Southampton Banter Archive January 20 2013

20 Jan 2013 22:45:43
Loving the general upbeat nature of most posts. Let's cheer the boys on and show a largely negative media what we all know - There is something special about the Saints!

Couldn't agree more

I believe the squad will be going full throttle tonight to get three points, as they will see this as the most appropriate way to mark Nigels exit and show respect for what he achieved.
Just hope there are no mindless persons at St. Marys who think it might be clever to make their views known to the cameras-it would be disrespectful to the players and to Nigel.

Saint Martin

I like every other fan was disappointed by Nigel being sacked, but lets give Mauricio a chance and see what he can do. Lets not make a hostile atmosphere so it affects him and the team. Lets get behind the new man and the team! COYRs!

20 Jan 2013 18:38:42
The best starting 11 assuming we sign no more players which I think we will anyway. Honestly feel that this starting 11 is a side worthy of the places between 8-12th.
Boruc-Clyne, Fonte, Forren, Shaw-Schneiderlin, Cork-Puncheon, Ramirez, Lallana-Lambert

Especially if we bring in perhaps Butland, Countinho, Astori, Nem, Verdu.

Then we will be flying.

COYR

Davis clyne, fonte, forren, shaw punch, spidy, cork, lallana remrez, j.rod that's how I think the new manager will play it using lambert as a super sub opting for two quicker fowards

How many times does Kelvin have to demonstrate that he's not up to it?

Davis?! LOL. Boruc has been fantastic in recent games and you want good old sloppy Davis back in goal? You must be mad.

Boruc hasn't been that fantastic!

Personally I think we need a new full time number 1

I think Gazzaniga deserves a proper chance again. He was great except the 2 errors which I doubt he'd do again and both other keepers have had mistakes.

We're down 6 points from where we could be thanks to goalie errors.

All part of the game, but still VERY annoying even so

I'll think you'll find its 8 points at least

I am not convinced with Boruc, his last game I think was still shaky against Chelsea, that second goal he reacted by jumping in the middle of goal when the ball hit the right top corner then when the Hazard hit the rebound he was still getting off the floor.....

I take it back boruc was very good tonight

20 Jan 2013 12:36:41
Just want to say I'm actully quite excited about the new era we are about to enter.

If you only look at the stats about the new Gaffer, his win ratio of 49 out of 140 odd would give us 12 wins a year on average over the last 4 - so taken with the likely draws, I reckon we can expect to do good.

Yes, there is still the risk of relegation although yesterday's results helped a lot but you just know the lads are going to play their hearts out to avoid this.

What will dissappoint is to see Jason or Rickie or Maya or whoever once again standing still, ball at their feet, looking around wondering what to do next for lack of a tactical idea - seen that a few times too many this year.

Tomorrow is just the start. Realistically, we shouldn't expect huge changes immediately and considering Everton are 6th, a loss to them would not be unexpected - but I do want to see us play well, competently, as a team and with a plan. That would be a good portent.

Block34

I think that we will be helped by Cortese's decision to give all backroom staff a contract with Southampton to ensure continuity. Previously if a manager went all backroom staff went too, this meant lots of upheaval, players wanting to go because their particular coach had left and the club losing millions in compensation payments etc. I am upset with what has happened and the way in which it has happened but believe the Chairman has the Club's best interests at heart . The proof of the pudding is in the eating, so let's just wait and see and continue giving our boys the great support we have been giving them all season. I know Nigel would not like to seethe team suffer because fans are angry with Cortese.Let's be honest in the premier league, Nigel's stats are almost exactly the same as twitcher Redknapp's - look what he did to us! COYR
Rosie (Legodsmum)

Block34 : I, too, am excited whilst being a bit nervous about the timing. I would rather be relegated going for glory than spend another 27 years in the top flight doing a 'Wigan'. Rosie's son may have found that exciting but i'm normal and didn't!
Rosie : I agree with you so have a word with your son, will ya? He used to let his feet do the talking and they undoubtedly saved us from relegation numerous times. What's coming out of his mouth at the moment though ain't doing us any favours!
SaintGazza

Tomorrows game is vital. 3 points would make a big step away from the relegation area, and once that is achieved I believe we will see the confidence flood into this team and we will rapidly climb the table.

I have great respect for Nigel as a person and a manager, but don't automatically assume this was a dumb decision by Cortese. I thought the same about Pardew until the reason for his departure became clear. Now, that will not be the reason for Nigel going but equally I could understand there could be a reason none of us are aware of. Just for the sake of an example, and no basis in fact for it, it has been rumoured Cortese was looking to bring in an additional backer to the Leibherr family. Such a move in itself could force a change of manager (not the sort of thing we like to see in football, but it happens.)
Quite simply, lets ignore the ill informed who are now trying to get a hate Cortese campaign going, and concentrate on suporting the team. Tomorrows game could be really pivitol to our season and it would be great to make the papers rewrite the stories they have already drafted!

Saint Martin

20 Jan 2013 08:42:17
The Saints first team are heading to Barcelona on a 'team bonding' trip following the Everton game. I would expect that if we are to see new signings that they will come from there. More than likely, with Espanyol struggling financially, that it will be one of Pochettino's old players. However, with te amount of emphasis Pochettino has put on the U-21s and youth at Saints in all his interviews, I wouldn't expect to see a flurry of new signings...maybe just one or two.

I'm content though. We got a CB which is what we needed all along.

Aussie Saint

I am not sure I want to see Espanyol players turning out in a saints shirt though. Many of them probably aren't good enough. I wouldn't mind Coutinho who has worked with him before though.

I'm not sure either which is why I also don't know if any are good enough. Pochettino would know, however, if there was a Luke Shaw amongst their ranks. Y'know, that future England left back who is playing for a struggling EPL side and is unheard of amongst 99.9% of Spanish football fans.
SaintGazza

20 Jan 2013 00:51:59
Hi, i'm actually a wolves fan and very shocked to see NA sacked! Southampton was a team very much on the up, and doing well I thought this season but very sadden to see NA sacked! He done amazing tbh at Southampton having successive promotions and doing well in the premier league! I think he is a great manager and would have loved to see him at molineux!! I seen your games live against fulham, aston villa and chelsea lately and you looked like a team with confidence.....I assume all saints fans are angered and I feel sor for you!! I hope you don't end up like my club.....anyone know the reason of the sacking?

The reason is Cortese didn't have confidence that he could take Southampton into Europe.

Apparently arguments over transfer dealings

The only people who are truly able to answer your question ain't telling, yet. What we do know is that Cortese is extremely ambitious and the first response above is probably correct, well, more accurate than the 2nd response, anyway.