Southampton Banter Archive January 21 2014

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21 Jan 2014 19:31:23
Chelski are open to Mata leaving. There's probably about 0. 5% of a chance of it happening, but it could be a real statement of intent from MoPo and KL

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Dream on mate we aren't as big as the likes of athletico madrid or Manchester United we have no chance and chelsea are asking frnear 40 million no waywe may still sign someone in ja we don't knw but not anywere near 40 million 20 at most and as we probbly won't sign someone wait till the summer but I wuld like to se a signingny news eds?

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21 Jan 2014 17:31:48
Hello ed, I am a Southampton fan and like to look at results of the development squad and under 18. It seems Fulham always do well and I was wondering why they do not choose to integrate youngsters as we do?

Also, I respect your opinion and was again wondering what your thoughts are on KL?
and the current going on at the club?

She seems to have our interests at heart and to be fair she owns the club and should have the right to have some involvement.

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{Ed001's Note - the results of youth teams can be very misleading, teams such as Southampton suffer because their best players are already playing at a higher level, rather than competing in the youth games. Fulham do well precisely because their best players don't get the chance. Having said that, they do have some decent youngsters, just never a manager prepared to trust them with a place in the first team.

I think she is obviously a very smart individual who just wanted to be able to have a say in how her company was run. Cortese wanted to be the only boss and so it was only ever going to end one way. She seems to be looking to get sporting people involved, Kreuger may seem an odd choice, but it suggests she is looking at the long term. Williams may have been involved with Blackburn at a difficult time, but he did good work at Man City, so looks a decent choice. He is also more amenable to work with than Cortese could be.}

21 Jan 2014 18:22:34
Statement from Katharina Liebher

PUBLISHED

17:45 21st January 2014

To our fans:

The past week has been a period of transition for the club. I wanted to address you directly to clearly set out my position and expectations for the immediate future. After the developments of last week, my priority now is to bring some stability and calm to the workings of the club; perhaps a few smiles too.

Having inherited Southampton Football Club following my father's untimely passing, I am delighted and proud of the exhilarating period of success that the team and the staff has enjoyed these past few years, buoyed by the unstinting support of the fans.

I am absolutely committed to ensuring that the club continues this success. I have met our manager Mauricio Pochettino and have given him my complete support to build on the good work that has already been achieved. We have also said that we have no plans to sell any of the squad during the January transfer window. Yesterday I met the rest of the staff and gave them the same message of support.

We are now in the top half one of the most competitive leagues in the world, playing attractive football with a young and ambitious team, and poised to move into world-class training facilities. We have much to be thankful for. I am particularly excited that the Southampton tradition of nurturing and providing young talent with first team opportunities is set to flourish with the strong academy foundation we have put in place.

Off the pitch, my priority is to establish the proper running of the club at the top. I also have a strong team of advisers around me as we plan the way forwards. As soon as we have more news to share, we will do so.

We are looking to the future with a determination to create a culture based on open communication, respect and hard work.

Finally, let me say this. I will ensure that all decisions made about the future of the club will be in the best interests of its staff, players, management and fans and will be taken with the prime objective of honouring and maintaining the club's heritage and tradition in the Southampton way.

Katharina Liebherr

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21 Jan 2014 18:05:12
Katharina Liebherr has made a statement on the official Saints site. She sounds like she might be here to stay for a while. Interesting read. Up the Saints

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21 Jan 2014 17:59:47
Oh also adding to my earlier post, on Saints website there is a very good statement by KL, you should check it out, basically says she wants the club to continue on it's current trajectory and continue the Southampton way of developing and nurturing young talent, she said she will completely back Poch to keep the club progressing which is a good sign, I think Poch will stay COYR!!

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21 Jan 2014 17:56:19
Gaffer apparantly said more players from our development team are reaching the level needed to break into the starting 11, expect to see some of the likes, Jake Sinclair, Omar Rowe, Loyd Isgrove, Jordan Turnball, Jack Stephens and Matty Taggart in our squad to play Yeovil. And of course Harrison Reed and Sam Gallagher who are both already regularly on our bench. I hope we take it seriously, but as it's only yeovil we should give some a try, would like to see Gallagher and Reed start at least. COYR!

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Plenty of time for these promising nippers to thrive. Would rather see us putting out a strong side and really making a fist of this cup. It's only only chance of playing European competition next year.

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21 Jan 2014 14:49:39
Have you seen the Guardian article about KL bringing in Ralph Krueger? Remind anyone of another Saints 'left-field' appointment when RL was in charge?

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Stupid peanut hugging bloke!

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There is talk of him being brought in on an advisory level, he has obvious talents plus I think he lives in Switzerland (or at least he has) can speak to KL in her own language and knows of her culture.
He would not be brought in to pick the team!
I think he could bring the club closer to KL than a lot of other people could.

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