Vegard Forren

[Andre]

He did pass well.

[Wade Garrett]

Yoshida is costing us goals at the moment with his mistakes. Give the new lad a go.

[Andre]

Yoshida is costing us goals at the moment with his mistakes. Give the new lad a go.

 

Our best defender by a country mile. Madness if he's taken out.

[trousers]

Yoshida is costing us goals at the moment with his mistakes. Give the new lad a go.

 

I tend to agree but Pochettino will be damned if he does and damned if he doesn't (either way if we lose)

[Wade Garrett]

Our best defender by a country mile. Madness if he's taken out.

 

You must be joking! Cost us a goal on Saturday and a goal v Wigan.

[Andre]

You must be joking! Cost us a goal on Saturday and a goal v Wigan.

 

Well... I would argue it was mainly Shaw's fault, but yeah I see your point. He was miles better than Fonte overall though (remember, there are 90 minutes in a game, friend...), and he's been consistently reliable for months.

[VectisSaint]

Yoshida is costing us goals at the moment with his mistakes. Give the new lad a go.

I can only assume you did not watch the "new lad" last night. Would rather give Stephens a go to be honest. There is a very good reason Vegard is not in the team. Yoshida has been our best defender for much of this season, dropping him would be stupid. 2nd goal Saturday was primarily down to Shaw.

[Wade Garrett]

I can only assume you did not watch the "new lad" last night. Would rather give Stephens a go to be honest. There is a very good reason Vegard is not in the team. Yoshida has been our best defender for much of this season, dropping him would be stupid. 2nd goal Saturday was primarily down to Shaw.

 

Whatever went on before, the fact is Yoshida mucked up a simple tackle. He looks a decent player most of the time, but he does tend to make the odd mistake which we are getting punished for.

[Wade Garrett]

Well... I would argue it was mainly Shaw's fault, but yeah I see your point. He was miles better than Fonte overall though (remember, there are 90 minutes in a game, friend...), and he's been consistently reliable for months.

 

Opinions...I thought Fonte was our best defender.

[a1ex2001]

a simple tackle he should never have had to make if Shaw had been doing his job properly.

 

Yoshida covered the ground and got in position to make the tackle perfectly after reacting to Shaws screw up and then fluffed his tackle, yes he's at fault but then so was Shaw and the rest of the defence could still have delt with the cross.

[VectisSaint]

Whatever went on before, the fact is Yoshida mucked up a simple tackle. He looks a decent player most of the time, but he does tend to make the odd mistake which we are getting punished for.

In the end its a team thing, rather than individuals, but Yosh has been very good, to.drop.him for Forren would be a massive risk, Forren looks average at best.

What we need is to make sure Fox is nowhere near the team then the rest of the defence can do their own job without having to do his as well.

[Barry Sanchez]

Why are we buying players nowhere near the first team in a relegation battle? Why did we simply not buy better players last summer? As an example its like me owning a Ferrari and going out and buying an 1997 Astra.

[ottery st mary]

If we bought more dinky toy cars..including Ferrari.......

 

 

They would be worth a fortune in years to come.

 

Not so sure about an Astra.

 

 

You may well laugh...I am sure Rupert bought some as an investment when started investing in paintings of trains..

 

I am sure Vegard Forren will turn out to be a Rolls Royce....

 

Hopefully not a Rolls Canardly..

 

Rolls down the hill and can ardly get up the other side....

Edited 6 March, 2013 by ottery st mary

[Faz]

Why are we buying players nowhere near the first team in a relegation battle? Why did we simply not buy better players last summer? As an example its like me owning a Ferrari and going out and buying an 1997 Astra.

 

Because he's better than Martin and Seaborne. Perhaps we didn't buy him for a relegation battle, and we're planning ahead for next year's push for top 6 place??

[Badger]

Because he's better than Martin and Seaborne. Perhaps we didn't buy him for a relegation battle, and we're planning ahead for next year's push for top 6 place??

 

I expect we'll be aiming higher than 'top 6', surely we'll want automatic promotion to avoid the play-offs ?

[Saint Garrett]

Done an interview with the club last week apparently, just appeared online...http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/feature-interview-vegard-forren-728702.aspx?pageView=full#anchored

 

The following is a modified version of the feature interview that appeared exclusively in our official matchday programme for last weekend’s game against Liverpool.

