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jawillwill

By jawillwill,
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Dusic

Dusic

Posted
Posted (edited)

First time we have actually heard from Ankersen and Kraft in any detail so a good exclusive for The Athletic and not quite sure what people expected (Tanswell mentioned a big piece was coming this week on Monday so it clearly wasn't going to be some kind of breaking news).

Reading it my main reaction is it all sounds very sensible, and as clued up people I am sure they realiae that for their whole model to work Saints staying in the PL is absolutely integral.

Also its going to be beneficial to us that Goztepe get promoted too so they can attract some of the young talents we can't get because of the absolute clusterfuck that is Brexit.

Article also validates the stories that Ralph had been on his way out for a few weeks, Semmens almost admits that it had been agreed to part ways during the WC break.

Edited by Dusic
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LuckyNumber7

LuckyNumber7

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Nothing too revelationary but it is good to hear from the owners. They are clearly intelligent guys with a good mix of business and footballing backgrounds who have a clear idea of how they want to run the club which is a good thing. Whether it works or not we'll see.

Getting at least one good quality attacking player in January will be key to how things pan out at least in the short term.

Nice to hear a bit about how Ralph is doing as well, I suspect in the end his sacking was something of a relief.

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Saint Fan CaM

Saint Fan CaM

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An interesting if unremarkable read. I’m sure they believe in the project, although I suspect Semmens was more invested in Ralph than the rest of them. The fact that they had funds to attract two high level players in the summer should mean we are able to hit the ground running in January.

What causes me slight concern is that Jones has been hired to slot into the club without changing much. Or at least that’s the way it read to me. Well to my mind, if he doesn’t significantly change the manner in which we attack, we will continue to lose many more games than we win. The first two games after the WC break will be very interesting indeed.

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saintoaks

saintoaks

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One thing that sticks out for me is Semmen's quoting  “Have we got a clear way of playing? Yes. Now, from watching every home and most away games this season and last this is clear as mud ! Maybe he is suggesting Nathan Jones's style will be clear, if it is the full on press, i hope they realize come 70 minutes of every game the players get knackered and other teams turned us over. I do admit though, taking the keeper out of the equation you can now change 50% of your team with subs so time will tell i suppose.  

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Saint86

Saint86

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“We have great respect and love for our ex-owner (Gao), but he would be the first to say that he wasn’t as involved as other owners. Some of the decisions we made were of necessity — some things we had to do, like being quite simplistic in the way we played, recruited and developed. It was effective within certain constraints. A lion in a zoo can only do so much. But with Rasmus and Henrik coming in, the walls of the zoo have come down.”

😵 A lion in a zoo. 😨

And by, "walls", does he mean, "floor"? 🤣

Edited by Saint86
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Chez

Chez

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5 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

“We have great respect and love for our ex-owner (Gao), but he would be the first to say that he wasn’t as involved as other owners. Some of the decisions we made were of necessity — some things we had to do, like being quite simplistic in the way we played, recruited and developed. It was effective within certain constraints. A lion in a zoo can only do so much. But with Rasmus and Henrik coming in, the walls of the zoo have come down.”

😵 A lion in a zoo. 😨

And by, "walls", does he mean, "floor"? 🤣

Is that a quote from Semmens and if so, who is he referring to when it comes to making decisions about the way we play? In contrast to Gao, that would certainly be getting involved if he means the owners. 

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Saint86

Saint86

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8 minutes ago, Chez said:

Is that a quote from Semmens and if so, who is he referring to when it comes to making decisions about the way we play? In contrast to Gao, that would certainly be getting involved if he means the owners. 

The interview basically says that we signed players and tried to change the way we play, but equally implies that it was too much / too complex to achieve it so quickly. Reading it, the implication they give is that Ralph was fully onboard with this, but you do have to wonder. (ultimately we will never know now unless Ralph comes out and says it - but tbf it does tie in with him starting with the 5-3-2 and then ditching it early on).

Another interesting quote - its positioning in the article relates to Nathan Jones - but given they sacked Ralph and hired Jones, i would say it applies to both.
“You cannot change the manager’s personality,” says Ankersen. “If he wants to play this way but you want to play another way, it’s not going to work. You have to have 80 per cent alignment, then you teach him 10 per cent and he teaches you 10 per cent.

I think there is a lot that can be read in between the lines of that interview. But all in all its an interesting read.

Also, it states that we had agreed personally terms with two strikers playing in champions league qualifiers. Presumably Gakpo and one other.

Edited by Saint86
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Miltonaggro

Miltonaggro

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Posted
11 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

“We have great respect and love for our ex-owner (Gao), but he would be the first to say that he wasn’t as involved as other owners. Some of the decisions we made were of necessity — some things we had to do, like being quite simplistic in the way we played, recruited and developed. It was effective within certain constraints. A lion in a zoo can only do so much. But with Rasmus and Henrik coming in, the walls of the zoo have come down.”

😵 A lion in a zoo. 😨

And by, "walls", does he mean, "floor"? 🤣

A better and more focused analogy for Semmens to use would have been 'a spare prick at a wedding...'.

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RobM

RobM

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7 hours ago, Dusic said:

First time we have actually heard from Ankersen and Kraft in any detail so a good exclusive for The Athletic and not quite sure what people expected (Tanswell mentioned a big piece was coming this week on Monday so it clearly wasn't going to be some kind of breaking news).

Reading it my main reaction is it all sounds very sensible, and as clued up people I am sure they realiae that for their whole model to work Saints staying in the PL is absolutely integral.

Also its going to be beneficial to us that Goztepe get promoted too so they can attract some of the young talents we can't get because of the absolute clusterfuck that is Brexit.

Article also validates the stories that Ralph had been on his way out for a few weeks, Semmens almost admits that it had been agreed to part ways during the WC break.

