Sports Republic

[Wade Garrett]

Overseeing a bit of a shambles at the moment.

Are they actually fooled into thinking that the club is in safe hands with Semmens and Ralph?

I’m not that impressed with them  to be honest.

[JRM]

How's their Turkish club getting on? 

[Miltonaggro]

I think they genuinely believed the 'safe hands' 'well run' line spun by Semmens & Co. during and after purchase, and thought that Saints would tick over whilst they were empire building in the bargain basement.  It's likely now that the core team is in a mode of responsive crisis management to rescue the situation before it becomes untenable.  Given what appeared a large investment in earnest over the summer, if they're not SR are incompetent and will be complicit.     

[SotonianWill]

do you reckon SR will trust Ralph/Semmens & co with the 30 million for a striker? 

[Turkish]

Guess the first year or so was always going to be a case of sorting out the shit. We've been a club in decline since 2016 really with poor leadership, a succession of failed managers, crap team, crap transfers which lead to a wage bill which was ridiculous in comparison to the ability of the squad then general disconnect which sometimes borders on distain with the fan base. In truth it's a miracle we've stayed in the premier league.

You can see what they are doing, trying to find some of the best young players around, build a young team with the best ones being sold for large profits, thats fine but it's going to take 2-3 years in reality for a load of 18-21 year olds to reach that level, in the meantime are we going to be good enough to stay in the premier league? Doesn't look like it at the moment.

In truth it probably needs a clean sweep, Semmens initially talked a good game, but then he was taking over from Kruger who just came across as a joke at the end. 

[Piran]

Well said, Turkish. It's still only months since SR arrived. A multi-million pound operation in possibly the most highly-visible sector of business in the UK, perhaps the world.

The impatience on here is staggering. Ditto the band-wagon jumping whenever somebody becomes persona non grata.

[S-Clarke]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

Guess the first year or so was always going to be a case of sorting out the shit. We've been a club in decline since 2016 really with poor leadership, a succession of failed managers, crap team, crap transfers which lead to a wage bill which was ridiculous in comparison to the ability of the squad then general disconnect which sometimes borders on distain with the fan base. In truth it's a miracle we've stayed in the premier league.

You can see what they are doing, trying to find some of the best young players around, build a young team with the best ones being sold for large profits, thats fine but it's going to take 2-3 years in reality for a load of 18-21 year olds to reach that level, in the meantime are we going to be good enough to stay in the premier league? Doesn't look like it at the moment.

In truth it probably needs a clean sweep, Semmens initially talked a good game, but then he was taking over from Kruger who just came across as a joke at the end. 

The key word is patience, but patience in football doesn't exist. 

Like you say, their model is clear. It's the best model a club such as us can operate. But it will take time, it won't be easy and there will be lots of sleepless nights.

My big concern is that Football doesn't provide an opportunity to be patient anymore. There's so much money flowing around that clubs will struggle to grow a philosophy over a few years, it has to be a rapid growth otherwise you risk failure/relegation and a massive dent in any plans. 

With regards to the incumbents (manager/ CEO/Directors), you often see new ownership models giving them a period of time, but ultimately they are always on borrowed time as they will inevitably be replaced by their own people at some stage.

Edited 13 October, 2022 by S-Clarke

[saintant]

I think Semmens and Ralph have had a very cosy existence up to now. IF SR have anything about them they'll start rattling a few cages very hard, banging a few desks and seeking some straight answers from straight questions to Semmens and Ralph. They are the owners so surely they will not be sat on their arses playing fiddles while their football club burns.

[Turkish]

23 minutes ago, Piran said:

Well said, Turkish. It's still only months since SR arrived. A multi-million pound operation in possibly the most highly-visible sector of business in the UK, perhaps the world.

The impatience on here is staggering. Ditto the band-wagon jumping whenever somebody becomes persona non grata.

There is a balance to be struck between the long term strategy and short term, which for us is staying in the premier league. At the moment we dont look like we're going to be doing that and look like we're getting worse. So yes, patience is needed but also you got to keep paying the rent whilst saving for a deposit so to speak.

[Turkish]

12 minutes ago, saintant said:

I think Semmens and Ralph have had a very cosy existence up to now. IF SR have anything about them they'll start rattling a few cages very hard, banging a few desks and seeking some straight answers from straight questions to Semmens and Ralph. They are the owners so surely they will not be sat on their arses playing fiddles while their football club burns.

