Window Cleaner Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Hasn't some super boy from South America just failed to turn up to sign his contract at Arse??? Joel Campbell ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Cut him some slack, this is a fantastic opportunity for him, once in a lifetime chance to go to a huge club and earn some big bucks, anyone on here that wouldn't like some of that is lying. Another academy product that's going to put millions into the club, the only difference this time is that we can re-invest it rather than pay off debts. Good luck Alex whatever your decision, Saints will continue to prosper with or without you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Will be a massive loss, not replaceable in the championship and we'd be alot weaker - but I'm not sure why he thinks he'll walk straight into a top 4 team. He will be a bench/reserve player for at least a year, I can't see how that benefits anyone. The best solution to all of this would be a loan back, because he'd still get the games here and he'd still get the move he wants. He doesn't think that though, does he? He's already said as much, and that he clearly is not viewing it as a sale and loan-back agreement. At this point I feel I am ready. I am still young and I still have time to go into a Premier League set-up and learn. I don’t expect to walk into the first team of any club by any means. I know I would have to basically start again, bide my time and, if a chance came, take it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 No one is arguing that opportunity is a good thing for players and that like all of us, we all want to be recognised and rewarded for our talents - so I have no problem with players wanting to move on when opportunity comes knocking.... but its with young players that have just played one season and are beginning their careers wanting that NOW, when they still have a huge amount to learn, yet want the short cuts to success - made possible by the demand for home grown talent exceeding the supply and over inflating the value (UEFA 8 home grown in 24 man squad rule)... Its this attitude of 'I want it now' rather than working hard, head down, and helping the club that nutured and developed you and GAVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY achieve some success. Its all very well saying we will have a ton of cash, but that is useless if we cant get a similar replacement.. just weakens the side... YES it happens to all outside the top 4, but does that make it right? Does that mean that its OK to have that attitude? I dont think so, sorry. All the 'injury' guff is bolox. A player can get injured at ANY club, and insurance will cover things that are really bad... its was the same with Walcott and Bale - their eventual leaving was inevitable, but they both could have contributed more for a couple of seasons to the club that gave them their chance - this is only a naive opinion, because teh culture in footbal has made it such... but the principle is one that is based on integrity and patience - the rewards for these talents will always come, but wanting it NOW gives teh perception of greed and short cuts, however it is dressed up. Those quotes are a 'come and get me' and its sad that young players have this attitude, probably not helped by his 'advisors' who smell the £££ is such early deals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintjay77 Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 He doesn't think that though, does he? He's already said as much, and that he clearly is not viewing it as a sale and loan-back agreement. Both comments could be twisted to suit or have many meanings though, At this point I feel I am ready. I am still young and I still have time to go into a Premier League set-up and learn. This could mean he knows he has plenty of time to get the right move or it could mean if he goes now he has plenty of time to learn. (I think the latter) I don’t expect to walk into the first team of any club by any means. I know I would have to basically start again, bide my time and, if a chance came, take it. He thinks he is ready for a top 4 club but doesnt think he is good enough. What does that do to his price? What does that do to his wages? It could be sensible but how many sensible players get massive contracts in their dream moves? Did Ronaldo join Man U happy to bide his time in the reserves hoping he might get his chance in the 1st team? Or did he walk in thinking he should be 1st choice? Wenger could read Oxo's comments and woder why he is worth so much? 1 season in League 1 and he is ready for a big payday and reserve team football. Great! Using the press like this stinks IMO. It doesnt show him as anything more than a money grabber and I think the influence is from people or someone close to him. I dont blame him for wanting to take his chances but pushing for changes while still under contract is an insult to the club that has got him to this stage and is the wrong attitude of common football players these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wild-saint Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 His dad is skint and is advising him to go as he wants his managment cut end of. You cant tell me that his development is better served playing against other 18 year olds in the stiffs over playing competitive matches in the championship. I would pretty much bet that saints have said they will let him go if we get an offer that suits us. for me this is the key, will we get an offer that suits NC. 12million for a 17 year old thats has 2/3 of a season is inlikely and for that reason i think he will be here in september. