Sheaf Saint Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Now we are a third of the way through the season, how do people view our progress? My take on it so far... We've played 13 games now, four of which have been away at Liverpool, Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea, and we're sitting 7th above both Man Utd and Spurs. I doubt anybody (excepting, perhaps, Cortese himself) had any higher expectations than that at the start of the season. Despite the two consecutive defeats, we still have the joint best defensive record in the PL. Up until yesterday we have pretty much held our own against every team we have played, but the manner of the defeat at Chelsea shows we still have a long way to go before we can seriously challenge the top four. Moving forward... The loss of Boruc will be a blow, as we all know neither of our back up keepers are really up to it at this level. Too often we look toothless up front and that's something that might need to be addressed in January, because so far both of our very expensive international attacking players have failed to deliver the goods. My gut feeling is that we will finish somewhere around where we are now. If we continue performing as we have then anything below 8th/9th come May will be a disappointment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofarnorth Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 I think some people got a bit overexcited, but some in the media didn't help. If we managed to stay top 10 it would be a great season and we should be looking to push on the season after. Think we can all agree we are light on quality outside our first 11 and a couple of others, so we'll be hit by injuries pretty hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 We will finish about 9th/10th, Cortese wont be happy but he has to learn about football, our squad is no where near the others and spending a bit of money once every blue moon does not guarantee anything, consistent quality spending is the only way, and I mean the only way, not youth as it takes too long and the chances are you wont get the required quality at the same time. Money thats all it takes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verlaine1979 Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Same time last season West Brom were 3rd with 26 points and managed to finish 8th, so I'm not really sure why we got all the media attention we did (presumably because our flirtation with the top three was based on a core of English players rather than an exceptional loan) - still, recent results do suggest that while we're a strong side, the most likely outcome is a similar finish to that achieved by WB & Swansea last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey88 Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 We will finish about 9th/10th, Cortese wont be happy but he has to learn about football, our squad is no where near the others and spending a bit of money once every blue moon does not guarantee anything, consistent quality spending is the only way, and I mean the only way, not youth as it takes too long and the chances are you wont get the required quality at the same time. Money thats all it takes. Quite a depressing thought really Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Dont think we are in any danger whatsoever come May 2014, but here comes the reality check after a superb start. We have ploughed far too much of our resources into a couple of disastrous signings who have contributed f**k-all, rather than going for across-the-board squad deepening. A far to small group of players has been propping up our start track record. And we about to feel the impact of this as the injuries set in. Still a long way to go. Get rid of the two S. American parasites for a reasonable amount (we have to take the loss on the chin), and put it back into two or three players that enhance the squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 We will finish about 9th/10th, Cortese wont be happy but he has to learn about football, our squad is no where near the others and spending a bit of money once every blue moon does not guarantee anything, consistent quality spending is the only way, and I mean the only way, not youth as it takes too long and the chances are you wont get the required quality at the same time. Money thats all it takes. Sounds like someone else. What would be so bad about a 9th/10th place finish? Certainly progress from last season. Ah of course, you don't like progress, or us winning or doing well. We should lose every week and know our place in the football pyramid. Ambition is embarrassing FFS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iansums Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 We will finish about 9th/10th, Cortese wont be happy but he has to learn about football, our squad is no where near the others and spending a bit of money once every blue moon does not guarantee anything, consistent quality spending is the only way, and I mean the only way, not youth as it takes too long and the chances are you wont get the required quality at the same time. Money thats all it takes. Arrogant c*ck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Quite a depressing thought really It is but its the truth, the clubs above us are World known clubs, we are not really known in England for being a successful club so the only thing to lure them here is an awful lot of money, an academy is the icing on the cake but it aint the cake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Arrogant c*ck. Totally unnecessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Arrogant c*ck. No I'm correct thats all, if that makes you arrogant so be it, better than being blind and having faith in something that has no substance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Sounds like someone else. What would be so bad about a 9th/10th place finish? Certainly progress from last season. Ah of course, you don't like progress, or us winning or doing well. We should lose every week and know our place in the football pyramid. Ambition is embarrassing FFS. Ambition is too be