So... looking unlikely to make any further transfers - what do you think?

[alpine_saint]

Yep, as per usual some posters have got utterly carried away following a couple of good results against big clubs, down to the team raising their game above its usual level.

 

Lee and Mayuka are looking like a waste of money. The jury is still out on J-Rod for me. Davis (personally prefer Chaplow) and DeRidder arent good enough. We have competitivie midfield and attack when all our first-choice players are available, but only then.

Edited 29 January, 2013 by alpine_saint

[Saint Garrett]

Yep, as per usual some posters have got utterly carried away following a couple of good results against big clubs, down to the team raising their game above its usual level.

 

a couple of games....or 13 with only 2 defeats? Apart from the top few thats a good run by anyones standards in this league.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Yep, as per usual some posters have got utterly carried away following a couple of good results against big clubs, down to the team raising their game above its usual level.

 

Lee and Mayuka are looking like a waste of money. The jury is still out on J-Rod for me. Davis (personally prefer Chaplow) and DeRidder arent good enough. We have competitivie midfield and attack when all our first-choice players are available, but only then.

 

Mayuka has hardly played, it's unfair to make too much judgement on the worlds 85th best player just yet.

 

J-Rod is improving, and looking useful and direct (something we lack at times).

 

Davis too is getting better, though his inconsistency is frustrating.

 

Also, we have won 5 of 6 games against the teams below us in the league. Hardly a couple of good results against big clubs. Although, draws with Chelsea, Arsenal & Everton really do show how much trouble we are in. The latter two, we were also missing Fonte & Lallana. But yeah, we can't handle injuries to key players.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

a couple of games....or 13 with only 2 defeats? Apart from the top few thats a good run by anyones standards in this league.

 

Oh yeah that too.

 

Captain Wrong (who started using that recently? I'm borrowing it) strikes again!

[scotty]

Mayuka has hardly played, it's unfair to make too much judgement on the worlds 85th best player just yet.

 

J-Rod is improving, and looking useful and direct (something we lack at times).

 

Davis too is getting better, though his inconsistency is frustrating.

 

Also, we have won 5 of 6 games against the teams below us in the league. Hardly a couple of good results against big clubs. Although, draws with Chelsea, Arsenal & Everton really do show how much trouble we are in. The latter two, we were also missing Fonte & Lallana. But yeah, we can't handle injuries to key players.

 

Agree about J-Rod, to me he is looking better and better. He was obviously bought in as a promising young player to be developed, and that looks on track.

 

As for Mayuka, I tend to agree with the theory that he perhaps hasn't been used much due to the ACON coming up. Will be interesting to see what role he plays once thats over. Steven Davis is a hard call, I thought he looked really good at the start of the season, especially that scorcher against citeh, but he's never seemed anything less than solid to me whenever he's played.

[Saint Charlie]

I think the very fact we have had to rely on De Ridder just recently points to the fact that in this particular position we are vulnerable, especially with a spate of injuries.

 

'Rely' on De Ridder or bring him off the bench for a couple of cameos?

 

As far as Im aware he hasnt started a Prem game all season so not sure we have ever been relying on him.

[jayrivers]

Simon Peach ‏@SimonPeach There are unlikely to be any news faces in at #SaintsFC before the month is out, but could be one or two heading out.

[alpine_saint]

Simon Peach ‏@SimonPeach There are unlikely to be any news faces in at #SaintsFC before the month is out, but could be one or two heading out.

 

Disappointed, but resigned to the fact. NC was focused elsewhere in this window, and will stand (I doubt he will fall) by his decisions, no doubt.

[NickG]

Yep, as per usual some posters have got utterly carried away following a couple of good results against big clubs, down to the team raising their game above its usual level.

 

Lee and Mayuka are looking like a waste of money. The jury is still out on J-Rod for me. Davis (personally prefer Chaplow) and DeRidder arent good enough. We have competitivie midfield and attack when all our first-choice players are available, but only then.

 

Your target is to be 17th best side.

 

Since cork returned we have played 13 games, are 10th best in prem, hardly couple of good results.

 

Raising game against top teams? You are also wrong here, we have performed better against bottom half teams, in fact we are 12th in the season's table when just using results against bottom half sides.

