Southampton Banter Archive January 06 2015

06 Jan 2015 21:01:47
Now this would be a signing!

Sure would! Wait. who are we talking about again?

06 Jan 2015 15:50:28
If Saints wish to push on as a club two things need to happen, Firstly we need to improve our first team wage structure, as it appears we are struggling to match Toby Alderweirelds wages and this is holding up his permanent deal. This is also stopping us from getting other players in, we can afford the fees to buy them but won't pay the wages apparently.
Secondly and to help with the first problem we need to expand the stadium and structure the ticket prices and improve the ways one can pay for season tickets. If we can slightly lower the price of a ticket but virtually guarantee say 40 thousand thru the door then the revenue stream from ticket sales, merchandise and food court sales will advance the cause and help the increase in wages. A bit of a chicken and egg situation, do we need greater crowds to generate revenue to pay the wages or do we need the next level of player to maintain the top four push to keep the stadium full ?

06 Jan 2015 19:16:39
Good post I've been saying this for what seems forever. No stadium expansion means middle of the road club, I know it isn't easy but what we need is forward thinking and an owner that likes playing roulette. It is a risk but where we are now can surely only get better so strike when the iron is hot and by doing this you keep your star players, outstanding manager and make the club attractive to the media and pundits and that would be a miracle indeed. As for what will actually happen who knows but as Martin Luther King once said " I have a dream "

I know this does seem like a must but I'm sure it is all part of the plan. Saints are being run for sustainable success, not short term. If we over spend now, all it takes is one bad year, a drop in income and we will be back where we where 7 years ago.
As the clubs income grows with European football ect so will the wage bill. If people want to pay us silly money for some of our players, I think we are more than happy to bring more youth through or find the transfer market gems we have been.
The stadium expansion has bee touted for years, and the plans are in place, but it is a big expense and I believe atm the second stage of the training ground is next on the list

We are doing just fine with our current wage structure.

06 Jan 2015 20:28:10
Ok, a football factory is good business but we the long suffering supporters need the dream, at least a promise of it whether it be next season or the one after. It would be a sensible incentive to keep the growing support there.

Because of the Premier League FFP, it's going to take several seasons to grow the wage pool. The system basically guarantees no overnight successes anymore (like Chelsea or Man City), but there's is still a place for a well-run club to slowly grow to be among the top payers in the league. For example, we are getting more exposure over here in the US now (see the recent NBCSports online special that was essentially an ad for our academy). If we can keep doing that, we will be able to reinvest money from merchandise sold here back into wages.

08 Jan 2015 10:37:27
Stadium expansion will take the pressure off the FFP rules. We can justify the plan due to the catchment area and because we are financially stable. I agree we couldn't just whack a load of money in to buy anyone we wanted, but at this stage we probably would not be able to attract the very top players but we have to start somewhere. I think we are at a crossroads where we have to start pushing forward as there is no guarantee we will be in a league position like this again. If we can convince the likes of Morgan/Victor etc. that this is our immediate future plan it may sway them from looking to leave in the summer. I mention Wanyama because I have a horrible feeling someone is going to come in for him pretty soon.

Sorry for the confusion, chris. I was only commenting on why we can't, at the moment, break our wage structure--it takes time to do that with the new rules. I do agree that expanding the stadium seems like a good idea and a way to bring in additional revenue which would help with wage growth in the long run.

08 Jan 2015 21:25:44
Sorry Sotonic, just got a little carried away. I just feel if we don't act now we'll miss the boat.

06 Jan 2015 14:26:22
I've seen that we've apparently enquired about martins Indi and Quintero. Does anyone know of there's much truth in this? And how good are these 2?

I doubt there's much in either rumour. Koeman said if they're going to bring anyone in during the January window it'll be an attacker. Martins Indi is a centre back. Saints have four senior centre backs, young Jason McCarthy, and two more, Stephens and Turnbull, out on loan. I think they're covered.

If Alderweireld doesn't sign in the summer, perhaps Martins Indi will become an option.