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 He's Alex Chamberlain, He does what he wants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 His dad is skint and is advising him to go as he wants his managment cut end of. You cant tell me that his development is better served playing against other 18 year olds in the stiffs over playing competitive matches in the championship. I would pretty much bet that saints have said they will let him go if we get an offer that suits us. for me this is the key, will we get an offer that suits NC. 12million for a 17 year old thats has 2/3 of a season is inlikely and for that reason i think he will be here in september. It's not really a lot different to when we sold Walcott though, is it? And the market has sky rocketed since then. Cortese trying to dictate unreasonable terms would be the only reason I can see this stringing out. I think the likelihood of him being here in September is miniscule, I'm fairly sure a deal has been agreed in principle between the player and a club (maybe more than one), its just the terms that need ironing out and this newspaper article is Chamberlain's way of accellerating that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 He is virtually brassing himself off for the redtops to get his move. His old man is a bit like his pimp. Not happy about this at all. I would be twice as worried if we were losing Lallana though. If someone offers what we want, let him go and reinvest the money in a couple of quality players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warsash saint Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Obvious he will not be here come the start of season - just wish he'd b*gger off ASAP so we can get on & spend the money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 He is virtually brassing himself off for the redtops to get his move. His old man is a bit like his pimp. Not happy about this at all. I would be twice as worried if we were losing Lallana though. If someone offers what we want, let him go and reinvest the money in a couple of quality players. No, no the articles are wrong aren't they, MLG and so on say so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 No, no the articles are wrong aren't they, MLG and so on say so. All lies. Journalists never tell the truth. Plus he loves it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minty Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Having read the Sun article, I actually think he comes across quite well, and wouldn't begrudge him a move at all. My personal opinion is that he would do just fine by playing a season here and learning a bit more, but the more I hear from him I think he comes across as a very level headed guy who is not making rash demands or ultimatums, but has spoken to the manager about the situation and is being honest. Put simply, I trust Adkins with it. He handled Puncheon well, and if he felt Chamberlain was having a negative impact on the squad I have no doubt he would do the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidthesquid Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 It's why I love football less than I used to. I know our best players will always leave, but not that many years ago Bridgey stayed till he was 23 or 24. Now players move on at 17. It is farcical & wrong. For every Gareth Bale there are dozens of bright youg lads signed for £1mill plus that disappear into the big clubs' reserves for three or four years & many never resurface or spend years out on loan (think Jack Cork). I understand that money talks & it is very hard for any youngster to turn down lottery-winning sums of money that could make their whole family secure for life. But that does not make it right from a competitive sport's point of view, or for ours as long-suffering fans. Football has become so consumed in money & business that it is forgetting what the point of it actually is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrasri Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 He's off deffo....not modelling the new kit - must be a sign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattio Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 (edited) He's off deffo....not modelling the new kit - must be a sign. So now we have a three man squad? Edited 20 July, 2011 by Mattio t'was written like a pleb... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonist Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Will be a massive loss, not replaceable in the championship and we'd be alot weaker - but I'm not sure why he thinks he'll walk straight into a top 4 team. He will be a bench/reserve player for at least a year, I can't see how that benefits anyone. The best solution to all of this would be a loan back, because he'd still get the games here and he'd still get the move he wants. He's going to get a premier league contract now rather than next year and isn't risking that financial bonanza by playing a year in the championship. Makes sense to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 It's why I love football less than I used to. I know our best players will always leave, but not that many years ago Bridgey stayed till he was 23 or 24. Now players move on at 17. It is farcical & wrong. For every Gareth Bale there are dozens of bright youg lads signed for £1mill plus that disappear into the big clubs' reserves for three or four years & many never resurface or spend years out on loan (think Jack Cork). I understand that money talks & it is very hard for any youngster to turn down lottery-winning sums of money that could make their whole family secure for life. But that does not make it right from a competitive sport's point of view, or for ours as long-suffering fans. Football has become so consumed in money & business that it is forgetting what the point of it actually is. Spot on Squid. People might want to bury their heads in the sand but any young English player that shows a glimpse of promise is off to a top half premier league club quicker than you can say "the new Jermaine Pennant". That is modern football i am afraid. Maybe now all those on here dreaming of playing the champions league with a team of academy graduates will wake up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 The fact that most players at some point leave the clubs that they began with is scarcely a blinding piece of insight. The discussion centres around whether he is leaving now. Your analogy is not, in my opinion, appropriate but, just to run with it, you could say "Whahay" and take the money and get fired a year later because you turned out to be not up to the job. Or you could take the money and get hidden away because at this point the company think that you had a future but not just yet and you kick your heels while counting your dosh or you could think - I may not be ready for this yet. I need to keep working on my experience and if I'm good enough they'll be back. It depends entirely on your personality and priorities what you go for. Of course I have no more idea than you have about what AOC