Halo Stickman Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 It’s November 13, you wake up and find yourself to be the new Southampton manager. It must be your lucky day because the moment you settle at your new desk a fellow premiership manager calls to offer you a CB and LB in the upcoming January window. Both have loads of premiership experience and both have been England squad players. Although they’re now in their early 30s they both have a couple of good seasons left in them. But, there’s a catch: he wants Gaston Ramirez in return. He says he will ring back in ten minutes for your decision. You ring the club’s backers to discuss the deal; they tell you it’s your call, but also take this opportunity to break the news that they will not be providing funds for further transfers in January. So this deal is the only one on the table, the only other option available is to play out the season with the existing squad. You’re well aware that a couple of decent defenders is just what the club needs right now but you keep thinking that by January our existing defence might have sorted itself out and Gaston might be proving himself to be the world-beater many have predicted. The phone rings; it’s your new premiership manager mate. In his best impersonation of an irritating bearded gnome he asks: ‘Deal or No Deal’ What is your reply? PS. I know I could have simply just asked if you would swap Ramirez for a couple of decent defenders, but, hey, just once, indulge me this painted scenario! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 No deal. I'd rather sell Gaston and use that money to buy younger LB and CB. You're basically saying would I buy a LB and CB in their 30's for 6m+ each. No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 No deal. I'd rather sell Gaston and use that money to buy younger LB and CB. You're basically saying would I buy a LB and CB in their 30's for 6m+ each. No. Gaston's value has probably dropped already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatch Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 Gastons a pretty boy, could be the new Beckham, sell him to Madrid for £40m in 1.5 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 Thank you Mr Banker but....No deal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 (edited) It’s November 13, you wake up and find yourself to be the new Southampton manager. It must be your lucky day because the moment you settle at your new desk a fellow premiership manager calls to offer you a CB and LB in the upcoming January window. Both have loads of premiership experience and both have been England squad players. Although they’re now in their early 30s they both have a couple of good seasons left in them. But, there’s a catch: he wants Gaston Ramirez in return. He says he will ring back in ten minutes for your decision. You ring the club’s backers to discuss the deal; they tell you it’s your call, but also take this opportunity to break the news that they will not be providing funds for further transfers in January. So this deal is the only one on the table, the only other option available is to play out the season with the existing squad. You’re well aware that a couple of decent defenders is just what the club needs right now but you keep thinking that by January our existing defence might have sorted itself out and Gaston might be proving himself to be the world-beater many have predicted. The phone rings; it’s your new premiership manager mate. In his best impersonation of an irritating bearded gnome he asks: ‘Deal or No Deal’ What is your reply? PS. I know I could have simply just asked if you would swap Ramirez for a couple of decent defenders, but, hey, just once, indulge me this painted scenario! Rip his hand off. Those CBs could save us and give us a share of the new PL pot. That would more than cover a new Ramirez and a couple of younger defenders now with time to learn their trade because of the older CBs just acquired. And leave plenty to spare. Edited 13 November, 2012 by alpine_saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 It would depend who they are. I would assume that if they were trying to offload them though that they are over the hill. Therefore, no. No certainty that these players would be an improvement or be certain of survival, if it was a swap of Gaston for safety it's a no brainer, but it doesn't work like that. Also, this left back may be an extremely short term option in the position and may even stifle the development of Shaw if he deprives him of game time. Gaston will hold his value if he can reproduce some of the form shown in the Villa game.... if Matt Jarvis costs 10 million and Steven Fletcher 12-14 million, we will at least get our money back (wages notwithstanding.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_sinner Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 sounds better than the shearer deal! Dave Speedy, Kerry Dixon + 2 million & no sell on clause! Genius! Does branfoot ever look back and laugh as to how stupid he was/is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 Would the hypothetical CB be this chap...? http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8245552/Rio-Ferdinand-will-make-a-decision-on-his-Manchester-United-future-at-Christmas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 Would the hypothetical CB be this chap...? http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8245552/Rio-Ferdinand-will-make-a-decision-on-his-Manchester-United-future-at-Christmas Wouldnt want that trouble-maker within a million miles of SMS. OK, I know Manchester is only 250miles away.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 I think its similar to the discussion I heard about Zaha at Palace. Which went along the lines of - they could sell him for perhaps as much as £20M in January; or if they have any chance at all of promotion, do whatever they need to do to keep him and get promoted. Then even if they finish bottom of the Prem, it will be worth maybe £60M in revenue and so Zaha's reduced value will be well worth it. All hinges on the quality of the defenders for me. If they would make a real difference, then yes as we could replace Ramirez with next year's TV cash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West End Saint Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 The question should be why the people running our club decided to buy gaston Jay Rod & Mayuka when everybody was aware we needed a decent back 4 & a quality keeper the money we spent on these players would have funded some top top quality defenders & keeper & we would not have the problems we now face. I would glady sell all 3 in Jan if we could get in