applauded no question, ambition based on this model to achieve success is hopeful rather than expectant, its also leading the fans down the garden path, I am not buying it at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Dont think we are in any danger whatsoever come May 2014, but here comes the reality check after a superb start. We have ploughed far too much of our resources into a couple of disastrous signings who have contributed f**k-all, rather than going for across-the-board squad deepening. A far to small group of players has been propping up our start track record. And we about to feel the impact of this as the injuries set in. Still a long way to go. Get rid of the two S. American parasites for a reasonable amount (we have to take the loss on the chin), and put it back into two or three players that enhance the squad. Sign ten players for three million rather than three at ten million, you mean? Not sure about that. I'd say our summer strategy was bang on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Sign ten players for three million rather than three at ten million, you mean? Not sure about that. I'd say our summer strategy was bang on. It was that strategy that saw us stagnate and then regress instead of kick on in '03. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey88 Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 It is but its the truth, the clubs above us are World known clubs, we are not really known in England for being a successful club so the only thing to lure them here is an awful lot of money, an academy is the icing on the cake but it aint the cake. Not disagreeing with you. I think most football fans in the country would like to hold on to the idea that there is another, more romantic way of achieving success and that's why we have had a lot of people saying that were their second team this year. I think it also adds to the optimism on here at times. Maybe our place is to be a decent top half of the table side who consistently churn out good English players but never quite reach that next level. If so, I could live with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restark19 Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Ambition is too be applauded no question, ambition based on this model to achieve success is hopeful rather than expectant, its also leading the fans down the garden path, I am not buying it at all. thanks for showing us sheep the light, I'm going to start a 'Cortese Out, Sanchez In' petition right now. With a facebook page and everything. once you become chairman I expect you to bin off our stupid youth system as it takes too long and will never get the results, before going out and making 5 or 6 transfers which will of course be spot on and pay off immediately, after shipping out those useless wastes of space Osvaldo and Ramirez obviously, it's a shame you weren't in charge a few years ago, you could have done all this back then. Before those useless parasites Schneiderlin (as obviously if a player isn't performing from the first minute they should be sold), Shaw, Ward-Prowse and Chambers (as our youth system just isn't worth it) made it into the first team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdearlove Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 First goal = 40 points I would be happy with a top half finish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Not disagreeing with you. I think most football fans in the country would like to hold on to the idea that there is another, more romantic way of achieving success and that's why we have had a lot of people saying that were their second team this year. I think it also adds to the optimism on here at times. Maybe our place is to be a decent top half of the table side who consistently churn out good English players but never quite reach that next level. If so, I could live with that. Sky, Murdoch and the Champions League killed that years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 thanks for showing us sheep the light, I'm going to start a 'Cortese Out, Sanchez In' petition right now. With a facebook page and everything. once you become chairman I expect you to bin off our stupid youth system as it takes too long and will never get the results, before going out and making 5 or 6 transfers which will of course be spot on and pay off immediately, after shipping out those useless wastes of space Osvaldo and Ramirez obviously, it's a shame you weren't in charge a few years ago, you could have done all this back then. Before those useless parasites Schneiderlin (as obviously if a player isn't performing from the first minute they should be sold), Shaw, Ward-Prowse and Chambers (as our youth system just isn't worth it) made it into the first team. What a silly knee jerk throw the ball out the sandpit post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restark19 Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 What a silly knee jerk throw the ball out the sandpit post. why? you continuously state that we should get rid of Ramirez and Osvaldo. Had we done so with Morgan when he was playing poorly we wouldn't have the player we do today, no? Your comment about youth systems not being the way forward is also ridiculous as can be seen by looking at our side at the moment, the talent we've sold and the talent poised to come through in the near future. The way forward is definitely to couple a productive youth system (which we have) with bringing in a couple of quality players here and there. i.e. rodriguez, clyne, wanyama, lovren. Granted Ramirez and Osvaldo haven't performed as of yet but where's the guarantee a replacement will instead. Schneiderlin stepped up after a poor start. As did Bale at Spurs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom28 Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 I think the original post is a decent summary. To have played four out of 13 games away to Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd is an incredibly tough set of fixtures and we should be really pleased with where we are in the table. That run doesn't get easier for a while though. In fact, between