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Preseason tour of China and Gao's plans

Saint86

By Saint86
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Saint86

Saint86

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Posted

I don't know if this has already been reported on here (if so I've missed it amongst the wrist slitting and fan angst), but Gao wants us to tour China in the pre-season. This is with a backdrop to raising the club's profile in the east, and also to work with Lander sports development to open 10 coaching academies - queue a Chinese prodigy (or not) in the saints team in circa 10years.

 

A large part of me feels this is the very last thing we need to be distracted by this summer. Miles from Europe and the UK right when we need to be restructuring the staff and the players... and with all the hastle entailed in communicating over that distance. On top of that, its going to come after what has been a long hard season for the players that stay, and potentially a world cup (assuming we keep any of those players).

 

On the flip side, it does show some interesting intent from the owner, and an interest in the club and its stature/progression.

Fatboy40

Fatboy40

Posted
Posted
A large part of me feels this is the very last thing we need to be distracted by this summer.

 

ALL of me feels this is the last thing we should be doing!

 

We'll be relegated, with a decimated squad, potentially no manager and probable changes at the director level. If this does happen then it absolutely shows that Ji Sheng Gao has no interest in Southampton FC as a successful football club, just as a vehicle for his own ambitions within China.

Saint86

Saint86

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  • Author
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Its a few weeks of preseason if its here, China or in Europe really won't make any difference. Whats next we can a whinge about?

 

Les Reed. Until he goes :lol:

Pamplemousse

Pamplemousse

Posted
Posted

The best way we can market ourselves in China (and indeed, anywhere around the world) is by playing in the Premier League. Therefore, if that is Gao's primary motivation, then hopefully no expense will be spared in ensuring we achieve promotion at the earliest opportunity.

aintforever

aintforever

Posted
Posted

Good to see Gao has his finger on the pulse of the important issues at SFC.

 

Should be great preparation for the physical demands of the Championship, a few friendlies against a bunch of 5ft tall Chinamen.

shurlock

shurlock

Posted
Posted
Good to see Gao has his finger on the pulse of the important issues at SFC.

 

Should be great preparation for the physical demands of the Championship, a few friendlies against a bunch of 5ft tall Chinamen.

 

Good lad.

VectisSaint

VectisSaint

Posted
Posted
Good to see Gao has his finger on the pulse of the important issues at SFC.

 

Should be great preparation for the physical demands of the Championship, a few friendlies against a bunch of 5ft tall Chinamen.

Racial stereotyping at its best.

Mikey88

Mikey88

Posted
Posted
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43877716

 

At least we are not going to Burma ................

 

This situation is ridiculous. Know someone who works at the club and it’s causing huge problems between owners and 1st team staff. Vaccinations are needed 6 months in advance which they have not accounted for and the Zika virus is rife there and many players are saying that they won’t risk becoming infected because of possible implications with family. Club aren’t backing down though. Add to that that it’s a war zone...

 

John B

John B

Posted
Posted
I don't know if this has already been reported on here (if so I've missed it amongst the wrist slitting and fan angst), but Gao wants us to tour China in the pre-season. This is with a backdrop to raising the club's profile in the east, and also to work with Lander sports development to open 10 coaching academies - queue a Chinese prodigy (or not) in the saints team in circa 10years.

 

A large part of me feels this is the very last thing we need to be distracted by this summer. Miles from Europe and the UK right when we need to be restructuring the staff and the players... and with all the hastle entailed in communicating over that distance. On top of that, its going to come after what has been a long hard season for the players that stay, and potentially a world cup (assuming we keep any of those players).

 

On the flip side, it does show some interesting intent from the owner, and an interest in the club and its stature/progression.

 

Its his club for ****s sake he can do with it what ever he wants

Lighthouse

Lighthouse

Posted
Posted

Most Chinese fans supported Man Utd, until Chelsea became better of course. Now they support Man City.

 

Why anyone thinks they'd care about a team in the bottom half of the Championship I have no idea.

SKD

SKD

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Posted

What Gao needs to realise is that our profile will drop significantly when we’re in the championship. I can’t see the old ‘Kitchen Sinks’ being that arsed about a game away to Burton on a Tuesday night.

 

Perhaps Gao hasn’t been made aware that relegation is possible (along with the drop in revenue that comes with it) and that it’s very likely to happen to us.

Fatboy40

Fatboy40

Posted
Posted

Christ on a bike, Ji Sheng Gao is totally deluded allowing statements like that from his employees.

 

He really has no clue whatsoever about what's going on does he, or he just doesn't give a ****, I can't fathom out which it is. All I know is it's going to get far worse before it gets better if this is his style of conducting business!

simo

simo

Posted
Posted
Its his club for ****s sake he can do with it what ever he wants

 

Until he's paid off the loan it's the banks club !

shurlock

shurlock

Posted
Posted (edited)
Can you translate the whole article Saintrich :)

 

A few things:

 

We're supposedly in talks with 3-4 Chinese companies with an eye to sponsorship - no names but they span industries such as insurance, airlines, home appliances and drinks, though it does say this is attributable to our premier league status.

 

Talks about buying players who can contribute immediately as opposed to proven players per se. Oddly contrasts this 'new' approach with the 'old' one associated with signings like Wanyama, VVD and Mane. Of course most would argue that we lost our way precisely because we departed from this approach in targeting big club cast-offs.