 

I'm pleased you recognise strength of first 11.

 

I agree that we could be improved with a stronger sub winger than due ridder.

 

Possibly this could be Lee or mayuka, but they are yet to show that.

[Weston Saint]

Disappointed, but resigned to the fact. NC was focused elsewhere in this window, and will stand (I doubt he will fall) by his decisions, no doubt.

To suggest Cortese was distracted by a change in Manager is a bit disingenuous. He has brought in what at first blush looks like an improvement to our centre back position.

 

January is notorious for panic buying by clubs and very often they are failures.

 

We were linked with Philippe Coutinho but here is what is being reported

 

““Andrea Ramazzotti, who covers Inter for Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport and has watched all Coutinho's 28 games for the club, told BBC Sport: "He just didn't show his potential in Milan. Coutinho played very well when he was on loan at Espanyol last season, and started well for Inter this season, but they were only brief spells really.

"For the rest of the time he just showed flashes of his potential and I fear the way of playing in England, which can be very physical, will not suit him, because he has a slight frame."

So he is one for the future not the present and does not strengthen our present team.

 

I am comfortable and even said to others at the Everton game that we would not sign anyone. The summer is when we can buy and intergrate pre season, not upset the balance of the team that so far does not look like relegation in play or form.

[Danbert]

Surprised to learn that Old Trafford is mythical. Pretty sure I've been there!

 

Theatre of Dreams innit - maybe you were asleep at the time.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

To suggest Cortese was distracted by a change in Manager is a bit disingenuous. He has brought in what at first blush looks like an improvement to our centre back position.

 

January is notorious for panic buying by clubs and very often they are failures.

 

We were linked with Philippe Coutinho but here is what is being reported

 

““Andrea Ramazzotti, who covers Inter for Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport and has watched all Coutinho's 28 games for the club, told BBC Sport: "He just didn't show his potential in Milan. Coutinho played very well when he was on loan at Espanyol last season, and started well for Inter this season, but they were only brief spells really.

"For the rest of the time he just showed flashes of his potential and I fear the way of playing in England, which can be very physical, will not suit him, because he has a slight frame."

So he is one for the future not the present and does not strengthen our present team.

 

I am comfortable and even said to others at the Everton game that we would not sign anyone. The summer is when we can buy and intergrate pre season, not upset the balance of the team that so far does not look like relegation in play or form.

 

Just wait until May 20th when we STILL HAVENT SIGNED ANYONE(!!!!!!!! :x:x:x:x ) for the windowly (a new term I just coined - like annually, but referring to transfer windows) Alpine toys out the pram, foot-stamping and bed-wetting.

 

I WANT MORE PLAYERS NOW!!!

[alpine_saint]

I am comfortable and even said to others at the Everton game that we would not sign anyone. The summer is when we can buy and intergrate pre season, not upset the balance of the team that so far does not look like relegation in play or form.

 

I am perfectly at ease with that statement, R. Its the reason I get so narked with our summer transfer activity. For me, last summer was one to forget.

[alpine_saint]

Just wait until May 20th when we STILL HAVENT SIGNED ANYONE(!!!!!!!! :x:x:x:x ) for the windowly (a new term I just coined - like annually, but referring to transfer windows) Alpine toys out the pram, foot-stamping and bed-wetting.

 

I WANT MORE PLAYERS NOW!!!

 

Yes, I have been so foot-stamping and bed-wetting today, havent I ? I've used the words "disappointed" and "resigned" to describe how I feel. Its you doing the trolling to get a reaction.

[The9]

how is Yoshida still settling in when he has been brilliant for the best part of 10 games...?

 

Because he hasn't been anything resembling brilliant for the best part of 10 games maybe ? He's been much better than he was at first, but his performance against Everton was the first time I'd say he was anywhere near "very good", never mind "brilliant".

 

He is clearly still settling in and improving, his passing seems to have settled down for one and I'm no longer stressing when he's on the ball at the back, which is a massive improvement. It takes ages for defenders to get fully comfortable and to read everything their teammates are going to do, and Yoshida has had a lot of changes around him in that time.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Yes, I have been so foot-stamping and bed-wetting today, havent I ? I've used the words "disappointed" and "resigned" to describe how I feel. Its you doing the trolling to get a reaction.