Probably true, they've been able to do what they want under Goa, but now they might be having the heat turned up, i hope they are.

[FarehamSaintJames]

I imagine they’ll be certain timeframes that need to be met. I reckon for Ralph it’s the World Cup.

Semmens the end of the season.

You've got to give people time in their new role/job. Ralph has almost come to the end.

Semmens you’d argue deserves time for getting us with SR in the first place and because no doubt his role has probably changed since the board have shuffled about. I can see him leaving in the summer and RA taking a more hands on role of our transfer policy.

[saintant]

1 hour ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

I imagine they’ll be certain timeframes that need to be met. I reckon for Ralph it’s the World Cup.

Semmens the end of the season.

You've got to give people time in their new role/job. Ralph has almost come to the end.

Semmens you’d argue deserves time for getting us with SR in the first place and because no doubt his role has probably changed since the board have shuffled about. I can see him leaving in the summer and RA taking a more hands on role of our transfer policy.

I've always thought it was risky to allow Semmens so much involvement in finding a buyer because he has such a vested interest. Would he opt for the best for the club or the best fit for his own personal interests? I have no knowledge of how these things normally work but wonder if some clubs use independent brokers when looking for new buyers or considering offers.

Edited 13 October, 2022 by saintant

[SuperSAINT]

Göztepe lost again.

[nta786]

Liebherr’s Southampton shareholding diluted - The Athletic

Katharina Liebherr no longer owns a 20 per cent shareholding in Southampton, reports Dan Sheldon.

She inherited the club from her father, Markus, after he died of a heart attack in August 2010 and maintained full ownership until selling an 80 per cent stake to Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng in 2017.

And when Sport Republic bought the club at the beginning of the year, it did not include Liebherr’s 20 per cent.

However, following the group’s investment over the summer, when it injected millions of pounds into the club, her shares have been diluted.

Though the exact stake has not been disclosed, it means Liebherr no longer owns 20 per cent of Southampton and her shareholding has decreased.

Due to the increased capital put into Southampton by Sport Republic, her shares — even though they no longer total 20 per cent — remain at the same value.

On the pitch, Nathan Tella continued his excellent form for Burnley in their comeback against Sunderland after joining on loan from Southampton in the summer.

The 23-year-old has scored six goals in the Championship for Vincent Kompany’s side and his form has not gone unnoticed on the south coast.

The Premier League club inserted an option to recall Tella into the deal when they sent him on a season-long loan but are unlikely to exercise it as he is settled and flourishing at Burnley.

Tella recently moved into a new apartment in Manchester and is enjoying working under Kompany’s management.

[chuz]

On 13/10/2022 at 11:35, saintant said:

I think Semmens and Ralph have had a very cosy existence up to now. IF SR have anything about them they'll start rattling a few cages very hard, banging a few desks and seeking some straight answers from straight questions to Semmens and Ralph. They are the owners so surely they will not be sat on their arses playing fiddles while their football club burns.

It'll be interesting to see if Semmens etc are still here after the first anniversary of the acquisition....possible a 12 month stay of execution was part of the deal...

[Ted Bates Statue]

35 minutes ago, nta786 said:

Liebherr’s Southampton shareholding diluted - The Athletic

Katharina Liebherr no longer owns a 20 per cent shareholding in Southampton, reports Dan Sheldon.

She inherited the club from her father, Markus, after he died of a heart attack in August 2010 and maintained full ownership until selling an 80 per cent stake to Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng in 2017.

And when Sport Republic bought the club at the beginning of the year, it did not include Liebherr’s 20 per cent.

However, following the group’s investment over the summer, when it injected millions of pounds into the club, her shares have been diluted.

Though the exact stake has not been disclosed, it means Liebherr no longer owns 20 per cent of Southampton and her shareholding has decreased.

Due to the increased capital put into Southampton by Sport Republic, her shares — even though they no longer total 20 per cent — remain at the same value.

On the pitch, Nathan Tella continued his excellent form for Burnley in their comeback against Sunderland after joining on loan from Southampton in the summer.

