Southampton Banter Archive June 03 2014

03 Jun 2014 23:17:21
I'm a Chelsea fan coming in peace but I (like many others) have a fondness for the way Southampton run their club so I take a decent interest in the going ons of the club. The reason I'm posting is to see what you guys think the club should do in this massive summer for you. Obviously the biggest thing will be who you guys appoint as a manager and you can't mess this one up with all the other things going on. That said I think you guys need to keep as much of your nucleus together as possible (obvious I know). I have a hard time seeing shaw stay with the options he will have. Lallana is a good player but 25m quid is a lot when you consider he's 26 and 32m bought a player like hazard. It's also tough to say sell Gaston but unless your new manager comes in and is going to commit to him being a centerpiece of the team you're going to get offers where the money would help you more than the player. After that I would consider selling clyne if a good offer arrives because he's blocking Chambers path to the first team and I feel like Chambers will be absolutely different class in 4 years time. Obviously osvaldo needs to go and it sounds like cork might be off as well as a couple others. That said I would do absolutely everything in my power to hold onto players like lovren, rodriguez, and schneiderlin who you can build the team around. The system the manager will look to impart will have a huge impact on targets. For me I think you need to use a system that will have three midfielders because schneiderlin is top drawer (and deserves far more attention), JWP needs major minutes because he's the next big name, and I think Wanyama will be much better in his second year (but staying healthy will be key). The obvious targets regardless of system are a new striker (especially with SRL leaving) and a replacement left back. A three midfield system and your new hole at the position points to you using one up top and I would look for a player who can hurt you in different ways and is young so will grow with the club (bashuayi would be ideal but potentially tough, ibarbo, and a few others spring to mind) with mayuka and gallagher providing different options in the squad. At left back there are quite a couple options who I feel would come in and do a good job while fitting into the system (Ben davies would be awesome and bertrand wouldn't leave you complaining). A keeper is needed would really raise the bar in my opinion and I think Fraser Forster would make a ton of sense as he's probably done with celtic but won't get a move to an elite club. Another winger would also help balance out the team (especially depending on sales) and Nathan Redmond would be a fabulous fit. Beyond that it would come down to funds and I would look for some players that you can fill the squad and develop into bigger pieces down the line that fit the clubs image. Really interested to hear your guys thoughts and best of luck in the upcoming couple of months!

04 Jun 2014 01:03:26
Well Tk that's a long post. Firstly I'd say 25m is not enough for our captain and best player who has come into his peak, not to mention the 25% sell on clause that goes to Bournemouth.

I'd begrudingly accept 28m but that means we get 21m!? Not that great for us is it really. Shaw happy to sell him for 30m cash up with sell on clause. Clyne no way needs to stay can play left back as well. Lovren I would hope would give us another year he's still young.

If Lallana, shaw and osvaldo go we should rake in 60m Plus the 10m from Lambert and Poch+ coachs going. I think the majority of this could possibly be used to wipe out training ground loans and transfer debt (30m+22m) but the rest can be added to a transfer budget of 35m

Hopefully we appiont Koeman seems a perfect fit for us (promoting young players to the first team and plays attacking football) also hope he brings in Pelle from His old club with him to replace Lambert ( 6'4, 50 league goals in 57 games) maybe a couple of others from there as well.

So to some up, Lallana will probably go and although less likely shaw too but we will be debt free with the right manager to take us forward with a heafty 50m budget.

theres your long reply back.

04 Jun 2014 02:38:57
PS actually I think Shaw might be a done deal already as they stopped taking bets on him to Man U but who knows what to believe

03 Jun 2014 20:53:59
I believe that the Liverpool players have been trying to make lallana to move to Liverpool I also think them buying lambert was to try and make it more convincing for lallana to switch. Personally now lallana has asked for a move we should let he'd little brat go but out for the right price COYR

03 Jun 2014 21:37:55
Are you really calling him a brat? He has been with us since 12 years old, stayed with us through relegation and virtual meltdown. 14 years of dedicated, committed service and you call him a brat? Seriously?
If you expect more of someone than this then I think you need to look closer to home to find a spoilt brat.
Obviously I would love to stay, but if he does move I will thank him for his service and wish him the best for the future.

And those 14 years of dedicated service excuse his behaviour now?

Having a spat and throwing his toys around when he can't have his own way (sorry, meant Liverpool have it's own way) is not acting like a brat?