 

Today, being the appropriate word.

 

How you can troll constantly on here, then play the victim when you get a little something back beggars belief mate.

 

Does anyone else here think I am being overly harsh, or unfair in this assessment? Every window, you do throw a wobbler about it not being good enough and the season being blown. Which, in every case since I have been viewing (prior to joining) this forum and seen these posts, you prove to be wrong.

Edited 29 January, 2013 by KelvinsRightGlove

[alpine_saint]

Today, being the appropriate word.

 

How you can troll constantly on here, then play the victim when you get a little something back beggars belief mate.

 

Quite easily, since you completely lack self-awareness of how you react to my posts.

 

But thanks for admitting you reacted today to my reputation and not my posts. A lot of that goes on around here.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Quite easily, since you completely lack self-awareness of how you react to my posts.

 

But thanks for admitting you reacted today to my reputation and not my posts. A lot of that goes on around here.

 

The irony of this is mind-blowing.

[The9]

Who is first 11 do you not think is good enough?

 

Or, are you after more cover, if so where?

 

I believe you said your aim for season was 17th. As, ever since the current side (arrivals of yoshida and Ramirez) we have been performing at about top 12 level, currently 15th - is side not good enough for your aims?

 

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

Depends on what we're trying to be good enough for, surely ?

 

I'm expecting that tomorrow will pretty much prove we're at least 10 players short of winning the Champions' League, for instance. I'm also half expecting that we'll get stuffed as Pochettino finds out a load of stuff the rest of us already know the hard way : Man C away and Chelsea away good, Arsenal away bad.

 

How anyone can say we've got a squad that doesn't need improving when (one example) we're we're stuck picking from EITHER a target man who doesn't get past people or a mobile striker who doesn't hold it up so well, beats me. Sign one who can win balls and pull it down AND can beat people.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Today, being the appropriate word.

 

How you can troll constantly on here, then play the victim when you get a little something back beggars belief mate.

 

Does anyone else here think I am being overly harsh, or unfair in this assessment? Every window, you do throw a wobbler about it not being good enough and the season being blown. Which, in every case since I have been viewing (prior to joining) this forum and seen these posts, you prove to be wrong.

 

Frankly, I'm surprised you're not used to it. He's been on these forums for years. Yes he is negative, he bangs the same drum but it is obviously something he believes in (I don't think he'd be happy at any football club mind) BUT he is rarely insulting, doesn't really try to wind people up etc.

 

Live and let live Kelvin, live and let live.

[SuperSAINT]

Simon Peach ‏@SimonPeach There are unlikely to be any news faces in at #SaintsFC before the month is out, but could be one or two heading out.

 

On loan I'd imagine? Think the last player we actually sold was Dan Harding which seems like forever ago.

[ottery st mary]

Alps is armless;)

 

NEVER points the finger:rolleyes:

[The9]

Frankly, I'm surprised you're not used to it. He's been on these forums for years. Yes he is negative, he bangs the same drum but it is obviously something he believes in (I don't think he'd be happy at any football club mind) BUT he is rarely insulting, doesn't really try to wind people up etc.

 

Live and let live Kelvin, live and let live.

 

I can only assume this is sarcasm. Either that or he's really changed in the 6 months since I last put him on block.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Frankly, I'm surprised you're not used to it. He's been on these forums for years. Yes he is negative, he bangs the same drum but it is obviously something he believes in (I don't think he'd be happy at any football club mind) BUT he is rarely insulting, doesn't really try to wind people up etc.

 

Live and let live Kelvin, live and let live.

 

Anytime I question him, or refer to his previous rants which are wrong, I get an insult from him.

 

He's entitled to his opinion, and when I agree with him, or think he makes a good point I will say as much. By the same token, when he (or anyone else) makes the same tired point, claims to be proven right time and again, when the reality is quite the converse, I will call him (them) up on it.

[alpine_saint]

Anytime I question him, or refer to his previous rants which are wrong, I get an insult from him.

 

He's entitled to his opinion, and when I agree with him, or think he makes a good point I will say as much. By the same token, when he (or anyone else) makes the same tired point, claims to be proven right time and again, when the reality is quite the converse, I will call him (them) up on it.

