Southampton Banter Archive May 31 2015

31 May 2015 12:21:43
Excellent news that we'll be playing european football next season.
I do have reservations though as the season is potentially going to be a longer one than last season. Hopefully RK will get funds to reinvest as it is clear that we need greater depth to the squad. I feel we need to sign at least 5 additional players so we can realistically maintain this season, especially if clyne and spider go, which looks ever more likely.
What are other Saint's fans thoughts on the depth of the squad and what additions/positions would be seen as essentials

31 May 2015 13:46:14
1. Priority is getting a keeper in. a season long loan would do just fine
2. Clasie or some over defensive mid, whether we get rid of schiederlin or not. if so then we will need 2
3. Austin or some other striker
4. back up right back
5. first team winger/attacking mid. need one more quality one. Would be nice if we could make a big signing here


We need to try desperately to keep Toby. I really like him as a bloke and player and he likes the club.

Might sound surprising but i'd like us to also keep Elia. we will need depth in that position. plus he is really behind the club and willing to work hard. A full off-season with us will do him a lot of good and he will be cheap

31 May 2015 13:50:04
the club may be unwilling to spend all that money but it is truly necessary. we've been putting off fixing our depth issue for a while now and with europa league, we will have to bite the bullet.

31 May 2015 15:22:49
Even though it's unlikely to happen because the club seem very set on being self-sustaining, with the FFP rule changes which will be coming in this summer, Saints could do the same sort of investment as last summer. However because it would be without the same sort of sales figures as last year, based on the assumption only Schneiderlin was our main departure, they'd have to prove to UEFA that there is a viable plan which would see such large investments result in profitable returns within the following three years. So it would be a big gamble for a club of our size to make in comparison, to any of the top 6, who already have the commercial infrastructure to make money back at a quick rate. In other words, the deficit between us and the big clubs will likely only get bigger.

31 May 2015 18:41:59
I recall there were 3 plans for the summer already mapped out. So, now it appears we will need to rev up Plan B and I presume this will dictate a larger squad than if we had no European football, but perhaps not so expensive compared to the plan which included CL.
I think you will find it is all in hand. We should also see some return for Osvaldo and Ramirez, and dip into the loan market again.

31 May 2015 20:19:19
I thought it be possible for Osvaldo and Gaston to return, I don't have a problem with Gaston coming back into the team, the issue is with Osvaldo and weather or not he'll disrupt the team, I don't see the point of us loaning him out again, I'd rather play him and see if he performs, that way at least we'll get more money for him, I think we'll either get a keeper on a short term contract or loan one, I think we'll sign a young RB to provide back up to Clyne, I think we'll look to sign a CM anyway with possibly two coming in if Morgan leaves, I also think we'll sign a striker as well as getting Toby on a permanent deal! I expect a lot more young players to be used too, Isgrove and Gallagher will surely have bigger roles. Also expect Reed and Target to be rotated in and out of the squad more often

31 May 2015 20:56:26
Ørjan Håskjold Nyland GK
Juan Fernando Quintero AM
Eljero Elia LW/RW
Jordy Clasie CM

31 May 2015 22:23:00
why do people want Elia? He had a good start but has done nothing since? There are better younger players out there, personally would rather see Isgrove given a chance

01 Jun 2015 15:49:01
Elia is ten times better than isgrove
Unless we cancel isgrove contract witch is unlikely he will be back from loan where was he on loan and what did he do last season whilst he is on loan
Nothing at least elia is quick skillful and scored a couple of goals more than ward prowse even done this season.with a good pre season he could be one of the better quality players in the squad not saying he will but could be and for 3mil that ain't a bad signing

01 Jun 2015 16:16:08
Elia would be a decent signing. Everyone knows it takes attacking players a while to settle into the pace and physicality of the prem, he's done pretty well whilst here if you consider that. He seems to have some passion for the club and I don't think you'll be able to find many players, younger or not, who are as good or will be as good for anywhere around 3/4 million.

Regarding Isgrove, he's decent but he's not good enough to play week in week out, plus like McQueen there are some doubts about his fitness, he's had his injury problems and at age 22(?) he's never had a full season playing anywhere. he's talented but I can't see him making it here

01 Jun 2015 20:20:09
Ref. Gaston-good player but not able to cope physically or mentally with the EPL. He needs to move to a league where he can flourish.

Osvaldo can also be a good player but the baggage he brings and the disruption to the team is not worth it. A poor football version of KP. Can not understand how any Saints supporter would even consider him back at the club.

01 Jun 2015 23:11:13
When I think about gaston I think he could of had a better run of games under adkins whilst he had form but adkins kept him back and he got bits of games then got injured,then poch came in gaston then struggled for a few games with fitness then he got a good run of form playing some lovely one touch football with lallana lambert and jrod when we played villa newcastle and then sunderland he played well broke offside trap just about to bang in into the back of the net then wes brown took him clean out from behind and nearly snapped his ankle and lovern got injured 5mins after.gaston didn't get back in form again injured ankle(lucky not broke) then he just managed fitness when season was over for world cup squad(uragay).then poch lallana lambert shaw chambers lovren all dechamped for the greener grass.
Then koeman new players came in and he was shipped out on loan.hes a good player and koeman should be able to get the best out of him.osvaldo had a play ground punch up and everyone whent over the top even fonte was big enough to say in echo he would still play in the same team.i believe with both players they sensed they had just joined a (team and management)that was going to be pulled apart.cortese walked poch was off teammates were off .i put money on it gaston and osvaldo had other options on the table at the time before choosing to join our team.there both good players.