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SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s Profile
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SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s rumours posts with other poster's replies to SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s rumours posts
16 Aug 2024 06:44:12
Reading we are now after Lesley Ugochukwu on loan from Chelsea. A 20 year old French number 6 worth over 20m. Could be a Lavia alternative. If we do go 4 2 3 1 or Downes is injured we need another DM, so this sounds interesting.
Also reading we are after striker Cameron Archer from Villa, who was on loan to Sheffield United last season. Only scored 4 goals there but he is young and improving. Not sure about this one.
Seems there is interest in Alcaraz, Mara and ABK All newspaper reports so take with a pinch of salt.
1.) 16 Aug 2024 08:48:33
Ugochukwu looks like a very good addition to the squad. I saw him a few times last season with Chelsea and he looks like someone that will make a big contribution. I've got to say the pursuit of Cameron Archer worries me. Looks like he could be another Carrillo, Mara, Sulemana etc. I know he's young but it's not what we need right now - a 50/50 (at best) punt that we're more likely to attempt offloading for a massive loss, as turn him into an EPL standout player.
It's a massive risk and with some money coming in from the sales of ABK, Alcaraz and maybe Mara now, I think we could invest in someone with a greater chance of success even if they would cost maybe 10M more - Eddie Nketiah springs to mind. A big few weeks coming up for RM and Saints.
2.) 16 Aug 2024 08:56:49
Archer is a very good player reminiscent of Jermaine Defoe, a permanent deal is potentially very exciting. Ugochukwa is a surprise but definitely puts to bed Broja/Lavia loan deals. Both deals had been kept very quiet, still need a keeper and attacking midfielder.
3.) 16 Aug 2024 11:27:33
I like the Archer move a lot. But what's up with Ipswich landing all the players we've been after as well? Delap, Johnson, now Broja?
Bringing in Archer *and* Broja on loan and sending Mara out for a year to play every day in Ligue 1 would have been great. Then bring in Johnstone and loan a winger for when we go 4-3-3 and find a cheap backup 6. That would realistically solve our problems without breaking PSR.
4.) 16 Aug 2024 11:48:37
Why can’t we get Willian in on a freebie now he left Fulham? Could still do a job eh
5.) 16 Aug 2024 16:07:37
What about Petrovic the goalie at Chelsea? Being sold after a year. What’s the crack? Any good?
26 Apr 2024 18:36:02
The spirit the team need now
Gents, it's been a shocking week. Automatic promotion is gone, key players are down and we just took a battering. The pundits have written you off, the fans have written you off and some of you have given up.
You now have two choices. Wallow in misery like boys or fight like men.
Winning at Wembley is every footballers dream and you have that golden opportunity. Who has what it takes? Who is willing to chase, to get stuck in, to be bold for this team. Do it for you, do it for Stu, do it for the fans.
We have spent a season playing sideways, now we need to go forwards. This is your chance to step up and be a hero. Fight for your place in the team. Do not look back and regret what could have been. Give it all you've got.
1.) 26 Apr 2024 22:42:36
I feel at this point I’d love to hear from an Ed (or 2408 who I’ve been trying to guess who you are) .
I’ve played various sports at a reasonable level, but I've never encountered a situation where the coach wanted us to do ‘plan A’ when clearly it was plan B or C or D that was needed .
How do the players get RM to change his ways, admit defeat, listen to the players .
why don’t the players on the pitch say f**k with this nonsense and unleash themselves ….
This is where my understanding ends.
Imagine being an attacking midfielder or an attacker, Waiting for that one defence splitting pass, That defence splitting run.
But all you get is sitting back and watching huge amounts of possession, but not where you want it to be.
So in reality, can the players just do it their way?
{Ed001's Note - it is quite common, you usually know it as 'losing the dressing room'. That is characterised by players ignoring instructions and doing what they think is right. Which is strange to me as I grew up with Liverpool dominating everything and that was the secret of their success. They put players together who knew how to play and just let them play. In fact there are a number of the players who tell stories about how they would ask for tactical instructions and be told that they should figure it out for themselves (well not in so many words, usually it involved them being told to go forth and multiply). Nowadays coaches want robots who just do as they are told, rather than thinking for themselves.}
2.) 27 Apr 2024 08:13:24
Complerely agree South_Hants_Rich and Ed001. Our flair players are being suffocated and they need the freedom to play. Stoke is a free pass. We should experiment and I hope the players push for that, if RM doesn't.
Give Lumley and Stephens a half and McCarthy and Bree a half. See who deserves their starting spot.
Give Sulemana and Fraser a real shot. We may need that pace against a high press and that tenacity in a cup final.
Take players on, put some crosses in the box. We are going to have an aerial threat with Ross Stewart coming back soon.
Go 4 2 3 1, put Sulemana up top, AA as CAM, put Jack Stephens in goal! Shave JWPs hair and pretends he's Will Smallbone. Anything!
Lets try something new. Give the players a free reign, show some fighting spirit, get the fans on the edge of their seat. At least for 30 minutes!
