leeham_69

I think by now most are in agreement that our transfer policy is to buy promising young players on the premise we can re-sell them for profit some years later. In theory, this works as both a drawcard insofar as we may be able to sign players looking to make the leap to a big club from a lower league that we otherwise wouldn't, but as we all know it can also create a hole where we either fail to replace key players adequately, or the gambles we take on those replacements don't work out. Now I don't really want to start yet another thread that discusses the merit of this system - it has been flogged endlessly (a sign of frustration at our lack of info coming from the top I am sure). But I was curious about the ages of players we sign and the players we sell, and whether any definitive pattern emerged. Here's most of our signings since the PL in order of age we signed them: Boruc - 32 (34 at transfer) Pelle - 29 (31 at transfer) Davis - 27 Long - 27 McCarthy - 27 Osvaldo - 27 (28 at transfer) Pied - 26 Austin - 26 Forster - 26 Bertrand - 25 Soares - 24 Lovren - 24 (25 at transfer) Romeu - 24 VVD - 24 Tadic - 24 Clasie - 24 Gardos - 24 Boufal - 23 Cork - 22 (25 at transfer) Wanyama - 22 (25 at transfer) Mane - 22 (24 at transfer) Redmond - 22 Juanmi - 22 (24 at transfer) Clyne - 21 (23 at transfer) PEH - 21 Ramirez - 21 (25 at transfer, excludes loans) Gazzaniga - 20 Schneiderlin - 18 (25 at transfer) misc: Lallana - 25 at transfer Chambers - 19 at transfer Shaw - 19 at transfer So - here's what I suspect with the caveat that it really is hard to draw definitive conclusions across the last 7 or 8 years what with different managers, different leagues, different chairpersons etc. I am musing that we in fact sign three kinds of players, or we sign players with 3 different intentions depending on your POV: Promising up and comers (aged Successes: Clyne, Wanyama, Mane Potentials: Redmond, Hojbjerg, Boufal Probable failures: Juanmi, Ramirez Core squad (24-28, signed with the intention of building the team around) Successs: Davis, Forster, Austin, Romeu, Tadic, Soares Failures: Lovren (who chucked a hissy and wanted to leave), Osvaldo, I would argue Long Possible failures/yet to be seen: Long, Gardos, Clasie, Pied Cheap "older" players (29+, signed with the intention of either doing a job for us on the cheap OR being sold at a profit if someone is willing to pay) Successes: Pelle, Boruc, Ricky (arguable) Unknowns/arguable failures: S. Taylor Also interesting to note that obviously players transition between these ages - at which point the club makes a decision. Do they go from exciting young player to core player (which results in increase in what we have to pay em) or flog 'em? When core players get old, do we carry them into their twilight (meaning we have to pay for less games played), or try and flog 'em? I would also argue - possibly optimistically - that this means VvD was signed as a long term prospect (what with 6 year contract + captaincy etc) ... but probably he has surpassed expectations and as such is an inevitable exception. Anyway hopefully this will facilitate some robust discussion. I reckon it's actually in theory a good system - sign very exciting young players, mix them with dependable workhorses, repeat etc. The problem is obviously the inherent gamble and this season we've been unluck with all kinds of players - perennial injuries to boufal, gardos, austin, mccarthy + the continued underwhelmingness of redmond, clasie, forster, hojbjerg (in flashes). We'd probably be OK if we had problems to one of the young/core age groups, but currently both are in a bit of strife. I'm bored at work - how's your day?

tell me about it - the handful of 6:45 AM games we get are the highlight... and today's game v norwich wasn't even televised

From that article: "Playing in his favoured position, and without a rigid gameplan, Gabbiadini thrived." "In the end, a top-level club simply couldn’t afford to build a team around the forward. It’s a familiar story, with Gabbiadini having also been on Juventus’ books without making an appearance. You get the sense that Gabbiadini’s next move will be the defining one for his career. It’s not yet clear where the Italian international will end up, but West Bromwich Albion look to be favourites for his signature." So on one hand he does sound like our kind of purchase in that he's a formerly-promising youngster who's not exactly fulfilled promise... on the other hand he's an inconsistent, unreliable inside forward - the likes of whom we already have plenty. While i do tend to agree we need an out-and-out forward, I think if we land this guy it suggests that the bosses think our problem is from the link from midfield to our forwards - hard to disagree with that, particularly as I have thought Rodriquez has been looking pretty good on the ball of late (when he actually gets it). An injection of quality attacking play from anywhere on the pitch would improve us. Better to buy a quality player in a less-important position than a panic buy striker who won't actually be an improvement on what we've got? I reckon it is. Get more quality players on the pitch and the overall quality will improve - I reckon that's what contributed to Long's success last season as much as anything.

I suppose something to consider if/when he goes is not just the fee we receive (Which is not likely to be all that much - if someone's handed in a request because they don't want to be here it seems unlikely anything above about 8mill will be refused) but the wages it would free up? Surely he's one of our highest paid players? That means we've got it in the bank to line up either a very high quality replacement, or a number of players, without significant takings from the savings account.

who would be a better manager, CP or the decomposing corpse of a recently deceased legend? (Poll please mods) Cheers for the lol

On an unrelated but similar thread, managed to catch a very rare live PL game on free-to-air TV this morning, the Bournemouth Arsenal game. Boruc still in goal, and looking in far better physical condition than he ever did for us - nice haircut too. Think Forster is just down on confidence, much like the rest of the squad - only trouble is when your GK isn't performing at his peak the mistakes and flaws are magnified for obvious reasons.