the quality replacements in defence & in goal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max_saints Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 is this the latest challenge on the fm13 challenge mode? no deal until i know the identities of these two mysterious defenders in this shady deal. imo upson and warnock for ramirez is not worth it at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fan CaM Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 Tough one - assuming the defenders were not worth £6m each then no deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 It’s November 13, you wake up and find yourself to be the new Southampton manager.QUOTE] one of the most " extreme " threads to come out so far this season, but the real question is not all about what you (as a new manger) would do after January 1st, but surely .....what team are you going to pick (injuries permitting) in the 10 games between then and now? You must surely have some new ideas... or you wouldn't have started such a thread. I'd be interested to see your suggested line-up? ......starting with the QPR game - given that we can't sign any new players till after the New Year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stain Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 It’s November 13, you wake up and find yourself to be the new Southampton manager. It must be your lucky day because the moment you settle at your new desk a fellow premiership manager calls to offer you a CB and LB in the upcoming January window. Both have loads of premiership experience and both have been England squad players. Although they’re now in their early 30s they both have a couple of good seasons left in them. But, there’s a catch: he wants Gaston Ramirez in return. He says he will ring back in ten minutes for your decision. You ring the club’s backers to discuss the deal; they tell you it’s your call, but also take this opportunity to break the news that they will not be providing funds for further transfers in January. So this deal is the only one on the table, the only other option available is to play out the season with the existing squad. You’re well aware that a couple of decent defenders is just what the club needs right now but you keep thinking that by January our existing defence might have sorted itself out and Gaston might be proving himself to be the world-beater many have predicted. The phone rings; it’s your new premiership manager mate. In his best impersonation of an irritating bearded gnome he asks: ‘Deal or No Deal’ What is your reply? PS. I know I could have simply just asked if you would swap Ramirez for a couple of decent defenders, but, hey, just once, indulge me this painted scenario! Do I have a track suit with my initials on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halo Stickman Posted 13 November, 2012 Author Share Posted 13 November, 2012 what you (as a new manger) would do after January 1st,[/b] but surely .....what team are you going to pick (injuries permitting) in the 10 games between then and now? You must surely have some new ideas... or you wouldn't have started such a thread. I'd be interested to see your suggested line-up? ......starting with the QPR game - given that we can't sign any new players till after the New Year. David, I think you’ve missed the point of my original post. I presented that scenario to try to gauge people’s judgement from what they’ve seen so far of Gaston Ramirez -albeit a very limited number of appearances and the last two coming back from injury - and also of our defence; I’m interested in whether or not people see hope for out existing back four and, if not, what price they would be prepared to pay to improve it. Would sacrificing Ramirez be a price too high? I could have asked whether people would swap Ramirez for 2 defenders that would guarantee survival but, of course, that wouldn’t have been realistic because there are no 2 defenders that could afford us that guarantee. I’m sure you will agree that an important part of a manager’s role is judgement; there is rarely – if ever - such a thing as certainty in football. I’m simply offering a chance for others to make judgements - based on the limited evidence available and without the benefit of hindsight (rather like a football scout or manager has to do) – on our squad and the immediate future. But to answer your question – which I think has been asked on countless other threads – the team I would play over the coming weeks is the one which played last Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miltonaggro Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 Do nothing. I would rely on my legendary motivational skills with the current squad... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted 13 November, 2012 Share Posted 13 November, 2012 From what I've seen of Ramirez, he is class. I would rather build a side around him. We wouldn't have swapped Le Tissier, would we? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 14 November, 2012 Share Posted 14 November, 2012 David, I think you’ve missed the point of my original post. I presented that scenario to try to gauge people’s judgement from what they’ve seen so far of Gaston Ramirez -albeit a very limited number of appearances and the last two coming back from injury - and also of our defence; I’m interested in whether or not people see hope for out existing back four and, if not, what price they would be prepared to pay to improve it. Would sacrificing Ramirez be a price too high? QUOTE] Sorry, but it's all a bit too far fetched for me. I think that Ramirez would be the last player we'd want to sell Better to try and get some others with equal talents. I don't think that any of the three CB's have a shelf life beyond May, (although it's a bit tough on Yoshida) who has still to play a proper CB role with a good partner. I'd firmly tell the (other manager) NO (though not so politely) and look elsewhere, especially in view of the fact that the number of current/former England defenders ...who would be worth getting (and likely to be released by their clubs in the near future)...could be counted in one thumb! We certainly will need to buy more defenders in January. TWO more CB's please plus a left back and the most reliable EXPERIENCED goalie available. We certainly won't spend another £30 million, but I think Cortese is too shrewd to let the £60 million TV money slip away now because of a money question. Don't anyone complain about the size of the present squad, they'll be an enormous clear-out sale in May, and I expect us to survive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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