Lack of quality activity...

[S-Clarke]

He plays in the UAE. He had two seasons in Serie B after leaving us, with a decent goal scoring rate (15 in 40 appearances for Ascoli in season 2011-12).

 

Didn't realise he moved there, thought he'd moved to the lower divisions in Italy.

 

Still, he was a part of our success, however small, and although frustrating he was a good laugh to watch...!

[The9]

I'm pretty certain that if we'd had a 50% failure rate on transfers over the past 3 seasons, then we wouldn't be in the PL right now. Therefore our signings have been mainly successes. That's surely the only statistic which needs to be thrown his way to prove his argument as flawed rubbish.

 

To be fair it never stopped Redknapp.

 

Well, that once in 2005...

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

I readily agree it's a crude method, but even with his own criteria and including short term specific purpose loans he's not managed to get to the 50% failure rate he suggested earlier.

 

Maybe 50% was a little ambitious, and I apologise for that, but even if 70% were succesful, that still means that 2 of 6 signings would fail. And frankly, we cannot afford for that to be the 2 CB's.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I don't remember anyone regretting having Forte in the squad after scoring the 2 goals against the MK Dons. Means nothing

 

It's neither fair nor useful to lump Jonathon Forte in with better players such as Antonio or Papa Waigo. If I recall correctly those points Forte helped secure did mean something at the time.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

It's neither fair nor useful to lump Jonathon Forte in with better players such as Antonio or Papa Waigo. If I recall correctly those points Forte helped secure did mean something at the time.

 

For me those are the 2 most important goals that have been scored in the Liebherr era. I know they meant something

 

By saying 'Means nothing' I meant you saying that people didn't regret having them in the JPT team. Of course not, but earlier in the Season when they spent all their time offside, I bet people did.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

I gather NC is on holiday now for a fortnight which means nothing is imminent transfer wise.

[The Kraken]

I gather NC is on holiday now for a fortnight which means nothing is imminent transfer wise.

 

Not necessarily. By all accounts Les Reed handled all the negotiations in the Clyne deal.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Not necessarily. By all accounts Les Reed handled all the negotiations in the Clyne deal.

 

Yes just because NC is not at his desk does not mean things won't happen but the chain just gets longer.

[The Kraken]

Yes just because NC is not at his desk does not mean things won't happen but the chain just gets longer.

The main thing that strikes me is that there isn't even a chain at the moment. After a flurry of being linked with players and making signings its all gone very quite in the last 2 or 3 weeks. The Olympics effect is not to be discounted, of course, but its notable that we're not being linked with players in the press right now. Hopefully this will change fairly quickly, it would be great to have the new players in well before the start of the season.

[The9]

Obviously as we secretly signed Butland before the Olympics... Um... Anyway...

[Turkish]

This thread is hilarious. Our forum hardman DPS has got me on ignore because apprantly I talk boll*x, irony alert.

[alpine_saint]

Gone very, very, VERY quiet..............

 

Troubling. Our defence isnt up to the job, imo.

 

[stanthemanfairoak]

Gone very, very, VERY quiet..............

 

Troubling. Our defence isnt up to the job, imo.

 

don`t think anyone wants to deal with NC imo.

[skintsaint]

Looking at the bigger picture the whole of the Prem is quiet though so I wouldnt panic too much yet. Norwich, Swansea and Wigan have far worse defences than ours on paper, luckily the game isnt played on paper.

[david in sweden]

Is anybody slightly worried at the quality of footballers we're being linked with? Personally the players we've bought are alright, but I yhink they're lacking in real quality, even compared to mid table Prem teams. Players like Scott Dann for instance. We need to be aiming higher than poor Premiership players who had one lucky season sat in a 10-0-0 formation. I wonder if we're struggling to attract players due to the amount of money we're willing to spend/pay in wages, or due to Adkins not being a big name draw? Anyone else a little worried?

 

I've gone back to yr.#1 post (as the thread seems to have drifted off the subject) and ask myself .....what is yr. definition of ...QUALITY? Does that mean spending a LOT of money ?

 

Do you mean ...an experienced Prem./former Prem. player........with a record of games. Is 50, or 100 games enough? ....or more ?

 

If not a regular with a Prem. side ..does that mean he's not upto it ? ....or a player from one of the relegated sides ....and were they part responsible for the clubs relegation?.

