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FrenchieSaint's rumours posts with other poster's replies to FrenchieSaint's rumours posts
13 May 2015 11:56:44
Rumours that Dani Alves is on his way to Man U. Which would mean they have lost interest in Clyne?
1.) 13 May 2015 14:23:02
doesn't mean they have lost interest. Manchester United and other clubs have so many players in mind. they are probably interested in about 50 players, clyne remains man utds target
28 Feb 2014 08:56:16
I think we should bid on Shaun Hutchinson this summer. He'll be quite cheap as he's on the end of his contract, and nowhere near as hyped as Forster or Wanyama was. He's been having a great season for Motherwell, he's very strong and quick, he uses his feet extremely well for a centre back, and is actually quite young (24 I think).
I think a good central defender should be a priority for this summer's transfer market shopping, anyone agree?
1.) Agree with the CB post but if we are to move to the next level - including the FA cup then the likes of Richards Shawcross or Caulker must be on the radar first.
2.) ^ With Cardiff looking like going down, Caulker is a great shout
3.) Agreed, Hutchinson is a good prospect, but looking good in the SPL isn't that impressive, he probably has the potential to play in the prem but we already have players with the potential to play in the prem in Stephens and Turnball, we need to be signing another top CB like who Puddletownsaint suggested
4.) The SPL is the worst league in Europe so looking good in it is like saying which of the ugly sisters is the prettiest?
Hardly a good reference point for a team supposed to be going places.
5.) Why do some people fancy Caulker? Watching MOTD last week he was part of the worst defence I've seen in a very long time. Please correct me if I'm wrong but Cardiff are terrible defensively, awful, shocking. Just dreadful.
6.) One bad game doesn't make someone a bad player. Not saying he is but form is temporary class is permanent. I'd take him at the right price
7.) The SPL is the worst league in Europe so looking good in it is like saying which of the ugly sisters is the prettiest?
Are you saying that the SPL is worse than league 2? Surely not!
FrenchieSaint's banter posts with other poster's replies to FrenchieSaint's banter posts
11 May 2015 21:59:37
I am seriously considering putting an end to my life if Swansea finish above us
{Ed001's Note - if someone had told you before the season started that you would finish top half you would have been delighted!}
1.) 11 May 2015 22:19:23
I think Swansea will finish above us, I can't see Saints winning another game this season. Aston Villa are on the up and confident and Man City aren't going to be undone on their last home game of the season. I can see Swansea beating Crystal Palace though, our form just hasn't been gone enough over the last 3 months.
But as Ed001 stipulates 8th place (or top half finish) we would have taken it at the start of the season
2.) 11 May 2015 22:21:45
Swansea will deserve it if they do. They've made more of less resources than Saints - and a harder run in. And all the while playing good football.
Although no-one's actually allowed to be critical of this "season of a lifetime" for Saints, they've got no-one to blame but themselves for their catastrophic collapse.
Ironically, it was the home defeat to Swansea that seemed to be turning point in the season - the beginning of a run of one goal in five games.
3.) 12 May 2015 00:08:17
Having seen so many opinions about why our season has dropped off in such a severe fashion, I've lightened to the possibility we may miss out on 7th spot. With the squad having been spread thin since January, I guess it was inevitable we would eventually tail off. It's so apparent that our squad isn't big enough to stay competitive for the entirety of this season, that perhaps it will be best if we don't go into the Europa League at least not until next year.
It's a bitter pill to swallow, but if we haven't bedded in both the youth players which are supposed to be adding depth to our squad as well as any new signings/replacements then our league position will expectantly suffer. My guess is that between the players, coaching staff and board they have concluded the same and so partaking in the Europa League is now considered Plan B, essentially avoid at all costs.
4.) 12 May 2015 01:04:44
I know we'd probably be better off without Europe. But I personally would have loved to put my feet up in front of ITV & watch us play in Russia on a Thursday night. I don't want to think about it not happening.
And qwertyell, please, don't you join in the "Swansea play good football" myth. They've been getting smash & grab wins for most of the season, and they only start to string a few passes together when they're 2-0 up against one of the bottom three. Just because Laudrup managed them doesn't mean he's had any lasting legacy on their style of play.
