Fabrice29

Same Nixon that said we were leading the chase on Kieran Breckin? Signed for Wigan.

Think Perraud and ABK have been just as injured as Armstrong fwiw. Salisu has featured also. Agree they all leave though, hopefully.

Said at 14.53 of course.

Nobody said he’s a money grabbing mercenary. It’s a perfectly good career opportunity for the kid. He’s just had a massive injury, probably grateful for the support but also aware his career is short. Take the money out of it and it’s a move to a top 4 club and a chance to nail down a position for years at that particular top 4 club. Why would he stay? I’m not saying he’s desperate to leave or a mercenary, I’m saying the idea that he would happily stay and turn down those opportunities is bizarre even more so because he clearly is working on getting that opportunity. Then again, those anonymous briefings to the press with a vague ‘content to stay’ line is gospel and therefore fuck the owners.

Yeah, the kid and his family who carefully plotted and chose a move at 17 to get first team football are suddenly now being easily led down a path against their will (that you realise but they don’t) by the agents they sourced out and now employ. That’s definitely as equally as possible as them thinking that a move to a CL club with an ageing right back as competition might be a good move. Also where’s this Tino interview where he’s said positive things about staying out of interest?

His agent works for him not the other way around. Again, the narrative that suggests agents are out there doing things players don’t want them to do is funny, nonsense and highly convenient for the PR of the player.

Fwiw Nancy Froston/Frostwick is a good reporter, efl centric for the athletic and a Southampton fan. Might be worth a follow for a few of you.

This is likely. Seen a few other fans of PL teams say the lack of specific club reporting has been noticeable even for them so I think it’s a wider restructuring.

This narrative makes me laugh. The move wouldn’t be happening without him and his team a) sourcing out the interest from Newcastle b) agreeing to it and c) telling Southampton he wants it. Find the idea that we just believe a narrative that he was happy to stay quite funny when his actions speak differently. Grateful for Southampton’s support yes (although I found that cringeworthy as well, what else are Southampton going to do?), be happy to stay, maybe, but quite clearly facilitating the move at the same time. And btw, I’m not having a pop at him, good luck to him, don’t begrudge him it at all, he’s right to be facilitating the move if it’s available but let’s not believe that SR are walking in to Staplewood one morning and telling Tino he’s off whether he likes it or not.

Borges joining West Ham. He’s been speculated about for quite a while now but this comes slightly out of the blue as West Ham never been mentioned (despite being obvious it was off from our point of view the moment we were relegated). A lesson to be learnt for all those who crave and celebrate ‘links’ in the media.

Players will go from Besiktas to Goztepe on loan but not Lyanco. That's what the original tweet said in fairness.

You read incorrectly.

He's coaching kids which is worrying.

Incredibly on brand from you, fair play.

Love that you think it's a "system" and Martin problem that A) players don't want the ball, B) forwards don't move, C) defenders don't mark properly and D) midfielders don't track runs.

The man who actively went out on local radio telling everyone how much he’s missed playing European football and wants to experience it again is not playing in the Championship next year - and if he is it’ll be his last option. Also would be intrigued to see the reaction on here last season if we were trying to sign a relegated captain who is 28 years old and being told our £20 million valuation is nowhere near enough.

I see Kian Breckin has joined Wycombe on loan so that one can be crossed off. Also one for the Alan Nixon knows his stuff brigade.

There’s no delay as such in the Rice transfer. I think it’s just the normal legal stuff that has to go on before it’s confirmed. People think it’s a delay because journalists are desperate to get news out so early because their readers want content and so the deal seemed wrapped up ages ago. The announcement of Charles for example will be well after the breaking of the story by all the normal sources which have now become the equivalent of the club announcing a new signing.

I too wouldn’t expect Salisu to be in club PR pieces but that’s nothing to do with his future and everything to do with his marketability to the target audience.

Find it funny that the people think the marketing team and manager sit down and have a chat about players futures before doing a kit shoot. Sometimes even roughly 3 months before the previous season ends.

‘Good enough last season for the first team’ has very much been watered down from ‘failure’ so you’re learning. It’s good to see your development. Imagine where you’ll be in a few years.

I think Bazunu will improve if that’s what you’re asking?

He was signed to help the first team and be a long term signing. That’s literally what it was advertised as. He did okay and guess what, he’s still got a few years left in him.

In fairness to Fonte, in a more structured team at Lille he did very well. French league isn’t slow so if you work it right there’s probably some merit to it. Personally though, I’m not a fan of it, he’s past his best, I’m not convinced we’d play to his strengths and it seems as though if his side are leaking stuff to the media and he’s replying to Instagram messages about it then his side are probably getting a little desperate to make it happen. Happy to be proven wrong but if we really want his leadership qualities and experience, give him a role as a coach. Not overly convinced bringing a fan favourite who could do no wrong as a coach is a particularly wise move for Martin though either.

Different players have different development paths but this one specific 20 year old I’ve concluded is a failure and that’s final. You’re so close. Last season he did exactly what a kid should do. Try things, fail, try again and he got moved in and out of the team accordingly. Long term signings should be judged long term.