will do but I will not be basing my opinion on quotes from newspapers. They have scarcely been reliable in the past. Interesting quote from Chamberlain, he appears to agree with my analogy... "It's the same with anyone in any line of work. If you can better yourself, it's silly not to want to move on and do it." You go back to your little comfort blanket (well put Jackonory) that all newspaper reporters are liars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfc4prem Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Sell him. Buy a new player. Simple as that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitySaint Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 I don't begrudge him moving to better himself. What I do begrudge is the way it is being engineered by his Father through the press. There are certain ways to conduct yourself and bleating about things in a red top isn't one of them. When (and if) a bid comes and is accepted, talk to the manager and chairman and explain your reasons for wanting to read. No-one can begrudge a young lad for wanting to play at the highest level possible. What people can can begrudge is using the media as a tool for unsettlement, even worse in a paper like the sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfc4prem Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 The only tough thing will be when we sell him, trying to buy a replacement will be costly purely because clubs will increase their asking price. And also - we seemed to do alright when we didn't have Chamberlain last season, did we not? I believe we produced our best run of form without him. Most certainly not the end of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS1980 Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 The only tough thing will be when we sell him, trying to buy a replacement will be costly purely because clubs will increase their asking price. And also - we seemed to do alright when we didn't have Chamberlain last season, did we not? I believe we produced our best run of form without him. Most certainly not the end of the world. Surely the clever thing would be to get his replacement in first... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewell Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Maybe now all those on here dreaming of playing the champions league with a team of academy graduates will wake up. I don't disagree with you at all but someone better have a word with Cortese and tell him how modern footballers and the British media work. Not saying it is right either (before someone jumps on me) but as pointed out above this is now the nature of modern football, players, agents and meida engineering moves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farawaysaint Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Feck, feck feck feck. I know he isn't the be all and end all but for the love of god if we could hag onto one promising player until he was 21 that would suit me just fine thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSaint Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Time to sell on. he won't give 100% if we make him stay. especially if he thinks the brutish defenders in the championship will give him a career ending boo-boo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 I don't disagree with you at all but someone better have a word with Cortese and tell him how modern footballers and the British media work. Not saying it is right either (before someone jumps on me) but as pointed out above this is now the nature of modern football, players, agents and meida engineering moves. I think Cortese probably has a better grasp on how modern footballers work than most people. While the typical SaintsWeb head-in-sand merchants have seen this as a massive shock, you can be sure that this will have come as no surprise to Cortese or Adkins. They will have known about his intention to move on from New Year. And they've had that time to prepare a suitable replacement. What will be truly shocking is if we decide to "replace" Chambo with Guly or Lee Holmes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 I don't begrudge him moving to better himself. What I do begrudge is the way it is being engineered by his Father through the press. There are certain ways to conduct yourself and bleating about things in a red top isn't one of them. When (and if) a bid comes and is accepted, talk to the manager and chairman and explain your reasons for wanting to read. No-one can begrudge a young lad for wanting to play at the highest level possible. What people can can begrudge is using the media as a tool for unsettlement, even worse in a paper like the sun. IF these quotes are accurate, and that is a big if given the tabloid press's track record, then I don't think it is about wanting to play at the highest level. It's more about wanting to earn at the highest level. If it was about the playing, he'd be better off staying here and learning his trade. At a top club he'll either not play much at all, or be farmed out on loan to somewhere like Saints anyway, but somewhere that won't care as much about his development because he won't be their investment to sell. The huge money at the top of football is really damaging the sport as whole IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintjay77 Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Spot on Squid. People might want to bury their heads in the sand but any young English player that shows a glimpse of promise is off to a top half premier league club quicker than you can say "the new Jermaine Pennant". That is modern football i am afraid. Maybe now all those on here dreaming of playing the champions league with a team of academy graduates will wake up. If we manage to get to be playing in the champions league it means we would be one of those top clubs. Producing our own players from academy graduates shouldnt be a problem then as our youth would not be looking at other clubs as ssomewhere they could better themselves. Can we get there? Who knows but nothing wrong with aiming high. Prem is certainly possible and NC doesnt seem like he will be happy with prem survival every year so what you think is a dream I think is a possability. No need to wake up IMO. As a newly promoted Championship team its not surprising our players could get there heads turned though. I still