{Ed001's Note - don't you think that Southampton's youth academy would have benefited from the Europa League games too? I mean it is a chance to blood them in Europe with little pressure. That kind of experience can be vital.}
5.) 12 May 2015 07:56:37
European football might also attract higher caliber players to sign for the club in the summer and even persuade 1 or 2 undecideds to stay with Saints. I think without European football at least 4 current players will be looking to move and I fear they will be replaced by average players that Roko knows from Holland. I think next season is going to be a struggle from start to finish
6.) 12 May 2015 16:38:23
Away from home, Frenchie, Swansea have had a few smash and grabs. But isn't that true of Saints too? The Man United and Newcastle games spring to mind.
In fact, Jose Fonte was just saying the other day that they needed to get back to playing in the fashion that was working for them earlier in the season: "Defending well and nicking a goal." His words.
05 Mar 2015 11:40:54
Alright brothers, I'm hoping one of you might help me work out these europa league mechanics.
From what I’ve understood, there are three different spots: 5th position in the league, league cup & FA cup. Chelsea have won the league cup, so that means 5th and 6th position in the league get places. Everything is clear up to that point. However, I read this on the premier league website and it got me confused…
“If the FA Cup winners finish in the top four, their UEFA Europa League place goes to the runners-up. However, if the FA Cup winners finish outside the top four, their UEFA Europa League place goes to the next-highest ranked team in the Barclays Premier League (nominally the seventh-placed team).â€
Would that mean that if the FA cup winners finish outside the top 4, both they and the 7th placed team would get spots? That would make 4 spots in all. Weird. And what if the FA cup final was, say, Liverpool vs Arsenal, and they both finished in the top 4? Would the third available Europa league spot got to 7th position?
A place in Europe in 7th position could be a big thing for us.
1.) 05 Mar 2015 16:46:15
I read it the same way as you Frenchiesaint. It's certainly complicated but it's possible that 7th place in the EPL could give a Europa cup place. Let's hope that it works out like that because personally I think that 7th is the best that we can hope for now although I'm open to being proved wrong.
2.) 06 Mar 2015 13:52:11
You are too pessimistic - its called last 3 results bias - you assume that the last few results will be repeated for the rest of the season - we have a very high chance of putting together at least 5 or 6 wins from the remaining games and the other teams have a high chance of not doing so well - my guess is we land 5th. We still have an 8:1 chance of making the top 4 according to the collective wisdom of the bookies - that is still a decent chance.
3.) 06 Mar 2015 14:51:50
So the bookies say we have a 1 in 8 chance of making 4th place. That surely means that there are 7 other teams with that same chance. I think we can discount Chelsea and Man City so that leaves 5 plus Saints going for 3rd/4th place. So Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool and Spurs are the obvious candidates plus 1 other from Stoke, Swansea and Wet Spam. Surely if those 8 teams are battling it out for 4th place it also means that the same 8 teams are battling for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th place. Therefore according to the bookies we are possibly looking at 8th place at the end of the season
4.) 06 Mar 2015 15:14:12
Hope you don't mind a dippy blonde clearing things up on europa qualification.
Firstly it is correct that 5th and 6th currently qualify.
Ip a team from the top 4 wins the FA cup the runners up will take thier spot.
If a team outside the top 4 wins the fa cup the place will obviously go to the FA cup winner unless they finish 5th or 6th in the prem in which case the place will go to 7th placed in the prem.
all clear so far!!!!
However what happens if Everton win the europa and qualify for the champions league by that route. Would that mean that champions league qualification only goes down to 3rd place? which would of course mean that only 4th and 5th plus the fa cup winners would then qualify for the Europa
5.) 06 Mar 2015 15:39:47
No TeeJay - the higher up the table the higher your probability of landing in places 1-4 in the table - so Chelsea and ManC are almost 100:1 certainties. The ARSE & MANU are next as odds on favourites (just for MANU) - then comes Liverpool - then SPURS & SAINTS - both the same on ~ 8:1 against - so realistically there are 4 teams for 1 4th place - that's 4:1 on a flat field - then add the current positions in and you get the rest of the odds - hence Spurs and Saints at 8:1.
Its a good gauge though because millions are bet on the outcome and bookies employ lots of stats graduates to create these odds models.
