if we're lucky]. IMHO.

PS: Did anyone see the YouTube video of MoPo saying that some players have had personal problems that haven't been discussed in the media - what is going on?

6.) 24 Dec 2013
Start throwing money around? yeah we may have money to throw around but why spend £20+mil on a player in jan when we could get him for 10 in the summer, MoPo and Cortese realise that to, they also realise it's a world cup year and we aren't going to keep 3 players vying for world cup squads happy when there's only 2 places available in the team.

Cortese runs the club as a business, he doesn't want us to go back into admin, and guess what, if we start throwing money around to plug gaps in the squad, instead of buying the right player for the right money, we'll be where pompey are in a few years, probably without the good fortune they've had.

7.) 25 Dec 2013
I have never wanted Davis to be fit so much the whole time he's been at southampton, we need him in goal gazza is too dodgey, we need a GK To challenge boruc a bit more anyway, Cesar on a free you can't go wrong with low wages. A CB lovren really is one of the best in the league he's been so good even when we are loosing just need a partner if pitch doesn't fancy fonte, (don't think fonte can take us top 6) a consistant striker (j rod I rate v highly but need an out and out striker in same team) and even a cover at left back as if you were at the spurs game like myself you could see Danny fox may aswel not have been there and the very talented chambers didn't look comfortable Left back. Maybe when clyneys back that would cover shaw so really think GK CB and ST are desperate if we want top 6. Off topic slightly but watching saints especially since lambert has dropped dramatically in form it doesn't look like we want to make the forward runs? Anyone agree?

8.) 25 Dec 2013
I personally would like to see us get Alex McCarthy he'd challenge Boruc for a starting place, has a little prem experience, is 10 years younger and is English. Also with it being a W. C year and when he's finally fit again (pretty soon I hear) why don't we try to get Oxlade-Chamberlain ON LOAN. I can't see him getting many chances to impress Hodgson at Arsenal and we're in need of some attacking pace.

9.) 25 Dec 2013
Is Jose really thinking he can get himself into the Portugal squad? I doubt it. We should 100% buy a quality CB to partner Lovren; he makes Jose look far better than he actually is - before their partnership he was average at best. Kelvin is getting on, so cover (or competition) needed there, as Gazzaniga is just terrible. LB cover is also a concern, and the sooner we offload Fox the better - he is a mediocre Championship player. So, a GK, CB and LB in January, to see us through the season, then a winger and a Cazorla-esque CM (Banega?) in the summer. If we really want to compete at the top we have to be honest and accept that half the squad is not at that level.

10.) 25 Dec 2013
Agree lambert has looked bit lost lately poss the system we're playing

11.) 25 Dec 2013
Why are people so sure we need a GK in January? If Artur returns in January and Kelvin recovers fitness can't really see the need until the summer.

Saint Martin

12.) 25 Dec 2013
Fonte is definitely being considered for the Portugal squad and he'll want to be playing as much as he can should any injuries happen to the first choice Portuguese CB's. Fox is decent cover, are we supposed to have to Prem quality players in every position? We're not a huge club and we don't have guaranteed European football, so how do you propose we firstly get all these great players and secondly, either have them all playing at the risk of unsettling the defence or, keep them happy sat on the bench? Gazzaniga is not terrible, how many mistakes has he made since he's been back in the team? How many of the goals we've conceded really been down to him? He just get's picked out because, firstly, like Fox, Guly, Ramirez and Osvaldo he's a scapegoat for some to blame, and the rest of the sheep who boo get wrapped up in the hype and secondly, he's a GK, GK mistakes get highlighted, he's probably made less mistakes than Lovren in the games they've played together, but as we've seen with Boruc's mistake vs Arsenal, a huge deal is made of them and they get remembered for a long time. Gazza is nowhere near as bad as people make him out to be.