think it stinks how the press and advisors have fueled it all though. He is worth far more to us than he is to Arsenal and we are due to lose out in one way or another by the lure of arsenal's reserves. When our 1st team was rubbish our reserves were beating arsenal reserves! Wenger doesnt like the Fabregas - Barca transfer being conducted through the press yet its a similar thing that happened to Theo and now Chambo and will no doubt happen again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Time to sell on. he won't give 100% if we make him stay. especially if he thinks the brutish defenders in the championship will give him a career ending boo-boo. If we have the guts (or more importantly the fincancial muscle) to resist a big offer and force him to honour his contract, he won't be able to play indifferently. He will still need to impress future buyers. He'd have to give 100%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintscottofthenortham Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 F*ck him. If he wants to sell out to The Sun and engineer his move to a top 4 sides reserves then fine by me. You f*ck off and enjoy playing at Gigg Lane in front of 200 people on a freezing cold December evening. The few conversations I have had with Alex he has actually come across as a really nice lad, I just begrudge his tw*t of a father the stupid money he will make from "looking after the boy". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alehouseboys Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Time to sell on. he won't give 100% if we make him stay. especially if he thinks the brutish defenders in the championship will give him a career ending boo-boo. ...particularly as he's said..."I could spend a year in the Championship and, though this might sound negative, I could get injured and that opportunity might be lost" How hard will he try if he stays? If his performance drops then so will his price tag, best to get the inevitable sorted soon imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Surely the clever thing would be to get his replacement in first... very good idea. Now who is the absolute best we can get in the championship wide right player? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 If we manage to get to be playing in the champions league it means we would be one of those top clubs. Producing our own players from academy graduates shouldnt be a problem then as our youth would not be looking at other clubs as ssomewhere they could better themselves. Can we get there? Who knows but nothing wrong with aiming high. Prem is certainly possible and NC doesnt seem like he will be happy with prem survival every year so what you think is a dream I think is a possability. No need to wake up IMO. As a newly promoted Championship team its not surprising our players could get there heads turned though. I still think it stinks how the press and advisors have fueled it all though. He is worth far more to us than he is to Arsenal and we are due to lose out in one way or another by the lure of arsenal's reserves. When our 1st team was rubbish our reserves were beating arsenal reserves! Wenger doesnt like the Fabregas - Barca transfer being conducted through the press yet its a similar thing that happened to Theo and now Chambo and will no doubt happen again. Seriously? When you have Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham competing for 3rd and 4th do you really think a club such as Saints will get there? Tottenham cant keep hold of Modric, Arsenal cant keep hold of Fabregas & Nasri, Man U couldn't keep hold of Ronaldo. Players are always looking for the bigger, better deal. Just look at Villa, a club bigger than Saints cant keep hold of Downing, Young, Barry and Milner. Newcastle couldn't keep Andy Carroll. What we need to do is make sure we milk as much money as possible for their transfers and have a great youth set up and scouting network that means when these players do move on we have good other players lined up to replace them. The same way as the likes of Lyon do in France. NC's stance against not being bullied by the big boys is admirable, but it's one mans crusade to change an entire sport, it's a battle he cant win. For the sake of SFC he'd be best off selling AOC to the higest bidder, the best deal for Saints, not the best club for AOC, he has pinned his colours to the mast so f*ck him and all the stuff about selling him to the right club for him that was spouted in January. And FWIW i agree with you about the press and i agree that for AOC as a footballer he'd be best off playing first team football for us next season. But that is football in 2011, money rules. Some of you lot need to stop dreaming and realise that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Is the interview the very first step in a process of trying to force Saints to reduce their asking price? When players start saying things like "I might get injured" could they be suggesting they might not give it all in case they do get injured. Hope not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crab Lungs Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 F*ck him. If he wants to sell out to The Sun and engineer his move to a top 4 sides reserves then fine by me. You f*ck off and enjoy playing at Gigg Lane in front of 200 people on a freezing cold December evening. The few conversations I have had with Alex he has actually come across as a really nice lad, I just begrudge his tw*t of a father the stupid money he will make from "looking after the boy". This I agree 100% with. Puncheon actually said much less and was lynched..