Southampton Rumours Archive August 29 2012

29 Aug 2012 22:59:12
have reported that we are ready to make a £6m move for Rhys Williams from Boro

Zambucco {Ed052's Note -

He is injured and is out for months

He's out for 2-3 weeks at most. Wouldn't be a problem. At this stage if Saints want him, we will go for him regardless of him having a small knock.

Saints know he had a knock and have placed a bid. He will pass medical, it's nothing serious but just needs 2-3 weeks to get back to 100%.

(And before anyone says "you can't pass a medical if you have an injury"... yes you can).

JJ

Oh, great, that's just what we need, more championship quality players for the premiership. Yay.

Yes you can pass with an injury but it's more complicated with and can take longer. Their is also a higher chance of failure. Further more this player isn't brilliant.

How often have you seen him play?

Ridiculous how some people think they know everything. I bet you haven't watched many 'boro matches have you? I think if Saints decided to scout him and thought he was good enough then I will go with their opinion rather than yours.

Some people are never happy. Rhys Williams has been consistently one of 'Boro's best players for the past few seasons. He's their captain. He is a versatile defender who can play CB, RB, CDM, CM which are all positions we could do with cover in. He's recently been the target of several premiership clubs including Liverpool, Newcastle and West Brom. But I guess you know better than all their scouts too?

He's not going to be a world beater. But for a versatile, international standard defender who is attracting a lot of interest from clubs who are in positions we aspire to be in... it's naive and self-conceited for people to sit there and start slating him and saying it's a bad signing.

I'd wager that those individuals have barely seen him play, they are just assuming middlesborough are beneath us. Not every good signing has to be from a fancy european club... just because it is exotic it doesn't mean it is good. He would certainly add to Saints squad. Will he ever be world class? No. But he would be a great addition to the squad.

Not long ago we were linked with Scott Dann and Curtis Davies... Rhys Williams is in a different league to those players, I can't believe you are complaining.

JJ {Ed025's Note - Good post that mate..

I'm an Aussie and can vouch for the fact that Williams is EPL standard. He's strong on the ball, relatively quick for a tall bloke, and highly versatile (has played well at CB, CDM, and RB for both club and country). Plus, he's Captain of Middlesbrough at age 22 and considered one of their most important players.

As an Aussie, and lifelong Saints supporter, I'd love to see him arrive

JJ, I couldn't agree more. A lot of ignorant posters on this site. I'd pick him ahead of Schneiderlin any day, and the fact he plays 3 different positions is a massive benefit for a side like Saints who lack the capital to splash around. And I think the fact that he's received massiver wraps from Southgate, Strachan (former Saint), Mowbray, plus 2 international managers shows his quality.

He's a leader, and a quality individual with a great attitude who would fit in incredibly well at a club like Southampton.

Aussie Saint

AussieSaint, have you been watching games lately? Morgan is one of our best players he gets better each game, his defencive ability is getting better and his range of passing is immence, i cant see why he has so many critics, if williams does sign it would be a excellent signing but to strengthing cb and drop fonte

Snookie88

Snookie88, fair point - Schneiderlin is definitely not the worst player in our starting 11. But as a CM, and an overall player, I rate Williams higher (having watched both play). But I agree that it would probably be better if he were used as a CB - given his passing ability, and Adkins favoured tactic of passing from the back, he'd fit into the team very well.

By the way, I have to laugh at the comment "Championship quality". I'd much rather that than League 1 quality, which is what we have in our current (starting) CBs. We simply do not have the cash - particularly if we are going in for a £12million bid for Ramirez - to spend ridiculous sums of money on the next Vincent Kompany (as much as I'd like to have him). And don't forget, we're still in desperate need of another CB and a LB.

Aussie Saint

Wow some intellectual banter, I like it! His CV sounds good to me, been tweeting with some Boro fans and they love him.

Just a picky thing, sorry it's the pedant in me. If he plays for an international team (Australia) doesn't that by association make him 'world class' sort of? Just saying!!

Sounds like just the sort of signing we need

In what way does playing for Australia instantly make him world class?

