Southampton Banter Archive August 29 2012

29 Aug 2012 22:41:16
As I said in one of my previous posts, Saints scouts were at one of the Capital One Cup games last night watching a CB.

Turns out they were watching versatile 'Boro defender Rhys Williams. He can play CB, CDM, RB.

Would be (relatively) expensive but Saints are prepared to go big to get him as they are "highly interested".

JJ

A newspaper today confirmed £6million bid has been placed after Saints were monitoring the situation for the last week.

This is thought to have failed with Boro reluctant to sell and the transfer window nearly up. Saints will have to act quickly to secure his signature.

Aint he injured

29 Aug 2012 20:57:55
Just a bit of food for thought for felow Saints fans
does anyone else think that by the end of the season lallana should be involved in the england set up? i mean he is only a year older than cleverly, can dribble, pick out a pass and his work rate is brilliant. Everyone is going on about how we need a gifted playmaker like spain or italy, but who's to say lallana could not fill the role in the future? whats your opinion guys?

I think it's a good shout if he has a sensational season with us and we finish mid-table.

Unfortunately I don't think he will be given a chance.

For me, he has bags of skill and potential. My only quibble is that he got a bit predictable last season - defenders wised up to his moves. We wont know if he has it in him to be England class until he has a few more games under his belt at Premiership level. However, I do feel that some of the current England players are pretty terrible - Henderson etc, what a joke. The trouble is, players seem to get picked because of who they play for. Southampton fans know better than anybody about club prejudice i.e. Le Tiss.

Tony

I think they'll pick Scott Sinclair.

Not a bad shot on him either. In his new role he reminds me of a 'lightweight' Gerrard. Doesn't have his strength but is trickier. Think he will grow in stature with the captaincy which may give him his England chance.

He could do it but every time he plays a game on t.v he dont seem the same

29 Aug 2012 20:12:30
Are we going to make all our signings at 10:30 at night or are we not getting anyone today?

Who knows its all what players decide to do

Who knows.

UTS

29 Aug 2012 17:58:46
Looks as if were only getting cb (heard the lb will be able to play lcb as well which makes sence as we have shaw and hoovield is the stronger of the two cbs) but do you think 1 is enough? Also the cbs we are purchasing are these going to be starters? or cover?

I think we'll have to wait and see.

29 Aug 2012 17:04:39
Japans captain yoshida will sign for saints in the next 24 hours for a fee in the region of 2 mil

29 Aug 2012 16:16:50
Roll on the 1st of September at least we will know what we have got cause by the looks of things we are in for every man and his dog :)

29 Aug 2012 12:20:44
I am bemused with the response to the signing of Mayuka.

He is pacey and has a fantastic record at club and international level, particularly for a 21 year old.

I think many of you are naive to think we have a wealth of striking talent.

Sharp - has a good record but has no experience at top level and despite scoring some goals in the Championship, hasn't exactly looked brilliant.

Jay Rod - I think has what it takes, but looks like his versatility will see him play more as a winger.

Tad Lee - Makes me laugh how so many are convinced that he has great quality off the back of one good goal. Truth is, we have no idea whether he has what it takes at this level. Besides we need options.

All the other strikers e.g Barnard, will not feature.

I understand we have other positions that are perhaps more of a priority, but I certainly think we did need another striker. Fact is, we must evolve the squad to survive so some players that may well have done a great job in getting us this far, may need to be let go.

No doubt we are working to strengthen other areas but it's just happened that a striker has been simpler to arrange. If we can get Ramirez, a LB and a CB before the window closes, we will have a very strong side.

It is frustrating that so much promise is taking so long to get sorted but instead of slating people at the club, give them some credit.

Tony

Agree with you until you said about lee, he put in some great performances last season and looks like a really good energetic super sub to change the game

Tony... you are missing the point. Mayuka is just as unproven and young as all the others?

I would agree with you if we signed a prolific proven striker, but we haven't! We've signed a handful of young, unproven strikers. We now have 5 strikers all unproven at this level.

People aren't slightly sceptical because they don't appreciate Mayuka, it's because a young, unproven striker isn't our number 1 priority.

I'm no cynic though, I am very happy with the signings, I think we have done sensationally well this transfer window (apart from our defensive requirements, which I hope will be filled in these coming days). But I don't think we particularly needed another young, unproven striker. I'll still take him because he looks like he can do a job for us. But I struggle to see how we can involve them all in this coming season, and it would be a shame to not give Sharp a decent chance considering he was our best striker during pre-season.

JJ

^Please don't misconstrue that as me being someone who isn't happy with our signings. I am so happy. Cortese has done us a great deal with his Swiss contacts over Mayuka.

I think they are all exciting and young players which is great. I am just trying to be objective with explaining how some of the cynics think. In reality we didn't need another 21 year old striker compared to how badly we need a CB/LB! Even though it's a great signing for us.

JJ

Don't think I would go as far as to say 'great performances' by Lee.

I understand that he is unproven in the Premier League. But he has a lot of international experience and goals. Also he brings something different with electric pace and strength to go with an eye for goal. We need that pace. I am confident that with the variety of attributes we now have in our strike-force, we have enough to see us through a tricky first season back at the top.

Sharp and Lee will get a chance. Rickie will still be top dog. Assuming we get the other signings we both agree are required, I don't see the worry.

Tony

I think we need some experience desperately. I mean it's all very well having a 'team for the future' but what we need is a team that can perform and keep us in the top flight NOW.

Actual mate lee did have a few GOOD PERFOMACES

He'll play on the wing people

29 Aug 2012 11:24:50
Well... It was a surprise to see us sign another striker (one with much needed "lightning-quick" pace too - THIS IS EXCELLENT TO SEE TACTICALLY!) ... I think it's obvious to anticipate that we will see some defenders sign before the deadline, as it is essential we strengthen this area, and NA has even stated on record that he expects to see defenders coming in... But I think the other "surprise" may well be a creative holding midfield player coming in... This is so important as we need to protect our defence more, as well as keep possession much better than we showed in the games against Man City and Wigan, where we repeatedly lost the ball far too easily at key periods. What does everyone else think? Really interested to hear some views...

Morgan is excellent in the holding role for us, he has easyily been our best player so far, and with cork davis ward prowse mayb only a replacement fir hammond and chaplow and get rid of both of then, they will not cut it in this league, reo cocker is availible on a free and would be a brill player to replace them two with as a energetic box to box midfielder

Snookie88

He can also play on the wings. Seems to have a good bit of skill and a lot of pace. Works hard for the ball and holds it up well. I think he'll be a good signing. Only 21 aswell! Can't wait to see him and Clyne tear up defences!

29 aug 2012 06:31:36
saints sign highly rated muyaku 21 year old striker....

29 Aug 2012 03:24:06
Some of Mayuka's goals on YouTube are awesome! Pace, strength on the ball, and cracking shooting skills... We now have FOUR quality goalscorers: Lambert, Mayuka, Lee & Rodriguez... There's definitely GOALS in our squad now, especially if we can land Gaston Ramirez too... So, we are gradually getting there in terms of transfer activity... And now for a Centre Back, and a Left Back... And if we can get a holding midfield playmaker as cover for Morgan too, we'll be all set up very nicely, and NC will be able to give himself a big pat on the back ! ;)

And billy sharp dont forget

I don't think Billy is a Premiership standard striker (delighted if I'm proved wrong). He did a cracking job helping us to get promoted, so the transfer was fully justified on that basis alone, and it's no wonder he is really popular with us Saints fans, as he's a smashing character too.