Radio SOlent fans forum

[S-Clarke]

Not a great deal learnt from that really.

JWP not going to Villa, very categoric in that. No chance. That's been put to bed.

Ings happened very quickly, good deal for the club financially. It was a win win for all. We wouldn't have been able to sign Armstrong without selling Ings etc

No noises of Vestergaard leaving, as of today he's still there, still training, part of the squad and they expect him to be part of the squad. If a bid comes in they'll look at it, if he's still not planning on staying. If he's sold we will reinvest.

Happy with the goalkeeper situation - both on good contracts, not looking at doing anything at all with that position. (as expected).

Not particularly looking at any other additions. They all seem happy with the depth, the cover and the options in the squad. If there is another it will probably be a B Team type player who could come into the first team if required.

Little bit on the stadium - moving of the away fans. It's been looked at, £5m cost quoted - police apparently put the stoppers on it. They were looking at sticking the away fans in the Kingsland. Still not sure why the Chapel wasn't considered to be honest, that would have helped with the segregation. But yeah, that's not happening.

Ownership - They don't get involved, they let them get on with it. As we all knew. No investment, no financial input - as expected. They are still actyivley looking for that investment, whether that's with Gao or in replacement of Gao. All investment queries seem to be directed through Toby and Martin, those are the guys running with the search - Gao has taken a back seat (As he does with everything). 

Loan was taken out to cover for the losses, which it has already covered over 50% of (40m loss last year). Financially not a terrible position, we shouldn't be too worried...but there wasn't much more beyond that.

The tone was basically - we will get what we can for players who leave, we are able to reinvest that - but we will reinvest in younger players who will provide more of a sell on value in later years. Our budget doesn't allow us to go and buy those ready made players.

[whiteleySaint30]

1 minute ago, S-Clarke said:

Not a great deal learnt from that really.

JWP not going to Villa, very categoric in that. No chance. That's been put to bed.

Ings happened very quickly, good deal for the club financially. It was a win win for all. We wouldn't have been able to sign Armstrong without selling Ings etc

No noises of Vestergaard leaving, as of today he's still there, still training, part of the squad and they expect him to be part of the squad. If a bid comes in they'll look at it, if he's still not planning on staying. If he's sold we will reinvest.

Happy with the goalkeeper situation - both on good contracts, not looking at doing anything at all with that position. (as expected).

Not particularly looking at any other additions. They all seem happy with the depth, the cover and the options in the squad. If there is another it will probably be a B Team type player who could come into the first team if required.

Little bit on the stadium - moving of the away fans. It's been looked at, £5m cost quoted - police apparently put the stoppers on it. They were looking at sticking the away fans in the Kingsland. Still not sure why the Chapel wasn't considered to be honest, that would have helped with the segregation. But yeah, that's not happening.

Ownership - They don't get involved, they let them get on with it. As we all knew. No investment, no financial input - as expected. They are still actyivley looking for that investment, whether that's with Gao or in replacement of Gao. All investment queries seem to be directed through Toby and Martin, those are the guys running with the search - Gao has taken a back seat (As he does with everything). 

Loan was taken out to cover for the losses, which it has already covered over 50% of (40m loss last year). Financially not a terrible position, we shouldn't be too worried...but there wasn't much more beyond that.

The tone was basically - we will get what we can for players who leave, we are able to reinvest that - but we will reinvest in younger players who will provide more of a sell on value in later years. Our budget doesn't allow us to go and buy those ready made players.

We have clearly raised more in sales than purchases this summer (and got some useless high earners if the wage bill) Disappointed no one asked why the full extent of income from player sales was not being reinvested - the deeper the squad the better for me, last season highlighted how crucial this is. 

[S-Clarke]

3 minutes ago, whiteleySaint30 said:

We have clearly raised more in sales than purchases this summer (and got some useless high earners if the wage bill) Disappointed no one asked why the full extent of income from player sales was not being reinvested - the deeper the squad the better for me, last season highlighted how crucial this is. 

To be honest I think every penny has been reinvested, we've covered the Perreud transfer and the Armstrong transfer with the Ings, Lemina and Gunn sales. There's probably about £30m 'up front' all in there.