I'd say if he'd lined up at the 2010 World Cup (which he would have done, at RB, but for an injury) then his reputation would be at another level, and he would without doubt already be at an EPL club. But I think, in my mind, 'world class' status is reserved for the types of players that could walk into any starting 11 around the world, and who have proven themselves on the biggest stages - Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Sneijder, Robben, Gerrard etc etc.

Aussie Saint

And by that logic, Danny Fox would be considered world class....which he most definitely is not.

Surely that makes him 'Aussie class', and its not often those 2 words are in the same sentence.. Joking! World class for me means he would get in a world 11 and that is unlikely!

He could be ok - but teams with weak defences usually go down and I'd like to see at least one signing at the back with prem nouse - for me we cant have an entire defence who havent played at this level before without taking a huge risk on our future.

Quick note - people seem quick to slag each other off on this site - the only true loyalty in football is from the fans.. Players, managers and chairmen in general come and go, take big salaries and leave without giving too much back. It is definitely ok for fans to criticise anyone taking a salary from the club they only give to, if they want.

So after that - if we sign this guy he may be good, but I'd like a Dawson type player too who really knows what he'll be up against every week..

According to an inside source at the BBC Ramirez deal was done yesterday.

She thinks that for some reason they are awaiting the announcement as they are doing, pics etc jointly with Boilessen who has agreed personal terms AND Yoshida who is a.w work permit. Yoshida's work permit was supposed to be finalised yesterday but looks like it might fail and need to go to appeal.

Ok just a note I hate when people say our current CB's are 'league 1 quality' as they are not. Jose Fonte was signed from Crystal Palace in the Championship when we were in league 1 it was because of the plan that was set up that he joined he was impressed by the clubs vision. He is a Championship standard defender and has put in some very good performances. He's not a Premiership standard defender but he is at least a Championship standard one.

As for Hooiveld he joined us from Celtic who are a strong Scottish side. He is a solid CB and also proved himself at Championship level last season and has so far proven to be alright at Premiership level (if you ignore the penalty vs Man City which was something he'll have learnt from).

So to conclude you are being harsh on our defenders by calling them league 1 standard as last season they managed to do us proud in the Championship and out of the two games so far our whole team flopped against Wigan but against City they both did step up their game something I'm sure they can do more and they can be Premiership quality if given the chance. (Although doesn't mean I'm not wanting more competent defenders than Fonte he's still a worry in my mind).

'The next Vincent kompany' wouldn't cost anymore than Williams, as city only paid I think 6 million for him. This is why we need a better scouting network, to find these players.

Yoshida's work permit wont fail. its nearly impossible for a premierleague move to fail on the work permit as you only have to prove that they will imrpove english football which he will playing in the premier league.

29 Aug 2012 21:32:18
I am lead to believe that Gaston Ramirez will have completed his transfer tomorrow. Fantastic stuff but still believe we need defensive improvements. Maya Yoshida looks to be almost done and Saints have made an offer for Boilesen. Long story short; its going to be an interesting couple of days!
- Rush

It would be a very nice way to wrap up the transfer window. Followed by a win on Sunday with Mayuka scoring the winner on his debut and maybe a hat trick for Rickie a bit too far?

Zambucco

Yeah, but you you can't say no to the enthusiasm!

- Rush

A winner on his debut + lambert hat trick. damn were in for a 4-3 game, need to watch this one lol

I am predicting there shall be 5 goals in this game.

29 Aug 2012 20:08:41
Scott dann on his way watch out for this tomorrow

Hope not . he is not that good

I sincerely hope this is a cruel joke. He is not good enough. I mean so far in the Championship this season he has looked week and actually out of his depth.

Hope not

Not this again ...

Nah, not happening.

I actually didnt see him at st marys and didnt see him at staplewood .. come to think of it my friend who doesnt have any connections with saints of blackburn didnt tip me of at all about this. so I maybe dont think its happening. in fact ill go so far as to say he wont sign tomorrow i dont think so dont watch this space

Not after the mistake he made at the weekend

29 Aug 2012 16:16:42
I have a source who lives in Denmark and he says that saints are preparing to sign a young Ajax left back called boillsen! He is as good as fox going forward but far superior defensively! Watch this space!
HDsaint

I swear you have already posted this further down.

