Southampton Banter Archive May 11 2015

11 May 2015 21:59:37
I am seriously considering putting an end to my life if Swansea finish above us

{Ed001's Note - if someone had told you before the season started that you would finish top half you would have been delighted!}

11 May 2015 22:19:23
I think Swansea will finish above us, I can't see Saints winning another game this season. Aston Villa are on the up and confident and Man City aren't going to be undone on their last home game of the season. I can see Swansea beating Crystal Palace though, our form just hasn't been gone enough over the last 3 months.
But as Ed001 stipulates 8th place (or top half finish) we would have taken it at the start of the season

11 May 2015 22:21:45
Swansea will deserve it if they do. They've made more of less resources than Saints - and a harder run in. And all the while playing good football.

Although no-one's actually allowed to be critical of this "season of a lifetime" for Saints, they've got no-one to blame but themselves for their catastrophic collapse.

Ironically, it was the home defeat to Swansea that seemed to be turning point in the season - the beginning of a run of one goal in five games.

12 May 2015 00:08:17
Having seen so many opinions about why our season has dropped off in such a severe fashion, I've lightened to the possibility we may miss out on 7th spot. With the squad having been spread thin since January, I guess it was inevitable we would eventually tail off. It's so apparent that our squad isn't big enough to stay competitive for the entirety of this season, that perhaps it will be best if we don't go into the Europa League at least not until next year.

It's a bitter pill to swallow, but if we haven't bedded in both the youth players which are supposed to be adding depth to our squad as well as any new signings/replacements then our league position will expectantly suffer. My guess is that between the players, coaching staff and board they have concluded the same and so partaking in the Europa League is now considered Plan B, essentially avoid at all costs.

12 May 2015 01:04:44
I know we'd probably be better off without Europe. But I personally would have loved to put my feet up in front of ITV & watch us play in Russia on a Thursday night. I don't want to think about it not happening.

And qwertyell, please, don't you join in the "Swansea play good football" myth. They've been getting smash & grab wins for most of the season, and they only start to string a few passes together when they're 2-0 up against one of the bottom three. Just because Laudrup managed them doesn't mean he's had any lasting legacy on their style of play.

{Ed001's Note - don't you think that Southampton's youth academy would have benefited from the Europa League games too? I mean it is a chance to blood them in Europe with little pressure. That kind of experience can be vital.}

12 May 2015 07:56:37
European football might also attract higher caliber players to sign for the club in the summer and even persuade 1 or 2 undecideds to stay with Saints. I think without European football at least 4 current players will be looking to move and I fear they will be replaced by average players that Roko knows from Holland. I think next season is going to be a struggle from start to finish

12 May 2015 16:38:23
Away from home, Frenchie, Swansea have had a few smash and grabs. But isn't that true of Saints too? The Man United and Newcastle games spring to mind.

In fact, Jose Fonte was just saying the other day that they needed to get back to playing in the fashion that was working for them earlier in the season: "Defending well and nicking a goal." His words.

11 May 2015 21:46:56
Just look at what happened last summer.

We will know nothing until the player is signed .

We will be looking at youth whilst mixing youth with experience .

There will be some surprises. Some who are expected to leave may not.

Whatever way we do need a bigger better squad. Forster and J Rod are not guaranteed to play again so we have to get class acts to cover for them.

11 May 2015 09:31:24
My thoughts on the next transfer window:

First of all Goalkeeper, we need to bring in someone of Forster's quality here so that we have good competition and back up. Names I would consider would be Adrian, Green and Marshall. Getting the two lasts one would be easy and I think they have good experience, Adrian would be an optimistic signing.

Feel we are good at LB in having players like Bertrand and Targett.

CB, as we all know it looks unlikely that Alderweireld will be staying so we will need to bring in someone. My knowledge of good players in this position is quite poor but I think players like Kongolo, Mustafi or Ogbonna could be good additions. I would say that Mustafi and Ogbonna were again optimistic signings though.

RB could potentially need sorting out depending whether Clyne stays. With Alderweireld leaving we would need back up, Byram should be a primary target in my opinion. Janmaat is a name I've heard rumoured and I would say that would be a good signing also.

CDM, with Schneiderlin looking very likely to leave I think we'll need to bring in two players in this position. Mikel, Krychowiak, Kondogbia and Reinartz are players I feel would be able to fill Morgan's place. Then bringing in back up as well would be important so that there is competition, despite the fact Reed looks like a good player.