3.) 27 Apr 2024 17:59:29
Thank you Ed001 for that great reply …
I can understand that a coach may spot a shortcoming in someone’s game. but as you say, the modern coach, especially RM, are telling the players what they need to do!
Love the Liverpool story . cheers again
{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}
01 Jan 2024 10:32:29
Happy New Year everybody! It has been a pleasure posting with you. As an expat that does not get to see many games, it is great to hear what is going on from those closer to the action.
Reading some rumours about strikers and wingers coming in.
@Eds, any rumours with substance?
{Ed002's Note - Fabio Carvalho (AM/LW) He has no clear future at Liverpool, certainly in the short-term so a loan to perhaps Southampton or Leicester would be best for all. Liverpool would also consider him as a player they could let go in any part exchange transaction.}
1.) 02 Jan 2024 09:17:28
Thank you Ed002.
Hearing we are in the market for at least 1 striker e.g. Ings and/or Biovski and an AM or winger e.g Carvalho or Diallo. Is this abou right?
{Ed002's Note - Yes but much will depend on the summer and if promotion is achieved.}
19 Dec 2023 10:48:55
Jan rumours suggesting we could see
KWP out and Ben Johnson in
Che out and Ings in?
Would you take that scenario?
14 Aug 2023 15:26:17
Curious on who people think we should sell or keep out of Mara, Aribo, Lyanco, Bree, Perraud and Sulemana?
Hearing rumours that Onuachu may be off back to Genk with a swap deal for a right winger (think we are already strong here with Tella and Ameyaw).
Plus ABK going back to Germany. Then Holgate coming in on loan as a replacement (plus Downes for JWP). Maybe even Mccarthy to Everton.
50m spent on a quality GK, CB and Striker is what I think we all want now, with no more out the door. Then I think playoffs is achievable.
1.) 14 Aug 2023 18:24:01
I would keep sulemena if he is willing to fight and perraud is a good player and should be strong at this level. The others could go and I wouldn't be too upset although lyanco will give you passion, although I would play him as a dm not a cb
SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s banter posts with other poster's replies to SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s banter posts
31 Dec 2024 11:31:55
My pragmatic ideal scenario to build for the future
1. Our best players like Dibling, THB, KWP, Ramsdale, Fernandes, ABK, Sugawara and Archer may go. We need to recoup 100m but hopefully a couple surprise and stay like KWP did last year.
2. We keep good Championship players like Downes, AA, Manning, Taylor, Stewart, maybe Diaz. They will never be PL but can do a job next season and provide stability.
3. We keep our potential players. SAA, Wood, Edwards, Edozie, Charles, Larios could grew into prem players. We need half youth and half championship experience next year.
4. Snap up promising championship players in Jan. Give them the hook of playing in the prem, let us evaluate if they ever have a chance at that level and settle them in for next season.
5. We replace our Champ level players with good prem players, if promoted. Then grow into a Forest, Bournemouth style club with a style of play to survive and thrive
1.) 31 Dec 2024 18:07:45
Rudoni and Van Ewijk are the only 2 championship players that I have seen that look like they could step up to the next level, the rest are already owned by premier league teams or are with Leeds Sheffield Utd and Burnley.
KWP should be sold in January, we turned down 8 mill for Adams 12 months ago and he left 5 months later for nothing.
Wellington arrives within weeks, Edozie Juan Matsuki Ballard at end of season plus Edward’s might get 6 months on loan somewhere. Bazunu will be back as hopefully will be Larios and Stewart.
If they get any big offers for players in January they should be sold and a rebuilding program should start asap.
2.) 31 Dec 2024 19:04:24
I agree 2408. We have to be practical.
Snap up any good Championship players outside the top 6, sell our stars at the highest price and try and keep young promising players.
If 3 5 2/3 4 3 and high press football is the key to Prem survival. Then let's train this way now and in the Championship, so we are prepared for the prem the year after (we hope) .
Happy New Year to you all
13 Dec 2024 18:57:51
Thoughts on a 3 4 3 in attack and 5 4 1 in defence?
Ramsdale
Wood. THB. Bednarek
Sugawara Downes. Fernandes KWP
Dibling. Archer. Armstrong
1.) 13 Dec 2024 22:49:00
Hi guys,
A note that I just read said Southampton City Council and SFC have just announced plans to increase the stadium capacity plus a waterfront development. Is it April 1st? and was any reference made to our present league position? Sometimes you can't make this rubbish up! How many will we lose by on Sunday? even with a weakened Spurs team I still think it will be 3 or4. I am just glad I don't own a cat or dog otherwise I would be being charged by the RSPCA for animal cruelty! Lol
2.) 14 Dec 2024 11:13:39
Interesting about waterfront development . from
Memory, this was something Cortese was wanting to do, but I believe southampton has strict covenants on the number of gravel/shingle/aggregate (call it what you like) berths. I was told this by one of the ABP shipping pilots. So it’s not a simple case of buying the opposing berth of RMC or any of the others .
I am sure someone can correct me or confirm this .
07 Dec 2024 21:07:00
This could be our side next year, after we sell our best players. Strong enough to get promoted with some loan signings on top?