Lenny

Alax play in Holland not Denmark

^ yes but boilsen is danish

You basically copied and pasted what I said but added that you have a source in Denmark (which I doubt, as this just makes it a little different to mine) I know this is a true rumour but please dont copy and paste mine

JustASaint

Actually feel free to copy and paste my rumours, I've changed my mind.

JustASaint

To the second post, stop using my name, and get your own, ED can see it wasn't me. I think people should be posting stuff using other peoples names!

JustASaint {Ed003's Note - When posting if you could leave a tag/password in the email field we will note it and this should not happen again JAS }

That wasn't me! That was just a fraudster. Please ignore him!

JustASaint

Okay thanks ED,
I dont mind people copying my posts just as long as its not obvious you've don't it from mine, and the guy above, please stop using my name. {Ed001's Note - ok, I have made a note of your email, any posts without it, signed off as you, will get deleted.}

Thanks very much ED I appreciate it mate

JustASaint {Ed001's Note - no worries, it is kind of sad when people try and pretend to be others.}

29 Aug 2012 15:01:26
I think we should capitalise on the Walcott scenario because if he contract is terminated by mutual consent we don't have to pay a penny which leaves us more money to pay his contract
Benjie ;-)

Why would they cancel his contract? They'll get a decent sum for him.

His contract won't be terminated by mutual consent.

And the reason he is falling out at Arsenal is because they won't pay him on top wages. If Arsenal won't pay them then we won't be able to.

Don't think we need much more attacking power at the minute, especially if Ramirez comes through.

Sure someone like Man City will buy him and use him to warm their bench, such a shame.

JJ

He has a year left on his contract. They will sell him before that runs out. They certainly won't cancel his contract.
Thats the point. They want to keep him or sell himto make money.
Its a shame Rupert Lowe flogged off our rights to a cut of any future sale

Arsenal won't terminate his contract. they will sell to their parent club in manchester

But why would it be cancelled ?

They've come to an agreement that he won't be signing a new contact this summer, but he also won't be leaving this summer.

Agree with jj only reason he aint penned new deal arsenal wont meet his demands and will end up somewhere that will
greed no loyalty
makes him worse than ramirez to me

29 Aug 2012 13:18:29
Great news from st Mary's. Ramirez WILL be unveiled as a Saint tomorrow. Trust me on this one lads. No news in CB.
Dave S

On friday? I would hope we get him on thursday

^Yes mate. On friday. Because Friday comes after Wednesday doesn't it.

JJ

Tomorrow is Thursday.

^ I think I just died laughing. - TJ

Buy that man a Calender!
Hope your right Dave :)

This time next week (this Saturday) which is two days before Tuesday and the day after Monday, I hope we'll have signed quality players to strengthen our side just before transfer deadline which ended last week:)

29 Aug 2012 11:25:58
Essien free to leave Chelski, why dont we go in for him. £8million now that would be a great signing. {Ed023's Note - Wages would be a problem}

Because he will have very high wage demands

Never going to happen, wages too high, he's been injury prone recently, and that would be a 'QPR' signing; no future at the club, just a very short term solution.

Plus I think our centre mid if quite solid, not the problem area.

I would rather sign Essien for £8m + wages than sign Ramirez

I think Essien would be an absolute waste. I mean he has almost no future prospects has probably lost a lot of his ability and can't be too far off retirement. Why spend 8 million pounds on that? And thats before you consider wages.

Essiens wages are not feasible for the club in any way. hes on above 100k a week

"I would rather sign Essien for £8m + wages than sign Ramirez"

Is that a joke? Do you want to go ahead and just support QPR?
Saints are about young and exciting players, not old past it players with big wages. Ramirez is an unbelievable coup for us and will only get more valuable. Essien will only get injured and decrease in value.

