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Les Reed's statement in full


JustinR

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Bit worrying to hear there's absolutely no interest from any other club for any of our players. Why not? What's wrong with them?

 

 

Too expensive, some of the figures that have been bandied about (and go up by the day) are nonsensical. Anyone who honestly believes that anyone is going to give us 30 million for Shaw needs to get some reality tablets. There are left backs available who are equally as good as Shaw for 7 or 8 million, may be less. I'll give 2 starters for 10, Kurzawa and Riccardo Rodriguez, better players all round, a quarter of the price and probably half of the money (or less).....................

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Anyone who honestly believes that anyone is going to give us 30 million for Shaw needs to get some reality tablets. There are left backs available who are equally as good as Shaw for 7 or 8 million, may be less. I'll give 2 starters for 10, Kurzawa and Riccardo Rodriguez, better players all round, a quarter of the price and probably half of the money (or less).....................

 

The two players you mention are 3 years older than Shaw! I think you underestimate how good Shaw is for his age, he is the 1st choice left back for a top 8 Premier League team and has a senior England cap at the age of 18. I think he looks more impressive than Bale did at the same stage.

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The two players you mention are 3 years older than Shaw! I think you underestimate how good Shaw is for his age, he is the 1st choice left back for a top 8 Premier League team and has a senior England cap at the age of 18. I think he looks more impressive than Bale did at the same stage.

 

Defensively maybe but offensively, with respect, not a chance.

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The two players you mention are 3 years older than Shaw! I think you underestimate how good Shaw is for his age, he is the 1st choice left back for a top 8 Premier League team and has a senior England cap at the age of 18. I think he looks more impressive than Bale did at the same stage.

 

Age does not count really, if you're at a top club you're expected to do the job whether you're 10 or 40. Bale has nothing whatsoever to do with it, he was a LB with us but Tottenham converted him into a MF because of his incredible acceleration.

If Cole was playing regularly Shaw would not be in the England squad, I suspect Flannagan might well get in in front of him in the near future as well. Better player all round.

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I think he looks more impressive than Bale did at the same stage.

 

Defensively maybe but offensively, with respect, not a chance.

 

Shaw has played nearly 60 Premier League games at the age of 18. Bale didn't have anything remotely close to that experience, he played for us in the Championship and took a long time to break into the Spurs team. Comparing them both at 18, Shaw has significantly more experience and proven at a higher level.

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Shaw has played nearly 60 Premier League games at the age of 18. Bale didn't have anything remotely close to that experience, he played for us in the Championship and took a long time to break into the Spurs team. Comparing them both at 18, Shaw has significantly more experience and proven at a higher level.

 

are you saying shaw is going to be better than bale?

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I suspect Flannagan might well get in in front of him in the near future as well. Better player all round.

 

They'll be competing in years to come, but there's no chance Flanagan's a better player now. He's looked very good but only over half a season of Premier League football while Shaw has done it consistently for almost 60 games now. Shaw is much more of an attacking threat.

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Age does not count really, if you're at a top club you're expected to do the job whether you're 10 or 40.

 

Of course it counts, you are comparing an 18 year old with two 21 year olds. They have been professionals for 3 extra seasons. What Shaw has achieved by the age if 18 is more impressive than what either of them had done.

 

Bale has nothing whatsoever to do with it, he was a LB with us but Tottenham converted him into a MF because of his incredible acceleration.

 

Shaw also like Bale played for Saints youth teams as a midfielder, he could quite easily convert back. He has many of the qualities you need in a winger and is given a lot of attacking freedom in Pochettino's system.

 

If Cole was playing regularly Shaw would not be in the England squad.

 

But Cole isn't playing, so that is a nonsensical argument. Cole is very much on the decline and is far from the player he once was.

 

I suspect Flannagan might well get in in front of him in the near future as well. Better player all round.

 

Flanagan really isn't as impressive as the Scousers and media make out. On average he is beaten more by the opposing winger than any over Premier League defender this season and offers little attacking threat when compared to Shaw.

Edited by Matthew Le God
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Shaw has played nearly 60 Premier League games at the age of 18. Bale didn't have anything remotely close to that experience, he played for us in the Championship and took a long time to break into the Spurs team. Comparing them both at 18, Shaw has significantly more experience and proven at a higher level.

 

Yes... But will you categorically state Shaw is better offensively than Bale at the same age? Bale had scored 3 goals for Tottenham in his debut season barely playing and 5 for us while 16 years old.

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Shaw doesn't have the goal threat that Bale had when he was with us, but he can work on that. Lord knows Bale has - he was full of natural talent but he's only the player he is now because he worked on the right aspects of his game and worked damn hard. If Shaw does the same he might make an attacker, but he's shorter and stockier than Bale. Not quite the same type.

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Shaw has played nearly 60 Premier League games at the age of 18. Bale didn't have anything remotely close to that experience, he played for us in the Championship and took a long time to break into the Spurs team. Comparing them both at 18, Shaw has significantly more experience and proven at a higher level.

