Looks like Chamberlain's off then

[saintjay77]

Awwww, bless. Hark at the superest dooperest fans.

 

If you think that not being bothered about being in the Champion's League means "we might as well give up then" you're supporting the wrong club sunshine. Go and support Chelsea if you're that desperate for Champion's League football.

 

My realistic aspiration of solid mid table Prem is stretching, ambitous, but actually achievable and would give me a decade of joy if we achieved that for ten years straight. I definitely wouldn't be whinging, *****ing and moaning about "getting to the next level" like you couple of divs.

 

And the comment about comparing us to Barcelona is so embarrassingly pathetic I won't even bother addressing it. Suffice to say I sincerely hope you weren't born in 1977 as your username might suggest as that makes you the same age as me and screw me sideways you're an embarrassment to my generation. I sincerely hope you're 14 because your logic suggests it. Barcelona have claim to be the biggest club in the world. Southampton, funnily enough, don't and never will.

 

And our Aussie friend, same goes. We're never going to be in the champion's league, my point was it isn't completley impossible for us to finish fourth one season - Everton did it once and never really looked like doing it ever again - but it is so unlikely it is untrue, and we definitely should not be aiming or targeting to get there.

 

We're never going to be in the Champion's League. Put your willy away, it's not the nasty man with his limited ambitions stopping that happening. It just isn't ever going to happen, ever.

 

Is there any need to be a complete pri.ck when addressing your elders? Born in 74 so take your dads co.ck out of your mouth when your speaking to me sunshine.

 

My last line in my previous post says I dont care if we never make it anywhere so stop your dribbling about me supporting the wrong club.

 

You mention mid table Prem as a realistic although ambitious. IF we get there what then? say bugger it we will stay here? Or aim for a place or 2 higher? And what then? Stick? Twist?

 

What are Evertons aims each season? Win as many games as they can 1st and foremost then aim as high as they can once they have hit the saftey point. At no time do they say we have enough points for mid table so lets sit back and relax. You seem to be suggesting that we push for the dizzy heights of mid table prem and be happy with that for 10 years. All I am suggesting is that the club seem to want success and will keep moveing the goal posts further up the chain as we reach each target. If the goal posts one day manage to get to the champions league heights then the club will try and aim for them. I am all for that and I cant see why a supposed fan of the club would not also be happy with it and wish to support it?

 

My mention of Barca by the way was not comparing them to us right now. They are just a club that over the past 10 years or so have invested heavily in the youth system and the rewards are there for all to see. Could we have the same success??? Probably not but its got to be a much better way of doing things than the Man City or Chelsea way.

 

I dont get what rattled your cage so much but if cant debate like an adult then dont bother coming on here claiming to be one. Throwing names and insults around is something a 14 year old would do when they dont know how to debate like an adult.

[Miltonaggro]

I think that a salient point here is that once we are back in the top flight, we have a sporting chance of keeping our most talented youngsters (though perhaps the Bridges rather than the Bales), until then it is always going to be mission impossible.

 

Given the unusual 'debt free' structure at SFC (in comparison to perpetual shareholder appeasement) we are something of a test case. Premier League money might be enough to pay comparative wages, a ground extension might bring us into line with the next tier of domestic and European clubs, but once the real big boys tap up a player it's always going to be incredibly hard to keep hold of him. Take Gareth Bale, we were all mightily p*ssed off when he went to Spurs, but now Spurs are in a similar situation with the likes of Real Madrid sniffing around, and the kid is still only what, 21! Turkish makes a good point in saying that if Chamberlain is big enough to tout himself to the red tops, then f*ck nurture, let the bidding commence so we can reinvest to get into the Prem ahead of the glorious five year plan.

 

Long term, the only real English blueprint for a club like ours consistently punching above it's weight in Europe is Cloughie's Forest side, a different era, but never say never. His policy with wantaway players was to say f*ck 'em too...

