Fonte signs on OS

[hypochondriac]

  Spades said:

Disagree... the league this season is much stronger than what it will be next season. Assuming we dont get promoted and leeds + norwich get automatic... i would then predict one of charlton, colchester or hudersfield to take the last place...

 

Coming down will be maybe Peterbrough, Plymouth, Sheff Weds (as it is at the moment)

 

I feel that the three teams going up are significantly stronger than those coming down (of course these are only predictions)... making League 1 10/11 a weaker league than this season. And if saints continue to build as we are, we 'should' mount a very serious tital challenge next season.

 

I completely agree. None of the teams currently around the relegation zone in the championship look strong than Norwich Charlton or Leeds.

[VectisSaint]

Any chance of signing brother Rui as well, could be a decent backup striker at least for the future. Seems like the two brothers like to be together.

[Jimmy Gabriel's Halo]

  musesaint said:

Nearly choked on my crunchy nuts when I saw the OS!

 

Great signing

 

I've seen my cat lick her own a*se but never that. You must be a very good contortionist to be able to do that....!!:

[SOTONS EAST SIDE]

  Barney Trubble said:

Delldays, sometimes when I read some of your posts I get the impression that a big black cloud hovers above your head and follows you about everywhere you go.

 

 

Yes DD cheer up!

Edited 9 January, 2010 by SOTONS EAST SIDE

[ottery st mary]

Another great signing by Pards..NC and ML.

 

Saints and co World Class. Well pleased with everything Saints....More points now please.

 

COYRs

[nickfinks]

great signing imo, i have been reading palace forums today and it seems they all think he was a good steady performer, albeit not outstanding.

 

Up the Saints

[saintstr1]

Fantastic Signing , Well done to all concerned , This has made my day and makes up for there being no game today. A couple more like this and we really can get to the play offs this season then who knows.

[greg_hill]

Cracking news. Now a LB and a back up striker please Alan and I promise I won't grumble for at least a week!

[hypochondriac]

  greg_hill said:

Cracking news. Now a LB and a back up striker please Alan and I promise I won't grumble for at least a week!

 

Dont you mean RB?

[Matthew Le God]

  greg_hill said:

Cracking news. Now a LB and a back up striker please Alan and I promise I won't grumble for at least a week!

 

Nothing wrong with Dan Harding

[krissyboy31]

  hypochondriac said:

Dont you mean RB?

 

That's what I thought. I suppose we could do with a back up left-back but we need a proper first choice right-back.

[Legod Third Coming]

  hypochondriac said:

I completely agree. None of the teams currently around the relegation zone in the championship look strong than Norwich Charlton or Leeds.

 

You would have said exactly the same about Norwich, Charlton and us!

[greg_hill]

Yeh I did mean right back.

 

I've just read the place thread. I have nothing against them, I hope they do well and would hate to see them go under, but part of me feels good at reading about us at the 'haves' instead of the 'have nots' for once!

 

Which club do they refer to as the 'clowns'. Brighton?

[hypochondriac]

  krissyboy31 said:

That's what I thought. I suppose we could do with a back up left-back but we need a proper first choice right-back.

 

Mills? We need a CM (seems to be in hand) another CB IMO (Ward?) a striker (Barnard please!) and a RB.

[John B]

  hypochondriac said:

I completely agree. None of the teams currently around the relegation zone in the championship look strong than Norwich Charlton or Leeds.

 

Very true

 

I was worried about Notts County earlier in the season but not now as they seem to have little money will not be a concern if they come up

[iansums]

  CHAPEL END CHARLIE said:

We really have to be promoted this season or next with this relatively expensive squad we are building - or Mr Liebherr will start to find a lot of red ink on the SFC annual accounts before very long I fear .

 

Not sure I agree with this. We have already lost some of the high earners on CCC wages and will hopefully lose one or to more. We also no longer have to pay mortgage payments on the stadium (£4M p/a I believe?) and attendances are up on last season. Also I seem to remember reading that transfers would be funded by ML himself just like the training ground development. So I see no reason why we should be running at a loss. We certainly won't have a debt of £22M like Norwich.

[del boy]

  Matthew Le God said:

Nothing wrong with Dan Harding

 

Has played some great games for Saints and gives 100% but I agree LB will need strengthening (as will CB still, RB, CM and Striker!!). In the Luton game (not even league opposition) they poured down the right wing time and time again in the second half- poor old Dan was often either too slow or out of position, sadly. I know it depends on midfield cover etc etc but its not the only game.

He has done a good job for Saints, but if we hope to keep moving up its one of several areas that needs fairly immediate attention.

 

Great signing today though - should make it easier to sign other good players

[Saint Fan CaM]

Superb signing which shows fantastic intent by the club. I think this guy could be our next Claus (or better). Big question for me would whether he is intended to replace Jaidi or play alongside him? And will they compliment each other? On both counts I feel we'll need to give him some time to settle in L1.

