Southampton Banter Archive April 19 2014

 

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(single word yields best result)

19 Apr 2014 18:44:50
It's a shame that we're now 8 points behind Man U with 3 games to go, makes it look like there's the top 7 and then the rest of us, don't get me wrong we've had a fantastic season, but I think the only thing that we lack is squad depth, especially in goal and CB, as after our incredible start, we leaked goals when Lovren and Boruc where injured, I also think we have lacked attacking options since sending Mayuka out on loan and selling Puncheon (which I think was a big mistake), if we look at the squad we're fine for fullbacks and CDM's, but really we need another top CB, GK and a striker who can play up top and out wide like Jay and to crack into that top 7 we need to have that quality in depth, as I honestly believe our first team could challenge any of the top teams but our second team (and sometimes 3rd team) could loose to anyone, I think we need someone with that killer ball, which I think Ramirez could be the answer too if we keep him fit, another goal scorer which should be signed, a top keeper and CB, then I think we maybe able to over take the likes of Spurs and maybe Everton as they will miss Lukaku, Barry and Deulofeu next season with only Barry being a realistic target to sign permanantly. We have improved so much this season, I think Poch has done a fantastic job, he's been great at bringing the kids through as we're now regularly seeing Chambers and Gallagher as well as JWP and Shaw and sometimes Reed too, we bound to of improved even more by next season with so many more young players to come through, shame about today, should've had a pen but oh well, finishing 8th would be a fantastic season, but with 3 tough games to go, we're gunna need to put some good performances in so we end on a high and what a big statement it would make if we can beat both Man U and Everton, would show our intentions for next season, our future is bright that's for sure!

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In respect of the post, I agree regarding Puncheon, although reports would suggest that it was he that wanted to leave to fashion a move closer to his family, that said, he's done fantastically well at Crystal Palace.

In relation to Saints. Depth of squad is an essential in the PL, which will clearly don't have at present. I think a proven PL goal scorer, CB and goal keeper are essential next buys. Gaz is not a premiership goalkeeper and will never be.
Developing the youth pleases me, and seeing Harrison Reed make another appearance today was pleasing.

Still, on reflection, in August 2013, if Saints fans had been offered 8th place we would have all agreed that was a positive step forward, just look at our Eastern rivals in league 2, sit back and smile.

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Exactly, we have to finish strongly now, I think this next summer is a big one in terms of our development, it depends a lot on who we sign as it will clearly show our ambitions for next season, we want to be breaking into that top 7, otherwise it will not be an improvement on this season, I also hope we have a good cup run next season, as on our day we can beat anybody, so who knows!

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19 Apr 2014 17:12:41
Lack of squad depth. Lack of squad depth, always the same theme. Shaw done very well attacking up the left, and did enough to keep Albrighton contained. Perhaps a player we should look into in terms of budget signings. Most impressed by Wanyama, had one of the best successful pass rates for the team today. More game time and hopefully the doubters will see how effective can be. But overall, what the team needs more than anything is more attacking players, ones of top league experience. That's where the majority of the the summer spending needs to go.

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19 Apr 2014 17:02:01
For all the people hating on Wanyama he had a really solid game today. Defended superbly as per usual, but also got his passing game going. I think the difference was that he didn't try to be too ambitious in his passing, kept his head up and looked for the short simple pass to retain possession. Granted he lacks some of the attacking guile of Cork but we never really looked like conceding today and Wanyama played a big part in that. Not the best result today but considering no one around us has fared any better its ironically worked out rather well, and from the games us and the Toon have left I'd definitely say we're the most likely to finish 8th, provided of course Palace and Stoke don't come with a late marauding finish to nick it. Now that would be annoying.

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Yes I agree. But where are our goals going to come from in our remaining games? We just don't have the same attacking edge without Jay, and Lambert ang Gallagher where looking particularly sluggish today. Lallana was the only one to make runs for long balls, and even so he didn't quite have the legs to get goal side, he'd just stop and wait to cross it in. Call me pessimistic but we really need to work something out otherwise I honestly don't see us winning any of our last three games.

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Wanyama was superb against the most toothless attacking team in the league who lost their previous four games, worth every penny of the £12m we paid.
My cat could have done that role today.
With Jrod we were hardly the leagues top scores, without we're hopeless. Can't score against Cardiff and Villa!
Pretty obvious Shaw will have to be sold to fund a striker or two this summer (£27m debt). Can't even get back half of what we paid for Johnny Depp, great but, and Corky is off for next to nothing because Les Reed refuses to discuss a new contract.
St Nicholas

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A bit negative St Nicholas, Villa are on a bad run but still aren't a bad team, it's a match we should be winning and we really did miss Jay, should've had a pen at the end too but oh well, I'm sure that Cork will stay and sign a new contract soon, as he's been one of our best players this season, Wanyama did play well today, had a high passing rate and we looked solid defensively again which is good, and with the debth, I read that we made a net loss of only 7.1m including the transfers so I don't think it's that bad and Shaw will stay

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19 Apr 2014 16:01:30
i hope saints' budget is good in the summer. we can't progress with not much money, I do think we need to bring in some real quality and top class players. thoughts? who should it be? what do you think the budget will be?

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Providing no one leaves we only a top CB, someone like Umtiti, Caulker or Toloi. Poyol is on a free too. Bring in Rugani/Romagnoli/Jedvaj aswell.

and a top 'keeper, is Valdes still on a free in the summer? Ter Stegen/Courtois are def out of our reach. Koval (D Kyiv) might be a good shout, heard we were looking at him

If Osvaldo doesn't go to juve and he's worked stuff out here, give him a chance, if not get Lukaku and Bertrand in exchange for Shaw

Saintysaintsaint

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19 Apr 2014 15:59:37
Wanyama passed 54 times in the first half vs Villa with a 94% completion rate

thought he couldn't pass?

Saintysaintsaint

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All his passes were easy diagonal or back passes, he wan't looking especially confident. He didn't play badly though, he just did't create much attacking wise.

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Superb against Aston Villa, who managed to prevent losing a fifth straight game because we can't score, not even against Cardiff at home.
St Realist

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