The 23-year-old has scored six goals in the Championship for Vincent Kompany’s side and his form has not gone unnoticed on the south coast.

The Premier League club inserted an option to recall Tella into the deal when they sent him on a season-long loan but are unlikely to exercise it as he is settled and flourishing at Burnley.

Tella recently moved into a new apartment in Manchester and is enjoying working under Kompany’s management.

I'm still not sure whether Kat Liebherr used to own 20% of Saints. I wonder if anyone can clarify for my sake, as the article doesn't really touch on it much?

[SaintsLoyal]

Semmens no longer has my vote based on his 'blame the fans for st marys atmosphere' and losing games. Then he has sat back over the last 18 months watching results go down the pan and no real change in players performing. He was obnoxious at the fans forum and really showed his true colors.  Its clear to anyone that Hasenhuttl should have been sacked at the end of 20/21 season and then again at the end of the 21/22 season.  Now we're stuck with him in this last season as thankfully i dont see him seeing out the final year. 

Edited 24 October, 2022 by SaintsLoyal

[Chris cooper]

16 minutes ago, SaintsLoyal said:

Semmens no longer has my vote based on his 'blame the fans for st marys atmosphere' and losing games. Then he has sat back over the last 18 months watching results go down the pan and no real change in players performing. He was obnoxious at the fans forum and really showed his true colors.  Its clear to anyone that Hasenhuttl should have been sacked at the end of 20/21 season and then again at the end of the 21/22 season.  Now we're stuck with him in this last season as thankfully i dont see him seeing out the final year. 

Get rid of the 3 Amigos .. semmens ..Steele and hassenhuttle .. 

[saint michael]

On 13/10/2022 at 10:00, Turkish said:

Guess the first year or so was always going to be a case of sorting out the shit. We've been a club in decline since 2016 really with poor leadership, a succession of failed managers, crap team, crap transfers which lead to a wage bill which was ridiculous in comparison to the ability of the squad then general disconnect which sometimes borders on distain with the fan base. In truth it's a miracle we've stayed in the premier league.

You can see what they are doing, trying to find some of the best young players around, build a young team with the best ones being sold for large profits, thats fine but it's going to take 2-3 years in reality for a load of 18-21 year olds to reach that level, in the meantime are we going to be good enough to stay in the premier league? Doesn't look like it at the moment.

In truth it probably needs a clean sweep, Semmens initially talked a good game, but then he was taking over from Kruger who just came across as a joke at the end. 

Good piece Turkish and understand what you say. Just not sure what our patience is in service of. Isn’t the business model the same and only luck in purchases going to make it different. I wonder what their true ambition is. 

[wild-saint]

10 months In and they have paralysed with fear after largely wasting 75m on a pile of shyte. Top 5 mistakes in my opinion -

1. Not changing manager in the summer.

2. Not signing a striker good enough to score goals in the premier league.

3. Ditto number 10 to create enough.

4. Spending all the cash on young players that may be good enough in 2/3 years time.

5. Selling Romeo whilst our only other decent midfield player sits with a doc telling him he can’t play until after the fucking World Cup.

And people have the nerve to criticise the previous owners. This new lot communicate about as well as the last lot. The only thing they have achieved is pissing off the home support by closing down sections of seats for standing up to take a piss during the game.

[S-Clarke]

I don't think it's fair to judge them so harshly on what is 10 months, you can clearly see the approach and what they are trying to do and the intent is there (financially at least). Which is something we haven't had for years.

The biggest mistake they have made is weakening our attack after spending about £60m without sales. By all accounts it wasn't the plan and we did want one, but the fact we didn't get one has to be seen as their biggest mistake to date. 

I know people will lump all the blame on Ralph, and whilst he should shoulder some of it, the lack of a striker is paralysing us. With an Ings or a Broja we get points against Wolves, Villa and Palace, which would have meant less pressure on Ralph and a better platform to take into the season after the WC. But we're embroiled in a relegation battle now for the entirety, and that isn't all because of Ralph.

[saintant]

58 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I don't think it's fair to judge them so harshly on what is 10 months, you can clearly see the approach and what they are trying to do and the intent is there (financially at least). Which is something we haven't had for years.

The biggest mistake they have made is weakening our attack after spending about £60m without sales. By all accounts it wasn't the plan and we did want one, but the fact we didn't get one has to be seen as their biggest mistake to date. 