 

Well, thanks for proving the lack of self-awareness.

 

Suggest you go back to your post #44 and check out who cast the first stone in this particular discussion...

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

I can only assume this is sarcasm. Either that or he's really changed in the 6 months since I last put him on block.

 

Maybe I just haven't noticed, but a lot of people seem to get overly angry with him, when there really is no need.

[alpine_saint]

Maybe I just haven't noticed, but a lot of people seem to get overly angry with him, when there really is no need.

 

Its very simple. They look at the poster name before the content, and are already getting steamed up before they've read my first word.

 

Says more about them than me.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Maybe I just haven't noticed, but a lot of people seem to get overly angry with him, when there really is no need.

 

I'm not angry. I think he's funny. SWF would be duller without him.

 

He's like a panto villan.

 

I think he likes the attention really, despite the protests.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Well, thanks for proving the lack of self-awareness.

 

Suggest you go back to your post #44 and check out who cast the first stone in this particular discussion...

 

As are you my friend.

 

Look back at any transfer thread over the past few seasons. Guarantee my point will be proven.

[alpine_saint]

As are you my friend.

 

Look back at any transfer thread over the past few seasons. Guarantee my point will be proven.

 

What, that I think we leave our activity too late, thinking we are being clever, and always come away at the close not having done enough to strengthen the team in the required areass or having left it too late that a dozen games have passed before transfers are properly integrated ?

 

Guilty and proud of it, m'Lud...

[KelvinsRightGlove]

What, that I think we leave our activity too late, thinking we are being clever, and always come away at the close not having done enough to strengthen the team in the required areass or having left it too late that a dozen games have passed before transfers are properly integrated ?

 

Guilty and proud of it, m'Lud...

 

Like last summer when we didn't strengthen? Even though Ramirez is clearly a class act. Yoshi is looking a snip, and still improving. J-Rod looks good. Davis again was very cheap and provides solid cover to one of the better (in my opinion) CM pairings in the division.

 

Boruc was late, but was a free, and despite taking time to settle is looking a decent signing now, proving me wrong in the process - I thought we needed a GK in the window, not so much now.

 

Or last Jan, when we were told we needed striking reinforcements, otherwise we would blow our chance of promotion, when we bought in Lee, who started well - unfair to judge that transfer too harshly given the nature of his injury & Billy Sharp, who probably did help secure promotion with his goals.

 

Or the summer previous to that, when we improved on our L1 squad sufficiently to come flying out of the traps, and gain a second successive promotion. Though then we weren't ambitious enough, and didn't have a chance of competing with big spending clubs like Leicester & West Ham.

 

So yeah, I know what you think. But when you show me something that suggests your continual complaining about transfer activity has some grounding, I'll ease up a bit.

 

Sound fair?

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Like last summer when we didn't strengthen? Even though Ramirez is clearly a class act. Yoshi is looking a snip, and still improving. J-Rod looks good. Davis again was very cheap and provides solid cover to one of the better (in my opinion) CM pairings in the division.

 

Boruc was late, but was a free, and despite taking time to settle is looking a decent signing now, proving me wrong in the process - I thought we needed a GK in the window, not so much now.

 

Or last Jan, when we were told we needed striking reinforcements, otherwise we would blow our chance of promotion, when we bought in Lee, who started well - unfair to judge that transfer too harshly given the nature of his injury & Billy Sharp, who probably did help secure promotion with his goals.

 

Or the summer previous to that, when we improved on our L1 squad sufficiently to come flying out of the traps, and gain a second successive promotion. Though then we weren't ambitious enough, and didn't have a chance of competing with big spending clubs like Leicester & West Ham.

 

So yeah, I know what you think. But when you show me something that suggests your continual complaining about transfer activity has some grounding, I'll ease up a bit.

 

Sound fair?

 

To be fair last summer we didn't strengthen the CB area like we needed to, or the GK area (it's only been the last 6 weeks we've been playing Boruc regularly). We brought in J Rod for £7m, far more than he is worth and has been disappointing.