 

Are we expected to bid for an established Prem. player from an existing side (?)...and at what price?..... when the likes of Blackburn, Wolves, and Brum are quoting ridiculous fees (everyone has a price).

 

in short, QUALITY is down to the right player WCDAJFU ....regardless / or despite their previous clubs success / failures.

 

Getting players with talent, and further honing their skills to fit "our formation " seems to be the no.1 criteria.... regardless / irrespective of past performance.

 

I won't start a list here now, but quite a number of players have met that criteria in the recent past and didn't cost us an arm and a leg either......

Edited 7 August, 2012 by david in sweden

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

 

I've gone back to yr.#1 post (as the thread seems to have drifted off the subject) and ask myself .....what is yr. definition of ...QUALITY? Does that mean spending a LOT of money ?

 

Do you mean ...an experienced Prem./former Prem. player........with a record of games. Is 50, or 100 games enough? ....or more ?

 

If not a regular with a Prem. side ..does that mean he's not upto it ? ....or a player from one of the relegated sides ....and were they part responsible for the clubs relegation?.

 

Are we expected to bid for an established Prem. player from an existing side (?)...and at what price?..... when the likes of Blackburn, Wolves, and Brum are quoting ridiculous fees (everyone has a price).

 

in short, QUALITY is down to the right player WCDAJFU ....regardless / or despite their previous clubs success / failures.

 

Getting players with talent, and further honing their skills to fit "our formation " seems to be the no.1 criteria.... regardless / irrespective of past performance.

 

I won't start a list here now, but quite a number of players have met that criteria in the recent past and didn't cost us an arm and a leg either......

 

I'm definitely not saying spend a lot of money, and I have named a number of affordable options that have been linked with teams or moved to other teams whuch are reasonably priced but also have the required qualities that we need.

[The Kraken]

Anyway chill out. We'll spend it we can and if it's worth it. If you want us to spend what we can't afford, go and support Portsmouth, while you can anyway.

 

We'll sign 1 or 2 after the season starts, in January too. That's football. If we do well it'll be 'now's the time to strengthen' and if we do badly it'll be 'must change things and bring in more quality'. People love signings and change. I just don't know what stressing about it actually does unless you're involved in the transfer/scouting process in some way.

 

But what do I know. Every time someone suggests we go after some tool on about 60k a week I just feel slightly ridiculous for being a football supporter.

 

You often get a bee in your bonnet about "where are the signings threads", and fairly often rightly so. But in this case I think you're skimming over the facts. We had a deal for a left back fall through, and in addition the manager had also said he wants to bring in a CB or two and a wide player. The manager also said he wants to do that before the season starts, and the big kick off is rapidly approaching.

 

I don't see too much evidence of massive stressing on anyone's behalf, other than suggesting that its getting less and less likely that we'll achieve the manager's stated ambition of bringing in those players before the big kick off. If the manager has set an objective then its clear he's done that for a purpose, that he doesn't consider the current first team as good enough for purpose. And its only natural that his comments will get tracked to see if he can achieve the objective of bringing players in on time.

 

Still time yet; I think we'll see at least 1 player before k.o., hopefully 2. So we'll see. But all people are doing is judging NA by his own statements and ambition, and I don't see a need to change the goalposts from that to potentially strengthening after the season starts or in January, that's not what NA said he wants to do.

[DJ_TOAST]

I have to say it is a little worrying, we are 2 weeks away and the team is not quite strong enough yet. Any news players are going to need time to fit and gel with the team and at this rate it ain't gona happen.

[Saint86]

Maybe 50% was a little ambitious, and I apologise for that, but even if 70% were succesful, that still means that 2 of 6 signings would fail. And frankly, we cannot afford for that to be the 2 CB's.

 

Wait what? Go back in to school and discover fractions and percentages. Then post statistical analysis - may be more readily accepted.

[St.Patrik]

This bloke predicts us last just because lack of signings....http://footballblog.co.uk/norwich-city-aston-villa-southampton-relegated-premier-league-predictions-201213.html

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Wait what? Go back in to school and discover fractions and percentages. Then post statistical analysis - may be more readily accepted.

 

Are you quibbling over 3.33%? Seriously? I used more rounded numbers to help people out who may not be as good with Maths.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Another couple of cheap but good quality players in Michael Kightly (RW) and Sebastien Boenisch (LB) going to Stoke, along with Geoff Cameron (CB).