I know people will lump all the blame on Ralph, and whilst he should shoulder some of it, the lack of a striker is paralysing us. With an Ings or a Broja we get points against Wolves, Villa and Palace, which would have meant less pressure on Ralph and a better platform to take into the season after the WC. But we're embroiled in a relegation battle now for the entirety, and that isn't all because of Ralph.

It is too simplistic to say we'd have got points against Wolves, Villa and Palace. It is a one-sided view and it omits the fact that those sides also missed chances against us. This can't all be lumped at Adams' door because a lot of it is down to the way we are set up to play back and square with zero pace and very little creativity. All sides miss chances so we can't only count the ones we miss and ignore those of our opponents. A new striker will not change much.

[Harry_SFC]

3 minutes ago, saintant said:

It is too simplistic to say we'd have got points against Wolves, Villa and Palace. It is a one-sided view and it omits the fact that those sides also missed chances against us. This can't all be lumped at Adams' door because a lot of it is down to the way we are set up to play back and square with zero pace and very little creativity. All sides miss chances so we can't only count the ones we miss and ignore those of our opponents. A new striker will not change much.

Due to our poor set up and lack of genuine creativity, a striker needs to be able to make chances for himself to be successful in this team. Broja did that a couple of times last season but he only scored 6 goals in 32 games. 

Although given Aribos second half yesterday, I do think he can be a creator in this side (Ralph finally played him in his best position)

[S-Clarke]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

It is too simplistic to say we'd have got points against Wolves, Villa and Palace. It is a one-sided view and it omits the fact that those sides also missed chances against us. This can't all be lumped at Adams' door because a lot of it is down to the way we are set up to play back and square with zero pace and very little creativity. All sides miss chances so we can't only count the ones we miss and ignore those of our opponents. A new striker will not change much.

I genuinely believe that had we had a goal scorer we would have more points than we have today. Football can be overcomplicated sometimes, and we can put too much into systems, tactics, shapes etc, but at the end of the day it's about keeping the ball out of the back of the net and scoring the chances when they come about (and we have had chances in many games this year, however they've come about)

It's all being lumped at Adams door because he is an awful finisher and due to the failed transfer window, he has been hung out to dry. We know that Adams strengths are his build up and support play, feeding more clinical forwards and being unselfish in his approach. He's still got that part of his game, which has got better over the years, but he's now the single person we rely on for goals and this is the problem we face.

Edited 30 October, 2022 by S-Clarke

[DT]

Not sure this lot are that into us. Inert management at best.

[saintant]

1 hour ago, S-Clarke said:

I genuinely believe that had we had a goal scorer we would have more points than we have today. Football can be overcomplicated sometimes, and we can put too much into systems, tactics, shapes etc, but at the end of the day it's about keeping the ball out of the back of the net and scoring the chances when they come about (and we have had chances in many games this year, however they've come about)

It's all being lumped at Adams door because he is an awful finisher and due to the failed transfer window, he has been hung out to dry. We know that Adams strengths are his build up and support play, feeding more clinical forwards and being unselfish in his approach. He's still got that part of his game, which has got better over the years, but he's now the single person we rely on for goals and this is the problem we face.

But you're failing to factor in the misses against us almost as though we are the only side that misses chances. All sides do it in every match. You can't slant it in our favour and say we would have beaten X or drawn with Y because the fans of X and Y will simply point out that if they'd taken all their chances the result would have been different. It works both ways. Our problem is more that we don't create anything like enough chances and therefore we are reliant on converting a large percentage of them - it's not going to happen and it probably won't even if we bring in another striker. We are putting too much pressure on ourselves because we are set up to pass backwards and sideways and defend too much so when the odd chance comes along we have to take it. Instead I'd like to see Ralph make us more offensive and take the game to our opponents. Ralph is quite happy to do nothing until the other side score and I just wish he'd be more proactive for a change.

[Raging Bull]

56 minutes ago, DT said:

Not sure this lot are that into us. Inert management at best.

WTF have you based this on?!?! They spent more on transfers than we’ve ever spent, clearly have a long term plan. 

And by the sounds of it, the striker issue was taken out of their hands by Chelsea and (possibly) Semmens). 