 

Last Summer we did well to bring in Ramirez, but it certainly wasn't a 'good' window in response to what was needed, and certainly the business was not conducted early enough to hit the ground running, which shows a real lack of organisation from the club. It was frustrating that it took 10 weeks for our defence to stop being ****.

[Dig Dig]

To be fair last summer we didn't strengthen the CB area like we needed to, or the GK area (it's only been the last 6 weeks we've been playing Boruc regularly). We brought in J Rod for £7m, far more than he is worth and has been disappointing.

 

Last Summer we did well to bring in Ramirez, but it certainly wasn't a 'good' window in response to what was needed, and certainly the business was not conducted early enough to hit the ground running, which shows a real lack of organisation from the club. It was frustrating that it took 10 weeks for our defence to stop being ****.

 

We did strengthen our defence....Clyne and Maya. Both starters every week and bought for an absolute steal.

[sotonjoe]

Perhaps Atkins had players lined up before his sacking,but once he was sacked he pulled the plug so that he could take them to Huddersfield with him.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

We did strengthen our defence....Clyne and Maya. Both starters every week and bought for an absolute steal.

 

How the bloody hell did I forget Clyne?! Feels like he's been here ages already.

 

For me, him and Shaw are future England FBs.

 

I know a lot was made of our failure to sign a lb, and the Buttner deal falling through. But, I wonder if it was felt Shaw was close enough to making the leap that it wasn't seen as such a priority.

[Dig Dig]

How the bloody hell did I forget Clyne?! Feels like he's been here ages already.

 

For me, him and Shaw are future England FBs.

I know a lot was made of our failure to sign a lb, and the Buttner deal falling through. But, I wonder if it was felt Shaw was close enough to making the leap that it wasn't seen as such a priority.

 

I suggested this in the summer after watching a very assured looking Shaw in pre-season.

 

It was largely shouted down though. I doubt Shaw being integrated into the first team this season happened by accident.

[saint1977]

The key area to strengthen with top urgency was CB as we were sailing very close to the wind if Yoshida or Fonte had got a knock or ban. We've done that with Forren who I've also read some where can play LB if needed so cover for Shaw too. Ideally I'd like a wide player with express pace as that's an area we do lack to change games but we've already spent a lot this season and I wouldn't want us to emulate the Skates in that regard if we had to pay over the odds for a wide player that wasn't top priority for the club.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

I suggested this in the summer after watching a very assured looking Shaw in pre-season.

 

It was largely shouted down though. I doubt Shaw being integrated into the first team this season happened by accident.

 

It's not like it's a stated ambition of the club to bring through academy products to the first team. Or that Shaw (along with Ward-Prowse, and was it Chambers & Reeves?) that were promoted to the first team squad in the summer.

 

Nah, was just panic and luck. All of it. Like everything else that has ever gone right.

[Smirking_Saint]

At least I am consistent and just dont suck up everything the club is shovelling.

 

Maybe the first 11 can drag us over the line. As long as they regain and maintain fitness. But as ever, we have about 13 players able to compete at this level and if we need to call on players outside of that number, the quality doesnt exist in the squad.

 

TBH the only thing you are consistant in is your persistant negativity and the ability to be catastrophically incorrect.

 

The past few seasons I have had to read your constant drivvel of players underperforming or not good enough, managers being clueless, chairmen overly interfering and transfer windows being a complete mess as well as being a selling club blah blah bloody blah

 

And what has happened ? Two promotions, a cup win snd sitting in a safe position come january ? Now as I said before, you either post this sort of inflammatory crap for one of two reasons;

 

1. You do it as a WUM, attempting to cause frictions and arguements with your fellow posters, no doubt hitting the report button as you continually bang the same old drum no matter how wrong you are proven.

 

2. You are an idiot and dont understand the game from a playing or political point of view, your posting style suggests your probably not a conventional idiot but its not something I am going to rule out

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

We did strengthen our defence....Clyne and Maya. Both starters every week and bought for an absolute steal.

 

Not with the 2 decent CB's or Keeper we needed though. And we paid for that early in season.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Not with the 2 decent CB's or Keeper we needed though. And we paid for that early in season.