 

I am living my dream, but I’m not happy to just be here and to say that I am a Premier League player. I want to be playing games every weekend."

Vegard Forren

There is a considerable Norwegian heritage at Southampton, and Vegard Forren is keen to extend that legacy further.

 

When Forren makes his long-awaited Saints debut, he will become the sixth player hailing from Norway to have featured for this club in the Premier League.

 

His countrymen have had varying levels of success in these parts, with Claus Lundekvam – who, coincidentally, watched his old side in action against Liverpool last weekend – still held in high regard by Southampton supporters.

 

Lundekvam’s 413 appearances for Saints is the highest number made by a Norwegian player on these shores, and Forren – who, like Claus, had spent his previous career with just one club before moving here – will hope to emulate his compatriot’s achievements.

 

Vegard’s first challenge, though, is to force his way into a defence that has improved immeasurably over the course of the season. The 25-year-old admits that, while he has achieved one career aim in securing a move to England, he will not truly feel at home until he is playing regular football.

 

“Playing here has always been a dream for me,” Forren exclusively told Southampton's official matchday programme.

 

“I’ve been watching the Premier League since I was about 12 years old. All the Norwegian people are so crazy about it that it’s hard to explain, and I don’t think the English people really know how obsessed we are.

 

“I had a really good season last year, so I knew the interest would come if I performed over a long period of time. I always hoped that I could come to the Premier League and, now I’m here, I’m very happy about that.

 

“I am living my dream, but I’m not happy to just be here and to say that I am a Premier League player. I want to be playing games every weekend, so my goal now is to work hard and hopefully get a chance.”

 

Last Monday, Forren played for Southampton’s Under-21 side in their defeat to Arsenal on what he calls “the coldest night I have ever played football in” – some statement for someone who spent their first 25 years in Scandinavia.

 

 

Vegard Forren in action for Saints' Under-21s earlier this month

 

He now has two full games for the Development Squad under his belt, having scored in a one-all draw with Liverpool at St Mary’s a week earlier. That was his first full match in almost exactly four months, having played for former club Molde in their Europa League victory over Stuttgart on 6th December 2012.

 

Since arriving at Southampton in mid-January, he has been on the bench for the First Team three times – including for Saints’ last two fixtures – and he feels he is now in a position to challenge for a starting place.

 

“It’s not easy to just jump into the team, but I’ve been training hard and effectively doing my own pre-season,” he said.

 

“I came here from a holiday, and it’s not easy when you come into somewhere that players are in the middle of their season. You have to be fit to play, especially in the Premier League.

 

“In that sense it has been difficult for me, but it’s getting better every day. I will be ready when the opportunities come for me. I’m now fit so hopefully I’m ready to get some games between now and the end of the season.

 

“I know I can show people what I’m good at if I get my chance between now and the end of the season. If not, I have a long contract so I’ll keep working hard until that chance comes.”

 

Forren moved from Molde with great pedigree. His performances in 2012 led to him being crowned as Norway’s player of the year when he picked up the NISO Golden Ball last November, and he was also awarded the 2012 Knicksenprisen as the best defender in Norwegian football.

 

His move was covered in relentless detail by the media in his home country, from the moment he landed in England to his eventual unveiling as a Southampton player on a snowy Friday in mid-January.

 

“It was a busy week for me,” he laughed. “I’m not the sort of person who gets stressed out in those situations, but it was a long week.

 

“The Norwegian press is crazy – I’m not really used to that level of interest but I knew it was going to be like that so I was prepared.

 

“The whole country is crazy for the Premier League, so when a Norwegian player goes to England that’s how it is. You have to handle those situations.”

 

If rumours are to be believed, he could have been lining up on the opposite side last weekend. “There was a lot of interest in me at that time and Liverpool was certainly one of the teams that was mentioned,” Forren confirmed.

 

“I’m not really sure how big an interest there was [from Liverpool], but then we got the call from Southampton. There’s always speculation, but there was no doubt that this was the right choice for me.

 

“This club was really interested in me, so I really wanted to come here and talk to them. It was an easy choice for me.

 

“I had a good feeling, and I’m still very happy to be here. Hopefully I get some games soon, and then everything will be perfect.”