Yoshida, Hooiveld and Fox aren't premier league defenders, but they are definitely good enough to be used as cover, let's not forget how good Hooiveld looked at Arsenal. Gazzaniga will be a top 'keeper some day, he just needs to have the 'fans' behind him and to play more reguarly. Osvaldo, as I've pointed out a few times, minute for minute has a better record than Lambert this season (undeniable by facts), Guly plays a completely different role than everyone seems to think he does, he's not a striker or an AM, nor a winger, he's a wide midfielder and he's used in that role when he comes on as a sub. So y'know let's not follow the crowd who just like to moan about the same players, week after week and f'king support them and watch them get better, jesus, i'd hate to pay £30 a week just to come home and bleed from my woman parts over how we've not got a striker who scores a hat-trick every week or how we haven't got a team who could win the league sat in the reserves

13.) 25 Dec 2013
^Hooiveld looked awful at Arsenal. I was there so I don't know what you thought you saw.
He sits too deep, puts additional pressure on the defence and makes it harder to get forward.
To be honest, after the way we shed goals against Villa and Spurs, I think we will struggle to keep a clean sheet or even win a game again with our current defensive back up. Spurs looked dejected but our weakness in defence inspired them.
Our season is falling apart for the lack of a CB. Massive mistake not to replace Forren as unlike other positions we have no quality coming through our youth. We can cover everything else.

And as for the first post re Vela. What rubbish. He is a poor striker and flopped in the Premier league with Arsenal. Another, cocky but less talented Bendtner. We would never sign him.

{Ed001's Note - Vela struggled at Arsenal due to struggling to settle in the country, nothing to do with the quality of his play.}

14.) 25 Dec 2013
Hello everyone, and merry Christmas to you all.

Shame not many of these comments have names attached to them, I can't tell who's said what, but overall I have a few points to pick up on.

Definitely, we should try, at least try, and tempt Wenger into releasing The Ox to us on loan. I can't see Chamberlain getting back inton the Arsenal midfield/attack at the moment, not with the other talents, all in form, they have in the same positions. The Ox is versatile and was ours before, so I reckon it's do-able.

Saint Etienne.

15.) 25 Dec 2013
I used to play in goal in all sorts of standard of football and in my honest opinion Gazza' will never make a top class goalkeeper. At his age he should be looking at this chance as a chance to cement his place in the team. A goalkeeping mistake doesn't always mean a huge 'ricket' like Boruc has made. Gazza' has no presence, against Spurs he just stayed rooted to his line for the first goal - a Sunday morning goalie would make an effort to catch that cross. In fact in general he just seems to stay rooted to his line and let in goals - he hardly ever makes a save. He's not 15, he hasn't only just come into the game, he's been playing at professional clubs for years, he should know what being a professional goalie is about and be saying 'Boruc it's your job to oust me', without doubt Boruc only needs to play at 70% of his ability and he'd get straight back into the team. Gazza is not good enough. I think Kelvin is past it and looks like his legs and reactions are gone but I praying that he plays on Boxing Day!

My side of the argument is our chairman says he wants us to challenge for a Champions League spot and the title and sooner rather than later. You only have to look at the money and squads the genuine title challenges have - if this is not a realistic expectation he shouldn't spout it.

Also has anyone seen the video of Ricky Lambert during the Spurs game on YouTube? His reaction and what you can lip-read he says to Lallana would say he is very frustrated and upset with our Sunday League defence, so it's not just us 'no nothing fans'.

I say a genuine back-up 'challenging' goalkeeper, the best centre back we can get and if possible a forward who can score more than a brace of the seemingly loads of chances we get every game. That would kick a few players up the bottom and maybe send a message.

I know nothing will happen and our season is already effectively over but I can dream can't I?

16.) 25 Dec 2013
Interestingly Ed001, that's your opinion, not a fact. An inaccurate one I believe. Other players haven't settled but still perform when they do play. Vela did little to nothing at Arsenal on the appearances he had. A bit of a Chamakh really.

{Ed001's Note - my opinion is based on actually watching the player throughout his career, backed up by the fact he has played well since leaving Arsenal. Whereas yours is based on ignorance of him, quite clearly, as most Arsenal fans were not happy about him leaving, due to him being highly rated by them. Nothing like Chamakh, which is a ridiculous comparison to make of two totally different players with so little in common it is nonsensical to compare them.}

17.) 25 Dec 2013
Although quite a lot of what everyone is saying is true, it'd be great if everyone showed a little more support. Frankly I'm really glad that Lovren is in the squad and shows such command. I'm also glad that Lallana has had a boost in confidence since the England call up.

I'm glad Chambers and Luke and Gallagher and the entire youth team are playing so well! Gaston is intergrating into the squad and looks like he'll add to the midfield.

Everyone please look at the bright side! Southampton are going places.

Stay cheery Saints fans!