There’s no way in the world they aren’t going to buy a striker in January. To not do so would be to risk everything. 
 

[Wade Garrett]

4 minutes ago, Raging Bull said:

WTF have you based this on?!?! They spent more on transfers than we’ve ever spent, clearly have a long term plan. 

And by the sounds of it, the striker issue was taken out of their hands by Chelsea and (possibly) Semmens). 

There’s no way in the world they aren’t going to buy a striker in January. To not do so would be to risk everything. 
 

I would imagine the inert refers to the passive support of a truly shite manager.

[nta786]

19 minutes ago, saintant said:

But you're failing to factor in the misses against us almost as though we are the only side that misses chances. All sides do it in every match. You can't slant it in our favour and say we would have beaten X or drawn with Y because the fans of X and Y will simply point out that if they'd taken all their chances the result would have been different. It works both ways.

Agreed, let’s not forget the Edouard chance which had Zaha underhit a bit more would have been 1-0, and also if Edouard not stood in an offiside position etc etc…

Then without going all MLG you have the butterly/chaos theory… if we were 2-0 down it may even have been 4 or 5, we know how mentally feeble we are and how our heads drop easily.

[pimpin4rizeal]

Isn’t ut still semmens running things at the moment though?

that’s the impression I got when they bought us.. would much rather have rasmus in charge at least he talks a good game and seems a very interesting switched on guy 

[Badger]

37 minutes ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

Isn’t ut still semmens running things at the moment though?

that’s the impression I got when they bought us.. would much rather have rasmus in charge at least he talks a good game and seems a very interesting switched on guy 

I think Semmens has had a bit of a “pass” as far as Saints supporters have been concerned up till now,  as with Gao we had an absent owner not investing in the club. Gao was seen as the problem but with a change of owner there isn’t the same hiding place. 
 

SR have shown a mixed bag so far. Credit to them for their investment in the squad, and that shows ambition. Apart from that ( which is a bit of a what have the Romans done for us question after the summer), I think their reputation and the hope that goes with it is based on Rasmus success at Brentford.

On the face of it, RA, appears an effective operator but it’s impossible to know how much of Brentford is down to his input as opposed to their other off the field management (DoF, recruitment, and ambitious owner).

If and how they deal with the management at the club over the next few months will be critical.Time will tell. 

[STEVEADAMS]

16 hours ago, DT said:

Not sure this lot are that into us. Inert management at best.

70 odd mill says otherwise, but is concerning 

[John B]

On 13/10/2022 at 07:20, Wade Garrett said:

Overseeing a bit of a shambles at the moment.

Are they actually fooled into thinking that the club is in safe hands with Semmens and Ralph?

I’m not that impressed with them  to be honest.

I agree with your sentiments but is not really about Semmens or Ralph really

 

It is down to SR who have an outlook similar to Liz Truss's economics which does not work in the real world of the PL

 

No other club is remotely trying it as theire is little evidence that all good young Academy players will develop into top class PL players some will but most will not and the plan in my opinion is a reckless gamble

 

We obviously need a striker who can score a dozen PL goals a a season but who would want to come here when we are likely to be in the relegation zone when the window starts in January

Relegation may not be a bad idea as we are likely to come back quite quickly as there is such a gulf between the PL and the Championship 

 

 

 

Re

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Wade Garrett]

1 hour ago, John B said:

I agree with your sentiments but is not really about Semmens or Ralph really

 

It is down to SR who have an outlook similar to Liz Truss's economics which does not work in the real world of the PL

 

No other club is remotely trying it as theire is little evidence that all good young Academy players will develop into top class PL players some will but most will not and the plan in my opinion is a reckless gamble

 

We obviously need a striker who can score a dozen PL goals a a season but who would want to come here when we are likely to be in the relegation zone when the window starts in January

Relegation may not be a bad idea as we are likely to come back quite quickly as there is such a gulf between the PL and the Championship 

 

 

 

Re

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You make a great point there.  This didn’t start with Sports Republic though, we’ve wasted a lot of money over the years buying ‘the next big’.

To be fair, we look to have bought some real quality young players in from Tino onwards.  It would be great if the priority was more on the success of the team rather than selling players on.

In that respect, it’s fair to reserve judgement on the owners.  I can’t believe though, that they trust the club in the hands of the CEO and manager.  