now and January 1st, we play Spurs, Man City, Chelsea all at home, and Everton and Newcastle away, out of 7 games. That's an incredibly tough run. If we are still above Spurs and Man Utd then, and within touching distance of the top four, it would be unbelievable. Looking forward, I'm less concerned about Gazzaniga in goal than most on here; I love Boruc but there's no denying he has cost us points in recent weeks. Funnily enough, most on here seem concerned about Boruc's shot stopping ability being lost. I'm more concerned that we've lost his distribution. Before everyone jumps on my back about that, I'm well aware that Boruc's kicking can be woeful but he does have the confidence/arrogance to play out from the back. I just hope Gazza has that same confidence and doesn't resort to clearing the ball up-field and breaking up the game plan. As for shot stopping, everyone remembers the Snodgrass free kick last season but I actually thought Gazza was a decent shot stopper. He seemed to suffer with concentration lapses more than anything so hopefully he's improved in that department. I'm more concerned about losing Schneiderlin; hopefully his injury will turn out to be a minor one. I know we have Cork to come in, or JWP, or Davis. But Schneiderlin to me is more than just one player in a team of 11; he's one of our linchpins in the squad, and I get the sense that the players around him look up to him and feed off his enthusiasm and work rate. The OP touched on something I agree with; our toothless front play. Only Sunderland have scored fewer goals than us going back to last season (can't remember the exact date but I think it was Robbie Savage on BBC Sport who provided that stat). I know we've become a lot tighter at the back but the goals have dried up. There's no denying that. We've only scored 3 times in a game 3 times since the turn of the year in the Premier League. I don't know what the answer is but I trust that MP does. I don't necessarily agree that we need new players; I think Lambert is quality and will get goals if we create the chances, and I think Osvaldo will come good. He started yesterdays game really brightly in my opinion but he did fade out the game quite dramatically to the point where he became a liability. Unless we plan on bringing in a top-notch world class centre forward in January which, let's face it, is not going to happen, then I'd far rather we maintain the continuity and look to make minor adjustments to create more chances. I think we'll go into January in 9th place and I would quite happily take that. It'll place us back under the radar and out of the spotlight to pick our form back up again in the new year when our fixtures ease off a little. I don't think the top four is beyond the realms of possibility, but in the same breath, I don't think 12th place is beyond the realms of possibility either (Swansea, West Brom, and Villa all look decent teams that could push on above us). If we enter January in 9th, anything is possible and it'll make for an exciting second half of the season. Finally, with regard to signings, I think we need 1 new player in January; an attacking player to fill Gaston's spot (who I think will be loaned out). No idea who it would be but again I would trust that Saints will get it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 why? you continuously state that we should get rid of Ramirez and Osvaldo. Had we done so with Morgan when he was playing poorly we wouldn't have the player we do today, no? Your comment about youth systems not being the way forward is also ridiculous as can be seen by looking at our side at the moment, the talent we've sold and the talent poised to come through in the near future. The way forward is definitely to couple a productive youth system (which we have) with bringing in a couple of quality players here and there. i.e. rodriguez, clyne, wanyama, lovren. Granted Ramirez and Osvaldo haven't performed as of yet but where's the guarantee a replacement will instead. Schneiderlin stepped up after a poor start. As did Bale at Spurs Why? Dont be silly, its obvious, I doubt Schneiderlin would have be given such a chance were we in this division now, thats the difference so your point is moot. Could Bale be the exception rather than the rule? Again moot as we can only go on what we have and not others. Youth is part of the solution, it will have a lot more prominence if Fifa/Uefa brought in a home rule rule but will it and will it be observed? I doubt it as the World now wants to see the biggest teams frequently with the best players. You are rightly championing something but its something thats out of date and bares no relevance to us anymore, we will sell always if the price is right, we will have to pay a premium to get players here, for us to be the best we will have to pay for it. Its that simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Why? Dont be silly, its obvious, I doubt Schneiderlin would have be given such a chance were we in this division now, thats the difference so your point is moot. Could Bale be the exception rather than the rule? Again moot as we can only go on what we have and not others. Youth is part of the solution, it will have a lot more prominence if Fifa/Uefa brought in a home rule rule but will it and will it be observed? I doubt it as the World now wants to see the biggest teams frequently with the best players. You are rightly championing something but its something thats out of date and bares no relevance to us anymore, we will sell always if the price is right, we will have to pay a premium to get players here, for us to be the best we will have to pay for it. Its that simple. Yes, clearly Bale was the only player that came good after a season or so of not so great performances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gingeletiss Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 We have taken 4 points out of Liverpool,Manure, Arse anal, and Chelski, all away. You would of accepted a draw at each of these fixtures, which is.........4 points. So I'm happyish at this juncture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Yes, clearly