Bazunu
Bree Wood Bednarek Manning
Downes Charles Aribo
Armstrong Stewart Edozie
SUBS
McCarthy
Lumley
Stephens
Edwards
Larios
Taylor
Smallbone
Ameyaw
Diaz
10 Nov 2024 18:49:29
We are on 4 points. Looking at the games we had, we should be on 10.
Fine margins lost from self-inflicted mistakes, slow build up play and sloppy substitutions.
We now need to hit the form of 12th place for the rest of the season to stay up.
If we get a new manager, ABK is brought back from the fold, a new striker in Jan and Ameyaw or Sulemana spring a surprise, there is a slim chance but I don't see survival happening.
05 Nov 2024 12:04:58
Great to have a win, even if we rode our luck!
A question to throw out there. Should we go 4 at the back or 5?
4 back and 6 in midfield and up top, gives us Downes, Fernandes, Lallana/Aribo, Dibling, Archer and AA/Onuachu in the side, We tend to score with a back 4 but ship 3!
A 3 5 2/5 3 2 gives us more solidity. Statistically, it's the formation most likely to keep promoted sides up (according to Chat GPT). It allows KWP and Sugawara to push forward and most of our goals come from cut backs from the wing but we have to trade a key player for Stephens (if ABK is still left in the cold)
I am torn. Sides around us are scraping draws, where we lose. Do we need an extra body and voice at the back? Quantity to offset the quality or just play our best 11?
Or go 5 3 2 and switch to 4 3 3 when chasing a result?
Share your thoughts.
SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s rumour replies
23 Aug 2024 18:37:32
Thanks @2408.
Alcaraz is currently the 2nd highest PL goal scorer per game in the squad, so it seems a big risk to sell him but point taken on the system adherence.
Appreciate the update
23 Aug 2024 09:09:07
Thanks for the intel @2408.
Do we still have money to spend?
Saints were saying they needed to sell before they bought. I think you said we probably had 12m to spend.
Since then we have 10m in for Mara, have spent 30m on Archer and Fernandes, potentially 10m lined up on Bijlow and now maybe more.
Sounds like we are very confident on 20m in from ABK and Onuachu to balance the books, KWP or Alcaraz may be off (hope not) or there was more money available than thought.
20 Aug 2024 17:48:21
We kept telling the transfer team to get their signings on target! Looks like they took us literally!
06 Aug 2024 13:49:52
Reading that KWP may stay, at least until the start of the season and Onuachu could stay too, if no decent offer comes (though likely negotiating games)
I would be very happy with all that 12m + Charles for O'Riley, to keep KWP, sell Bree or Manning for Fraser and loan/sell Mara, Larios, Aribo, Sulemana to contribute to Lavia and Ramsay's wages.
Crouchy was great for us, tall Paul deseves a shot. Curious to see how SAA, Dibling and Onuachu do against better pre season teams.
02 Aug 2024 15:30:06
Thanks for the great intel @2408.
If Onuachu has no future at Saints, I would gladly trade him for loan fees plus wages for Ramsdale and Fraser.
Then if KWP wants to go, swap him and some of that 12m for O'Riley.
Loan or sell some of Charles, Mara, Edozie, Sulemana, ABK and Larios and put into Lavia's wages.
Then pick up a target man or winger with any money left, plus any fringe players we can sell.
Others feel the same?
SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s banter replies
31 Dec 2024 19:04:24
I agree 2408. We have to be practical.
Snap up any good Championship players outside the top 6, sell our stars at the highest price and try and keep young promising players.
If 3 5 2/3 4 3 and high press football is the key to Prem survival. Then let's train this way now and in the Championship, so we are prepared for the prem the year after (we hope) .
Happy New Year to you all
20 Dec 2024 16:22:56
The style of play is the problem and RM did not want to change. It is not a way of playing that can keep promoted clubs in the Premier League. So even if he got us promoted again, it would be the same problem on repeat.
Change was needed and it should have been done much earlier. Recruitment is also an issue. We now need to find a style that suits the strengths of the players who will stick around and can grind out results. Then we can recruit to fit this new winning style.
The previous strategy was understandable. Burnley just dominated the Championship with this way, Wilcox had the Man City connections to get us players, who have been trained this way and top clubs would be happy to loan us players as they knew we would develop their possession game.
Then Burnley flopped, we flopped and pundits agreed this style does not work for small clubs in a big league. Time to adapt.
The heart and passion is not just nonsense. When your team is technically inferior, sometimes grit, hard work, organization and tenacity is the only way you can get an edge.
13 Nov 2024 13:45:13
Reasons to not cheat on your wife.
1. You only have eyes for her
2. You love her and would never want to cause her hurt.
3. Your Father-in-law is Roy Keane!
10 Nov 2024 18:27:00
Agreed. Dibling and Ameyaw were our best players in pre-season. Sam deserves a chance.
30 Oct 2024 10:33:17
Sugawara showed some fighting spirit with that goal line clearance, Bree some composure with that finish and THB is scoring from free kicks. Another day we would have lost 3-2.
Otherwise, disappointing and squad players did not seize their chance. ABK and Amewyaw deserve a shot and we need to get Onuachu and Archer up top, as you say.