 

Have to agree to disagree there... watching Bale in the 2006/7 season, it was clear he was a genius in the making... Shaw does not show the same level to me... time will tell I guess.

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are you saying shaw is going to be better than bale?

 

I didn't say that at all, I wouldn't compleltely rule it out though. Comparing both at 17/18 years old, I'd say Shaw is the more impressive and has achieved more. For Shaw to be at Bale's level when he is 24 years old will be quite something as Bale did improve rapidly. Shaw's finishing would need to improve if he did move forward from left back.

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Flannagan really isn't as impressive as the Scousers and media make out. On average he is beaten more by the opposing winger than any over Premier League defender this season and offers little attacking threat when compared to Shaw.

 

i don't think he's v.good either MLG but i was too intimidated by windows strong opinions to own to it :( He has been lot better in last few weeks tbf, but before that i thought he was v.average.

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Have to agree to disagree there... watching Bale in the 2006/7 season, it was clear he was a genius in the making... Shaw does not show the same level to me... time will tell I guess.

 

Bale although very good in 2006/07 was doing it in the Championship. Shaw has played nearly 60 Premier League games, is a first choice player for a top 8 team in England and has a senior England cap. Shaw is the more proven if you compare them at the same age.

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bit rough to mug off Bale for not having enough England caps.

 

A senior England cap at 18 is more impressive than playing for Wales at 18. Not Bale's fault he plays for a weak nation, but I was highlighting just how impressive it is for Shaw to be competing for an England World Cup place with Ashley Cole at the age of 18.

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I didn't say that at all, I wouldn't compleltely rule it out though. Comparing both at 17/18 years old, I'd say Shaw is the more impressive and has achieved more. For Shaw to be at Bale's level when he is 24 years old will be quite something as Bale did improve rapidly. Shaw's finishing would need to improve if he did move forward from left back.

 

matt oakley also had more prem games at a younger age than bale

so have many players

 

shaw has more top flight (and england caps) at 18 than Matt Le Tissier. I will tell you now that he will never be that good

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A senior England cap at 18 is more impressive than playing for Wales at 18. Not Bale's fault he plays for a weak nation, but I was highlighting just how impressive it is for Shaw to be competing for an England World Cup place with Ashley Cole at the age of 18.

 

Bale played for Wales at 16.

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Very welcome statement, categoric if slightly overdue. I think it was a bit much to expect supporters to start considering buying season tickets without some reassurances on the manager’s future and that has now been given. Although I still can't think why MP wants to wait until the end of an already dead rubber season.

 

What I would like to see next is a press conference with all those journos (inc ones from respected outlets) in attendance in front of the Saints fans and we can ask them why basically they made up a pack of lies. Has anyone got that Guardian reporter's contact details, the one who claimed the Shaw deal was virtually done? I would like to have a quiet word. No doubt they would claim Reed was lying.

 

On Twitter: @JamieJackson__

 

http://www.fat-pie.com/jerryjackson.htm

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That guardian article was amazing, given today's press conference.

 

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/23/manchester-united-beat-chelsea-luke-shaw-transfer-david-moyes

 

I find the level of detail mind blowing considering it seems to be utter fantasy!

 

Moyes is recognised at United for being largely responsible for persuading Shaw to place United ahead of Chelsea, with the former manager having put in long hours to try to secure the hottest prospect in the domestic game.

 

Evra, 33 next month, was considering leaving in the close season but the Frenchman is now minded to stay. Shaw has been informed of this and that Evra would be happy to act as his mentor.

 

The £100,000 a-week, five-year contract, on offer to Shaw is far greater than Chelsea are willing to pay and they have decided to pull out.
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Of course it counts, you are comparing an 18 year old with two 21 year olds. They have been professionals for 3 extra seasons. What Shaw has achieved by the age if 18 is more impressive than what either of them had done.

 

 

But as football is today it´s very rare that a player stays the whole career in the same club.....most football clubs buy players for a period of maybe 4-6 yrs...?

 

Then if you want to buy a player and use him for 4-6 yrs it must be wiser to buy a 24-25 yrs old and use him until he´s 28-29 cause those yrs are often the best years of a players career than to buy an 18 yrs old and use him until he´s 23-24??

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That guardian article was amazing, given today's press conference.

 

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/23/manchester-united-beat-chelsea-luke-shaw-transfer-david-moyes

 

I find the level of detail mind blowing considering it seems to be utter fantasy!

 

Probably an agent getting carried away. Could be Luke Shaws agent, or someone connected. And the idea that Moyes played a role makes it an interesting angle for them to go with. As does the Evra thing.

 

It's unlikely there hasn't been third - party to third - party contact, to be fair.