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Stop being negative Turkish. Nicky C has said we're going for the Champions League, and so it shall be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Seriously? When you have Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham competing for 3rd and 4th do you really think a club such as Saints will get there? Tottenham cant keep hold of Modric, Arsenal cant keep hold of Fabregas & Nasri, Man U couldn't keep hold of Ronaldo. Players are always looking for the bigger, better deal. Just look at Villa, a club bigger than Saints cant keep hold of Downing, Young, Barry and Milner. Newcastle couldn't keep Andy Carroll. What we need to do is make sure we milk as much money as possible for their transfers and have a great youth set up and scouting network that means when these players do move on we have good other players lined up to replace them. The same way as the likes of Lyon do in France. no arguements with that, you can't hold players these days for ever, but like Lyon do, we need to make use of the talent for just long enough to get us to where we want to be. If Alex is sold before this season starts then we have missed out on using his talents to get us there. It's all very well saying replace him, but who exactly is there out there (willing to play in the championship) that can touch this lad? If we had sold him for £10m and replaced him with Pilkington then I think I'd of shrugged my shoulders and said we'd done reasonably OK out of it under the circumstances (still disappointed mind you). But I don't see too many Pilkingtons out there, and he went straight to the Premiership anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 This I agree 100% with. Puncheon actually said much less and was lynched..... very good point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Durman Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 (edited) Please don't disrespect his parents if you have not heard their comments first hand. I remember speaking to AOC at Dag & Red and he said he would not be going anywhere in the January window. He's a very nice lad and I'm disappointed with people making out that he is anything else from out of context quotes. He is one of us until he is sold. Then we should still respect him for the money he has generated for the club and helping us to promotion. Edited 20 July, 2011 by Andy Durman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSaint Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Is the interview the very first step in a process of trying to force Saints to reduce their asking price? When players start saying things like "I might get injured" could they be suggesting they might not give it all in case they do get injured. Hope not. I think AOC, his dad and everyone else that has turned his head have really misread NC if they think this, look at Puncheon, will never get near the first team again but NC seemingly won't lower his valuation of the player or else he would be long gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintjay77 Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Seriously? When you have Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham competing for 3rd and 4th do you really think a club such as Saints will get there? Tottenham cant keep hold of Modric, Arsenal cant keep hold of Fabregas & Nasri, Man U couldn't keep hold of Ronaldo. Players are always looking for the bigger, better deal. Just look at Villa, a club bigger than Saints cant keep hold of Downing, Young, Barry and Milner. Newcastle couldn't keep Andy Carroll. What we need to do is make sure we milk as much money as possible for their transfers and have a great youth set up and scouting network that means when these players do move on we have good other players lined up to replace them. The same way as the likes of Lyon do in France. NC's stance against not being bullied by the big boys is admirable, but it's one mans crusade to change an entire sport, it's a battle he cant win. For the sake of SFC he'd be best off selling AOC to the higest bidder, the best deal for Saints, not the best club for AOC, he has pinned his colours to the mast so f*ck him and all the stuff about selling him to the right club for him that was spouted in January. And FWIW i agree with you about the press and i agree that for AOC as a footballer he'd be best off playing first team football for us next season. But that is football in 2011, money rules. Some of you lot need to stop dreaming and realise that. I didnt say it was easy or a reality. But it is a possability. Miles apart but Barca can do it so why cant someone else? Its not something that can happen over night and until we are considered one of the top clubs in the world you are right in that we would always lose players along the way. But NC's vision of where he see's the club is at the top, we have the finacial clout behind us (for the time being at least) to create something that wants to break the tradition of buying a place at the top with the most expensive players. By building it from the ground up. If we get promoted this or next season where will our sights be then? To break even by selling off our best players? Aim for survival every season? Or aim for the top half of the prem? Then aim for Europe place? Then aim for the top? Spuds will lose Modric to Chelsea as they are one of the top clubs in europe. In time I think we are aiming to be one of the top clubs in europe. Now it will be bloody amozing if we get anywhere near there but thats what the vision is and it looks like the drive is there to push hard for it. As for selling AOC to the highest bidder right now I agree with you. He wants out and has done his business via the press. If a club will offer what we want then he goes. Dont care if its Arsenal, Man U, Liverpool or Stenhousemuir. NC can play hardball though as long as he has the support of the Leibher family. AOC either gives 100% while he is here (nothing to suggest he hasnt so far) or he trains with the under 21's or below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westofshannonsaint Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 ...How hard will he try if he stays? If his performance drops then so will his price tag, best to get the inevitable sorted soon imo. on the other hand a few goals/assists before Christmas will increase his chance of a move in January. If he shows he can make the step up to the championship he'll be a better prospect for a top 5 club. At that stage he will have 18 months left on his contract and Saints will be more likely to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctoroncall Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 I think Cortese probably has a better grasp on how modern footballers work than most people. While the typical SaintsWeb head-in-sand merchants have seen this as a massive shock, you can be sure that this will have come as no surprise to Cortese or Adkins. They will have known about his intention to move on from New Year. And they've had that time to prepare a suitable replacement. What will be truly shocking is if we decide