Bale was the only player that came good after a season or so of not so great performances. Are you advocating we sign players for £15 Million on a 4 year deal and give them at least 25% off to settle in? We are not that type of club and we dont ahve the squad to nurse luxury players, bigger clubs with bigger squads can adsorb crap signings to a degree, we cant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Are you advocating we sign players for £15 Million on a 4 year deal and give them at least 25% off to settle in? We are not that type of club and we dont ahve the squad to nurse luxury players, bigger clubs with bigger squads can adsorb crap signings to a degree, we cant. 15m Euro is less than £15m. It's frustrating when they don't settle in straight away, but this is much more the rule, with those that come in and perform straight away the exception. Of course everyone wants players to come in and perform straight away, but some people are a bit calmer and more realistic. With the awareness that this isn't always the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Yes, clearly Bale was the only player that came good after a season or so of not so great performances. To be fair to Barry he is actually talking sense. Schiniderlin and Lallana are the players they are now in no small part due to the fact that they got regular game time at a lower level with us. If the club are serious about challenging at the top any 19,20 year old wanting to break into the side would have to be at that level or better, ie international standard. Shaw is an exception as he is clearly set for great things provided he can stay fit and focused. We all know that Schniderlin and Lallana weren't premier league level two or three years ago but they've grow with the team and developed away from the premier league, our current crop will have to do that in that unforgiving environment playing against international footballers most weeks. The idea seems to be that we have a strong 14-15 players and then supplement our first choice players with youth then when they are ready integrate them into the first XI. If it works then it's a great strategy. I just hope we dont get to the scenario whereby we are relying totally on youth and continue to invest and strengthen the first 11-15 as you cant expect to throw young players in at the deep end and expect them to swim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 To be fair to Barry he is actually talking sense. Schiniderlin and Lallana are the players they are now in no small part due to the fact that they got regular game time at a lower level with us. If the club are serious about challenging at the top any 19,20 year old wanting to break into the side would have to be at that level or better, ie international standard. Shaw is an exception as he is clearly set for great things provided he can stay fit and focused. We all know that Schniderlin and Lallana weren't premier league level two or three years ago but they've grow with the team and developed away from the premier league, our current crop will have to do that in that unforgiving environment playing against international footballers most weeks. The idea seems to be that we have a strong 14-15 players and then supplement our first choice players with youth then when they are ready integrate them into the first XI. If it works then it's a great strategy. I just hope we dont get to the scenario whereby we are relying totally on youth and continue to invest and strengthen the first 11-15 as you cant expect to throw young players in at the deep end and expect them to swim. Shaw can pray to the Gods Daniel Fox is his competition, I can imagine in an interview in years to come about his glorious career he will say "So Luke, who do you thank for your career and being given an opportunity at such a young age, Adkins, Reed, the youth set up? "Danny Fox" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 To be fair to Barry he is actually talking sense. Schiniderlin and Lallana are the players they are now in no small part due to the fact that they got regular game time at a lower level with us. If the club are serious about challenging at the top any 19,20 year old wanting to break into the side would have to be at that level or better, ie international standard. Shaw is an exception as he is clearly set for great things provided he can stay fit and focused. We all know that Schniderlin and Lallana weren't premier league level two or three years ago but they've grow with the team and developed away from the premier league, our current crop will have to do that in that unforgiving environment playing against international footballers most weeks. The idea seems to be that we have a strong 14-15 players and then supplement our first choice players with youth then when they are ready integrate them into the first XI. If it works then it's a great strategy. I just hope we dont get to the scenario whereby we are relying totally on youth and continue to invest and strengthen the first 11-15 as you cant expect to throw young players in at the deep end and expect them to swim. That isn't what I am disputing though. According to Barry, all other teams signings are a success straight away. Whilst the Bales of this world (i.e. the ones that take a bit of time to settle and start performing) are the exception. This isn't true. Neither is the suggestion that it's a deliberate policy to sign players that take time to settle. Of course we want players to perform well from day dot, in reality this doesn't happen as often as any one (player, staff, manager or fan) at any club would like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?47919-Post-Match-Reaction-Chelsea-3-1-SAINTS&p=1824157#post1824157 So, a summary of the season so far then.... The equivalent of four draws away to Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool. 7th in the league 2 points away from a champions league spot Joint fewest goals conceded Above Man Utd and Spurs in the table. The team who restricted Chelsea to least passes at Stamford Bridge this season. The team who had more possession and shots vs Arsenal at the Emirates. The