Southampton Banter Archive January 03 2014

03 Jan 2014 20:21:22
Does anyone else think we should keep Ramirez, his last few performances against everton and Chelsea respectively make me feel he would compliment osvaldo perfectly, as far as transfers, I'd like to see Ings (young, saints fan), as a possible replacement in the future for lambert. We also need a backup experienced CB as Hooiveld isn't up to it and a LB with Fox's recent performances. GK is ok for the moment, but I'd like to see Alex McCarthy from reading looks a solid keeper for the long term

Ramirez has been great the last few games, looked tired compared to everyone else in the second half of the Chelsea match but that's understandable.

I'd like to see more from Ings before we buy, it's okay to score for fun in the Championship for a season but can he do it long term? I'd give him next season as well with Burnley to see if he can continue, maybe give them Sharp so long as they don't accept an offer on Ings until we decide?

We don't need a backup CB, honestly if we're not buying better than we already have there's no point in buying, we'll just be going backwards. Buying Lovren pushed Fonte to go a level better, maybe getting someone better than Lovren will push him to go on and be better, we'd have a world class defence then.

With Chambers getting better and better every week we can use Clyne as LB cover for the rest of this season, next season bring up Targett.

McCarthy is in the same boat as Ings, i'd like to see if he can carry on with his form before we commit to him, Boruc will do for the rest of the season and providing we don't have another injury crisis like lately I can see Davis/Gazza doing a good enough job if Boruc is out again

I've been saying that he's been showing signs that he's coming good, prior to the Cardiff game. In the last game against Chelsea, I noticed how well he and Lallana were linking up. Yes he faded in the second half, but that's due to a number of resons, such as missing most of preseason due to the Confederations cup - where he didn't play that much - and a lack of confidence.

If Gaston gets his head down, cuts out the pretentious behavior, he could go on to become a great player.

With signs of Gaston improving, we would be mad to let him go in this window.

While many Saints fans would want us to ship him out, and bring in someone else, players of this level of ability don't come cheap. Then, once we've got them, they would need a period of time to settle in - something a lot of Saints fans aren't prepared to wait for sadly.

I just wish they would realise that they aren't playing Football manager

Watching the game today, Gaston wanted the ball all the time, and worked hard to get into space so he could receive it. Time and time again, he was ignored.

Not sure if he was frustrated by it, but I certainly was. Generally unimpressed by Saints today, other than the finishing.
Three goals of top quality, and I did love the saints fans cheering for Clyne to shoot every time he got the ball, even when he was in his own half. Well done Clyne!

As for Lallana - different class!

Gaston needs time to settle in, he looked out of depth in the 2nd half v chelsea and that is just match fitness I believe, don't sell him, he certainly has the potential, Lallana is so inflential, and will be key for our future, what do you think of Ince's game today, possibility transfer this month St Christopher?

03 Jan 2014 18:47:47
what about GK ruffier 28 and looks great, your opinions?

03 Jan 2014 10:57:47
I hate to say this but I think pochettino is under pressure from NC, if we don't get results in these next few games then MP could be on his way out. I for one would be devastated and think it would be a crazy decision, but we've seen what cortese can be like

I think you are over reacting. Cortese knows that the team is struggling with a lot of injuries and players missing and that we have had a tough recent fixture list. He may try to bring in a fresh face to help cure the injury problem but he is unlikely to sack a very good manager who seems to share his vision for our team.

Cortese isn't going to move on just results. The Saints job is about so much more. Primarily Cortese wants success on the pitch, but is intelligent enough to realize that initially Saints can't compete financially (due to Financial pair play ruling).

So we have to concentrate on bringing players through our academy. Recently with players such as Lallana praising Poch so highly, and Poch bringing through so many players, it looks like he's doing a great job.

Everything I hear suggests that Cortese believes he has the right man in charge

Didn't you read my post about staying positive?! There is no reason to panick, Southampton are doing really well at the moment. There is no risk of relegation, a change of managers or doubt that Shaw will be here for a long time. Focus on all the good that has come from this season. NO MORE DWELLING ON THE WHAT IFS!