6.) 06 Mar 2015 18:21:27
Well you've baffled me with your figures. I still say that if Saints are 8:1 there must be 7 other teams who could finish 4th but what do I know. No wonder I can never pick a winner at the bookies
7.) 07 Mar 2015 00:35:16
Europa goes to 5th, league and fa cup winners.
If both winners and runners up of the cups have qualified for champions leagueor europa then their places get handed down to 6th and 7th.
Chelsea won the league cup, spurs runners up so almost certainly 6th will get a spot.
Fa cup next so will be interesting to see the next round of fixtures. Arsenal v man u being a pivotal fixture for europa league quaqualification.
As for champions league, a fifth team would be eligible to play in the competition from England if an English club won it.
Fu2 is right. In horse racing you don't get eight horses running all at eight to one. There are favourites (city and Chelsea), and outsiders like us. Swansea are technically still in the 'race', and they would be even higher odd, maybe 100 to one one?
01 Mar 2015 13:12:09
I think the problem is that teams are starting to play us as if we were one of the big guns. They're setting up with the "defend for your lives everyone behind the ball and take that one chace that comes your way" mentality. That wasn't the case at the start of the season, which was why we were finding so much space. But now we're facing teams who are telling us "try and break down our two banks of four" and we're just not used to that as a football team. And it's even worse when they get the first goal. On another note, I'd like to highlight the terrific performances of both Clyne and Bertrand yesterday. And Schneiderlin as well. They really are top players.
1.) 01 Mar 2015 15:40:03
I would like to add Yoshida to that list for yesterday, he saved us when Brown Ideye had got beyond Fonte towards goal. Looks a completely different player to last season, and has done well in place of Alderweireld, likewise he doesn't seem to mind being a squad player, a top professional.
I agree about the tactical change we have seen from teams playing us recently. Something to note from yesterday is that West Brom were in the perfect set-up to counter attack our five at the back, that's something we should have done against Liverpool last weekend. The build up play from us has become too laboured and one dimensional. Teams are being set up to nullify our attacking play easily because we do not try alternative routes. Its always direct to Pelle or misplaced crosses into the box despite the opposing team flooding the box making it next to impossible to score.
02 Feb 2015 11:21:00
We played some wonderful stuff yesterday. We took the game to them, we bossed it like any other top 4 team would against a mid table team. Desperately unlucky though. I tell you what, QPR are in for an absolute flogging. COYR
1.) 02 Feb 2015 12:20:18
Were we at the same game ? Bossed it to me does not mean lots of possession especially when it is sideways and backwards. To me ' bossing it ' is peppering their goal and getting their keeper to make some great saves and keep the crowd on the edge of their seats. It didn't feel like that to me. Just one question, did we actually really look like scoring even with all our possession ?
2.) Fabianski did make some saves. I, personally, was on the edge of my seat. Especially during the first half and the end of the second. We had at least five clear goalscoring opportunities : JWP early on, Tadic on the end of Elia's cross (not sure if it was Elia), Pelle's late volley that went over the bar, and Mane's double chance of grabbing a late equaliser. Then there was also JWP's shot and header both saved by the keeper, Bertand's low cross that went right through the goal mouth. You can't say we didn't deserve to win, you can't say we weren't unlucky.
As I read through the comments on here this morning I just couldn't believe how negative some people were. I mean, have people forgotten where we came from? How did your standards all get so high? Some say that Saints fans are the best in the UK because of their perfect mix between passion & intelligence. Well I haven't seen much of either today! We're fourth in the league, we are dominating games, we haven't had this much exciting attacking talent in years, our next generation of youngsters is just starting to emerge. Let's be positive and look forward to giving QPR a good drubbing!
3.) 02 Feb 2015 16:46:03
I was almost thinking that I must have nodded off during the edge of the seat stuff you are talking about and missed it. Then I read your bit about young, exciting ( yes still thinking it must be me ) and then you mentioned the dreaded word "attacking" and then I knew I must have slept through most of the game. Possession can often be mistaken for attacking, if you want to see the difference watch the Arsenal/Villa game from yesterday, I think you will then see the difference between possession and possession with constant threat. I am truthfully pleased you enjoyed our game yesterday and we need supporters like you that are totally dedicated. Unfortunately I didn't see it the way you did and adverse to your opinion on other rather negative supporters I have been one of their most devoted followers for more years than I can remember and been there through thick and thin. I just think that recently our goal threat has dried up and we need get that sorted out pretty soon. That's all I can say but it is how I personally see it.