Quintero is a number 10. Again, I'm not sure that's a position the side is desperate to fill, with Tadic, Mane and Elia in the squad. Striker seems like the major area they're short of options in. Quintero is no striker.

He's a talented little playmaker, though. One for the future. Quite lightweight - I think he'd take some time to adapt to English football and the rumoured six month loan is probably a bit pointless in that respect.

06 Jan 2015 00:00:50
Arsenal fan here. I would just like to know your thoughts on wanyama and could he play for a team challanging for the title and competing in champions league. ?

Im a massive fan but i get talked down a lot about him. Still only 23. You guys watch him more often just a bit of a report if possible. Also alderwiereld was a great signing by you guys. he's solid. Looks like you could make it permanent asap and i don't blame you

Thanks guys

Arsenal Fan - Wanyama is playing for a team that is challenging for a top 4 place and the possibility of playing in the Champions League.

Personally i think both Man City and Chelsea are OK for defensive mids, but i suppose Man U may need some extra in there.

Hope this helps.

06 Jan 2015 09:28:22
Yes and Yes. And that is why he is at Saints not Arsenal!

I know that sounds disrespectful, but the guy is a good player and has become a whole lot better under RoKo. He stands as much chance at Saints of doing both next season, as he would at Arsenal and not likely to be seen as the answer to your GK problems (we all know how AW is so keen to demonstrate how he sees potential in a player everyone else has missed!)

I honestly see very little development of players that have moved from Saints to Arsenal and I would suspect that, money aside, any young player at Saints now would see the same. But then, money and agents is a whole different matter!

I don't think you will make top4 i may be wrong tho. but there's along way to go until the season is over.

people said we challange last year but we fell off horrible i believe you will do the same

our goalies are not up to it i agree. i'd take forster in a heart beat or begovic. hope the smoke has now left your away dressing room.

i believe players will continue to leave your club but i like what you guys are doing.

06 Jan 2015 14:31:54
the only players who have left our club for big money so far has been
shaw
lallana
chambers
all came through the youth .
lovern was just gready

06 Jan 2015 17:47:33
WE may fall short of the top 4 but on performance this season we are a better team than Arsenal. Additionally, I would suspect this is the last season for AW and he will be extremely difficult to replace, simply because he has been with you so long and the club is built around his philosophy (see Alex F. for recent experience of that.)
Footballers should know their business better than me, so I suspect Victor will not jump at such a move-but money and agents can fool a lot of people!

I want AW gone and simeone in :)

sad fact but true in the next ten years arsenal will most likely finish above you every year.

wouldnt mind you finishing 4th ahead of us tho if it gives our owners a push into spending abit more

07 Jan 2015 18:33:49
derbygooner-sorry you had such a poor Christmas. Perhaps next year you sort out "facts" from desires and you will be happier!
(Note you say fact, and then likely, so even you are not convinced by your own statement!)

A new manager will NOT be your instant salvation eg. Moyes, the substitute Dutch manager, etc.etc. I would predict at least another three years of underachievement at Arsenal (for the reasons I have already given), and if Saints hold onto RoKo you will struggle to match us over that period. (Remember the very limited opportunity he has had so far to build his squad.)
It is already evident that whilst we used to sell you our star players, we now let you have our second string (and you pay through the nose for them.) If you don't agree with that, check out Chambers V Clyne performance for England!
Next stage will be your best players wanting to join a top 4 club. Can you see Sanchez playing at that level? I can see him slotting in nicely alongside Pelle.
You do sound a bit like a politician talking about the NHS who always sees spending more is the solution. If you think that is the answer suggest you need to bring in Brenda!

Saint i love clyne and believe he's england first choice right back the guys class. for me chambers will end up a centre half

a new manager doesn't always make a difference your right but it can do. its not like the clubs going backwards each year just needs a tinker like koeman has done with you.

congrats on beating manu, i watched it very disciplined. and wanyama schneiderlin bossed it

peace

Also saint just checked you are 3rd favs for top 4. time to lump on if your that confident. i still think it will be us and manu in the top4 but we shall see. either way great season from you boys