Southampton Banter Archive July 27 2015

27 Jul 2015 20:21:44
Why are we waiting around to sign a defender. Newcastle are a club that aren't waiting around to sign players. Club needs to pull it's finger out.

27 Jul 2015 20:57:37
we signed 5 players before July, that's hardly waiting around.

Deals do take time to complete though, if it's true that we're in for van Dijk then it's the same situation as Forster last year, where we'll have to wait for Celtic to be done with their Champions league quali's before they'll let him go

It could be that we're waiting for the results of our euro quali's, if we get through we may go for a bigger name than if we go out, could be that we're waiting on an injury to heal so they can pass a fitness test, any reason really

it's nothing to panic about, we didn't sign Alderweireld 'til deadline day last year so we've still got another month(ish)

27 Jul 2015 22:00:03
Finally another voice of reason saintysaint! Who wants to be like Newcastle anyway! Mike Ashley has no choice but to throw some cash at the problem otherwise he'll be chased off tyneside! We've done some good business so far, signed more players than Newcastle and spent less. We're in limbo a little bit but that's the way it is. like the man said, toby and even mane were signed on deadline day last year! Maybe we'll pull another gem or 2 out of the hat. Keep your hair on!!

27 Jul 2015 22:09:09
Agreed SaintySaint, I have faith we'll still bring someone in. Could be an unknown target we're not expecting again and if not then Yoshi is well capable with Gardos and the kids waiting for a go. Come January then see how we stand. Would like to see a cheeky bid for Shawcross though but it ain't guna happen.

28 Jul 2015 13:43:00
Hold on, newcastle? You mean the same newcastle that had just made 2 signings all season whereas we made 5 so far?
The transfer window ends in a month. Center back is a position which is significantly important since we can't afford to gamble on players we aren't 100% sure about, I'd rather we "wait around" and have a quality CB or two to form a full roster squad by the end of the transfer window than dive in early to panic buy someone like james chester.

28 Jul 2015 14:50:51
I believe RK thinks our back line is good enough to see us past Vitesse. Then we might an able to attract a better CB with the lure of European football. Compared to where we were a couple of seasons ago, players around the world must see we're on the up, as opposed to relegation battlers. And to work with RK has got to be a big bonus for any defender.

28 Jul 2015 14:52:31
I don't understand this post - Newcastle took weeks to even look like making a signing, during which time Saints were very busy. In addition to the fact they have signed 3 to our 5 they also only escaped relegation due to early season form under AP and on the last day. I belive you have been very harsh on the same board that had over saw some good recruitment last summer.

29 Jul 2015 07:14:35
i think the point they are trying to make but not very well is that we have brought in players to cover what we lost and at this stage we can't call it an improvement . I think their concern is that we are very weak at the back and it seems that we haven't addressed that , my feelings are that we have probably put in bids for many players but they have all been rejected . Just hope we don't end up doing a Shane and panic buying at the last minute .

27 Jul 2015 12:18:44
Would rather kongolo then beek any day.

27 Jul 2015 00:27:02
Interesting discussion; If say, Gardos is currently injury free, and we aren't able to sign a defender guaranteed to start alongside Fonte, who would you guys want to partner him up? Yoshida or Gardos?

27 Jul 2015 01:51:59
Yoshi is far better than every gives him credit for and I'm sure he will prove that this season, as he will get more opportunities. I have been saying this for 3 seasons now ha.

27 Jul 2015 02:56:26
Yoshida was every bit as good as Alderweireld when he played last season, deserves his chance at being first choice imo

27 Jul 2015 05:12:12
Yosh isn't as good as Ald. He has a lot of quality but his tackling can leave a lot to be desired sometimes

27 Jul 2015 06:31:41
I really rate Gardos and think in a year he will pushing to get into the first team. Dare I say it, instead of Fonte.
Don't get me wrong, Fonte is a rock in our defence but he was no where near the finished article when we bought him and wasn't a first team regular back in the lower leagues.
Fonte will be another year older and another year slower.
I think Yosh is good cover and might just be above Gardos now but Yosh will always be the backup defender where as I can see Gardos pushing onwards.

27 Jul 2015 07:37:58
Most of my Aussie mates says Gardos should be given the go, some even said he would've been first choice had we not sign TA on deadline day last season. I for one can't choose between them but that just shows how many quality options we have. Yoshida got the stick some times ago since people associate him as Hooiveld's partner in crime. He's been great this season even at RB but I feel we've yet seen the best of Gardos.

27 Jul 2015 09:36:57
I think that Yosh is better than Gardos and Gardos is out until Christmas so we still need a quality centre back to partner Fonte. I don't think that Yosh or Gardos will ever be more than back up.

27 Jul 2015 21:51:50
Yos the Boss

28 Jul 2015 01:44:12
Some of you guys are blind. There is not a manager in the world who would buy Yoshida over Alderweireld. He might get better still, but he's not in the same league as Alderweireld. Forget your stats. Use your eyes. And your brains. Saints need a quality centre half. More games = more players . We currently have Fonte who is Premier League quality. That's it. Yoshida is backup. Maybe Koeman has seen something in Stephens?

28 Jul 2015 02:02:28
The irony. blind you say. still can't see where anyone said MY is better than TA or that we don't need another quality CB. So Maya is just back up quality but koeman may have seen something in Stephens? That puts him ahead of Maya? I thought Turnbull was a better prospect?

28 Jul 2015 16:55:13
Turnbull & Stephens - the better prospect based on performances last year for Swindon was the Jack who didn't touch his hair every 30 seconds.