LM I think we have covered, Mane and Tadic can both be fantastic on there day. Dusan needs a good rest I think as it would seem he is carrying some form of injury. We also have players coming through in Mcqueen also.

RM is where we need to add, Long can play there but he is out of position and Elia does not look PL quality unfortunately. I can't think of any realistic targets but think Salah would be a player taking note of, as long Fiorentina don't have a buy clause in the loan deal. One other optimistic choice would be Volland.

CAM is the place where we need to strengthen the most since we haven't replaced it since Lallana left. Sigurdsson or Sissoko would be two players to look at, can both be very effective in that position when used right. I feel they would fit Koeman's system as well.

Finally ST, I feel we might not need one despite what everyone says. Though this depends on Rodriguez's future, if he leaves, buy, stay, maybe. However looking at players like Bost wouldn't be any harm.

Would do you fellow Saints fans think? Agree or Disagree with me?

- Ed

11 May 2015 13:35:48
I like your ideas! Here are my thoughts on additions.

Keeper': Maksym Koval, Dynamo Kiev, 22 years old and already plays for the Ukrainian national team. Perhaps on loan

Defence: Fabian Schär of Basel, 23 years old and a very competent defender whose contract runs out at the end of the season.
Sam Byram, RB, as mentioned.
Bruno Martins Indi, 23, of Porto, would be expensive but a direct replacement for Alderweireld.

Midfield: I believe that Johannes Geis will move to Dortmund but he is a very good defensive midfielder, 21. Casemiro of Real Madrid would be ideal, he'll have to compete with Modric, Kroos and Lucas Silva next season. Georginio Wijnaldum of PSV in attacking midfield, a standout player with Depay this year.

Attack: Ahmed Musa of CSKA Moscow, he was brilliant in the World Cup, especially in the game between Nigeria and Argentina, and I see him as another Mané.

Thoughts?

11 May 2015 16:04:43
Thank you,

With the goal keeper, I've never heard of him so don't have any stance on how good I think he is. However he must be of some quality to already be in the Ukrainian national team.

Schar and Indi are two good shouts, especially the latter. Heard poisitive comments about Schar also.

Not really heard of Gies and Casemiro will probably sign for Porto I reeckon. Wijnaldum would be good but I think Liverpool might be in for him even though they have Coutinho and Lallana who can fill that role.

Musa does not fit Koeman's system I think, good player but would need someone like Pelle for support. One player I forgot to mention earlier was Austin, could probably get him since he is technically a championship player now

- Ed

11 May 2015 20:08:19
GK: I think two are needed as I can't see Forster returning to action within 10 months or so and the lack of a competent back up has once again cost the club this season.

I suspect they'll try and bring in a solid free - Myhill and Federici are a couple of keepers out of contract in the summer, Alex McCarthy might be available for a song now QPR are down - as number two. But then they've got a difficult decision to make over Forster's temporary replacement as they don't know just how temporary that may be. He might not return to the level he was at. He might not return at all. If Begovic stays at Stoke, I'd try and get Jack Butland in on a permanent transfer, or a season-long loan. I would've gone for him over Forster in the first place as he's by far the best young English keeper around.

I read Saints are interested in a Norwegian, Orjan Nyland, 24, who is considered a top prospect and has a release clause of just £2.2m.

RB: If Clyne stays (which he probably won't) the squad still needs an alternative. I've only seen Sam Byram, who is constantly linked, play in a more advanced midfield role so have no idea of his defensive capabilities. As a young back up talent, to train up and develop with an eye on the future, he'd probably be a shrewd signing. But I'd be wary of him as a straight up replacement for one of the best right backs in the league (present form notwithstanding) Janmaat is reliable and has the Koeman link and may well be itching to get the hell out of Newcastle. I think he'd be a good fit as Clyne's successor.

Trippier is a name that's getting mentioned in various parts, but I just don't think he's anywhere near good enough.

CB: Remember last summer, when Steven Caulker was supposedly the top target? Phew - that was a dodged bullet. Back-to-back relegations and appalling defensive records for a player who cost more than Fonte and Alderweireld (rumoured agreed free) combined. Let's hope Saints don't revisit that particular bright idea.

Van Dijk may well be an option, as he was last summer, keeping up the recent tradition of signing one Celtic player per season. Fabien Schar would be a great signing - but I'm not sure it's realistic. I'm interested in seeing what Jack Stephens' future holds as he's surely at an age now when Saints have to decide if he's worth being a first team squad player or not. He looks like a decent player to me.