[captainchris]

I can see a stalemate approaching, AOC wants out & we want too much and neither will budge! Cue repeat of kenwyne jones

 

What are you talking about'We want too much' that's total rubbish we are not asking too much......AOC seems to think he's wonderful and clubs will be falling over themselves to sign him and He's what ...17 or 18 for Gods sake so knows exactly what he's talking about. Soooooo he must be worth at least 10m. = Lets see - the market will tell him the truth about his ability - if he's wanted and he's good enough then the top guys will pay if not he will have to stay END OF.....................

Really though this lad has sooo poorly advised by his dad who is only interested in his ego and the dosh.

I'm backing Cortese to do exactly the right thing and have completely lost respect for AOC and his 'agent' (father)........

He will have to be dropped, that goes without saying if his head is elsewhere it's no good expecting to concentrate on playing for us. Our under 21 squad is starting to shape up quite nicely !!!! (Punchion too in case you hadn't worked it out)!

[maysie]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2017422/Arsenal-target-Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain-fined-Southampton.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

 

Isn't this all getting a little annoying.

[Matthew Le God]

The Daily Mail thinks he is "furious" at being fined for a rule break. No journalist has the balls to put his name to the article though...

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2017422/Arsenal-target-Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain-fined-Southampton.html

 

Quite why he would be "furious" I don't know, it would only be done if it were a breach of his terms of employment. He doesn't really have a leg to stand on (if true).

[maysie]

The Daily Mail thinks he is "furious" at being fined for a rule break. No journalist has the balls to put his name to the article though...

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2017422/Arsenal-target-Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain-fined-Southampton.html

 

Quite why he would be "furious" I don't know, it would only be done if it were a breach of his terms of employment. He doesn't really have a leg to stand on (if true).

 

I'd hazard a guess that they just made that little statement up..

[itchen]

Two weeks wages? Doesn't sound like the club is worried about upsetting him.

 

I can't knock his ambition. I'm a useless footballer but, if I had his talent, I'd want to go as far as I could as quickly as I could.

 

But it's not just down to him, is it? He is under contract - a contract willingly signed. Saints have a valuation and, until somebody meets that valuation, he isn't going anywhere. Yes, I know all clubs lose players. But when Utd lost Ronaldo they received a shed load of money in exchange. It seems fair that, if another club wants Chamberlain, they pay what we want.

 

I think the truth is that the top clubs will look at him, recognise his talent, and then ask themselves if they want to pay a huge fee for a player who has had about half a season in League One. They may decide to wait a while and see how he does over a full season in a higher quality league.

 

But if he does go, while I thought he was good with enormous potential, I'm confident that him leaving Saints wouldn't hugely affect the team. It would be disappointing and a sign that we will still sell if the price is right (but so will every club) but we'll carry on with the players that got us promotion plus a couple of extra bought with the Chamberlain money.

 

Whether Chamberlain will make it at the top level is an unknown. And the top clubs will have to gamble a lot of money to find out.

[Appy]

The Daily Mail thinks he is "furious" at being fined for a rule break. No journalist has the balls to put his name to the article though...

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2017422/Arsenal-target-Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain-fined-Southampton.html

 

Quite why he would be "furious" I don't know, it would only be done if it were a breach of his terms of employment. He doesn't really have a leg to stand on (if true).

 

You've gone up in the world, from correcting us mere forum users, to correcting a national newspaper.

[Nexstar]

Tony Husband

#Saintsfc asked on air if Chambo would go. Said he prob would now. Discuss

[stanthemanfairoak]

Tony Husband

#Saintsfc asked on air if Chambo would go. Said he prob would now. Discuss

asked WHO ?

[thorpie the sinner]

The cleaner!!

[beatlesaint]

asked WHO ?

 

He means he was asked on air.

[Huntingdon]

I think Alex is being badly advised by his Dad

 

Mark knows how football works, and never had a loyal bone when he was a youngster

I remember him making his name at Port Vale, before jumping to their bitter rivals Stoke

[Dan Johnson]

I cant see who would sign him to be honest?

 

Aresnal are under pressure massively this season. If they lose Fabregas which looks likely, are they really going to replace him with an unproven 17 year old? They need to buy established players, and that for me doesnt include taking an expensive punt on Chamberlain!

