Southampton Banter Archive March 16 2014

16 Mar 2014 15:22:01
I am with the optimist camp! really can't see KL selling, She is getting involved not distant, she is showing an interest and coming to games, she is honouring her fathers wishes and seems to be enjoying his dream come to fruition. Saints are becoming a success, money has been well spent. Not something you dump and run.

I can't see MP leaving, he has been handed a coaches gift, a club with money and young talent that are taking the PL by storm. England call ups for his players, a team that can push for top six in the hardest league in the world, his positive reputation is growing. I can see him milking this cow for a little longer. If we continue to see improvement, it will keep everyone interested in our unfolding story of marching from div 1 to the top tier of the PL.
Our players will stay, big money from other clubs will not change this story as long as we keep improving. We are a good side, most of them have been there through this journey, slaying each target from div 1 on up, building a strong team ethic.

This is Lallana's team, he is the Captain! I think they see what I can see, a team of players that can beat the best teams in the league. If all of these players are so valuable then surely they can see the quality in their own teammates. This is not like the sale of Wallcott, Ox and Bale, they were not in a team that was capable of beating the top PL teams. Now we are, SFC are so close to cracking that top 6, they have shown they can hold their own, out posses almost every team, control most matches. A bit more improvement and there will be no need to go to MU, we will be beating MU!

Shaw, Spidey, clyne, lovren and any of our other first 11 to be snatched up must all realize their success is partly to do with their team mates excellent play, they can continue to improve as a tight knit group, none with big enough ego's to think they were too good for their teammates. If I were them I would be interested to see how far we could improve over the next few years, all are young enough to get a big money move in a few years time to fulfill their ambitions and wallets if Saints cant.

The pessimist in me is still optomistic!
Shaw - Chelsea - £30m (Clyne steps in) - If Clyne can truly switch to LB and continue his excellent play then Shaws deprture wil not have to much affect, and Chamber has proven he is a quality RB. Matt Targett can be as good as Shaw, so the future is good. We will be thin on cover but £30m will buy some quality lb/rb replacements.
Lallana - Liverpool - £25m (Ramirez steps in) - would be the hardest to replace, but our play-maker in the making "Ramirez" has shown glimpses of brilliance that he could provide enough quality to keep Saints creative and dribbling juices flowing. If not 25 mill will get a quality AM (think Draxler)
Schneiderlin - Arsenal - £15m (Cork steps in) - Cork has proven he can operate in CM with MOTM performances this year. Reed, JWP, Davis and Vic all can keep our CM level to a high standard. 15 mill would buy some quality CM to fill the void.

With a potential (my guesstimate) to bring in 70 mill of sales from 3 players and still have a strong first 11. If we then spend that money wisely with KL continuing to invest her money on top of that 70 mill for 5 or 6 new players We could arguably be better off than we are now.

Now let me take off those rosy glasses because even the pessimistic view is looking really goooooood.