Don't forget the other elements that come out of transfers such as signing on fees. I think we've done what they said we'd do - reinvested what we get.

There is probably a little bit left for contingency and to keep 'dry' for another day.

Edited 10 August, 2021 by S-Clarke

[St Louis]

For anyone that might have missed it:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/58160127
 

I feel like we are in safe hands whilst those 3 are with us.

[John B]

12 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Not a great deal learnt from that really.

JWP not going to Villa, very categoric in that. No chance. That's been put to bed.

Ings happened very quickly, good deal for the club financially. It was a win win for all. We wouldn't have been able to sign Armstrong without selling Ings etc

No noises of Vestergaard leaving, as of today he's still there, still training, part of the squad and they expect him to be part of the squad. If a bid comes in they'll look at it, if he's still not planning on staying. If he's sold we will reinvest.

Happy with the goalkeeper situation - both on good contracts, not looking at doing anything at all with that position. (as expected).

Not particularly looking at any other additions. They all seem happy with the depth, the cover and the options in the squad. If there is another it will probably be a B Team type player who could come into the first team if required.

Little bit on the stadium - moving of the away fans. It's been looked at, £5m cost quoted - police apparently put the stoppers on it. They were looking at sticking the away fans in the Kingsland. Still not sure why the Chapel wasn't considered to be honest, that would have helped with the segregation. But yeah, that's not happening.

Ownership - They don't get involved, they let them get on with it. As we all knew. No investment, no financial input - as expected. They are still actyivley looking for that investment, whether that's with Gao or in replacement of Gao. All investment queries seem to be directed through Toby and Martin, those are the guys running with the search - Gao has taken a back seat (As he does with everything). 

Loan was taken out to cover for the losses, which it has already covered over 50% of (40m loss last year). Financially not a terrible position, we shouldn't be too worried...but there wasn't much more beyond that.

The tone was basically - we will get what we can for players who leave, we are able to reinvest that - but we will reinvest in younger players who will provide more of a sell on value in later years. Our budget doesn't allow us to go and buy those ready made players.

Excellent summary thank you

 

Probably what I expected we can only realistically move forward with new owners and there is always a risk that we may regress significantly

 

I feel we need to address how the Academy is not producing PL type players but the addition of the Chelsea youngsters address my point slightly.

 

I am pretty confident that this season number 60 since I first watched the Saints play will be OK and I will try to get my grandson born last week interested in the club and keep him out of the clutches of his Chelsea loving Auntie

[SaintsLoyal]

No idea why fans get a hard on about moving away fans to a corner, its traditional to have away fans behind one goal. Its a disgrace that some grounds have put away fans miles up in the upper tiers and shouldnt be allowed. If people are then saying, they want a 'kop'  well theyre always on the opposite to away fans, so it would be chapel stand. Certainly the Police and the safety certificate wouldnt allow any move nowadays as its critical to control fans and closing the road to home fans is perfect, when needed. No other part of the ground would be feasible or it would have hundreds of fans facing each other at full time. No thank you !

[Snopper]

I genuinely feel that the club is in good hands with the management team we have - there`s an air of competence and reality to them.   I think we`re fortunate to have Martin, Toby and Ralph at the helm.

[nta786]

8 minutes ago, SaintsLoyal said:

No idea why fans get a hard on about moving away fans to a corner, its traditional to have away fans behind one goal. 

Because our home form in recent years stretching back from 2016/17 has been awful.

So, easy to make the link about whether we’ve given them an advantaged by giving them half an end.

Leicester, which has a similar stadium to us situate fans in the corner.

Newcastle send you high up close to the Gods.

I think Wolves do it quite well too - give the away fans all of the lower tier across the halfway but hard to generate an atmosphere when all spread out.

[S-Clarke]

1 minute ago, Snopper said:

I genuinely feel that the club is in good hands with the management team we have - there`s an air of competence and reality to them.   I think we`re fortunate to have Martin, Toby and Ralph at the helm.

Absolutley. In the circumstances they are in and with the hands they've been dealt, they're doing a bloody great job in my opinion.

[CityRanger]

Were there any questions about safe standing? I believe several PL clubs are going with it this season and would love to see it at St Mary’s.