 

Man Utd have too many wingers at the moment with Valencia now fit and signing Young, Chelsea dont tend to buy young players and Liverpool have signed Downing already. It's all very well him saying he wants to play in the prem, but a prem team has to want to buy him. If we hold out for £12m I cant see him moving anywhere.

[thorpie the sinner]

I think he should FO now! he has made his situation crystal clear and like Punch his time is up!! problem is his worth to us....clubs interested should know its 10 mill up front or FO!!!!! we then get time to reinvest money (hopefully) and get proven championship players! Henry from Millwall still interests me

[Window Cleaner]

I cant see who would sign him to be honest?

 

Aresnal are under pressure massively this season. If they lose Fabregas which looks likely, are they really going to replace him with an unproven 17 year old? They need to buy established players, and that for me doesnt include taking an expensive punt on Chamberlain!

 

Man Utd have too many wingers at the moment with Valencia now fit and signing Young, Chelsea dont tend to buy young players and Liverpool have signed Downing already. It's all very well him saying he wants to play in the prem, but a prem team has to want to buy him. If we hold out for £12m I cant see him moving anywhere.

 

Newcastle might, they've rebuilt their side for not very much money (relatively) this summer and now that sick-note Ben Arfa has

been carried off again they might be looking for a bit of creativity.

[thorpie the sinner]

If its newcastle, the price just went up to 15 mill lol!!!

[John B]

I think he should FO now! he has made his situation crystal clear and like Punch his time is up!! problem is his worth to us....clubs interested should know its 10 mill up front or FO!!!!! we then get time to reinvest money (hopefully) and get proven championship players! Henry from Millwall still interests me

 

Dont think he is worth £10m up front which I think is possibly the problem

[S-Clarke]

Dont think he is worth £10m up front which I think is possibly the problem

 

He won't go for any less though. We've not even had any bids for him, which is why I find all this a little messy now. If we'd rejected a bid from a top club then you could possibly understand his frustration, but he's trying his hardest to tout himself. (although I truly believe his dad is advising him to use the media in this way, skate ****)

[saintjay77]

Dont think he is worth £10m up front which I think is possibly the problem

 

I dont think he is worth £10m to anyone else but to us he quite possibly could be. We all think he has potential and we all think he did very well last season. If he can step up to the plate this season he could be an important player for us. One that could help allot to where we end up in the league. If that position was converted into £'s then £10m is a fair price. Christ he could be the difference in a back to back promotion push which is worth loads more than £10m.

 

If we were skint then £10 based on installments based on england appearences and so on might be more acceptable. But it appears we have money in the bank and have no interest in staggered payments over the next 5 years. Arsenal are owned by some of the richest men in the world so its not like we need to stagger the payments to help them out and make it affordable for them to buy him.

 

£10m is a huge gamble on an un-tested 17 year old so it probably wont happen now. If he sorts his head out and we keep him for the season he could prove that he is worth every penny of £10m and put himself much closer to a 1st team place in a prem team.

 

He could sulk however and hang about with Puncheon until his contract runs out then hope a half decent team will take a punt on him thinking they can sort his attitude out.

[itchen]

I dont think he is worth £10m to anyone else but to us he quite possibly could be. We all think he has potential and we all think he did very well last season. If he can step up to the plate this season he could be an important player for us. One that could help allot to where we end up in the league. If that position was converted into £'s then £10m is a fair price. Christ he could be the difference in a back to back promotion push which is worth loads more than £10m.

 

If we were skint then £10 based on installments based on england appearences and so on might be more acceptable. But it appears we have money in the bank and have no interest in staggered payments over the next 5 years. Arsenal are owned by some of the richest men in the world so its not like we need to stagger the payments to help them out and make it affordable for them to buy him.

 

£10m is a huge gamble on an un-tested 17 year old so it probably wont happen now. If he sorts his head out and we keep him for the season he could prove that he is worth every penny of £10m and put himself much closer to a 1st team place in a prem team.

