aintforever Posted 20 May, 2014 Share Posted 20 May, 2014 'No doubts'? How confident. Based on us finishing eighth, with a gap over the teams below us, and no changes yet to the squad or management? I guess other clubs like Newcastle, Aston Villa, Stoke, Swansea, Palace etc. are all going to mobilise their vast financial resources and overtake us, losing no players in the process and only strengthening, with none of the poor buys we tend to make. Impressive. I wonder why these clubs did not do that in the season just gone...? It's a fine line between success and failure in this league, plenty of teams have gone from mid table to relegation the next season. If we lose Lallana and Shaw it will leave big holes to fill. Plus if we show little ambition then players who bought into Cortese's Champions League dream will be looking to move elsewhere and it can all go to cock pretty quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golac's Cunning Stunts Posted 20 May, 2014 Share Posted 20 May, 2014 'No doubts'? How confident. Based on us finishing eighth, with a gap over the teams below us, and no changes yet to the squad or management? I guess other clubs like Newcastle, Aston Villa, Stoke, Swansea, Palace etc. are all going to mobilise their vast financial resources and overtake us, losing no players in the process and only strengthening, with none of the poor buys we tend to make. Impressive. I wonder why these clubs did not do that in the season just gone...? Newcastle, A Villa, Stoke, Swansea have all enjoyed good solid seasons in the Prem in recent years and all have ended up having to sell their best players. To think we won't end up doing the same and consequently end up with the same end result - scrapping it out in the lower third of the league - is naive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 20 May, 2014 Share Posted 20 May, 2014 Newcastle' date=' A Villa, Stoke, Swansea have all enjoyed good solid seasons in the Prem in recent years and all have ended up having to sell their best players. To think we won't end up doing the same and consequently end up with the same end result - scrapping it out in the lower third of the league - is naive.[/quote'] That is what I mean. I think we may have enough to survive, but I think it will be a much tougher season next year with us scrapping in the lower third of the league. TBH I wouls settle for 16th now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 20 May, 2014 Share Posted 20 May, 2014 Newcastle' date=' A Villa, Stoke, Swansea have all enjoyed good solid seasons in the Prem in recent years and all have ended up having to sell their best players. To think we won't end up doing the same and consequently end up with the same end result - scrapping it out in the lower third of the league - is naive.[/quote'] Not sure any of those lost quite the amount of talent as had been talked about in the press. If Shaw, Lallana, morgan and Lovren all left we'd have massive problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golac's Cunning Stunts Posted 20 May, 2014 Share Posted 20 May, 2014 Not sure any of those lost quite the amount of talent as had been talked about in the press. If Shaw, Lallana, morgan and Lovren all left we'd have massive problems. Yes, things could get even worse than a lower third of the league scrap for survival if all those players were sold without replacing them with at least some quality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorpG Posted 20 May, 2014 Share Posted 20 May, 2014 Newcastle' date=' A Villa, Stoke, Swansea have all enjoyed good solid seasons in the Prem in recent years and all have ended up having to sell their best players. To think we won't end up doing the same and consequently end up with the same end result - scrapping it out in the lower third of the league - is naive.[/quote'] Or we could end up like some of the clubs you mentioned scrapping it out in mid table or slightly higher? I am not saying we will finish 8th or higher, but quite a statement to say we will finish in the bottom 7 now. Mid table obscurity maybe...? Or slightly better if we invest the proceeds from player sales well? 'Naive' to draw blanket comparisons with a variety of clubs with differing circumstances, sizes, management, financial resources, strategies etc. Don't get me wrong we could have a disastrous season, who knows. But to confidentially call that we will definitely be in the bottom seven is nothing more than pessimism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golac's Cunning Stunts Posted 20 May, 2014 Share Posted 20 May, 2014 Or we could end up like some of the clubs you mentioned scrapping it out in mid table or slightly higher? I am not saying we will finish 8th or higher, but quite a statement to say we will finish in the bottom 7 now. Mid table obscurity maybe...? Or slightly better if we invest the proceeds from player sales well? 'Naive' to draw blanket comparisons with a variety of clubs with differing circumstances, sizes, management, financial resources, strategies etc. Don't get me wrong we could have a disastrous season, who knows. But to confidentially call that we will definitely be in the bottom seven is nothing more than pessimism. I wasn't saying anything of the sort. I think a lot is lost in meaning writing on these forums. However, the law of averages will not be in our favour if we start selling our best players. Been there, seen it, done it... and it never worked out with a happy ending ever... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorpG Posted 20 May, 2014 Share Posted 20 May, 2014 I wasn't saying anything of the sort. I think a lot is lost in meaning writing on these forums. However' date=' the law of averages will not be in our favour if we start selling our best players. Been there, seen it, done it... and it never worked out with a happy ending ever...