21 Sep 2014 13:32:24
Anyone have any info about JWP injury? Hope it isn't bad, not a great time to start getting injured as he's learning very fast and improving at every game.
On another note, am I the only one who can't stand commentators/pundits/swansea fans/Garry Monk complaining about Fonte not getting a second yellow card? There was clearly NO CONTACT- thus no booking however late his lunge was. Bony came from behind and scissored Yoshida to the ground with both legs. How are both even comparable?
1.) It was a lunge but however not a tackle but if u watch he was anticipating the volley but got cleared after he had commited himself
2.) Ward-Prowse is getting a scan. My first thought was that he'd busted a metatarsal, with the way he was pointing to the top of his foot, but it could just be bruising and Koeman initially felt the injury wasn't too serious - let's hope he's right.
Disagree with the suggestion he's improving with every game - his lack of progress has been really disappointing, in my opinion.
Lightweight, can't tackle, passes sideways and backwards and doesn't influence games in the slightest. Even his normally decent set pieces were rotten against Swansea.
There's no doubt he's a talented youngster, but as someone into his third season of being around the first team, I'm not sure he's any better than he was when he first broke into the side.
If everyone's fit, there's no way he should be starting ahead of Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Cork or Davis.
Perhaps if he is laid up injured for a few weeks or so it'll give Harry Reed a chance to show what he's about.
3.) Quertell - give the lad a chance. He has qualities, and is generally very solid. I thought against Liverhampton he was excellent, and there are signs that he has improved. For England U21's he looks a step above most of the kids.
In many ways he doesn't look out of place in the Saints side, but he doesn't stand out - is it any wonder with the likes of Cork, Schneiderlin, Wanyama, and Davis?
Only regular gametime will help him develop into the top top footballer he will become.
4.) 24 Sep 2014 19:56:10
Qwertyell I'm sorry but i just really don't agree. The lad is 19 playing one of the most demanding positions in the PL. Granted he isn't the most physical player and tackling needs to improve however in 4 games he has almost 90% pass accuracy and 2 assists. He deliveries from corners all but always beat the first man and whips them into some really dangerous areas for players to attack the ball. He is deceptively strong at holding onto the ball and runs constantly. Yes this is his 3rd season in the prem but he hasn't been a regular starter and often played in positions which aren't exactly his best. He has a way to go but he is head and shoulders above anybody else his age atm in similar positions. People seem to forget he is still very young. I think he will develop into one of the finest cm in English football, so long as he gets the game time and stays fit.
FrenchieSaint's rumour replies
19 Aug 2015 23:00:29
Anyone have any idea of the kind of fee we'd be talking about? Selling our best asset to a club that's on a buying spree. Needs to be big money.
23 Jun 2015 20:53:03
I'm pretty sure mané was on the right for his hat trick
03 Jun 2015 11:18:01
Southampton87 does have a point. Yes he's 20, but it still seems as though he's stalling in his development. Players of a similar age like Sterling and Barkley have done a lot more already
20 Apr 2015 10:04:32
Surely there's no chance. He's a bright lad and knows that if he goes to city or chelsea, he'll be sat on the bench to help raise their English player quota.
16 Apr 2015 14:17:42
I agree Morgan & Toby will be tough to replace, but not impossible. Looking back at our 2-0 win against arsenal the Wanyama-Reed-JWP midfield was brilliant. I really do see a future in all three of those players. As for Toby's replacement, I think we sometimes forget just how good Yoshida is.
FrenchieSaint's banter replies
27 Sep 2015 21:19:39
With the ball yes. Without the ball it's like playing with 10 men.
20 Sep 2015 19:52:33
Just shut up with this relegation talk. We all know we're not getting regated so stop moaning. We have too much talent in the squad to be in any sort of threat.
13 Sep 2015 10:14:37
Yes his distribution was top class
27 Aug 2015 23:18:10
You're being very generous
27 Aug 2015 22:25:47
I agree that Koeman has to take the blame. You can't play five at the back when you have to score. Let alone with no pace and wide men in the team. And why is Martina playing as a right wing back when Cedric is on the bench? Very strange decisions.
However, you said it yourself qwerty. this is going to be a rough season. So maybe tonight is a blessing after all.