[John B]

4 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

You make a great point there.  This didn’t start with Sports Republic though, we’ve wasted a lot of money over the years buying ‘the next big’.

To be fair, we look to have bought some real quality young players in from Tino onwards.  It would be great if the priority was more on the success of the team rather than selling players on.

In that respect, it’s fair to reserve judgement on the owners.  I can’t believe though, that they trust the club in the hands of the CEO and manager.  

Why do you think the CEO and Manager are not up to the task have you spent time talking to them and discussing there ideas regarding the club.

 

I heard an interview with Dion Dublin who had spent a day with Ralph and was impressed with him in fact he was asked if SFC were to get a new manager who should he be and he said Ralph Hassenhutl

[Master Bates]

Another Scout gone, promotion.

https://trainingground.guru/articles/forest-green-turn-to-southamptons-stanton-for-director-of-football

[Badger]

1 hour ago, Master Bates said:

Another Scout gone, promotion.

https://trainingground.guru/articles/forest-green-turn-to-southamptons-stanton-for-director-of-football

Off on tangent, sorry, but that site lead me to this on an ad for the Academy kit man job at Wolves:

 

Quote

We are Wolves. Progressive, determined, bright, unified and humble. A pack that is hungry for success. Wolves is one of the fastest growing football brands in Europe, and also boasts one of the richest histories in the beautiful game.

On the pitch there is back-to-back seventh place finishes in the Premier League and European competition for the first time in nearly 40 years; and away from the pitch Wolves is becoming much more than just a football club, with brand verticals in esports, music and fashion helping to diversify the fanbase and provide compelling commercial propositions for new partners.

At Wolves we don’t simply look to the future, we seize it. We take seriously our commitment to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk and to ensuring that Wolves is free from discrimination and harassment.

THE ROLE

Who writes this utter drivel expecting anyone to take it seriously. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

5 minutes ago, Badger said:

humble. A pack that is hungry for success. Wolves is one of the fastest growing football brands in Europe, and also boasts one of the richest histories in the beautiful game.

On the pitch there is back-to-back seventh place finishes in the Premier League and European competition for the first time in nearly 40 years; and away from the pitch Wolves is becoming much more than just a football club, with brand verticals in esports, music and fashion helping to diversify the fanbase and provide compelling commercial propositions for new partners.

At Wolves we don’t simply look to the future, we seize it. We take seriously our commitment to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk and to ensuring that Wolves is free from discrimination and harassment.

THE ROLE

I'd have thought seizing adults at risk and children is the last thing you'd want to be doing. I guess my forward brand verticals aren't in synergy with theirs. 🙂

[S-Clarke]

1 hour ago, Badger said:

Off on tangent, sorry, but that site lead me to this on an ad for the Academy kit man job at Wolves:

 

Who writes this utter drivel expecting anyone to take it seriously. 

Look at any corporate job advert these days and it's sadly full of that nonsense, it's not limited to football sadly.

[Daft Kerplunk]

Some club nearby has the template that Wolves have followed.
 

“We are Southampton, a club build on faith from the very beginning. A faith in ourselves. A faith in each other. We have our beliefs, our own way of doing things that guide everything we do. We don’t just buy success, we breed it. We don’t take shortcuts, we earn it. Every second of every minute of every day. We’ve been to the edge of the abyss and have come back stronger, because whatever the pressure, however great the temptation, we never stop, we never lose faith, we keep moving forwards. We are the saints, it’s not just a name, it’s who we are. We will be in that number, we march on”.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

10 minutes ago, Daft Kerplunk said:

Some club nearby has the template that Wolves have followed.
 

“We are Southampton, a club build on faith from the very beginning. A faith in ourselves. A faith in each other. We have our beliefs, our own way of doing things that guide everything we do. We don’t just buy success, we breed it. We don’t take shortcuts, we earn it. Every second of every minute of every day. We’ve been to the edge of the abyss and have come back stronger, because whatever the pressure, however great the temptation, we never stop, we never lose faith, we keep moving forwards. We are the saints, it’s not just a name, it’s who we are. We will be in that number, we march on”.