18.) 26 Dec 2013
Why is everyone convinced our season is over? We've lost 5 games so far (Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Villa and Norwich, hardly teams fighting relegation are they?) and we're pretty much half way through the season, yeah 4 of them have come in one lump but we've also had a 3rd choice GK, 3rd and 4th choice CB's playing, 3rd choice DM playing with Davis playing a DM role (when he is naturally an attacking MF). 5 losses in 17 games is slightly better than 1 every three games, so let's rearrange the season to that, are we still worrying, or are we sitting comfortably in the top half after playing all of the top teams, looking at almost all of our 1st choice players back within a couple of weeks, ready to push on? It's not exactly as bad as everyone seems to think is it?

19.) 26 Dec 2013
^the problem is our current form is along with the worse in the prem. Although they have been hard games.

Totally agree with the keeper above Gazza is not top keeper standard. He's not a bad keeper, but he just doesn't make those saves that keep you in the game. Also agree he needs to command his area and the defence more, including coming out to claim balls. They might not seem like mistakes but not reacting quick enough to through balls and coming out to claim crosses are mistakes that he needs to correct.

Its easy to grumble, since we're now getting used to great performances and results, but let's not forget how far we have come in such a short space of time. Stick behind the team (all) we will get there.

#1

20.) 26 Dec 2013
On a side not, Lovren is absolutely outstandingly world class. Everytime I watch him i'm amazed.

a couple of mistakes recently but that's because he does so much all over.

To see another outstanding CB with him, with our young Wingbacks. Wow that would be awesome. But good luck finding another one like him. Seriously good luck please do, bargain of the year.

21.) 26 Dec 2013
I can't see vela coming. Also (I know it's not important) didn't rickie and him have a scrap in the per season friendly at st Mary's?

I thought vela was good on the day, very quick but seemed to have a bad attitude blaming everyone else if he made a mistake.

M13

22.) 26 Dec 2013
In response to the above post, Lovren is root of our defence and I agree with the other comments, with Hooiveld as a partner he (Lovren) has had to work harder because 1) H's positional play is awful, 2) H has very little pace, 3) H's passing is wayward, which puts more pressure on the back line 4) H's timing of tackling and interception is crap, (hence the own goals scored)
on a positive H is good in the air.
In summary, we are desperate for a quality CB, keeper and cover at LB - we need to clear out the league 1 and championship players. The current keeper just isn't good enough he has no presence in goal and his judgement of crosses is shocking. Fox, is ok going forward but defensively, well does very little.
WillsaSaint

23.) 27 Dec 2013
Yes Ed001, again. Just your opinion, however self inflated that may be.
Vera played in the Premier, did nothing. Whatever he may have promised to do or looked like he could do, he didn't when given his breaks at Arsenal. Whether you have watched him a lot means nothing. You are not a qualified scout I believe.
My comparison with Chamakh may jar with his style of play, it certainly doesn't in the impact he has had in the league.
You should appreciate that your opinion is just that, as is mine, and both are valid. Whether you like to accept that or not.

{Ed001's Note - it is not mine that is self inflated. At least my opinion is not based on being so far up my own backside that I have formed it without watching the player! I prefer to use knowledge to form an opinion, rather than the complete ignorance you are constantly displaying. Still, I am sure you can change it next week, as you don't even have the balls to put any name to your opinion so you can stand by it later.}

24.) 27 Dec 2013
Just watched Vela's goals and assists for this season on YouTube and he does look quality! Whether or not he is suited to the physical game over here is a different matter.

25.) 28 Dec 2013
You should have seen Vela play at St Marys in pre season friendly. He is bad news. Poor for the team, disruptive and an inflated ego. A bit like Ed001 who chose not to post my response to him yesterday clarifying that.

{Ed001's Note - actually I mistakenly left out your ridiculous post after typing up a long response pointing out how stupid it is to judge a player off one match, let alone a friendly match. Now please grow up as the arrogance on these pages has already reduced it down by a number of editors, who refuse to touch it because of the likes of you. It will be the last time I waste my time discussing anything with clueless persons like yourself, as you have nothing to offer the discussion, bar ignorance.}

26.) 28 Dec 2013
I remember seeing Vela score a class hattrick in the league cup when he was still really young and thought he was going to be the next big thing, hasn't lived up to my expectations so far but haven't watched him play much since he left arsenal