22 Aug 2015 23:06:54
Just seen that we have reportedly 'won the race to land Virgil van dijk from Celtic for 10mil' following his absence from their squad, hope this finally goes through so we can ditch all this ron vlaar nonsense.
23 Aug 2015 09:05:58
The issue I have with this is that we should be able to hold onto players a bit better now than previous years! We have a super manager in Koeman, we have one of the best training facility's in Europe, along with one of the best youth academy's, we pay much better wages now and we are playing in Europe.
We are growing year on year and finishing 7th in the premier last year was amazing. I think the exodus from last year is still a massive problem in that we have set the standard and now any player in the first team that has anything like a successful season feels they can just up and leave for a bigger club.
I agree with another comment someone made on here, wanyamma is powerful yes and does protect the defence, but is not playing great so far this season, I think spider going is showing our defence out somewhat. So we need the protection. Now I actually would not have a problem with selling wanyamma for 20 mill + but to spuds, no thanks! and to let wanyamma think he can just push a move through, No thanks again!
I think we as a club are in the stronger postilion and should tell him he is seeing his contract out. Even if that means leaving for nothing at the end of it. We really need to stamp all this player leaving out because it is a like a cancer in our squad.
We decide when a player leaves, Wanyamma your staying and I would even put on the bench for a few games to teach him a lesson, let's see what Reed can do. Good luck today boys, we need those 3 points. COYR
23 Aug 2015 10:34:47
I totally agree Ben but if he was to go and for £20 million who would be his ideal replacement as I can't think of anyone that's stands out I would like Gylfi Sigurðsson but a totally different type/style of player.
23 Aug 2015 10:36:16
Wanyama should understand the damage he's doing asking for a move at such a crucial time,if it is true that he has asked for a move. He has signed a contract. Keep him and all the others to their contracts.If their performances aren't up to scratch, stick them in with the Under 18's to learn some humility. Frankly I am sick to the back teeth of disrespectful,unintelligent, greedy, self absorbed twenty somethings treating SFC like a shop window. We need strength in leadership, from the very top down and right now. Where necessary, players like the departed Schneiderlin and wantaway Wanyama should be FORCED to see out their contracts. In the reserves, if necessary. No player is bigger than the club.
23 Aug 2015 10:39:56
I agree with everything you said Ben apart from the bit about putting him on the bench to teach him a lesson. Sure, he may allegedly want to leave, but swapping a big physical player like him with bags of talent and a cool head for a young midfielder who's only played a few matches so far is a bit risky especially with our defensive record so far.
I'm all for telling Wanyama to button it and put up like Spider did, but at the end of the day he's human and if he wants to go, then he can go - but we'll find a replacement. Rafa Silva springs to mind if he does part ways. Similar style of player, except Wanyama is more physical.
Les Reed said if a world class opportunity became available we'd be in the financial position to do it, why not go all out and try to sign Gundogan? He's at the same level as U.S. In Europe, wanted to leave until recently and isn't exactly in the first team picture right now at Dortmund. Would be amazing if we did pick him up but I doubt we could ever meet his wage demands though :(
23 Aug 2015 11:30:50
H
I agree wholeheartedly with saint- ben this problem could have and should have been dealt with 2 seasons ago,Lallana, Shaw,Lovren,should have been told you are all on 3/5 year contracts you are staying end of conversation.
The club wouldn't be in this position had they been more stronger, it now seems every player who feels he should be playing more often tells his agent to look for a bigger club, and alert the press that one of the big clubs are interested in him, this starts a bidding war with wages Saints can't compete with.
The big 6 clubs know this and have systematically dismantled Southampton's football squad, unfortunately Saints are now seen as cannon fodder and gutless, the bigger teams now seem to think they only have to snap their fingers, and a Saints player will be on their books, because the management won't put up much of a fight to keep them, and its no good hiding behind the old chestnut that if a player wants to go he will eventually get his way, I know its more difficult to keep an unsettled player these days but some where you have to draw the line and show these players that the club will not tolerate the tail wagging the dog
Can you tell me any other club who have allowed eight players Clyne, Chambers,Shaw, Lovren, Spider, Cork, Lallana, Lambert, to be transferred out in two seasons,and all Internationals four of them to the same club, I have been supporting Saints for 55 yrs and a general football fanatic for a few years longer and its never been allowed to happen anywhere else.
There is something seriously wrong with this football club, and sooner or later the fans will have had enough how can you say were building for the next level and then sell your complete team it just don't add up.
It may be to late but this club needs to make a stand, inform Victor that he is staying and if he doesn't like it stick him in the A team and he can play with the under eighteens for the rest of his contract he will soon change his attitude, its not as if KL needs the money the club then might gets back a bit of credibility.
Dissilusioned