Dig Dig

Pretty confident that Mane will go to one of the big boys for a lot of money. Wouldn't be surprised to see 3 or 4 of them in for him at all. Implications for Koeman are that it already means losing another two of his best players which according to his quotes, isn't something be wants to continue see happening.

Great news

I'll present MOTD in my underwear if Les manages to convince Koeman to stay.

3.4/10

Players are unlikely to always accept 5+ year contracts although we did do it for VVD I think. We could be more pro-active perhaps, from the outside looking in anyway. As soon as it's obvious that a player is good enough and valuable, I think we should be looking to do what we can to offer some improved terms and get at least another years commitment... before the circus of the transfer window comes around. Spurs signed Deli Ali to a new contract 3-4 months into this season when it was apparent what a good and important player he was for the team. Of course it doesn't provide any guarantee but does put the club in a much stronger position against players, agents and other clubs.

I trust them with a lot but they have yet to demonstrate that they are able to re-negotiation player/manager contracts beyond those not immediately wanted elsewhere. Their approach and timing seems a bit off which is leading us towards the final year or so of contracts which isn't great financially. Let's hope those "positive talks" with Koeman are more positive and happy than the ones with Pochettino.

What a bizarre thread. Get over it.

Every season is relative. If only VVD wasn't the only real success from the summer.

I don't really care what "feedback" you usually get on here If this forum however has always had you down for someone who has unequivocally been a big advocate of the Champions League being a reality for a club like Saints however, then my apologies, especially if I missed your crusade against others who have stupidly claimed that the only way there is a Man City-esq spending spree.

If exploiting every nuance and angle of your position over time is "being proved right" then well done pal, you're bang on the money.

Quite aware that they didn't plan for it and Leicester of all teams were one the least likely. The point is though that the consistency of the traditional top 4 has diminished in recent seasons and the competing pack for the top spots has increased which is trend forming over the last few seasons, culminating in what we've seen this season, especially within the context that if Leicester didn't win the league, spurs would have. At various times over the last three seasons we've had/have at least 8 players wanted by clubs either in the Champions League or seen to have an infinitely more realistic chance of achieving it than us which in itself shows that we've not been a million miles away for a while now. Definitely not to the extent of the abuse and ridicule dished out by the likes of you, Leicester winning the league or not.

Not quite. It's still a source of ridicule on the basis that it can only "just happen" and can't be planned for so we still shouldn't have mongy CEO's, Managers, players and fans suggesting such ridiculous nonsense, god forbid actually planning for it.

Their squad has cost a total of a little over £50M which puts them in the lowest bracket in the prem along with Watford, Swansea, WBA, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Norwich. Net spend is a completely different parameter relative to why and how you are spending.

You obviously like the attention but some of your posts have been ammusing. Unless you're doing something against mboard rules, clamouring for a ban is pathetic and only an issue for a few of the wet saps on here.

The title of the thread is called "going forwards", not "coming 10th" so the list of things which we need to do in order to go forwards is still perfectly valid and not as unreasonable as you've gotten yourself to believe.

1) break the cycle of selling very important players every summer 2) actually manage to get at least one sought after player to sign a new contract 3) stop having "positive talks" with Koeman and actually reassure him that ambition is there to kick on to get him to sign 4) start believing in what an excellent team we could be if we just invest in one or two areas

It's probably not just you, Clasie just doesn't look physically suited to this league. Good at pressing if he gets a little touch in but easily caught on the wrong side if he doesn't. Good through ball to Long but otherwise just content to knock it back to the CB's as per usual.

It was more than a "good performance" and if he "did it" every week he would be the best player in the league. Hate to break it to you, but he's not going to get 3 assists every week. So, so bitter it's untrue.

Nice added touch to todays game with the reception for Rickie at half time even if we couldn't hear a word of what was being said.

It would only bring us to this exact same scenario next year. It's not as if the speculation is yet to begin, it started a few weeks ago. Sure, a pay rise for Koeman would be attractive but for Saints, paying someone more for doing what they are already contracted to do for what would essentially be the exact same period of time wouldn't make sense. If they could get him sign for another 2 years beyond then it starts to resemble something of a real win for everyone, especially with talk of the new five year plan. I can't see any extension being signed now though, Koeman is clearly keen to keep his options open for as long as possible. Obviously it would be great if he did but a bit pointless if it's a means to the same end.

Well we'll see. Not really much in encentive for Koeman to sign anything if he plans to go at the end of next season anyway. Can easily see him entering his final year next season without a better offer from elsewhere this summer and there is no way we could sack him without looking ridiculous so that won't happen either.

Isn't a lot his post quite similar to what you were saying on here the other day? Koeman either committing or going this summer? Maybe you two have quite a bit in common.

Something about angles, light and how slow motion distorts reality?

It's been very good. One bad fit can have a pretty big impact though. Hopefully Uncle Les has something else up his sleave as I think there is little chance of Koeman signing on. Too many of the usual non-committal noises coming out.

Who needs stability when you have strategist and succession planner supreme Uncle Les at the helm?