to "replace" Chambo with Guly or Lee Holmes. I don't think you can replace Chambo with Guly or Lee Holmes as they are not like-for-like players. That's not to say the team cannot adapt to playing one of them instead of Chambo which is a different concept. It's not like you can go down the footballer supermarket and ask for another Chambo. Disappointed he sees his future away from Saints from this season, as has been said, it's what the modern game (and a reflection of society in general) that it's take care of number one as soon as possible. The only way to break the cycle of having to sell potential star players too early is to: a) get promoted asap b) instead of producing the odd very good player now and again (Theo, Gareth and Alex) is to produce a group of decent young talent. Also, as they have played together for longer would hopefully be far better players because of it. c) having the infrastructure and coaches in place. The training complex is being improved and the academy we have been told will gain status 1, but do we have the coaches which can get the best out of the players? d) scouting network. There needs to one covering enough geographical area to satisfy the need to produce the number of decent youngsters (especially if the coaching cannot obtain the best out of each player) which can be supplemented by a few experienced players bought in to the squad. Has the scouting network been set up (what has happen to that Danish guy)? e) selection process of youngsters able to become decent players. If we want to be a PL team and hopefully a top half one then the youngsters need to be identified as being able to achieve this as early as possible, I don't believe any aspiring young footballer is capable of being a PL standard player, let alone playing for a top half PL team. Skills and technical ability are straightforward to gauge but what about the mental/psychological side. I wouldn't have a clue how to do this selection, maybe some kind psychometric test/assessment can be used! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tac-tics Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 getting ****ing bored of this now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No 2 to Maybush Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Please don't disrespect his parents if you have not heard their comments first hand. I remember speaking to AOC at Dag & Red and he said he would not be going anywhere in the January window. He's a very nice lad and I'm disappointed with people making out that he is anything else from out of context quotes. He is one of us until he is sold. Then we should still respect him for the money he has generated for the club and helping us to promotion. I appreciate your thoughts on this matter, but what is a "very nice lad" doing touting himself in a red top? As to him being "one of us", he has just stepped off the bus with this incident. He has made it quite clear that he doesn't see his future here. If Cortese doesn't get bids that match his valuation of the player, then he should be left to languish in the reserves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itchen_block4 Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 I'm imagining Alex tied to a chair in front of a Mirror hack with Mark Chamberlain poking him with a cattle-prod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labibs Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 I appreciate your thoughts on this matter, but what is a "very nice lad" doing touting himself in a red top? As to him being "one of us", he has just stepped off the bus with this incident. He has made it quite clear that he doesn't see his future here. If Cortese doesn't get bids that match his valuation of the player, then he should be left to languish in the reserves. Should he though? Say if NC sets a price of £12m and the best offer we get is £10m. Should we just let him run his contract in the reserves and leave for free? Never going to happen, we're rich but not rich enough that we can let a £10m go to waste (whilst paying his wages). It would be nice to be one of the first clubs to take a stand against player power, but I'd prefer a hypothetical £10m to spend on a promotion push if we are not going to benefit from his services to the team. It's disappointing he has come out with this (and he has been very careful not to say anything that could be construed as a formal transfer request, why miss out on the loyalty payment?), although it kind of looks to me more like he has done it to try and generate bids from other clubs, not because he wants out at all costs. I think if he was denied a move this summer, he would knuckle down and still put in performances for us, in hopes of a January move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eurosaint Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 Should he though? Say if NC sets a price of £12m and the best offer we get is £10m. Should we just let him run his contract in the reserves and leave for free? Never going to happen, we're rich but not rich enough that we can let a £10m go to waste (whilst paying his wages). It would be nice to be one of the first clubs to take a stand against player power, but I'd prefer a hypothetical £10m to spend on a promotion push if we are not going to benefit from his services to the team. It's disappointing he has come out with this (and he has been very careful not to say anything that could be construed as a formal transfer request, why miss out on the loyalty payment?), although it kind of looks to me more like he has done it to try and generate bids from other clubs, not because he wants out at all costs. I think if he was denied a move this summer, he would knuckle down and still put in performances for us, in hopes of a January move. Surely NC only has to invite him to his office, ask him if the Sun article is accurate and (if so!) suggest that if he genuinely feels that way then submit a transfer request ! I've no doubt that Nicola is capable of saving the club a few bob in this way, if necessary !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy_D Posted 20 July, 2011 Share Posted 20 July, 2011 The squad numbers being released today (With Chambo at 11) almost feels like a direct response to these quotes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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