 

These should be the type of players we're looking at.

[Thedelldays]

Another couple of cheap but good quality players in Michael Kightly (RW) and Sebastien Boenisch (LB) going to Stoke, along with Geoff Cameron (CB).

 

These should be the type of players we're looking at.

 

Not the likes of sigurdsson?

Changed your expectations a little!

[St_Tel49]

Another couple of cheap but good quality players in Michael Kightly (RW) and Sebastien Boenisch (LB) going to Stoke, along with Geoff Cameron (CB).

 

These should be the type of players we're looking at.

Clearly Nigel and his team don't agree!

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Not the likes of sigurdsson?

Changed your expectations a little!

 

I said Sigurddson, you said Victor Moses. Before Rogers left Sigurddson was going to Swansea. I also said Hoillett, who you said was off to United, or Bayern, or Borussia Moechenblahblah. He went to QPR. QPR who only just stayed up last season.

 

My expectations have not changed, but I don't know if you have noticed but both Sigurddson and Hoillett are not available any longer. M'kay.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Clearly Nigel and his team don't agree!

 

I agree, they obviously don't, but I've been asked to identify cheap, quality players, so I'm just doing that.

[david in sweden]

I agree, they obviously don't, but I've been asked to identify cheap, quality players, so I'm just doing that.

 

who asked that?

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

And now NA isn't even commenting on transfers. Something has gone very wrong I think.

[Saint Charlie]

And now NA isn't even commenting on transfers. Something has gone very wrong I think.

 

He wasn't asked about them.

 

Don't be hysterical.

[PaulGilchrist_76]

No money spent until the new owners are in place? New manager to have his own transfer targets?

[S-Clarke]

Jeez. Start the season already

[The Kraken]

No money spent until the new owners are in place? New manager to have his own transfer targets?

 

Do you mean apart from the £10M+ spent already? Or just new money spent?

[InvictaSaint]

Is it just me, or has this forum really gone downhill in recent months?

[PaulGilchrist_76]

Adkins + Cortese = lots of talk about being ambitious, new stadium, European football etc. Actuality = signing some lower league and SPL players.

[Saint Charlie]

Is it just me, or has this forum really gone downhill in recent months?

 

A lot of people with too high expectations who have odd opinions that cannot be backed up with any kind of facts and don't like it when people point out they are being ridiculous.

 

It always goes like this during the summer though, even if we brought in Messi and Ronaldo we would still be short in defence.

[S-Clarke]

Adkins + Cortese = lots of talk about being ambitious, new stadium, European football etc. Actuality = signing some lower league and SPL players.

 

This is what I knew would happen. People had their expectations too high from word go. For a club of our current position and stature our signings have been excellent.

 

If you wanted better, name names, otherwise it's a non-argument

[alpine_saint]

This is what I knew would happen. People had their expectations too high from word go. For a club of our current position and stature our signings have been excellent.

 

If you wanted better, name names, otherwise it's a non-argument

 

Maybe, but our summers transfer activity is starting to look very underwhelming. Its utterly bizarre that our central defence issues have not been addressed, especially as Fonte has been making mistakes in the pre-season matches again.

[S-Clarke]

Maybe, but our summers transfer activity is starting to look very underwhelming. Its utterly bizarre that our central defence issues have not been addressed, especially as Fonte has been making mistakes in the pre-season matches again.

 

You cannot make a statement like that until August 31'st has been and gone.

[Saint Charlie]

Maybe, but our summers transfer activity is starting to look very underwhelming. Its utterly bizarre that our central defence issues have not been addressed, especially as Fonte has been making mistakes in the pre-season matches again.

 

I do agree with this - especially seeing as we let Martin go out on loan - I then expected a CB to join soon after.

 

I think anyone not happy with the quality of the signings is unrealistic and probably doesn't understand football a lot (certainly hasnt taken any notice of Saints transfer policy in the last 3 years)

 

But its fair to question why the CB situation has been left how it is and if we had a fans forum I would like to hear the answer.

 

It is fair to say that if we brought in a CB that we are as happy with as when we signed JR or Clyne (not necessarily similar profile, just the feeling about the signing) then most of the Forum apart from the few Mongs/WUMS would be happy.

 

Similarly the wide attacker/midfielder poosition where we have been lacking on the right since AOC left.