[S-Clarke]

4 minutes ago, CityRanger said:

Were there any questions about safe standing? I believe several PL clubs are going with it this season and would love to see it at St Mary’s.

No questions about that - only stadium question was relating to the moving of the away fans.

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, S-Clarke said:

Not a great deal learnt from that really.

JWP not going to Villa, very categoric in that. No chance. That's been put to bed.

Ings happened very quickly, good deal for the club financially. It was a win win for all. We wouldn't have been able to sign Armstrong without selling Ings etc

No noises of Vestergaard leaving, as of today he's still there, still training, part of the squad and they expect him to be part of the squad. If a bid comes in they'll look at it, if he's still not planning on staying. If he's sold we will reinvest.

Happy with the goalkeeper situation - both on good contracts, not looking at doing anything at all with that position. (as expected).

Not particularly looking at any other additions. They all seem happy with the depth, the cover and the options in the squad. If there is another it will probably be a B Team type player who could come into the first team if required.

Little bit on the stadium - moving of the away fans. It's been looked at, £5m cost quoted - police apparently put the stoppers on it. They were looking at sticking the away fans in the Kingsland. Still not sure why the Chapel wasn't considered to be honest, that would have helped with the segregation. But yeah, that's not happening.

Ownership - They don't get involved, they let them get on with it. As we all knew. No investment, no financial input - as expected. They are still actyivley looking for that investment, whether that's with Gao or in replacement of Gao. All investment queries seem to be directed through Toby and Martin, those are the guys running with the search - Gao has taken a back seat (As he does with everything). 

Loan was taken out to cover for the losses, which it has already covered over 50% of (40m loss last year). Financially not a terrible position, we shouldn't be too worried...but there wasn't much more beyond that.

The tone was basically - we will get what we can for players who leave, we are able to reinvest that - but we will reinvest in younger players who will provide more of a sell on value in later years. Our budget doesn't allow us to go and buy those ready made players.

Isn’t it something to do with the police control room being up in the Itchen/Northam corner?

[SuperSAINT]

I missed it earlier so listening now.  15 mins in and there's already been a couple of absolute lemons on.

[rooney]

The away fans situation was raised at the last FF and the same answer given.Waste of a question.

[SaintsLoyal]

1 hour ago, nta786 said:

Because our home form in recent years stretching back from 2016/17 has been awful.

So, easy to make the link about whether we’ve given them an advantaged by giving them half an end.

Leicester, which has a similar stadium to us situate fans in the corner.

Newcastle send you high up close to the Gods.

I think Wolves do it quite well too - give the away fans all of the lower tier across the halfway but hard to generate an atmosphere when all spread out.

 

So ok when we win matches 

[HarvSFC]

Shame about the no more additions. I don’t think the two forwards signed this week complete us. That said, there’s usually a deadline loan surprise, be it Walcott, Minamino, KWP and errrr Danso. 

[SuperSAINT]

2 minutes ago, HarvSFC said:

Shame about the no more additions. I don’t think the two forwards signed this week complete us. That said, there’s usually a deadline loan surprise, be it Walcott, Minamino, KWP and errrr Danso. 

Has apparently been excellent for Liverpool, this pre-season.

[Whitey Grandad]

17 minutes ago, SuperSAINT said:

Has apparently been excellent for Liverpool, this pre-season.

We trained him well

[Daft Kerplunk]

Anything like this will be very well managed by someone who ran a marketing agency used to controlling public messages (Semmens) and that’s all good when things are going well. With the well-timed signings accounted today, a fans meeting should have always been good with any fan feelings tempered by a little more positivity. 

[woodsaint1]

Still think there will be more additions to the squad. We've another loan option to exercise and can see us looking at a permanent option as the market develops in the run up to the transfer deadline. Hoping for another DM and LB cover

[SaintBitterne]

Always think Semens speak very well. I feel comfortable with him in charge (less said about Gao the better).

I do think Ralph was getting a lot of praise considering his mixed time at the club, which fans seem to completely forget and talk to him like he's the second coming.

I think one more signing is realistic to expect and will probably be the much spoken about CB who can play CDM.