 

Talks about the profile it our academy and the prospect of Chinese players playing for Southampton, though it is currently seen as a pipedream given the difficulties of obtaining work visas.

 

Kit will be launched in July and the team will be doing publicity work. Staff from the academy and management (Les?), meanwhile, will be participating in forums and training events.

Edited by shurlock
davefizzy14

davefizzy14

Posted
Posted
A few things:

 

We're supposedly in talks with 3-4 Chinese companies with an eye to sponsorship - no names but they span industries such as insurance, airlines, home appliances and drinks, though it does say this is attributable to our premier league status.

 

Talks about buying players who can contribute immediately as opposed to proven players per se. Oddly contrasts this 'new' approach with the 'old' one associated with signings like Wanyama, VVD and Mane. Of course most would argue that we lost our way precisely because we departed from this approach in targeting big club cast-offs.

 

Talks about the profile it our academy and the prospect of Chinese players playing for Southampton, though it is currently seen as a pipedream given the difficulties of obtaining work visas.

 

Kit will be launched in July and the team will be doing publicity work. Staff from the academy and management (Les?) will participating in forums and training events.

 

Ok thanks for that Shurlock! :)

S-Clarke

S-Clarke

Posted
Posted

How can they hold the realsitic ambition of being a top 10 premier league club, when we are staring down the barrel of the NPC.

 

Our ownership is so disconnected. As someone has said, there is a huge void at the top and it's simply just filled by Ralf's hot air.

benjii

benjii

Posted
Posted
This situation is ridiculous. Know someone who works at the club and it’s causing huge problems between owners and 1st team staff. Vaccinations are needed 6 months in advance which they have not accounted for and the Zika virus is rife there and many players are saying that they won’t risk becoming infected because of possible implications with family. Club aren’t backing down though. Add to that that it’s a war zone...

 

 

What vaccination is needed 6 months in advance?

CB Fry

CB Fry

Posted
Posted
How can they hold the realsitic ambition of being a top 10 premier league club, when we are staring down the barrel of the NPC.

 

Our ownership is so disconnected. As someone has said, there is a huge void at the top and it's simply just filled by Ralf's hot air.

It does say "had faith" so past tense.

 

I had to re-read it but I think they're saying they didn't anticipate it being so terrible.

Batman

Batman

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“Perfect management team”...it feels like we’re stuck in the Twilight Zone.

 

They really can’t be paying close attention at the ownership level.

 

Says HAD

Which was the point of the tweet being shared.

Saint-Fred

Saint-Fred

Posted
Posted
ddc7e9bc23744179119ac43b3c0bfe0e.jpg

 

Lol Gao fell for the oldest trick in the book...when Fat Kat told him they were the perfect management team he should have checked himself before handing over the dosh... Sounds like they have just realised that there was never a plan to stay top 10 and that the "perfect management" team were actually just a couple of bozo's winging it, full of self promotion with a total lack of focus on what is actually important at a football club.....

 

Never mind...I am sure those people you borrowed 200 million off will understand that you were conned and now you are in charge of a ****e team, where none of the players actually want to be there but are payed a fortune anyway and the premier league gravy train money is about to disappear.

Saint86

Saint86

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Its his club for ****s sake he can do with it what ever he wants

 

Get a grip of yourself mate, jeez Louise! I purely commented on the rumoured tour and reasons.

 

What is with our melt fans turning on other Saints fans? Fecking embarrassing for those involved.

Saint Albert

Saint Albert

Posted
Posted
Have you actually read those tweets yourself? They don't contradict the implication of the first one.

 

This sounded like praise to me...

“Just to add a little perspective on the quotes from Neil Chen. He was applying a very broad brush on club management, praising a wide range of roles, not purely football decision making. #saintsfc”

 

Perhaps we’ll have to wait for the full report to be sure.

CB Fry

CB Fry

Posted
Posted
This sounded like praise to me...

“Just to add a little perspective on the quotes from Neil Chen. He was applying a very broad brush on club management, praising a wide range of roles, not purely football decision making. #saintsfc”

 

Perhaps we’ll have to wait for the full report to be sure.

 

Wide range of roles - not purely football decision making.

 

If he's talking about the club as a whole he is probably not wrong - we do have a fundamental structure in place that is sound. Doesn't mean Les has got a job for life or even a job in June.

CB Fry

CB Fry

Posted
Posted
'Faith' is the excuse people give when they are not supported with good evidence, if you had good evidence you wouldn't need faith.
Leviticus Chapter 7, right? Great stuff.
shurlock

shurlock

Posted
Posted (edited)
It does say "had faith" so past tense.

 

I had to re-read it but I think they're saying they didn't anticipate it being so terrible.

 

Not necessarily. In reported speech i.e. "Neil Chen told", the verb is usually one tense back in time, so "had faith" could easily mean "has faith" in this context.

Edited by shurlock
Ultimatt

Ultimatt

Posted
Posted

I think Les and co were indeed the perfect management team prior to our inevitable relegation. A board that cares about profits and exploiting its fans more than getting on field results. Perfect management for an investment group looking to make profit. Sadly they cut costs in too many areas and took our PL status for granted.

CB Fry

CB Fry

Posted
Posted
Not necessarily. In reported speech i.e. "Neil Chen told", the verb is usually one tense back in time, so "had faith" could easily mean "has faith" in this context.

 

So you think Chen still holds, present tense, a realistic ambition that in the here and now we are going to be top 10 Premier League club with this perfect management team?

 

Seems unlikely.

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