 

He could sulk however and hang about with Puncheon until his contract runs out then hope a half decent team will take a punt on him thinking they can sort his attitude out.

 

Now come on, £10 million may be too much but you've gone a bit far.

[S-Clarke]

Chambo is being influenced by outside sources....pretty much what Adkins said in the interview on saints player.

 

He didn't really let onto much else, other than we have to look after the boy, he's dealt with it all well for a 17 year old etc.....but it did sound like a move was kind of imminent.

[St_Tel49]

Awwww, bless. Hark at the superest dooperest fans.

 

If you think that not being bothered about being in the Champion's League means "we might as well give up then" you're supporting the wrong club sunshine. Go and support Chelsea if you're that desperate for Champion's League football.

 

My realistic aspiration of solid mid table Prem is stretching, ambitous, but actually achievable and would give me a decade of joy if we achieved that for ten years straight. I definitely wouldn't be whinging, *****ing and moaning about "getting to the next level" like you couple of divs.

 

And the comment about comparing us to Barcelona is so embarrassingly pathetic I won't even bother addressing it. Suffice to say I sincerely hope you weren't born in 1977 as your username might suggest as that makes you the same age as me and screw me sideways you're an embarrassment to my generation. I sincerely hope you're 14 because your logic suggests it. Barcelona have claim to be the biggest club in the world. Southampton, funnily enough, don't and never will.

 

And our Aussie friend, same goes. We're never going to be in the champion's league, my point was it isn't completley impossible for us to finish fourth one season - Everton did it once and never really looked like doing it ever again - but it is so unlikely it is untrue, and we definitely should not be aiming or targeting to get there.

 

We're never going to be in the Champion's League. Put your willy away, it's not the nasty man with his limited ambitions stopping that happening. It just isn't ever going to happen, ever.

 

That is a gross distortion of their posts and you should be ashamed of yourself. If they had implied that they would stop supporting saints if they failed to get Champions League then you might have a point but neither of these posters are of that ilk. All they said was that you should always have an ambition to keep improving. I think that we can depend on NC being a good enough businessman to avoid bankrupting us in the attempt though.

[Chez]

Chambo is being influenced by outside sources....pretty much what Adkins said in the interview on saints player.

 

He didn't really let onto much else, other than we have to look after the boy, he's dealt with it all well for a 17 year old etc.....but it did sound like a move was kind of imminent.

he wouldn't be giving interviews trying to put the club under pressure to sell if a move was imminent. Strikes me that no one can afford the gamble on him at the price we are charging. Will he still perform though if a move doesn't happen?

[washsaint]

One would hope so Chez....if for no other reason than to try and secure a move away in January.

[saintjay77]

Now come on, £10 million may be too much but you've gone a bit far.

 

How do you mean? IMO his value to us is far more than he is actually worth on the transfer Market. That doesn't mean others would pay what we think he is worth though.

 

In the lowe years we had to get best Market value as we didn't have the financial clout to resist good offers. It's not the same now so I guess we can hold out for ridiculous offers.

[Super_Saint]

I Thought about this, If he really wants out then he will have to put in good performances or nobody will come knocking for him.

[Super_Saint]

That was meant to be quoting Chez by the way. Clicked the wrong button.

[sambosa75]

If he wants to go that'll be £12m plus a 40% sell-on please Arsene... if you cant stump up, never mind we'll keep him for another season. Buh-bye.

[Ewell]

Am I right in thinking that Oxo has two years left on a 3 year deal he signed last year? I know a new deal is on the table but if he is not interested in signing it I cannot see Saints holding onto him past January 2012. We will not want him entering or even getting close to his last year of contract as his value may fall significantly.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

My 'two pennyworth' is that it would be in both his best interest and ours for him to stay here for at least one more season rather than warm the bench at Arsenal etc, but if he really wants to go then conventional wisdom dictates you'll have to bite the bullet and let him. Most teenagers pay s0d all attention to what their parents say - just our luck to find the exception to that timeless rule. Needless to say (but I'll say it anyway) it would be extremely differcult to attract a replacement of the same potential/quality to any team in this division.

