Southampton Banter Archive January 12 2015

12 Jan 2015 11:04:39
After our amazing performance yesterday was thinking what a great squad we have when all are fit and back from various competitions. We are short of Mane Jay Rod Yos Tadic Long Reed Targett Cork Isgrove Hesketh from the starting eleven - to me that is enough depth other than a RB and GK (Byram and Lindergard) and then buy quality, players that can start, rather than quantity and that fit our style of play.

So for me that is Kane or Austin up top and Van Dyke or Martins Indi in centre defence in the summer.

Play the top dollar for quality. Your thoughts.

I don't think we would be able to sign kane now with the way he is playing but Austin would be a good shout. I think we definitely need a goal scorer sooner rather than later

12 Jan 2015 12:53:03
i think we could sign 1 of 3 players.
Lennon who is available
theo walcott
Antonio Valencia

12 Jan 2015 17:04:47
I really don't think we need any more wide players, I feel Pelle needs a box player to accept his lay offs. When Tadic came inside yesterday and received the ball from Graziano we looked much more menacing, so menacing that we scored. It's great having these crosses coming in but we need something happening inside the box not just Pelle trying to do it all by himself.

I agree, we need another Tadic type player, it's a shame we didn't go for Shaqiri :/

I'd love Kane!! But Austin would make a good signing, I agree Byram is well suited to us maybe a younger keeper would be good to develop into the position, also agree on CB's, it seemed we wanted Mateo Musachio at some point last year, wouldn't mind him there either! Also think if Berahino is available he would be worth going for, COYR!!

12 Jan 2015 17:56:14
Ings-or similar!

Real nuisance, quick feet, darting runs. Could be a Pahars type of option, playing off Pelle and then with Jay Rod/ Mane/Tadic as options we could really improve on our goals v chances ratio.

12 Jan 2015 20:47:53
Just wondered what people think of how Shane Long is feeling ? He is the top priced signing still in the squad with us and can't get a game, something to me seems a bit crazy about this. We have 3 players on our books that have cost us over 35 million pounds and all in their own way are club record signings and two out of the three are out on loan. We are doing a lot of things right now but we have wasted some serious money on players on big contracts. I just don't think you could make this up, the cost of those players would finance the stadium expansion, unbelievable. I am so happy with what is happening, truly, but just wonder if Jack Cork has been offered half the contract deal of those three, if not I wouldn't be surprised if he tells us to poke it. Only my opinion and trust I am wrong.

I agree there have been some mistakes, but we are getting it right a lot more often than most other teams. I think there was an element of panic over long, people where seeing the money come in and prices went up. We had to stop the rot.
It sent out a statement that may have convinced some others to come, so I don't think it is too bad. He definately adds something to the squad, and I reckon he will get chances to nail down his place, just needs to get his shooting boots on more regularly

I see there are up to 10 prem clubs interested in Defoe and he would cost 3 million plus wages ect. He could be the man in the box we need and would settle in immediately. With Tadic, Mane, and the new Dutch guy covering the wide issues and Pella with Defoe in the box - plus Long of course - then looks job complete to me!!7

13 Jan 2015 09:05:53
Defoe has always been a reliable goal scorer but he once again is more of a wide player. The other negatives are that he is 33 this year and has had injury problems, not sure we would want him to be honest. If you are going to take a punt on an older player I still think Dirk Kuyt could still do a job and his ability in the box is very good, I personally think he would be the better option. I would though splash the cash on Austin, he is only 25 and a similar player to JRod. I suppose it all depends what Ronald thinks and knows about JRod's fitness issues, hopefully it will be good news soon and then maybe our forward problems will be sorted, we may just need a temporary fix till the end of the season.