[Saint Pete]

Surely we must be looking to bring in another centre mid, as it's obvious we are woefully short of cover in that position. Lemina, Jankewitz, Slattery have all left permanently now and Smallbone presumably still not available through injury.

If JWP is still out for the weekend, who will we be able to call on from the bench for CM if needed out of interest?

 

[egg]

1 minute ago, Saint Pete said:

Surely we must be looking to bring in another centre mid, as it's obvious we are woefully short of cover in that position. Lemina, Jankewitz, Slattery have all left permanently now and Smallbone presumably still not available through injury.

If JWP is still out for the weekend, who will we be able to call on from the bench for CM if needed out of interest?

 

I think we only have Chauke (if he's fit) and young Finnegan. Binning off Lemina was understandable, ditto Slattery to an extent if we weren't going to use him, but the whole Jankewitz thing is baffling and leaves us very short of bodies in there.

[Minsk]

2 hours ago, egg said:

I think we only have Chauke (if he's fit) and young Finnegan. Binning off Lemina was understandable, ditto Slattery to an extent if we weren't going to use him, but the whole Jankewitz thing is baffling and leaves us very short of bodies in there.

Not really baffling about Jankewitz at all. He wanted away and we got around 1.5m for him. I know many on here think he will be the next big thing in world football, but I guess those who saw him train every day thought differently. It was a shame he didn't more minutes after his horrendous cock-up at Utd (Bournemouth match would have been ideal, imo) but there we go.

Don't forget, we also have S. Armstrong who can play CM very adequately. In any event, I'm pretty sure I heard that JWP is back in training - fingers crossed.

[TWar]

16 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

Happy with the goalkeeper situation - both on good contracts, not looking at doing anything at all with that position. (as expected).

Worth also noting that after the goalkeeper question they immediately responded with a "three window plan" comment, which to me implies we will look to do something about our keepers next summer.

[Saint Pete]

1 hour ago, Minsk said:

Don't forget, we also have S. Armstrong who can play CM very adequately. In any event, I'm pretty sure I heard that JWP is back in training - fingers crossed.

Whilst Armstrong can play CM this does take something away from us in the No 10 positions where he is our most effective player currently. Also if Romeu gets injured, we don't really have another more robust DM style player to cover for him, so this makes our midfield look quite vulnerable in Ralph's favoured formation.

Overall, I can't really believe that Ralph can be happy with the depth of cover available in centre mid, particularly given that Hojbjerg, Reed, Lemina, Slattery and Jankewitz have all left permanently in the last year or so, with just Diallo coming in. Surely we need at least 1 more DM and must have a free spot given those departures.

[Minsk]

26 minutes ago, Saint Pete said:

Whilst Armstrong can play CM this does take something away from us in the No 10 positions where he is our most effective player currently. Also if Romeu gets injured, we don't really have another more robust DM style player to cover for him, so this makes our midfield look quite vulnerable in Ralph's favoured formation.

Overall, I can't really believe that Ralph can be happy with the depth of cover available in centre mid, particularly given that Hojbjerg, Reed, Lemina, Slattery and Jankewitz have all left permanently in the last year or so, with just Diallo coming in. Surely we need at least 1 more DM and must have a free spot given those departures.

I agree that it would be nice to have another 'dominant ball winner' in the squad. I also agree that it is far from ideal moving Stuey away from the 10 role (even though I do like him player deeper, especially when he breaks forward with the ball) but we do have a plethora of players who can play the 10.

I also feel that we have the squad space, and the money, available to bring another 6 in (providing it is sub 10m). Personally, I would like to see us loan in Maitland-Niles with (at least) an option to buy at the end of the season. He would certainly fit the scenario of being a younger player who would be signing his 2nd or 3rd contract. He would also give cover at FB, maybe even CB?

Loaning him with an option would then give the funds to sign a 'young LB for the B team' such as Doig.

That, for me, would give us a very good window. (Can't really see either happening, at least not until the very end of August).

[suewhistle]

7 hours ago, Minsk said:

Not really baffling about Jankewitz at all. He wanted away and we got around 1.5m for him.

 

He was on the bench and didn't get on for YB the other day, I noticed.