only visiting team to walk away from Anfield with any points so far this season Happy days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 That isn't what I am disputing though. According to Barry, all other teams signings are a success straight away. Whilst the Bales of this world (i.e. the ones that take a bit of time to settle and start performing) are the exception. This isn't true. Neither is the suggestion that it's a deliberate policy to sign players that take time to settle. Of course we want players to perform well from day dot, in reality this doesn't happen as often as any one (player, staff, manager or fan) at any club would like. I have not said that at all, again a clapper being extreme to make their view more attractive, I said and have said repeatedly that bigger larger reams and squads can absorb such **** as they have more quality throughout the team. Its obvious when you think about it, Torres for example at Chelsea, they won the Champions League and Uefa Cup with him playing pretty poorly for most of the games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 I have not said that at all, again a clapper being extreme to make their view more attractive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?47919-Post-Match-Reaction-Chelsea-3-1-SAINTS&p=1824157#post1824157 Stats rot the mind and distort reality, they mean nothing, the equivlent of 4 draws is 4 draws not a win and a draw. 2 points from a Champions League and so are many other teams. Joint fewest goals conceded, fair comment. Above them but is it really going to stay like that? Is that a cause for happiness? Those two comments are so desperate, we still lost end of. True and a good result it was too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Stats rot the mind and distort reality, they mean nothing, the equivlent of 4 draws is 4 draws not a win and a draw. 2 points from a Champions League and so are many other teams. Joint fewest goals conceded, fair comment. Above them but is it really going to stay like that? Is that a cause for happiness? Those two comments are so desperate, we still lost end of. True and a good result it was too. [video=youtube_share;0H_sGQR_6Ps] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordswoodsaints Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 I've always said that a season is split into thirds,you get a good third,a bad third and an average third not necessarily in that order..... I reckon we have had our good third and are now entering our bad third. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 The area we should look to strengthen is in creative midfield. In Lambert, Osvaldo and Rodriguez we have a great set of striking attributes. The issue is often in the speed of transition between ball retention and all-out attack. Ramirez is supposed to do that but MP either doesn't rate him or is sending him a message at the moment. Lallana is clearly capable of creating but he does that with dribbling as his passing's really not that great. We could do with someone who has a bit of acceleration and the ability to play forward looking passes. Ben Arfa is not getting in the Newcastle team and would be perfect IMO but I doubt they would want to sell him to us. Other than that, I don't see what more we could realistically expect so far. The defence and midfield have been great. It's also worth noting that expecting someone to be exceptional because they cost 12 million or 15 million is pretty silly. There's no reason why that sort of player should be any better than what we already have as a lot of our players have proven to be worth as much, if not quite a bit more. We can't go and sign a 30million pound player because they will want Champs League and 150k a week so we have to stick to the 10-15 mill sort of range and try to develop our own for now. Suggesting we should have signed more cheaper players and not taken a punt on some exciting signings is pretty stupid. How would more cheaper players have helped? They wouldn't have played, for a start. Our squad is pretty young and likely to increase in value. We're not throwing tens of millions at last-legs type players. Our strategy has been brave and pretty much spot on. We have had tough away fixtures but easy home ones so far. I think we are somewhere between seventh and ninth best team and that is where we will finish. For a team in it's second season up, with a carefully assembled young squad, that's a good place to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millbrook Saint Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 The trouble is clubs like Southampton rarely get a chance to build a top quality team, as soon as we're seen to be doing well by the top clubs they look at our players and take the ones they see as top quality leaving us having to find other replacements, I suspect at this point in time other clubs will be eyeing up Schneiderlin, Lovren, Shaw and Ward Prowse. When these clubs come knocking with their ridiculous wages what are we to do? we can't match the wages so we're left with taking the money and trying to find replacements, which isn't always that easy. Then we start to lose the team spirit as players that have grown up through the leagues together are replaced with foreign players. Unfortunately our good start will most likely be a double edged sword as the season moves towards an end we'll hear more about the core of our team having bids made for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 The trouble is clubs like Southampton rarely get a chance to build a top quality team, as soon as we're seen to be doing well by the top clubs they look at our players and take the ones they see as top quality leaving us having to find other replacements, I suspect at this point in time other clubs will be eyeing up Schneiderlin, Lovren, Shaw and Ward Prowse. When these clubs come knocking with their ridiculous wages what are we to do? we can't match the wages so we're left with taking the money and trying to find replacements, which isn't always that easy. Then we start to lose the team spirit as players that have grown up through the leagues together