Next game probably worth naming Charlie on the bench in a sling, just in case?

4-2-3-1 on that lineup would be my guess.

its* ... can't we all just get along?

It must be said that if you don't try and win, you don't deserve to win. Extremely disappointing result. Will be interesting to see what becomes of this team without having the whole rotation concept hanging over them. Would want to be putting some strong (relatively of course) teams in the cups too I would hope!

It must be said that if you don't try and win, you don't deserve to win. Extremely disappointing result. Will be interesting to see what becomes of this team without having the whole rotation concept hanging over them. Would want to be putting some strong (relatively of course) teams in the cups too I would hope!

JWP looking as good as I've seen him probably. Players starting to resort to thumping from the edge of the box -- too soon, stay patient!

Below is from the teamtalk review - interesting that he says he'll be doing it from now on. I'm with Chaz on this one I think, Tadic has taken some decidedly average penalties: Before converting the first-half penalty, Austin had a brief argument with Dusan Tadic about who would take the spot-kick. Austin added: “As a centre-forward I think I should take the penalties. “I’ve come here full of confidence, even though I’ve not scored. “I put the ball on the spot and luckily it gave us a 1-0 (lead). “I think it was a bit silly from me and Dusan but I’ll take the penalties in future.” (http://www.teamtalk.com/news/it-was-a-special-night-for-me-charlie-austin)

I remember flicking over to a Spurs U-21 or reserves game on TV by chance after he left us and was amazed at the way he absolutely controlled the game.

I think there might be something in this ... appoint Brendy, lure BACK Lallana, Clyne, Lovren, Mane etc... then Liverpool will want our manager, then Brendy will go back to Liverpool for another crack, then he'll re-buy all those players, then we'll be caught in a never-ending cycle of swapsies with Liverpool. Fantastic!

Hello all, I've decided to clear out all of my Saints + England shirts (save for a few sentimental choices). I thought I would post here in the hope that they may find a new, more appreciated home/fill gaps in other collections. I think that I have a few additional ones to this list and will update accordingly if/when I find them. Let me know if any of them are of any interest and we can organise a reasonable price + postage etc. Southampton: 1. 2012-13 home shirt (aap3). Lambert 7 on reverse. Size L. 2. 2011-12 home shirt (aap3). Long sleeve. Some cracking on sponsor’s logo. Size M. 3. 2008-10 home shirt (Orchard Homes). Academy shirt – not FlyBe sponsor. Size M. 4. 2006-08 home shirt (flybe.com). Wear to sponsor’s logo. Size M. 5. 2005-06 home shirt (Friends Provident). Long sleeve. Size M. 6. 2003-05 home shirt (Friends Provident). Size M. 7. 2003-05 home shirt (Friends Provident). Size S. 8. 2002-03 away shirt (Friends Provident). Long sleeve, white + red. Size 38-40. 9. 2001-02 away shirt (Friends Provident). Black + red. Size 42-44. 10. 1999-01 home shirt (Friends Provident). Slight fading on sponsor logo. Size M. 11. 1997-98 home shirt (Sanderson). Size M. 12. 1993-95 home shirt (Dimplex). Fading to sponsor’s logo. Size M. England: 1. 2010-12 navy blue away shirt. Size M. 2. 2007-09 home shirt. Size M. 3. 2006-08 away shirt. Size M. 4. 2004-06 away shirt. Size M. 5. 2000 England Euros home shirt. Size M (I think – tag missing). Misc: 1. 2005-06 home shorts. Size M. 2. Saints-branded shorts – unsure what year. All black with red, white and black waistband + saints logo on thigh. Size 42/44 3. Saints Flybe.com sleeveless training top. Navy Blue, Umbro. Size L. 4. England ‘Nationwide’ sleeveless training top. Black, Umbro. Size L.

When I was in the school choir, we used to sing OWTS and then half of us would break into 'swing low, sweet chariot' at the same time. All I could ever think about was how good it would sung out of tune by thousands in a stadium.

Got a 12/13 Lambo shirt if it's an acceptable compromise

Nigel. Would love to see him back in the office a little bit older, balder, experienced and probably more cheerful.

Hmm. Good youth team player, good A levels, fairly unglamorous as a player, has to work harder than others... surely that's got future manager written all over it? In 30 years we'll see a return investment, I'm sure. I want to see him do well but I definitely do not want to see passengers, especially with the points we've dropped so far.

Yep, have to admit I've got Rickie as my first sub in my fantasy team...

Jack Cork... one more season, Jack, and you'd have been the new Morgan. always felt he had more to offer

Is this deja vu? Piles of cash for superstars, In Ronald we trust.

I'm heading to his place this weekend so let me take a little catalogue of what he's got and we'll go from there

Hi mate, Here's a different angle for you - back in the 90's my old man religiously taped the saints segment of the weekly highlights show as we didn't get full coverage here in Aus back then. He's since transferred them all to DVD, so if there are any seasons you can't get your hands on let me know and we might be able to organize a dodgy, international bootlegged alternative!