He is being a bit of a **** about it, he knows what is going on at Southampton at the moment so if he really cared he would at least wait till we have a manager for the fans sake. Liverpool will still be interested there just doing this to try get 5 mill off the price and Adams playing right into it. Also you said about him being loyal to us but he hasn't really been that great till recently and hasn't had offers like this before so who's to say he wouldn't have gone years ago if he got the offer

Ffs I guess a lot if u have no ambition then, he may and will love club but who could blame him, I love my job but if someone else came in at twice the wage and opportunities would u do, yes he will be sorrely missed but he will know what's been happening behind scenes with kl and rk a lot more than us who just speculate, if he has figured there isn't ambition to push on just to consolidate then who can blame him for wanting to test himself, look what henderson/allan/lucas are achieving and by all accounts adam is a better player

04 Jun 2014 01:09:37
I agree with St Hank apart from I geniunely believe Lallana would only leave for champions football and I believe he does love the club, I think him or the people who advise him have got this wrong he should of just kept his head down and waited till after the world cup. He would of lost a lot of repect from a lot of fans me included. Although I obviously still respect him but if he leaves this part will leave a bitter taste, unlike Lambert

04 Jun 2014 01:47:29
some of the comments re Lallana are really sad, he's been great fro the club. There are wider issues that need to be addressed by the administration of the club, the first being their own poor performance not to say embarrassing, when dealing with the ever growing volume of damaging comment on various player matters which really add up to a perception that the owner is not prepared to invest her own money in the future of the club, which was made clear why Krueger when he was first appointed as chairman, when he pointedly said the club had to live within its means. This clearly , was untenable and has been seized upon as a sign of weakness by the press who have had a field day ever since.
If Katarina Liebherr monitors these columns she needs to take stock and be a little more vocal in the dence of her asset than she has been. Niether Krueger nor Reed have impressed the press one iota, as is evident from Neil Ashton s piece in the Daily Mail which is dangerously close to defamation where Reed is concerned, portraying him as an ineffectual unrealistic buffoon having been appointed to an position he was not qualified to hold. That piece of judgement is down to KL also, and she is in danger of seeing her entire project disintegrate before her eyes as player after player if you believe what is printed decides to leave the club on the basis that the club is incapable of resisting any such pressure by players.
The sooner KL appoints someone who is able to give her proper advice , and she gets rid of Reed and Krueger the better. We need a professional CEO and an opportunity was missed in the close season when Thompson, who was CEO at Blackburn and a local man could have been appointed to ensure a steady ship.We do not know for sure what happened there, but my guess is that he refused to join the club because of a difference of opinion as to the club s future direction, much like Cortese before him. These are difficult times for sure.

04 Jun 2014 09:12:11
I agree with many of your points mcs, but players also have to think of us supporters.
Adam, Rickie and Luke are at the WC and go carrying the pride of Saints supporters. Already we have the press referring to Rickie as a LFC player at the WC and if he does well we will see BR in all the media stating what a genius he was to get Rickie and it is his move to LFC that produced the performance. Adam should have kept quiet-LIKE LUKE-until after the WC so the supporters could have enjoyed the occasion.
Yes, you will say the Board should have said all along no discussions would take place about any of our WC players before the competition finished and that would be spot on-it just shows the Board does not care about the supporters and their actions, (rather than PR), show this clearly. Unless there is a major shift within the Board to adjust this the whole project will fall apart.
My only glimmer of joy in this unhappy saga is that the LFC supporters will shortly see that Suarez is on his way and their return to top 4 was a false dawn!

04 Jun 2014 13:09:56
Kat cares I know that for a fact. Matt Le Tiss told me. Our future direction is the same, develop players for the first while buying young quality players with resale value or cheap older players with the right attitude. Keep the faith

05 Jun 2014 02:08:04
SaintIQ that's not quite the same as retaining the squad and adding to it , is it and it is why in a nutshell there has been so much speculation about players leaving. The suspicion is that the Board are doing deals behind our backs and will announce them when the window opens proper.

06 Jun 2014 01:04:46
Even Man United had to sell Ronaldo. Arsenal Van Persie, Liverpool Xabi Alonso. Its always happened. Bigger clubs will always pick off the talent of lesser clubs, we do it too. Burnley with Jay Rod and will probably do it again this summer with Ings. The rumours are rife but do they all have any substance whatsoever? Answer is hardly any of them.