[S-Clarke]

I do agree with this - especially seeing as we let Martin go out on loan - I then expected a CB to join soon after.

 

I think anyone not happy with the quality of the signings is unrealistic and probably doesn't understand football a lot (certainly hasnt taken any notice of Saints transfer policy in the last 3 years)

 

But its fair to question why the CB situation has been left how it is and if we had a fans forum I would like to hear the answer.

 

Ist fair to say that if we brought in a CB that we are as happy with as when we signed JR or Clyne (not necessarily simialr profile, just the feeling about the signing) then most of the Forum apart from the few Mongs/WUMS would be happy.

Similarly the wide attacker/midfielder poosition where we have been lacking on the right since AOC left.

 

We are clearly looking though, but we have specific requirements. If we wanted any old CB to fill the void we'd have had 2 by now, but I'm pretty sure we'll looking for that specific quality within a budget. I imagine we also know who we want, but times in the transfer window are often a waiting game. (agents, players, the selling club).

 

Some fans have the football manager mindset, in that it's as easy as making a bid, the club accepting, and the deal is done. People don't realise how much goes into a transfer, especially big multi-million pound ones. Then when ou have to deal with random third party's demanding money, it can all get very complicated.

 

We're not the only club finding it difficult this summer, and we've actually signed more than most already anyway.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

This is what I knew would happen. People had their expectations too high from word go. For a club of our current position and stature our signings have been excellent.

 

If you wanted better, name names, otherwise it's a non-argument

 

To be fair this thread is littered with names, it just seems that the people asking are ignoring them. Seems pointless to produce the same list page after page.

[Saint Charlie]

We are clearly looking though, but we have specific requirements. If we wanted any old CB to fill the void we'd have had 2 by now, but I'm pretty sure we'll looking for that specific quality within a budget. I imagine we also know who we want, but times in the transfer window are often a waiting game. (agents, players, the selling club).

 

Some fans have the football manager mindset, in that it's as easy as making a bid, the club accepting, and the deal is done. People don't realise how much goes into a transfer, especially big multi-million pound ones. Then when ou have to deal with random third party's demanding money, it can all get very complicated.

 

We're not the only club finding it difficult this summer, and we've actually signed more than most already anyway.

 

 

Agree with this mostly - its just frustrating with the CB position as we are so bare there is zero competition in there.

 

Out wide we have some options and need to supplement them but if its done on the last day that is fine.

 

What will annoy everyone is if we get a CB on the last day who doesn't seem to have great pedigree a la Hooiveld. Then we just have to hope it turns out ok.

 

I am confident they have targets like you said - but this Forum will be in meltdown if the above happens. Dibden Purlieu Saint will rule the WUM Kingdom he has created!

[Saint Charlie]

To be fair this thread is littered with names, it just seems that the people asking are ignoring them. Seems pointless to produce the same list page after page.

 

The list you gave wasn't great to be fair.

[S-Clarke]

To be fair this thread is littered with names, it just seems that the people asking are ignoring them. Seems pointless to produce the same list page after page.

 

If it was the list you posted, it wasn't great. I think we want better, that may be the delay.

[david in sweden]

I do agree with this - especially seeing as we let Martin go out on loan - I then expected a CB to join soon after.

I think anyone not happy with the quality of the signings is unrealistic and probably doesn't understand football a lot (certainly hasnt taken any notice of Saints transfer policy in the last 3 years)

But its fair to question why the CB situation has been left how it is and if we had a fans forum I would like to hear the answer.

It is fair to say that if we brought in a CB that we are as happy with as when we signed JR or Clyne (not necessarily similar profile, just the feeling about the signing) then most of the Forum apart from the few Mongs/WUMS would be happy.

Similarly the wide attacker/midfielder poosition where we have been lacking on the right since AOC left.

 

 

FWIW .... I agree with both of you .... but I am equally convinced that NA has his " wish list " for CBs (as well as other positions), but for one reason or another... none have come on board - at present.

 

Naturally, it can be for a number of reasons. The club won't sell, or if they are willing - they are asking a ridiculous price for an over-rated player, or indeed if the player doesn't want to come...or, maybe on closer inspection, he isn't the right article (for us)

 

Last season started with Fonte and Martin, but with Jaidi still injured and then.... the " Seaborne Incident " we were down to basics. Whether by chance or design, Jos H. was surely a much bigger success than most people thought (especially Celtic fans).