 

If it were my call I'd do the deal now rather than try to keep a unhappy young player in the squad for a few more months - as good a player as AOC certainly is no one is more important than the team.

[AussieDog]

So because it's unlikely, we shouldn't dream of it? or even aim for it then? So I take it that we shouldn't bother entering the FA Cup each year either then? Of course it's highly unlikely that a 2nd Division club would possibly win that, so why bother entering at all.

You've obviously never ever bought a lottery ticket either.

[CB Fry]

That is a gross distortion of their posts and you should be ashamed of yourself. If they had implied that they would stop supporting saints if they failed to get Champions League then you might have a point but neither of these posters are of that ilk. All they said was that you should always have an ambition to keep improving. I think that we can depend on NC being a good enough businessman to avoid bankrupting us in the attempt though.

 

Nice try, but it wasn't me who said if we weren't aiming for the champion's league 'we might as well give up then'. That's a childish, greedy, pathetic attitude.

And Comparing us to barcelona is utterly laughable and i will mock that view forever.

[Chez]

I Thought about this, If he really wants out then he will have to put in good performances or nobody will come knocking for him.

 

fair point, but his annoyance at being priced out of a move might play on his mind. Personally I think he is absolute top notch and a (some would say) rediculous price tag of £10m is justified and we must hold out for it. I just don't think anyone is going to pay that, if they were they would have done it by now.

[Leicestersaint]

he should stay with us - at least until the new year - the ideal shop window in which he can perform.

[OldNick]

How do you mean? IMO his value to us is far more than he is actually worth on the transfer Market. That doesn't mean others would pay what we think he is worth though.

 

In the lowe years we had to get best Market value as we didn't have the financial clout to resist good offers. It's not the same now so I guess we can hold out for ridiculous offers.

i am not of the opinion that we are minted and can avoid selling.

I believe that if the owners were really keen to go up again, the transfer kitty may have been really used.

If we sell Ox and spend a few million of the fee then we have had a good deal. I have tired of having one man stars who take the focus away from team ethic

[The Majestic Channon]

i am not of the opinion that we are minted and can avoid selling.

I believe that if the owners were really keen to go up again, the transfer kitty may have been really used.

If we sell Ox and spend a few million of the fee then we have had a good deal. I have tired of having one man stars who take the focus away from team ethic

 

Of course the owners are keen to go up again, ridiculous comment. N.A. has already said he's confident 2 or maybe 3 additions will be enough , why replace more than that in a team oozing with condidence ? a settled side is better than starting again with half a new team taking time to get to know each other, N.A. knows what he's doing, relax.

[benjii]

He might struggle to make the team if de Ridder is **** hot. We'll see how many teams are willing to pay a fortune for him then. He really would be better advised to give his all this season, knowing that we will be under pressure to sell as he enters the final year of his contract. He's playing a dangerous game at the moment.

 

Having said that, if we refuse to sell I think he will knuckle down.

[S-Clarke]

Of course the owners are keen to go up again, ridiculous comment. N.A. has already said he's confident 2 or maybe 3 additions will be enough , why replace more than that in a team oozing with condidence ? a settled side is better than starting again with half a new team taking time to get to know each other, N.A. knows what he's doing, relax.

 

People on here live in the world of football manager, where you build a new team ever year. In reality, it's never like that - but it must mean we're skint.

[Raging Bull]

Of course the owners are keen to go up again, ridiculous comment. N.A. has already said he's confident 2 or maybe 3 additions will be enough , why replace more than that in a team oozing with condidence ? a settled side is better than starting again with half a new team taking time to get to know each other, N.A. knows what he's doing, relax.

 

couldn't agree more

[OldNick]

People on here live in the world of football manager, where you build a new team ever year. In reality, it's never like that - but it must mean we're skint.

 

You may have confidence that last years squad will get us up, i don't.

The difference in class of opposition will be immense.

If ML was still alive i strongly believe we would have spent some more.