[Dazza82]

  Ewell said:

As far as I am aware he was the last Portuguese player we had (I could be wrong on this)

 

We had Boa morte

[RonManager]

Welcome Jose.

 

His skill should vastly improve the link up play between defence and midfield, and reduce the amount of hoofing, thereby increasing our possession. He is also capable of chipping in a few goals as well.

[Granadino]

  Dazza82 said:

We had Boa morte

 

Pele was also Portuguese (born there), but chose eventually to play for Cape Verde after leaving us (presumably qualifies through his parents?).

[Glasgow_Saint]

Some HD footage of our new man (great goal)

 

[Minty]

HD, lol... I don't think I'd actually even consider trying to film a goal that way, but I ugess we could make it out ok.

 

Great finish.

[Ponty]

lol@HD

 

"Hardly Definition"

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

  iansums said:

Not sure I agree with this. We have already lost some of the high earners on CCC wages and will hopefully lose one or to more. We also no longer have to pay mortgage payments on the stadium (£4M p/a I believe?) and attendances are up on last season. Also I seem to remember reading that transfers would be funded by ML himself just like the training ground development. So I see no reason why we should be running at a loss. We certainly won't have a debt of £22M like Norwich.

 

Well we'll have to wait and see when the annual accounts are published but I suspect the wage bill with quality managers and players on the books such as Lambert/Jaidi/Hammond is increasing again rather than decreasing . The points you make regarding mortgage payments and debt are perfectly valid of course .

 

With around 40 senior players in the squad now and a large stadium to maintain I suspect our running costs are twice (or more) that of many other 3rd Division clubs , and even with a 20k 'gate' I question whether that can be sustainable in the long run without promotion .

 

All provided of course that creating that rare beast - a profitable football club - is the owners true objective .

Edited 9 January, 2010 by CHAPEL END CHARLIE

[Minty]

  CHAPEL END CHARLIE said:

Well we'll have to wait and see when the annual accounts are published...

 

I agree with everything else you say, but this may be a problem... we're not a listed company anymore, so we don't have to publish accounts...

 

I would be interested to see them, but I doubt we'll have the chance.

[Saint_clark]

Annual accounts? I didn't think we'd be publishing any at all.

[mcjwills]

Having Jose coming fron CCC that makes him eligible for the JPT area final

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

  Minty said:

I agree with everything else you say, but this may be a problem... we're not a listed company anymore, so we don't have to publish accounts...

 

I would be interested to see them, but I doubt we'll have the chance.

 

I was told on here that as a UK registered company SFC will have to lodge audited accounts in the usual manner - but as I'm no accountant that may be completely wrong .

[RonManager]

  Minty said:

I agree with everything else you say, but this may be a problem... we're not a listed company anymore, so we don't have to publish accounts...

 

I would be interested to see them, but I doubt we'll have the chance.

 

Do you know what the set up is with Chelsea and Man City, as they have just released figures? Did they have to release accounts or is it a PL thing.

[Minty]

To be fair, I don't know for certain, but I know that publishing accounts is a requirement when you're listed... there may be other rules that say we have to still publish something but I'm not aware of them.

[Smirking_Saint]

Wow, this is an amazing show of ambition for the club and a fantastic signal of intent.

 

He is exactly the player that we needed for the club, and exactly i feel what we needed as fans seeing this sort of statement being made after the years of asset stripping we had to endure.

 

My mouth is watering now, there must be more in the pipeline and i can't wait to see who it is, i seriously think our playoff push is still on !!

[Ball boy]

Even private companies have an obligation under Companies Act 2006 to file full audited accounts if they have more than 6.5 million turnover or 3.2 million in gross assets.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

  Ball boy said:

Even private companies have an obligation under Companies Act 2006 to file full audited accounts if they have more than 6.5 million turnover or 3.2 million in gross assets.

 

On the anniversary of said companies creation I understand - so annual accounts published in July/August maybe ?

[Johnny Shearer]

Palace do seem gutted about losing the player however most think its quite rosy on the other side of administration by using us an example.

 

Still don't think many other fans realise that we were lucky to get in ML and NC. Other clubs won't be so fortunate.

[sussexsaint]

Hopefully we'll start winning a few 3-0 now rather than the usual 3-1

[sussexsaint]

  Johnny Shearer said:

Palace do seem gutted about losing the player however most think its quite rosy on the other side of administration by using us an example.

 

Still don't think many other fans realise that we were lucky to get in ML and NC. Other clubs won't be so fortunate.

 

Rosy on the side of administration? Are they mental? I never want us to ho through another fortnight like that. I know we struck gold in the end but bloody hell it was tight

[Johnny Shearer]

  sussexsaint said:

Rosy on the side of administration? Are they mental? I never want us to ho through another fortnight like that. I know we struck gold in the end but bloody hell it was tight

 

Aye if you go through their Fonte thread there are a few on there saying that no debts mean that we can afford the transfers.