 

I'm not sure we needed 2. Fonte, eventually, showed his is good enough for the division. Recently, Jos has come back in and done a decent job. I'm pretty sure he played against both Chelsea & Everton, which were both games I expected us to lose (probably, heavily) and yet we got decent draws from.

 

We got in Boruc, who is now showing he is good enough.

 

In an ideal world, yes, all signings would be done and dusted in time for day one of Pre-Season. But, in reality, this is not how things work.

 

We can moan about it, and throw our windowly hissyfits, but it just doesn't happen. Not just at Southampton, but all clubs.

 

Do you all really think it's just a coincidence that the final week, and often final day, of the windows are the most busy?

 

Just because things don't happen straight away, or we don't hear about every single minute detail, doesn't mean the club are fannying around.

 

Nor does it prove, that the club are only capable of handling one transfer negotiation at any given time. This is just ludicrous, and anyone that says there is proof of this (lol apparently Coutinho proves this) just shows how clueless these people are. Or how short their memories are, remember all the Astori talk, and then we went and signed Forren.

 

Come on guys, at least make it challenging.

[Smirking_Saint]

Not with the 2 decent CB's or Keeper we needed though. And we paid for that early in season.

 

We never needed two we needed one, and before the season kicked off I dont remember many asking for a replacement for the team of the year Kelvin Davis.

 

In fact I remember he was afforded a lot of defence in his first couple of games.

 

Also for the arguement earlier about it taking 10 games to sort out the defence I would say a large percentage of the cause was the tactics, lack of cork and possibly coaching based. Yoshi and Fonte proved themselves to be very adequate. In fact previous to the start of the season it was actually Fonte most thought would not step up. So basically saying we did not sort ourselves out before day 1 is not really correct is it ?

 

We had a decent summer window, not spectacular but decent

[alpine_saint]

TBH the only thing you are consistant in is your persistant negativity and the ability to be catastrophically incorrect.

 

The past few seasons I have had to read your constant drivvel of players underperforming or not good enough, managers being clueless, chairmen overly interfering and transfer windows being a complete mess as well as being a selling club blah blah bloody blah

 

And what has happened ? Two promotions, a cup win snd sitting in a safe position come january ? Now as I said before, you either post this sort of inflammatory crap for one of two reasons;

 

1. You do it as a WUM, attempting to cause frictions and arguements with your fellow posters, no doubt hitting the report button as you continually bang the same old drum no matter how wrong you are proven.

 

2. You are an idiot and dont understand the game from a playing or political point of view, your posting style suggests your probably not a conventional idiot but its not something I am going to rule out

 

My, your issues with me must be pretty lame if you have to embelish your attack with totally false accusations like the ones I have highlighted.

 

Some of you need to GROW UP and accept not everyone is a bellend happy-clappy.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Woe is me, woe is me.

 

Everyone is mean and calls me names, I never do that to anyone else. Ever.

[SaintSteve]

Difficult to maintain objectivity when all this ranting is going on.

Bottom line is it looks like NA/MP think the squad is good enough to maintain Premier League status.

 

Personally, I think our best 11 can survive but squad-wise we are short of options from the bench to change a game.

We will see come May.

[InvictaSaint]

My, your issues with me must be pretty lame if you have to embelish your attack with totally false accusations like the ones I have highlighted.

 

Some of you need to GROW UP and accept not everyone is a bellend happy-clappy.

 

What sort of grown man - a grown man with children, I believe - calls other people a "bellend happy clappy"?

 

Have a word with yourself.

[Saint Fan CaM]

I think it's Tuesday evening and the window shuts on Friday evening so we've got time to be patient. Until Friday evening, there is a chance that we will sign one or more players. How much of a chance? I would say 40/60 against if I'm honest, although there seem to be a few tasty rumours doing the rounds.

[Smirking_Saint]

My, your issues with me must be pretty lame if you have to embelish your attack with totally false accusations like the ones I have highlighted.

 

Some of you need to GROW UP and accept not everyone is a bellend happy-clappy.

 

You have done very well avoiding the other points I raised though about being consistantly and spectacularly incorrect year on year, must be very uplifting knowing that every time you open your mouth you have to make provisions to remove your foot from it ?

 

But then I suppose thats want you get for being an overly negative, head mental, chunky **** nugget