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I'm tremendously encouraged by Reed's statement. After all, the perceived wisdom of all the forum's greatest experts has consistently told us that anything written by journos, both of the Red Top and Broadsheet varieties, is beyond reproach. I was even challenged to confirm that I was more ready to take the statements from the club as being of greater relevance to the sale of any of our players than the rumours from journos and labelled as naive for taking that stance.

 

But assurances will no doubt follow from these forum experts that the club must be lying, it is what wasn't said that carries more weight, we will be forced to sell against our will, etc, etc.

 

It takes two to tango and until we hear from more reliable sources that any of our players wish to leave, then I am happy to accept that following Reed's statement, they won't.

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I wonder how much Les Reads statement had to do about reassuring all the clubs employee

must have been very unsettling for all with so much negative crap being bandied about in various media outlets

 

The players need to focus on the games not being distracted day in day out

 

Come on you saints time for the toffees to come unstuck

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**** Me, there's always one moron who cannot understand or will knot understand the spoken word. It's what he DIOD say that matters you dope!

 

Calm down Charlotte! I was only having a little joke with y'all...

 

Have a forum ***** slap for that outburst!

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I doubt we would have had any statement at all under the previous regime, so Les Reed`s is encouraging not only for its content but also hopefully for being an example of Katharina`s statement back in January when she stated a desire for the club to be "open" in it's communication and take decisions in the best interests of staff, players and fans.

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Based on homepage coverage (at the time of posting), press reaction to Reed's statement very enlightening...

 

Guardian - not reporting it but Shaw story removed from football homepage.

Telegraph - not reporting it

Independent - not reporting it

Mail - not reporting it, still running £55m Shaw/Lallana story

Mirror - running Reed's statement

Express - not reporting it

Star - running Reed's statement

Can't see Sun or Times as they're behind a pay wall.

 

Disappointing but not surprising. And tells you all you need to know about editorial agendas.

Edited by mikeyc
Spelling mistake
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Yes.

 

Happy Clappers United 10 - Doom City Albion 0

(Glasgow Saint og. 1, Barry Sanchez og 12, Glasgow Saint og. 23, Barry Sanchez og 27, Barry Sanchez og 28, Glasgow Saint og. 45, Glasgow Saint og. 67, Barry Sanchez og 70, Glasgow Saint og. 78, Barry Sanchez og 90 )

 

Player of the Match: Les Reed

Jos didn't play then

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That guardian article was amazing, given today's press conference.

 

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/23/manchester-united-beat-chelsea-luke-shaw-transfer-david-moyes

 

I find the level of detail mind blowing considering it seems to be utter fantasy!

 

 

......and he will travel up to Old Trafford in a flying-saucer (gold-plated, of course !:lol:

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Based on homage coverage (at the time of posting), press reaction to Reed's statement very enlightening...

 

Guardian - not reporting it but Shaw story removed from football homepage.

Telegraph - not reporting it

Independent - not reporting it

Mail - not reporting it, running £55m Shaw/Lallana story still

Mirror - running Reed's statement

Express - not reporting it

Star - running Reed's statement

Can't see Sun or Times as they're behind a pay wall.

 

Disappointing but not surprising. And tells you all you need to know about editorial agendas.

Being told players aren't for sale and that there is no fire-sale doesn't make for particularly interesting headlines. England player potentially moving to the country's biggest club for a world record fee for a full-back does make an interesting headline, regardless of how true it is.

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Didn't see that, it's answered my question as to whether it was official and sanctioned by the club.

 

In his previous guises at other clubs, Les has been known to go off half-cock and do and say things off his own back.

 

I think it would undermine MoPo if he wasn't aware that Reed was spouting off that he (MoPo) was not in control of player acquisition.

 

 

What? ...officially sanctioned ? He is a director of the club....I would guess it was a Board decision to have him make the statement.... if it wasn't, he'll be out of the door by Monday morning.

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Absolutely, Steve, but when the Club has gone so far as to release a detailed denial and clarification in direct response to stories circulated by certain newspapers, it's frustrating when the same newspapers effectively choose to ignore it.

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Absolutely, Steve, but when the Club has gone so far as to release a detailed denial and clarification in direct response to stories circulated by certain newspapers, it's frustrating when the same newspapers effectively choose to ignore it.

 

 

Well for whatever reason they must then believe that they're right and Les Reed isn't. Who knows, it's football.

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Guardian does, sort of, acknowledge Les Reed's statement in its "Fiver" email:

 

'And Southampton executive director Les Reed [yes, that Les Reed – Fiver Ed] has denied that the club are preparing to trouser vast sums of cash for Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana. "There is not going to be a fire-sale," trilled the former Charlton boss."'

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Always nice to say **** off to the journalists and bigger clubs who either make up **** or think they have the god given divine right to get other teams players.

 

Thank god there is an early match tomorrow so this forum can get back to criticising our players, questioning the board and manager. I don't think I have seen Bearsy make so many sensible posts on 1 thread.

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