We don't actually have money to throw away. We are not a buying club like Chelsea, City and QPR. The reason we buy young is because we want to be able to balance the books by paying low for players at a young age then selling some of them on later for double.

JJ

Centre mid quite solid ? utter tosh,
i think this is an area we also need to improve along with the defence.
we were outplayed in middle by both MCFC and Wigan

Unfortunately buying young may not keep us in the prem. He is a proven great player who is just struggling to get into an awesome Chelski side. He would provide us with great experience & leadership in a team that will need it in spades this season, somethingthat younger players will find invaluable.

He's just not got 'it' anymore. Thats why he doesn't make the Chelski team. I agree experience is important but it needs to come with a player who has still got their best to give.

If he come southampton i would class him as one of our best
not as good as he was but regular games and he will be back
out with injury for a good while
but very unlikely he would sign for us

Dont forget he might not be that managers
cup of tea considering there latest signings
and they dont help there players back to fitness look at joe cole once broke throw away and buy new

29 Aug 2012 09:07:09
Aston Villa have targeted Rickie Lambert according to Daily Mirror, no price mentioned

I would let him go
mw999

£3 mill. but blackburn so called offered £4mill + goodwillie - chris

I wouldnt let him go - Lambert has size and strength and a goal pedigree. We dont have another big striker and dont seem to be looking to sign one. We need to get faster sharper players around Lambert though which has been the problem.

^^ we just signed a big and quick striker but I can't believe as fans you are even considering this. Even if Barcelona offered him 90000a week I doubt he would leave

If we get rid of lambert we're persons!

GTFO no chance should we, or will we get rid on him. Shame on everyone saying they'd let him go.

No way Lambert can't go!!! 3m for top goal scorer in any league he's played in the last 3 seasons!?!? I don't think so. We don't want him to go anywhere and I'd hope he wants to stay! Southampton goal machine.
Saint Adey

Lambert is our talisman and our lynch-pin for most attacks. Amazing goal scoring record and assists record. Surely he is worth mega bucks to us because it would only be some brilliant player that could replace him. I for one will be absolutely livid if we sell him, even if it was for £15m. Why would he join Villa anyway. We are on a par with them and with a much brighter future that Rickie is a key part of, surely. Hopefully this interest will be laughed off.

Tony

Mayuka is not big - He is 5'9"

I think we are better than on a par with Villa

If andy corrol was sold for 35 mill, then lambert is worth twice that! Hes a saints legend, le tiss never went and i dam sure i hope lambert doesnt go either.
Saint89

No club would bid over £7m for Rickie because of his age, and we wouldn't sell him for any less because of his unbelievable goalscoring record for us and the fact it would upset the fans and team. Not in a million years.

Lambert has been a great player for Saints, but don't compare him with Le Tissier. I too would be livid if we sold him

29 Aug 2012 00:27:16
This has just come online from the express

headline is
GASTON RAMIREZ SET TO BE ANNOUNCED AS A SAINTS PLAYERSOUTHAMPTON are set to make Uruguay international Gaston Ramirez their £12m club-record signing over the next 48 hours.

Saints have salvaged a deal with Italian club Bologna after talks broke down on how the fee was to be paid. Bologna, in financial crisis, wanted the vast majority up front, but further negotiations have taken place and an agreement reached.

Uruguayan club Penarol, who still have a 30 per cent stake in Ramirez, are thought to have sanctioned the move on the proviso they receive 30 per cent of the fee for any future transfers.

Ramirez, 21, has already agreed personal terms with Saints and is expected to make his debut in Sunday’s home Premier League game with Manchester United. - chris

I hope so we are going to ned him we shoud take guly out and stick him in

Maybe we could just sign strikers and change our 4-4-2 formation for a 0-0-10. we may leak a few goals but asc long as we score more than the oppo will be an entertaining season.

Well I think another striker was needed! We need someone with pace and skill up front imo. Hopefully we can get Ramirez and a CB or two now! :)

Mini-Saint

The 0-0-10 formacion doesnt work real madrid tried it when they went 1-1 this weekend and lost 2-1 just people getting in each others way