I agree that you dont need to buy like Leicester but we are up against a lot of strong teams.

[S-Clarke]

You may have confidence that last years squad will get us up, i don't.

The difference in class of opposition will be immense.

If ML was still alive i strongly believe we would have spent some more.

I agree that you dont need to buy like Leicester but we are up against a lot of strong teams.

 

It's not about getting up this year though, we'll give it a good go but I won't loose sleep if we fail. We'll be stronger next year.

[Matthew Le God]

You may have confidence that last years squad will get us up, i don't.

The difference in class of opposition will be immense.

If ML was still alive i strongly believe we would have spent some more.

I agree that you dont need to buy like Leicester but we are up against a lot of strong teams.

 

"Immense" in the same way Norwich 2nd, Leeds, 7th and Millwall 8th found it "immense" after promotion from League One?

[CB Fry]

"Immense" in the same way Norwich 2nd, Leeds, 7th and Millwall 8th found it "immense" after promotion from League One?

 

we rarely agree but you're right here. If millwall can be solid top ten it's ridiculous to suggest we couldn't do at least as well. We'll be more than fine next season.

[OldNick]

"Immense" in the same way Norwich 2nd, Leeds, 7th and Millwall 8th found it "immense" after promotion from League One?

 

IMO the Championship is lot stronger than last season. The teams at the top will be pretty good compared to last.

[Matthew Le God]

IMO the Championship is lot stronger than last season. The teams at the top will be pretty good compared to last.

 

I'd say a number of top half teams have become weaker.

 

Cardiff, Burnley, Leeds, Birmingham, Millwall, Forest etc all have (or are in process of) lost some important players that haven't really been replaced with players of equal or better standard.

[Crazy Diamond]

You may have confidence that last years squad will get us up, i don't.

The difference in class of opposition will be immense.

If ML was still alive i strongly believe we would have spent some more.

I agree that you dont need to buy like Leicester but we are up against a lot of strong teams.

 

There is a MASSIVE difference, as Nigel Adkins has said himself.

 

Teams like Leicester are building a team from scratch. We are not.

[saintjay77]

Nice try, but it wasn't me who said if we weren't aiming for the champion's league 'we might as well give up then'. That's a childish, greedy, pathetic attitude.

And Comparing us to barcelona is utterly laughable and i will mock that view forever.

 

Do you just read bits and bobs then make up the bits in-between?

 

I said barca spent heavily on youth development and they are seeing the benefit. Why can't someone else do the same?

 

We are investing heavily in youth development and see that as the key to our future. Each time we reach an aim we will then aim higher. If we are not going to bother going for the top then why bother going for mediocre?

 

Realistic ambition right now is aim for the prem. What happens when we get there? Aim to stay there every year or aim for top half? What then? You can't seriously think any club only ever dreams of being somewhere in the middle while everyone around them is pushing for the top?

[saintjay77]

i am not of the opinion that we are minted and can avoid selling.

I believe that if the owners were really keen to go up again, the transfer kitty may have been really used.

If we sell Ox and spend a few million of the fee then we have had a good deal. I have tired of having one man stars who take the focus away from team ethic

 

I am not sure the current squad is capable of promotion this season. There were quite a few games last year where they struggled and life will be tougher now. But I think an assessment will be made over the 1st half if the season while considering that the people brought in last season were supposed to be in mind of being able to cut it in the championship too.

 

We still need to add to the defence IMO and would be surprised if we don't. But I'm confident we have a team that can compete at this level and should be looking towards a playoff place as a target.

 

I do think financially we are in a position where we can afford to play hardball though. If it looks like we need the money then we are more likely to cave in. But current situation gives the impression that us caving in is the last thing that will happen. IMO

[georgeweahscousin]

I have a hunch that this will all backfire on AOC. I think Arsenal won't meet what we want, and no one else will bid. AOC will be a Saints player when the window shuts, and face having until January to prove himself again with a manager who might think twice about starting him and a team that has more competition on the right wing. We could find ourselves stuck with Puncheon at this rate too.