CDM: If there were affordable players of Schneiderlin's quality out there, all these clubs wouldn't be sniffing around Morgan as much as they are. He's going to be a major loss and tough to replace. As a long term investment, I think Nathaniel Chalobah's a big talent and I can't see Chelsea ever giving him much of a chance. But for a realistic player who can come in and be first choice straight away, I'm struggling. Kondogbia is a quality footballer, but would he really swap Monaco for Southampton?

CAM: Vilhena has been consistently linked for six months now. As a squad player, he might be a bargain, but I don't see a guy who can't even get in the Feyenoord team suddenly becoming the answer to Saints' problems in the Number 10 role. Wijnaldum probably has better offers on the table than Saints, unfortunately. Will Hughes is a young English option who would be a good investment, I think. But for an established AM, Roberto Firmino would be the dream ticket, but not realistic at all. Sigurdsson would be a lovely signing, but he'd probably view it as a sideways move and Swansea charge a lot for their players.

Wide Attackers: Rafa Silva is a player, linked with Saints a few times. Very Lallana-esque. Nathan Redmond keeps being mentioned - the squad certainly lacks a genuine right winger. I've heard talk of Matt Phillips, but he's way short of what I'd consider the required quality. Albert Rusnak has been talked about in the papers in recent days - a promising youngster.

Against my better instincts, I've actually been quite impressed with Tom Ince this season. Billy Big Shot, he may be, but at some point in his career, he's surely got to find one club that suits him.

I do think it's a key area of the team to address this summer. Aside from Mane, I don't think the squad has any particularly good wide players, and neither does the U21s.

ST: I'd definitely play Rodriguez through the middle if he A) stays and is B) fully functional again. A mobile centre forward is a must. I wouldn't be sad if Saints sold Long and/or Pelle - they're not the answer, long term. I rate Patrick Bamford, although he needs a bit more devil in his game. Ings and Austin are going to be available and, although not absolutely top-class, are probably better than what Saints have now. I'm interested in Luc Castaignos, who has been an immensely promising player for a few years now, without quite kicking on. But he's only 22, he's a got an all-round game, and then there's the Dutch connection - he might be worth a punt. I read Swansea want him to replace Bony.

But then I'd be cautious of raiding the Eredivisie too much as I don't think it's a great league at all.

Surely Gallagher or Seager or both will be added to the first team roster full time next season.

Really, it's difficult to know where Saints place in the grand scheme of things in regards transfers. We know top clubs want their players, but do top players want to join them, or just leave them?

It's certainly going to be another lively summer, I'd imagine.

11 May 2015 20:51:01
Bertrand couldn't get in the Chelsea team
Alderweirald couldn't get in the Atleti team
Elia couldn't get - OK the argument runs dry there - but you get it?

11 May 2015 21:56:24
Bertrand had the best LB in the league ahead of him. Alderweireld had two of Europe's best CBs ahead of him.

Vilhena is being kept out of the Feyenoord side by Aston Villa reject Karim El Ahmadi.

11 May 2015 22:13:14
Van Dijk would be good and is a very realistic target in my opinion.

I've heard of the Nyland link but don't have a clue about the guy, hopefully he would be a good addition. Though I think buying a proven GK would be ideal. Especially with Robert Green, Alex McCarthy and David Marshall all being championship players now.

Like everyone has said, Janmaat and Byram would be good additions.

CDM will be a hard place to add, heard a rumour that Chelsea were willing to offer Mikel and cash for Morgan. Not sure about the realiability of that. Kondogbia is a hard one to call but I think could be pursuaded, believe Monaco won't be in the CL next year if I'm not mistaken?

Ince would be a good investment, has a lot of potential and been very good for Derby this year I hear. Firmino would be amazing, think we will need to invest heavily in someone in this position. We got 25M for Lallana so should be able to invest the 18M we got from that deal into a good quality CAM.

Austin for me would be a sensible signing, very clinical etc

12 May 2015 14:05:41
I'd like
GK: Jack Butland
RB: Sam Byram
CB: Alderverield permanant/ Fabian Schar/ James Tompkins?
CDM: Classie/Delph/Get Cork Back!
RW: Walcott/Redmond/ Demarai Gray
AM: Keep Ramirez/Wignaldum/Siem De Jong/Rafa Silva
FW: Austin