 

That pleases me as it keeps Saints under the radar for that little while longer.

[wireframebox]

  Granadino said:

Pele was also Portuguese (born there), but chose eventually to play for Cape Verde after leaving us (presumably qualifies through his parents?).

 

We had Aristotle De Carvalho (Totti) too...

[Matthew Le God]

  Johnny Shearer said:

That pleases me as it keeps Saints under the radar for that little while longer.

 

Clubs and agents will be aware or Southampton's "riches" even if other teams fans aren't.

[CWD]

Fantastic signing im very happy today!

 

Hopefully this signing will be act as a pull for other top CCC players who may be undecided (Ward, Danns, Stock etc)

[iansums]

  CHAPEL END CHARLIE said:

Well we'll have to wait and see when the annual accounts are published but I suspect the wage bill with quality managers and players on the books such as Lambert/Jaidi/Hammond is increasing again rather than decreasing . The points you make regarding mortgage payments and debt are perfectly valid of course .

 

With around 40 senior players in the squad now and a large stadium to maintain I suspect our running costs are twice (or more) that of many other 3rd Division clubs , and even with a 20k 'gate' I question whether that can be sustainable in the long run without promotion .

 

All provided of course that creating that rare beast - a profitable football club - is the owners true objective .

 

I'm sure we will both agree on being happier having ML as an owner than Al-Mirage down the road. I am extremely impressed with the way ML & NC quietly go about their business. I do think we need to get rid of some of the dead wood AP inherited to cut the wage bill.

[Toadhall Saint]

A good signing. It would appear that ML wants success for SFC so is prepared to go out and get the best at the level we are at - if this trend continues into the next few years then who knows what playing staff we will have then. I think the 30k + on Boxing day will have made ML smile - just got to keep it up!

 

Good to be a Saint at the mo'!! (I find I've been saying/thinking that for the last 6 months or so) :-)

[croome]

Ive just looked at the palace forum and they are totally gutted about the sale of fonte. Saints really have made a massive signing in this league.

[Tac-tics]

Can everybody stop posting the same reply, it's making me bloody dizzy.

[Saint_clark]

Can everyone please stop posting the same reply, it's making me bloody nauseous.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

  SOTONS EAST SIDE said:

  Barney Trubble said:

Delldays, sometimes when I read some of your posts I get the impression that a big black cloud hovers above your head and follows you about everywhere you go.

 

 

Yes DD cheer up!

 

 

Just had to be done!

[up and away]

  CHAPEL END CHARLIE said:

  Quote

Originally Posted by iansums

Not sure I agree with this. We have already lost some of the high earners on CCC wages and will hopefully lose one or to more. We also no longer have to pay mortgage payments on the stadium (£4M p/a I believe?) and attendances are up on last season. Also I seem to remember reading that transfers would be funded by ML himself just like the training ground development. So I see no reason why we should be running at a loss. We certainly won't have a debt of £22M like Norwich.

Well we'll have to wait and see when the annual accounts are published but I suspect the wage bill with quality managers and players on the books such as Lambert/Jaidi/Hammond is increasing again rather than decreasing . The points you make regarding mortgage payments and debt are perfectly valid of course .

 

With around 40 senior players in the squad now and a large stadium to maintain I suspect our running costs are twice (or more) that of many other 3rd Division clubs , and even with a 20k 'gate' I question whether that can be sustainable in the long run without promotion .

 

All provided of course that creating that rare beast - a profitable football club - is the owners true objective .

 

I can't see we are running at a profit. Our income will be about the same as last season, increased numbers but heavily discounted season tickets. Then take into account players fee's, wages and our expenditure has to be the highest in this league.

 

And if you are talking about a profitable club, you have to consider the compound on buying the club and the additional capital investment in players and facilities. If you took into account everything Liebherr has spent and the interest he would have earned from that money by just investing it in a long term account, its going to be close to £25M come the year period. Just look at the money we are spending to try and get out of this league, up that an order of magnitude for the CCC and again for the Premier.

 

You can easily see that if we made it to the Premier, Liebherr would need to sell at around £40M just to break even and that would be without investing in a Premier squad. Even then you need some mug to buy it. I just can't see Liebherr turning a profit but on the other hand, it's a relatively cheap hobby for himself and Cortese, but only if you are a billionaire. We are exceptionally lucky for this to happen to us!

 

We won't get to see any accounts with only the HMRC getting any idea,

[Under Weststand]

Great signing well done NC & AP also sends out a statement off intent. Would love it if we could get Danns & Ward in as well. but we definatley need a RB in. would like cover up front & a holding midfielder, but i'm getting greedy now.

Isn't it nice to be discussing positive signings in a transfer window, instead of dreading who we are going to loose next! onwards & upwards COYR

[croome]

Sorry for making you so dizzy, next time ill read every post and then give erveryone something abit more different