03 Jun 2014 18:51:47
I find it a little strange how Luke Shaw is quick to thank all the ex Saints staff that have now left the club for helping him in his career but don't himself think it a requirement to give fair return on the pitch to the supporters that have helped fund his rise to stardom. It's quite obvious that he can't leave quick enough to feather is own nest after only a year in the first team, scant reward to the fans in my judgement.
although saints can pick up cash for his sale onwards. I think the supporters want to see him play on the pitch wearing a saints shirt.
If Shaw wanted to play for United why did he turn up at Saints academy. after all the academy at Saints is supposed to be just that. not man uniteds or liverpools.

03 Jun 2014 21:55:07
The Boys ambitious he knows he's never likely to reach the champs league with saints, and a football career is very short so how can you blame him for wanting the best for himself, oh and by the way his thanks to you will be the 30m transfer fee.

03 Jun 2014 18:35:26
Just for fun, koeman odds on fav to be next spurs manager

03 Jun 2014 18:01:55
Ronald Koeman looks to be odds on favourite manager.
Do you think with the amount of experience he has can stabilise the club for next season?

I think he probably is one of two realistic managers that can COYR!!

03 Jun 2014 12:21:52
As much as I rate Luke Shaw as a very good LB I kind of feel like he's a bit like Jack Wilshere in some respects - a v. good player at his age but has stopped progressing into becoming a world-class CM as he was tipped to be a few yeard back. Just like Shaw but feel like he will hit a brick wall in terms of progression for a few years if he moves.

Moving will only put a £30m pricetag on his head and become more nervous on match days to peform knowing everyone is expecting him to do well = less level-headed like he is down here. Not saying he won't do well, but can imagine a few mistakes and giving away some penalties might damage is thinking and and become more cautios instead of being a more freedom wing-back like he is down here.

Don't see the comparison. Wilshere's progress has been totally decimated by injury - he was out of the game for nearly two years all told, and still doesn't look properly fit, merely trying to play through the pain. That burst of pace to skip away from challenges just isn't there any more.

Wouldn't be a surprise to wake up one day in the next 18 months and read that he's been forced to retire on medical advice due to a long term ankle problem.

I apsolutly agree with this, plus the fact if he under performs if he goes to United he will probably be switched with evra

03 Jun 2014 16:20:12
Sorry for the awful spelling mistakes and repetitiveness (if that's even correct) typing too quickly at work!

03 Jun 2014 11:18:18
Ok. time for some sensible ranting :-)
Rickie L. absolutely legend, would not be where we are without him. going 'home' - DESERVED

Luke Shaw. absolutely unbelievable talent, great lad, level headed. trouble is while a night out for him usually involves Nandos, bowling, pizza and his mates. suddenly he gets the 'we are famous superstars' bit with ringside seats at the boxing. something he is not used to and maybe the worst thing that can happen is being away with England. surrounded by the 'Rich and Famous' and they think of themselves. Please Luke do not change.

Adam L. let's get real here. ONE good season in the Premiership and he thinks he is a superstar. He had become a one trick step-over pony. his progression was zero and in fact I didn't think he would keep his place in the team! and yep MP brought out the best. and suddenly we are not good enough for him.

03 Jun 2014 16:47:49
just seems odd that all this shaw and lallana have told saints they want to leave
has been made public now they are out of the country for a while is that so they are hoping the dust will have settled down by the time they come back
forestsaint

03 Jun 2014 10:40:53
If we do get Koeman in as a new boss, how about the Swedish striker from Man City, John Guidetti.
We need more options up top, he's young, talented and Koeman certainly got the best out of him at Feyenord.

03 Jun 2014 09:50:39
I think we should have a look at choupo-moting he plays in Germany and is a pain for defences any thoughts?

Also Le Tissier for manager!

03 Jun 2014 00:09:09
According to BBC, lallana has asked for a move after the World Cup.
Difficult one. I'm torn in two minds whether to keep him here out of principle, or sell him for somebody who really wants to play for southampton.

Sell him if he asked to go if he wants to go won't be putting 100% in

And sell him to ANYONE who will pay our price.

03 Jun 2014 09:41:49
pretty obvious he has been got at by liverpool players in the england squad
but he won't win too much with liverpool
forestsaint

03 Jun 2014 20:11:58
win a lot more with Liverpool than soton