 

Now we are in the same situation. I hope to see Aaron Martin back next season as a more-experienced and polished player, but in the meantime we need two names to be in readiness.

 

I'm sure that NA hasn't ignored the issue, but timing with transfers (as we have often seen in the past)... isn't always something that can be measured on a clock - but a calendar.

Edited 8 August, 2012 by david in sweden

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

A lot of people with too high expectations who have odd opinions that cannot be backed up with any kind of facts and don't like it when people point out they are being ridiculous.

 

It always goes like this during the summer though, even if we brought in Messi and Ronaldo we would still be short in defence.

 

 

When I have been asked to privide info, names etc, I have done, and I haven't been abusive about it. All people like you and S-Clarke are doing are digging your heels in, putting your fingers in your ears and shouting 'la, la, la, I can't hear you'. I counter that if you believe the players we have bought so far would suffice to get us challenging for Europe, as we were told that was the aim, then you sir are the ridiculous one.

[S-Clarke]

Agree with this mostly - its just frustrating with the CB position as we are so bare there is zero competition in there.

 

Out wide we have some options and need to supplement them but if its done on the last day that is fine.

 

What will annoy everyone is if we get a CB on the last day who doesn't seem to have great pedigree a la Hooiveld. Then we just have to hope it turns out ok.

 

I am confident they have targets like you said - but this Forum will be in meltdown if the above happens. Dibden Purlieu Saint will rule the WUM Kingdom he has created!

 

You'd think we've learnt our lesson from the Jos signing though! I expect we scouted him for a while, I doubt he was a last minute signing as such as I expect we'd done alot of previous work on him.

 

Our scouts have picked out some great players, so pretty sure they can do the same again.

[Saint Charlie]

When I have been asked to privide info, names etc, I have done, and I haven't been abusive about it. All people like you and S-Clarke are doing are digging your heels in, putting your fingers in your ears and shouting 'la, la, la, I can't hear you'. I counter that if you believe the players we have bought so far would suffice to get us challenging for Europe, as we were told that was the aim, then you sir are the ridiculous one.

 

I commented on every player you listed - hardly fingers in ears?

 

The fact is you make the point that the players we have signed are not of the required quality, and then suggest alternatives who are no better and in many cases worse.

 

At the end of the day we need to judge what the squad is like on the 1st Sept. if we havent added I will take your point.

 

Plus - I have never said the signings we have got are good enough for Europe - they are not. Europe is not the aim for this season for me. I am happy that Clyne, JR and Davis (who has played in the Champions league incidently) are good players who will improve us.

 

if you are basing your view of the signings on Europe then I agree they arent good enough. But if you were doing that then the players you suggest as signings are equally nowhere near that class either.

Edited 8 August, 2012 by Saint Charlie

[PaulGilchrist_76]

This is what I knew would happen. People had their expectations too high from word go. For a club of our current position and stature our signings have been excellent.

 

If you wanted better, name names, otherwise it's a non-argument

 

Quite possibly, but these expectations have been fuelled by none other than Cortese himself. Should we have disbelieved him?

 

I would have to agree with the majority view that our failure to secure a quality CB by now does seem really odd and I can only assume we have had a lot of bad luck. I think it was Pilchards who said that a player was given 5 days to consider his decision to join the club and a further 5 day tour of Southampton. If this is true, this gives the player a long time in which to change his mind!

 

I think it was better in the olden days when a Cloughie or McMenemy would lock a player in the office until he signed up! These days I suppose you would have to lock up the player's agent and advisors as well!

 

In any event, our tranfer policy will ultimately be judged by where we finish in the coming season.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Agree with this mostly - its just frustrating with the CB position as we are so bare there is zero competition in there.

 

Out wide we have some options and need to supplement them but if its done on the last day that is fine.

 

What will annoy everyone is if we get a CB on the last day who doesn't seem to have great pedigree a la Hooiveld. Then we just have to hope it turns out ok.

 

I am confident they have targets like you said - but this Forum will be in meltdown if the above happens. Dibden Purlieu Saint will rule the WUM Kingdom he has created!

 

Erm, since when am I a WUM? Just because you don't agree with what I am saying, which is pretty reasonable I feel, I am labelled a WUM. I would suggest it is people like you who cannot see in shades of grey that is spoiling this forum.