Simon3737

http://www.ukgameshows.com/p/images/d/d9/Crosswits_oconnor2.jpg

Great 90s retro graphics!

Surely, it would be worth loaning him to a club who contributes something like £10k a week only (sic.) to his wages. There’s no chance he’ll play for us, so any contribution to his wage bill would save Saints a bit of money and put him in the shop window if he gets any form back.

I’m not sure whether it is ‘Decision Time’ now anymore that at at any other time. The simple fact is that the 25 man squad rule automatically encourages us not to hold on to too many over-21 players. We can only have 25 over-21s in our squad and whoever is over-21 and doesn’t make the squad needs to be loaned out or sold (or less ideally used exclusively for the U23s and Cups as Marcus Barnes was until last month). It is financially wasteful to have players out on loan who we never really want back (e.g. Carrillo), but I don’t think we have the same problem with loaning out our 21-24 year old Academy graduates who may well still develop (and I assume are on much lower wages). If we have a potential transfer lined-up that Ralph thinks could go straight into the first team, then one more borderline over-21 player will be removed from the squad to make space in the 25 (and be sold or loaned). If he thinks we already have someone just as good, then we wouldn’t do the transfer. I think these things automatically work themselves out overall. One in, one out. The only barrier is the club’s budget (and talent) for buying players who are better than the over-21s who aren’t making our first team.

I think the players we can least well cope without at the moment are Romeu, Redmond and Ings. Therefore, I think these are the three positions we should prioritise in this window (as cover/competition). If we have youth players in those positions who are good enough to cover, then fine. Maybe Sims, Obafemi or Gallagher can give us enough pace if Redmond is unavailable, but I’m not sure yet. I don’t think a defensive midfield of 2 of Hojbjerg/Lemina/JWP is solid enough without Romeu. We need Romeu (or someone like him as cover) plus 1 (or maybe 2) of the others. We always seem best (since the Liebherr revolution) with a strong defensive holding midfielder next to a more creative holding midfielder (e.g. Wayanama and Morgan).

Completely agree! With hindsight, I think all Hughes really did was simplify everything (Redknapp style of ‘go out and play lads’). The players looked confused and uninspired by Pellegrino’s ‘football is all about efficiency’ nonsense and Hughes stopped that. I think Pellegrino would have relegated us. Probably 90% of journeyman managers would have kept us up and Mark Hughes was just one of those. Hughes was only ever going to be a quick fix. He had no vision or plan to improve the players. He also didn’t get them fit enough.

Calm down people! There are only 5 points separating the bottom 7. We’re hardly cut adrift in desperate need of a Great Escape. All we have to do over the next 22 games is get 1 more point than Fulham, 2 more points than Huddersfield and 4 more points than either Burnley or Palace. I think we might get worse for 2 or 3 games before Ralph’s methods take effect (and we may even be bottom at Christmas), but in Ralph I trust!

Good parallel. And they reacted the same to AVB apparently. Their Board backed the players and sacked AVB (replaced him with their mate Tim Sherwood). They learned their lesson after Sherwood and backed Poch ever since.

I have no problem with this (if true). The key is that the Board back the manager and let disruptive players leave. And accept that we will probably have to sell some for a loss. Recouping some money is better than paying wages to players who don’t contribute (and will give us funds to buy better players). Otherwise, they’ll have to end up backing the players over the manager (and getting them a manager who gives them an easy life and tells them they’re all great).

I’m happy to write December off as the players are learning new things and getting worse before they get better, but we can’t afford to take months to improve. Relegation would be a disaster (it took 7 years and administration before we got back last time). I think it might be worth selling some of our unwanted players at a loss in January to raise funds for better players. You can sell any player if the price is low enough! They’re no use to us not playing and taking wages.

Let’s hope Danny Röhl is a genius defensive coach! When is he expected to join Ralph?

I think Patterson wants to be Sam Allardyce when he grows up?

I think we should give some different players a try for this match. Chance for Hughes to test ideas out. If anyone does well, they earn a place for the next match. If we lose 8-0, it won’t hurt the morale of the ‘first team’ and will encourage Mr Gao to get his chequebook out in January. I think this would be a Win-Win situation (except the actual result )

IMHO: -----------------------------McCarthy----------------------------- Cedric------------Stephens--------SVENSSON---------Bertrand -----------------Lemina------------------Hojbjerg---------------- -----------MANE-----------LE TISSIER------------Ings----------- ------------------------------LAMBERT-----------------------------

If history does show such a thing (and who am I to predict the future!), then wait until they compare Puel’s win percentage of 37.74% with Paul Sturock’s 38.46%! Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Southampton_F%2EC%2E_managers?wprov=sfti1

Thanks very much!

Could we please have an indication on the list at the start of this thread of the players who aren’t under 21, but qualify as under 23 (i.e. 21 and 22 year olds at whenever the cutoff date is)? I’m guessing at least 3 of Barnes, Hesketh, Flannigan and Rose won’t make the 25 man senior squad this season, but qualify as U23 so won’t be left out in the cold (like Forster will be if he doesn’t make the 25). Thanks.

Football is all about efficiency. If we’re losing 2-1, the priority is to defend and avoid making it 3-1.

I’m sorry to hear that she left you. Don’t be bitter!

I’m not saying Redmond is as good as Sterling, I’m saying he’s still young enough to learn and improve like Sterling has done.

I disagree. Some players peak young, but there’s a clear trend for players to peak later and play longer. Raheem Stirling had all the weaknesses Redmond had until the last 18 months or so. Now he’s first choice in a team that won the league. Redmond and Stirling were both born in 1994. Adam Lallana didn’t peak until his mid-20s (despite seeing 3 players younger than him peak in their teens and get big money moves - Walcott, Bale and the Ox). Redmond drives me mad, but he could become a good player if he was coached right.

It would be hilarious if Forster goes to City as emergency reserve keeper. The antithesis of a sweeper-keeper would certainly give Pep very different interesting possibilities.

I’d go for one big guy and one quick guy in a back 4: Big guy choice: 1st Vestergaard 2nd Bednarek 3rd Hoedt Quick guy choice: 1st Yoshida 2nd Stephens I wouldn’t write any of them off yet. Everyone seems to accept that Badnarek at 22 is a young talent who will improve. Stephens is 23 and Hoedt is 24 - all still young for defenders.

Like most fans, I support our business model of investing in the Academy and buying young players who will develop (and earn us a profit). However, sticking too dogmatically to ‘the Southampton Way’ led to Les and Ralph not trying that hard to stop Koeman leaving (because he played 3 at the back a few times) and then appointing Puel and Pellegrino. Overall, I’m delighted that Les and Ralph have been pressured (by nearly getting us relegated) into being a bit more pragmatic and giving our manager more freedom. I don’t think it means we’re about to start selling off the Academy and buying 32 year olds on big wages. I was worried in the summer that Les would persuade Ralph to let Hughes leave and appoint a new Pellegrino type. Fortunately, Les and Ralph decided to make the sensible choice. I think it was the right one and I think we'll have a decent season.

I agree with that team. If Moi isn’t fit, I’d go with JWP on the right (instead of Gabbi) as we need someone to take free kicks/corners. Redmond or McQueen as back-up choice for the left side.