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Saints sign Danny Fox - OS


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http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2417072,00.html

 

Saints have completed the signing of defender Danny Fox from Burnley on a four year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Fox boasts a wealth of top flight experience having played in both the English and Scottish Premier Leagues.

The 25 year-old is a versatile addition to the squad, as he is comfortable on the left side of defence and midfield.

Cheshire-born Fox started his career with Everton before moving on to Walsall in 2005, playing over 100 games and helping the Saddlers to the League Two title in 2006/07.

A move to Coventry in January 2008 saw him make his reputation of being one of the best young defenders in the Championship, which prompted Scottish giants Celtic to pay £1.5million for his services.

Danny was then handed an opportunity to play in the Premier League with Burnley, where he made 14 appearances in the top division for the Clarets alongside Saints' recent signing, Jack Cork.

 

Last season, Fox was a key figure in Burnley's push for the play-offs, and he also started both of the Lancashire side's opening games this term in league and cup.

Although born in England, Danny qualifies to play for Scotland due to having a Scottish grandfather. He was awarded his first full cap by former Saints boss George Burley in a 3-0 defeat to Wales at Cardiff in November, 2009.

Subject to Football League clearance, Fox will be available for selection for this weekend's game at Barnsley.

Danny Fox commented:

"I'm made up to be here, and for a club as big as Southampton to be interested in me is very flattering. The first I heard of it was yesterday afternoon. I played 120 minutes for Burnley on Tuesday night against Burton Albion, and I was going to be heading to training there this morning, but I couldn't get down here quick enough to be honest. I drove down here with my dad last night, and it's been a bit of a whirlwind, but I'm delighted to be here.

"As soon as I found out of the interest I spoke to Jack Cork who was on loan at Burnley last year, and he couldn't speak highly enough of the club and of the manager and the players too. There's a good squad here, and I think it's very together at the same time, which I think bodes well for us to have a good season.

"It's about the size of the club as well. It's a Premier League club in the Championship. The Chairman's got ambitions which match mine, and I want to be a part of something special here."

Nigel Adkins said:

"Danny is an experienced player, having played in the Premier League and the SPL with Celtic, and he's very talented.

"He is a tenacious tackler and has got real ability on the football along with great set play delivery. He has experienced the Premier League with Burnley, and has been at good football clubs like Celtic and Everton as a youngster, and he is still at a very good age.

"We have also got Dan Harding, who plays in his position and Ryan Dickson, so we have got great competition for places. As we saw with the signing of Jack Cork, the midfield players of Dean Hammond, Morgan Schneiderlin and Richard Chaplow have all upped their game, which is great for this football club."

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Another left back! Lallana is our left midfielder, so perhaps Adkins doesn't see Harding or Dickson as good enough? Would have rather seen a CB on CF signed, but can't moan too much as think he's a decent player.

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"We have also got Dan Harding, who plays in his position and Ryan Dickson, so we have got great competition for places"

From Adkins - obviously sees him as a left back then. Good player, but and odd signing - i'd try and sell one of Harding or Dickson now.

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Another left back! Lallana is our left midfielder, so perhaps Adkins doesn't see Harding or Dickson as good enough? Would have rather seen a CB on CF signed, but can't moan too much as think he's a decent player.

 

Agree with you, not sure I'd have prioritised LB over the other two poisitions. But then NA did comment that there were deals still in place, so maybe the first of two or three. Fourth Official on twitter is still saying Maynard is on his way, I just would really like to see a Jaidi-type replacement to play alongside Fonte.

 

i think Dickson's days are numbered; couldn't displace Harding last term, hasn't looked all that sharp this season. Now third in line, and with Ben Reeves also coming through.

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Not Maynard then..

 

A Claret friend of mine seems pretty devestated, said he was top quality, so pretty pleased with that.

 

Still, not really sure why Adkins is going for another LB when other places are more in need of replacements, but I'm far from complaining.

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Another left back! Lallana is our left midfielder, so perhaps Adkins doesn't see Harding or Dickson as good enough? Would have rather seen a CB on CF signed, but can't moan too much as think he's a decent player.

 

IMO Lallana is equally good on the right.

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Probably on my own on this one and to be entirely honest I don't know enough about the lad, but just strikes me as a bit of a strange signing, would have thought we'd have had greater priorities. I assume he'll be our first choice left-back now? Can't see him being bought for or agreeing to come to be on the bench/a squad player. Feel a bit for both Harding and Dickson, two good lads taht give 100%, but maybe neither are quite up to the best the Championship has to offer?

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Also' date=' just because we have signed a lb first, doesn't mean he was top of our priorities list, just means his was the easiest deal to conclude.[/quote']

 

Given how eager he seems in his interview, that makes sense. If the Maynard thing is true he's got a number of options to weigh up.

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Good signing, clearly capable of playing at the next level and young(ish) seems to be a template there

 

I like Harding & I think Dickson is a decent player but clearly Fox is better than that and will imprive the team.

 

Left side now looked very strong "Squad Wise" as cover for the FB & Lallana, now I think we have a strong first choice.

 

Expect Fish to move on and maybe one of Harding Holmes & Dickson

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No reason why Dickson couldn't be backup on the left-wing' date=' especially if Puncheon goes. Can't assume Holmes will always be fit as a backup.[/quote']

 

Hmm, doubt it. We now have Harding and Fox for LB, plus Lallana, Fox, Holmes and Forte on board for LM who all seem to be ahead of Dickson in the pecking order.

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Hmm. Was on a burnley forum last week and they were slating him (not talkig about us, just talking about their opening game.) hope he can prove them wrong!

 

Got the same impression - burnley fans said that he didn't have the pace to hack in the premiership (might have coincided with him settling at the club), though he had a much better season in the NPC. They also said that he's better going forward than defending which, if he is going to be used as LB, is a slight concern. But I completely trust Nige.

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Probably on my own on this one and to be entirely honest I don't know enough about the lad, but just strikes me as a bit of a strange signing, would have thought we'd have had greater priorities. I assume he'll be our first choice left-back now? Can't see him being bought for or agreeing to come to be on the bench/a squad player. Feel a bit for both Harding and Dickson, two good lads taht give 100%, but maybe neither are quite up to the best the Championship has to offer?

 

Agree- if anything RB seems a weaker position than LB.

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Probably on my own on this one and to be entirely honest I don't know enough about the lad, but just strikes me as a bit of a strange signing, would have thought we'd have had greater priorities. I assume he'll be our first choice left-back now? Can't see him being bought for or agreeing to come to be on the bench/a squad player. Feel a bit for both Harding and Dickson, two good lads taht give 100%, but maybe neither are quite up to the best the Championship has to offer?

 

I don't think Harding or Dickson are up to it at Championship level. Remember Leeds also got rid of Harding when they were promoted back up. I've been saying all summer we needed a left back, centre back, centre midfielder, striker and a winger if AOC left. We've ticked nearly all of them off the list and sounds as if it's just a matter of time before a CB and striker are added. So I'm more than happy with this signing and all the other deals we've done this summer.

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Three LBs seems about correct so do we have Fish for sale? Harding is a capable player but this does look like a team strengthening and so is definitely a welcome move. No reason to think it closes off other moves, and if anything confirms the willingness to spend the Chamberlain money. CB and Striker, please, ideally in time to play against Ipswich and Leicester.

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