[/quote'] Didn't say you did - was replying to Dalek's post above, about finishing in the bottom 3rd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonManager Posted 20 May, 2014 Share Posted 20 May, 2014 I am quietly confident that we will have a team good enough to stay in the premier league, but have no doubts that we will be scrapping it out in the lower third of the league as we usually have done over the years. If I ever meet you in the real world I will either kiss you or kill you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIGANSAINT Posted 21 May, 2014 Share Posted 21 May, 2014 Gone is the ambition and we are back to being a selling club. So the point of all these young players is just a money making tool. Waste of time. I suggest a protest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Posted 21 May, 2014 Share Posted 21 May, 2014 (edited) Gone is the ambition and we are back to being a selling club. So the point of all these young players is just a money making tool. Waste of time. I suggest a protest. Assume this is said with tongue firmly in cheek as we don't yet know if policy has changed. It would seem odd for the owner and the recently assembled board to throw away all that has been achieved over the past 4 years and they may have no intention of doing that, but they could also do it unintentionally. The sale of Academy products was understandable when the club's finances were so precarious, and in the case of Oxlade-Chamberlain when then club had no firm hold over him, but fans can only judge by events over the next few weeks to see if it looks like the ambition of competing for the top four or five places is still being realistically pursued or not. IMHO it needs the club to retain both Shaw and Lallana if the ambition is still there. Selling one or other and buying cheaper players would feel like acceptance of second rate status and that has not been the intention so far. Edited 21 May, 2014 by Professor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted 21 May, 2014 Share Posted 21 May, 2014 fans can only judge by events over the next few weeks to see if it looks like the ambition of competing for the top four or five places is still being realistically pursued or not. Barely needs saying, but that ambition was never being realistically pursued before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 21 May, 2014 Author Share Posted 21 May, 2014 Gone is the ambition and we are back to being a selling club. So the point of all these young players is just a money making tool. Waste of time. If this true we have moved on precisely diddly squat since the Lowe era............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorpG Posted 21 May, 2014 Share Posted 21 May, 2014 If this true we have moved on precisely diddly squat since the Lowe era............ 'If'. Big if, I would say. A bit simplistic saying nothing has changed since Lowe. We have the most lauded academy in British football and a buying power now we were never close to under Lowe. Under Lowe we were not set up for long term success (buying squad players not first team players, constrictive wage structure etc.). Am not convinced this is the case now, as exemplified by the amount of Saints players involved in the England U18s, U21s etc, which does point towards longer term success (although clearly does not guarantee it). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lallana's Left Peg Posted 21 May, 2014 Share Posted 21 May, 2014 Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 16 mins Coz I keep getting asked & haven't replied - don't shoot the messenger & all that - here's what I think of situation at #saintsfc >>> Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 14 mins > The club will struggle to keep Lallana & Shaw as we know - and I was told Liverpool made a firm bid for Lovren of 15M which was rejected Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 13 mins But I've no proof of that - I think hesitation over Poch is due to Daniel Levy , who may well be waiting to see if he can lure a 'big' name Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 12 mins But my biggest worry re Poch is that #saintsfc board have let him to hold all the cards & I'd like club to be positive & say it how it is Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 12 mins A number of #saintsfc players feel they can't get answers they want off those in boardroom - that's what they've told me Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 11 mins And the timing of the Williams/Dodd exit was a pr disaster of the highest order at worst possible time - did the board not think of that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heisenberg Posted 21 May, 2014 Share Posted 21 May, 2014 Gone is the ambition and we are back to being a selling club. So the point of all these young players is just a money making tool. Waste of time. I suggest a protest. We havent sold any players yet? What good would a protest do at this stage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmel Posted 21 May, 2014 Share Posted 21 May, 2014 Gone is the ambition and we are back to being a selling club. So the point of all these young players is just a money making tool. Waste of time. I suggest a protest. We will always be a selling club to some degree. Nothing has changed from one regime to the next. When Cortese was in charge there were two players of significance that were wanted by other clubs; 1) Chamberlain - Guess what we sold him :scared: 2) Lambert - Cortese agreed the deal, but the new board scrapped the deal At this point in time there are 3 or four players that other clubs want and they will probably get some if not all of them. Would have been no different regardless who was running the club - In my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special K Posted 21 May, 2014 Share Posted 21 May, 2014 Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 16 mins Coz I keep getting asked & haven't replied - don't shoot the messenger & all that - here's what I think of situation at #saintsfc >>> Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 14 mins > The club will struggle to keep Lallana & Shaw as we know - and I was told Liverpool made a firm bid for Lovren of 15M which was rejected Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 13 mins But I've no proof of that - I think hesitation over Poch is due to Daniel Levy , who may well be waiting to see if he can lure a 'big' name Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 12 mins But my biggest worry re Poch is that #saintsfc board have let him to hold all the cards & I'd like club to be positive & say it how it is Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 12 mins A number of #saintsfc players feel they can't get answers they want off those in boardroom - that's what they've told me Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 11 mins And