are replaced with foreign players. Unfortunately our good start will most likely be a double edged sword as the season moves towards an end we'll hear more about the core of our team having bids made for them. +1 ^ this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanh Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Your scenario may come true, however look at the likes of Swansea and West Brom last season and Newcastle from a couple of years ago. None of them have had their squads ripped by the big clubs - Michu is still at Swansea, Cabaye is still at Newcastle. I'm sure that there will be rumours about transfers for some of our players and some may move on, however the philosophy that they club is working towards should mean that the odd departure doesn't completely disrupt the squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbury Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Barry, any chance you can make Beddley Wetterton your new avi? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sanchez Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Barry, any chance you can make Beddley Wetterton your new avi? Not too sure as I am bedwetting, our coming 9th/10th wont have me having kittens, the clappers will go into a meltdown though, as the cult of Cortese will take a belting, far more grounded than the sunnier bunch on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 That isn't what I am disputing though. According to Barry, all other teams signings are a success straight away. Whilst the Bales of this world (i.e. the ones that take a bit of time to settle and start performing) are the exception. This isn't true. Neither is the suggestion that it's a deliberate policy to sign players that take time to settle. Of course we want players to perform well from day dot, in reality this doesn't happen as often as any one (player, staff, manager or fan) at any club would like. Tottenham are an example of this. They've spent far more than us and are below us in the table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iansums Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Totally unnecessary. Yes, just like calling some of your own players parasites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Sign ten players for three million rather than three at ten million, you mean? Not sure about that. I'd say our summer strategy was bang on. Yep, 27m spent (excluding wages) for a warm bench and to keep Uruguayan Airlines in business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Yep, 27m spent (excluding wages) for a warm bench and to keep Uruguayan Airlines in business. Whereas Sunderland, who adopted the approach you advocate, are reaping the rewards of such an approach. Also keenly ignoring the signings that are playing well. Lovren & Wanyama look to be very good buys, so far. 2/3 ain't all that bad really. I reckon most clubs success rate is about that, if not lower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Your scenario may come true, however look at the likes of Swansea and West Brom last season and Newcastle from a couple of years ago. None of them have had their squads ripped by the big clubs - Michu is still at Swansea, Cabaye is still at Newcastle. I'm sure that there will be rumours about transfers for some of our players and some may move on, however the philosophy that they club is working towards should mean that the odd departure doesn't completely disrupt the squad. Cabaye is only still at Newcastle because he was injured last summer. There's a big bag of Qatari cash already sitting on the table at St James Park just waiting for the 1st January to be opened. Cabaye to PSG is a done deal, they'll fall apart without him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanh Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Cabaye is only still at Newcastle because he was injured last summer. There's a big bag of Qatari cash already sitting on the table at St James Park just waiting for the 1st January to be opened. Cabaye to PSG is a done deal, they'll fall apart without him. Maybe, but my point remains, not every good player from every midtable club goes to the big boys. The exceptional ones might do and with Cabaye we'll see if you were right come 1st Feb, but we are not necessarily looking at a doomsday scenario of our squad being decimated in January as painted by Millbrook saint and backed up by Barry Sanchez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 "Taking Stock" Was all set to be the Echo headline when we were linked with signing Brian Stock back in L1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 Whereas Sunderland, who adopted the approach you advocate, are reaping the rewards of such an approach. Also keenly ignoring the signings that are playing well. Lovren & Wanyama look to be very good buys, so far. 2/3 ain't all that bad really. I reckon most clubs success rate is about that, if not lower. For Sunderland this season see QPR last. Making a raft of new signings at this level rarely works. Our summer business was spot on. 3 good players who have improved the squad, two of which have immediately improved the first, the other will given time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 2 December, 2013 Share Posted 2 December, 2013 I think yesterday was only the second result we've had which was worse than last season (losing at Norwich being the other). That's 2 points dropped but they are cancelled out by the draws we picked up OT and Sunderland at home. However we've won many fixtures we didn't last season. West Brom, Liverpool, Palace (instead of QPR) , Swansea, Fulham. That's an extra 13 points in 13 games. Based on the final league standings last season, an extra point per game would have given us 79 points and finishing 2nd in the league. I don't think we will finish 2nd or even top 4 but it does highlight just how much we have improved. Arsenal got outplayed by Man Utd and Villa in much easier fixtures than our last 2. Doesn't mean they aren't a seriously good team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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