“We are Southampton, a club build on faith from the very beginning. A faith in ourselves. A faith in each other. And with enough faith, we can perform miracles. And it will take a miracle to gaet a couple of goals any time soon..." 🙂

[Bakovnetski]

12 hours ago, Daft Kerplunk said:

Some club nearby has the template that Wolves have followed.
 

“We are Southampton, a club build on faith from the very beginning. A faith in ourselves. A faith in each other. We have our beliefs, our own way of doing things that guide everything we do. We don’t just buy success, we breed it. We don’t take shortcuts, we earn it. Every second of every minute of every day. We’ve been to the edge of the abyss and have come back stronger, because whatever the pressure, however great the temptation, we never stop, we never lose faith, we keep moving forwards. We are the saints, it’s not just a name, it’s who we are. We will be in that number, we march on”.

Sorry....what success? and how many of our recent academy products have made it to the prem first team?

Edited 1 November, 2022 by Bakovnetski

[Saint86]

3 hours ago, Bakovnetski said:

Sorry....what success? and how many of our recent academy products have made it to the prem first team?

I am curious as to what you expect a League 1 / administration / championship level youth intake and academy infrastructure to have achieved?

It takes circa 10years to get u18s (that often join the club as 8year olds etc) ready for first team football at 18 - otherwise why get boys on the books that young

Reality is that we only really started recovering our academy in 2012 onwards, and within that there has to be a gradual progress towards higher levels of performance - we can't just immediately get back to the prem and instantly have the best youth setup. Especially with the funding issues we had post cortese.

i really don't think its rocket science to grasp that, and its fecking bizarre how our fans continue to piss and moan about it despite the obvious progress the academy sides have started to make lately - i.e. we had the best u18s in the country last year outside of city's mega bucks players... that's pretty damn good all things considered. As with the SR recruitment strategy, investment and improvements in the academy are a multiyear project 🤷‍♂️!

Also, we've now signed loads of city's all stars.... so happy days

Edited 1 November, 2022 by Saint86

[Wurzel]

17 minutes ago, Bakovnetski said:

Sorry....what success? and how many of our recent academy products have made it to the prem first team?

"🎶Jonhnstone's Paint Trophy, you'll never win that🎶"

[Master Bates]

"Göztepe is a big club, bigger than Southampton.”

http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-chief-setting-joint-scout-department-southampton-wants-build-best-academy-possible/

Edited 2 November, 2022 by Master Bates

[Pamplemousse]

7 minutes ago, Master Bates said:

"Göztepe is a big club, bigger than Southampton.”

http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-chief-setting-joint-scout-department-southampton-wants-build-best-academy-possible/

They seem to have an inferiority complex, reminds me of certain quotes from our neighbours in the east

[Turkish]

On 31/10/2022 at 18:44, Badger said:

Off on tangent, sorry, but that site lead me to this on an ad for the Academy kit man job at Wolves:

 

Who writes this utter drivel expecting anyone to take it seriously. 

The same people who wrote "we dont buy success we breed it"?

[Badger]

39 minutes ago, Master Bates said:

"Göztepe is a big club, bigger than Southampton.”

http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-chief-setting-joint-scout-department-southampton-wants-build-best-academy-possible/

Wonder if he’s been listening to Semmens, or if Semmens has been listening to him.

Either way, their bloke ought to put any imaginary inter-group rivalry aside, seems pretty poor to me.
 

Doubt Red Bull have to contend with this. Fact is we are playing in a far higher standard of league and it seems they are looking to ride ‘piggy back’ on that to aid their scouting.

[Badger]

33 minutes ago, Turkish said:

The same people who wrote "we dont buy success we breed it"?

Hadn’t escaped me. 

[Christophenburg]

6 minutes ago, Badger said:

Wonder if he’s been listening to Semmens, or if Semmens has been listening to him.

Either way, their bloke ought to put any imaginary inter-group rivalry aside, seems pretty poor to me.
 

Doubt Red Bull have to contend with this. Fact is we are playing in a far higher standard of league and it seems they are looking to ride ‘piggy back’ on that to aid their scouting.

Yeah the weird rivalry needs to be nipped in the bud pretty quickly. I get that they're primarily talking to their fans and trying to communicate that they're not second fiddle to us, but it'd be better to talk about how it benefits both clubs etc. etc. not sour the group dynamics