the timing of the Williams/Dodd exit was a pr disaster of the highest order at worst possible time - did the board not think of that? Interesting stuff. Whilst I have no problem with the Board not providing regular "updates" when there is nothing to say, there appear to be some behind the scenes failings which, on face value, indicate weakness and naivety. This will not bode well for the summer market. None of us know how the Board operate, but if players aren't getting answers, the manager is hawking his CV without consequence and the PR Dept have gone to the beach, the whole thing can unravel very quickly - external forces will see to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 21 May, 2014 Author Share Posted 21 May, 2014 Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 16 mins Coz I keep getting asked & haven't replied - don't shoot the messenger & all that - here's what I think of situation at #saintsfc >>> Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 14 mins > The club will struggle to keep Lallana & Shaw as we know - and I was told Liverpool made a firm bid for Lovren of 15M which was rejected Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 13 mins But I've no proof of that - I think hesitation over Poch is due to Daniel Levy , who may well be waiting to see if he can lure a 'big' name Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 12 mins But my biggest worry re Poch is that #saintsfc board have let him to hold all the cards & I'd like club to be positive & say it how it is Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 12 mins A number of #saintsfc players feel they can't get answers they want off those in boardroom - that's what they've told me Adam Blackmore @bigadamsport · 11 mins And the timing of the Williams/Dodd exit was a pr disaster of the highest order at worst possible time - did the board not think of that? Yep. The board are blowing this. Their strategy is saying "no" and putting their fingers in their ears and singing "la-la-la-la-la" loud enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minty Posted 21 May, 2014 Share Posted 21 May, 2014 Yep. The board are blowing this. Their strategy is saying "no" and putting their fingers in their ears and singing "la-la-la-la-la" loud enough. You have an amazing ability to make 2 + 2 = 17. And before you start, yes, clearly there is uncertainty and it is fair enough to be anxious to see what happens, but nothing has actually happened yet. Blackmore is just one opinion amongst many. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckenham Saint Posted 21 May, 2014 Share Posted 21 May, 2014 Yep. The board are blowing this. Their strategy is saying "no" and putting their fingers in their ears and singing "la-la-la-la-la" loud enough. Wish this worked with you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heisenberg Posted 21 May, 2014 Share Posted 21 May, 2014 The OP has legitimate concerns and it now seems that the players and SFC staff share this apprehension. Not sure why so many have responded to the OP with detestation when concern over communication is now a common theme shared across the forum? Transparency was one of Ralph Krueger’s early commitments to the fans and given the level of media reports + Dodd and Williams + Nicola Corteses’ recent interview I would appreciate some comment from the owners or board. Without any comment the media and fans are being left to make there own assumptions and this is very unhealthy and significantly destabilising at such a delicate and crucial time. More than ever we need our club, owners, players and manager to reaffirm the much talked about unity and club spirit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 21 May, 2014 Author Share Posted 21 May, 2014 The OP has legitimate concerns and it now seems that the players and SFC staff share this apprehension. Not sure why so many have responded to the OP with detestation when concern over communication is now a common theme shared across the forum? Transparency was one of Ralph Krueger’s early commitments to the fans and given the level of media reports + Dodd and Williams + Nicola Corteses’ recent interview I would appreciate some comment from the owners or board. Without any comment the media and fans are being left to make there own assumptions and this is very unhealthy and significantly destabilising at such a delicate and crucial time. More than ever we need our club, owners, players and manager to reaffirm the much talked about unity and club spirit. I am not particularly well-liked in these parts, thats why. Maybe the reaction would have been different if someone else started it. As usual the Clappies are putting their usual inimitable spin on the complete breakdown in communication (and resulting perceived action) from the club. Apparently, those of us pointing out are being unreasonable in expecting hour-by-hour updates on every minutae that is occurring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelman Posted 21 May, 2014 Share Posted 21 May, 2014 What seems to be forgotten is that the fans are customers. Now if my customers were calling out for info and none was forthcoming, they would no doubt say "**** it" and go somewhere else. While we all realise that football works somewhat differently, the same basic principles apply save for the going somewhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pangy Posted 21 May, 2014 Share Posted 21 May, 2014 I don't mind if we sell just Shaw,he will be one of the best LB's in the world and we are simply not big enough to further his career (yet) You have to remember that we are Southampton,we are uber secretive and hardly let anything out the bag,I know RK said that the board will be more open with fans but if there is nothing to seriously report other than papers making up stories then what can they say ? I have total faith in the board they know what they are doing and we will come out of this a better side next season,people need to chill out and see what happens,to think that we will sell all the players linked away is laughable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan The Flames Posted 21 May, 2014 Share Posted 21 May, 2014 ahhhh summer is coming; girls in short skirts, the sound of a lawn mower and an Alpine domesday thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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