 

“You want to be in the team for every game, and you never know if the manager suddenly wants to make changes,” added Forren, who could be in international action for Norway against Albania this evening.

 

“We have so many good players in the squad that you never really know who’s starting. I’ve been doing my work in training every day and waiting to see whether I’m in the squad and the team.

 

“When the manager wants to use me, I am going to be ready for it. If I get a game or two then I’ll be happy, and that’s what I’m working towards in training every day.

 

“If not, there are positives because I can do some good work during the summer and come back in pre-season on a level pegging with the rest of the team from day one.”

[Saint_clark]

I like that he talks about challenging for a place even after this summer. There are some people on this forum who will be saying we should get rid if he isn't first choice by then.

[Bearsy]

awesome defender, we haven't conceded a single goal with him in team. Hasn't put a foot wrong for me + long may it continue.

 

who is the other 5 wegians yo? It says lundekvam & i remember tessems and diameter-stentad

[Saint Garrett]

Johansen? Soldvelt?

[Bearsy]

don't just make shit up g. Real players yo.

[Olallana]

awesome defender, we haven't conceded a single goal with him in team. Hasn't put a foot wrong for me + long may it continue.

 

who is the other 5 wegians yo? It says lundekvam & i remember tessems and diameter-stentad

 

Stig Johansen is another I recall.....the 6th though....

[ToreSF]

Our norwegians, listed from the best signing, to the worst. (Forren's last, as he hasn't played a game. Expect him to improve though.)

 

Lundekvam

Østenstad

Tessem

Soltveidt

Johansen

Forren

[Saint Charlie]

Forren partnering Hangeland in Norway's defence tonight.

 

Good to get some games into him.

[ant]

I think many on here have underestimated just how difficult it is to get up to speed when jumping straight into the middle of the season. Not only that but then attempting to break into a side when you have little matchday sharpness. In terms of building understanding with your team mates there's no substitute for competitive fixtures so he and the management are stuck in a bit of a Catch 22 at the moment. If MP plays him, it's a risk. If Forren doesn't get game time, he's less likely to be ready.

 

In terms of the January transfer window all of this should have been taken into account and that's what made Forren a poor transfer, not any perceived lack of ability. Have a bit of faith, I reckon this one will come good next season.

[Miltonroader07]

I saw Forren with the youngsters, he ran the game, albeit with the kids but think he can be real class like Ramirez (hopefully)

[Thomas J]

One half played between Norway and Albania in tonight's world cup qualifier at home. Forren starting, and has been cool & composed in the back with Hangeland, mostly. He did give away two fouls a bit sheepishly but apart from that has been ok. 0-0 at HT with Norway dominating possession.

 

I will say though that Forren does not look as sharp as he did against Switzerland before Xmas, he's definitely not at the top of his game. So no, he's not 100% match fit, but this match should surely help getting him closer to a game for Saints.

[trousers]

Albania take the lead

[Thomas J]

At least none of the centre backs can take the blame for that goal, the only person who could do anything about that was maybe Riise (if he rushed out to intercept) or Jarstein (but he's nowhere near a good enough goalkeeper to stop a rocket like that)

 

Norway is still by far the better team, I just hope they can stop being so damn unlucky in the final quarter of the pitch.

[trousers]

Forren looking very composed on the ball

[Thomas J]

**** game, 25-4 in chances in favour Norway, the worst kind of game where the best team is facerolling the opposition and they still lose. On days like these I bloody despise football.

 

Man of the match: Albanian goalkeeper.

 

Good news for Saints fans though is that Forren had an excellent 2nd half, fashioning four big chances out of the deep with his excellent defense-splitting passes. Not enough today though.

[Suhari]

I think many on here have underestimated just how difficult it is to get up to speed when jumping straight into the middle of the season. Not only that but then attempting to break into a side when you have little matchday sharpness. In terms of building understanding with your team mates there's no substitute for competitive fixtures so he and the management are stuck in a bit of a Catch 22 at the moment. If MP plays him, it's a risk. If Forren doesn't get game time, he's less likely to be ready.

 

In terms of the January transfer window all of this should have been taken into account and that's what made Forren a poor transfer, not any perceived lack of ability. Have a bit of faith, I reckon this one will come good next season.

 

Nail, head etc.