The comments about him being sure it was the right time for Ralph says a lot too. It implies Ralph wanted out, like he was tired and didn't have any more to give. It would align with the comments about Ralph not being interested in the Rangers job as he wants a break from football. It's probably why he seemed so negative and fed up in the last few months, which can't be any good for team motivation, especially with such a young team.

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Disco Stu

Disco Stu

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Posted (edited)
9 minutes ago, RobM said:

The comments about him being sure it was the right time for Ralph says a lot too. It implies Ralph wanted out, like he was tired and didn't have any more to give. It would align with the comments about Ralph not being interested in the Rangers job as he wants a break from football. It's probably why he seemed so negative and fed up in the last few months, which can't be any good for team motivation, especially with such a young team.

He should have been gone long ago then. It's ruined our season (that and not signing a striker).

Edited by Disco Stu
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IFHP

IFHP

Posted
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Disco Stu said:

He should have been gone long ago then. It's ruined our season (that and not signing a striker).

Keeping Ralph and not sacking him in the summmer and not signing a striker in the summer has damaged our season .  
 

hopefuly it’s not too late to turn it around but it’s going to be tough .

As for the so called “monster news” well enough said about that the better .

 

 

 

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SuperSAINT

SuperSAINT

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54 minutes ago, woodsaint1 said:

Good to see Ankersen talking about aims to break back into the top half. A change from Semmens suggesting that we should be thankful to be in the PL

Good ambition, in theory.  Less impressive if their plan involves dropping to the championship, in practice.

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Rivers

Rivers

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33 minutes ago, SaintsLoyal said:

Whilst  99% of fans are going to rip the athletic for these sort of articles, i dont think its right that it even happens.

Whats wrong with the daily echo ? 

 

That is a valid point. Unfortunately I seem to recall the Echo having burnt their bridges with us some time ago. Hampshire Live is a decent production though. Why not offer it to them, or call me crazy, put it on the Southampton FC Official Club website, if that's not too revolutionary. :)

I do feel that if you are going to take the time to communicate with your fanbase, it is neither logical or fair to stick that eagerly awaited content behind a paywall where only some of our supporters are going to have access to it (unless someone kindly takes the hit and shares with all as above).

Sure you could say it doesn't cost a lot (depending upon how much of the 'disposable' stuff you have), but it is the principle of the matter that just doesn't sit right. I am happy to see that SR have finally broken their ten month silence since having acquired our Club, just feel that "MONSTER" long awaited effort should have been made free to all, by those sharing it.

Let's keep those lines of communication open please SR, now that you've finally reached out to us. Not asking for WBA chairman levels of overinteraction,  but somewhere in between that and nothing at all would be grand. Would just be nice to feel we are generally kept in the loop with our custodians' plans, and a valued part of the Team, rather than an afterthought.

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Dragon_man

Dragon_man

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SPORT Republic’s Henrik Kraft declares they are “really happy” with their first 10 months at Saints and reveals they came close to marquee striker signings.

Fuck me ... have I read that right? 'really happy'?

Since SR took over I make it that we've got 25pts from 30 games (involving 2 transfer windows). 'really happy' ... christ on a bike ... I'd hate to see what 'unhappy' looks like.

In the last 38 games we've managed 30pts. 

 

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washsaint

washsaint

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Posted
2 hours ago, Dragon_man said:

SPORT Republic’s Henrik Kraft declares they are “really happy” with their first 10 months at Saints and reveals they came close to marquee striker signings.

Fuck me ... have I read that right? 'really happy'?

Since SR took over I make it that we've got 25pts from 30 games (involving 2 transfer windows). 'really happy' ... christ on a bike ... I'd hate to see what 'unhappy' looks like.

In the last 38 games we've managed 30pts. 

 

Read the full article for context.  What a bunch of hysterical wet blankets that exist on this board.

 

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CB Fry

CB Fry

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Posted (edited)
4 hours ago, washsaint said:

Read the full article for context.  What a bunch of hysterical wet blankets that exist on this board.

 

I've read the full article. What is the context the rest of us are missing?

We're in a relegation scrap and have gone backwards despite the biggest spend in years.

Any interview like that was always going to be a parade of self justifying management speak, so they can't really win. 

You want to lap it up like a good little soldier that's up to you. Don't make out you're some master of "context" though. The leadership team made the decisions over the summer and here we are at the world cup in the bottom 2 with a sacked manager they chose to back in August.

All that article does is say that SD have made the calls here, so they own whatever happens from here on in.

Edited by CB Fry
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Dragon_man

Dragon_man

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6 hours ago, washsaint said:

Read the full article for context.  What a bunch of hysterical wet blankets that exist on this board.

 

I did read it. Usual corporate tripe for lap dogs to knock one out over. Hope it got you off.

Meanwhile, I'm waiting to see if the FA award points for context.

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FarehamSaintJames

FarehamSaintJames

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2 hours ago, Convict Colony said:

its 1 pound a month

 

2 hours ago, woodsaint1 said:

Its £1 per month for the next year. Almost as cheap as what you would pay for the expert analysis on here

There’s a cost of living crisis! 
£1 if I’m lucky will get my a third of a Freddo Frog now.

Or one of those Lurpak tiny sachet things you get in the Harvester.

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Hodgey

Hodgey

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They should not be, and are not, really happy. This is a PR article to appease the fans, behind the scenes there will be blamestorming and finger pointing galore. 
they have clearly made some big errors, which they are trying to justify.

Yes there is well thought through strategy, but the execution so far has been poor.

some of the nonsense about Jones having to follow the Ralph playbook (whatever that was) you would hope is just rubbish. As is the quote about how happy they were about the transfer window.

Plenty of time to put it right, but this is to be taken with a massive pinch of salt

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Dragon_man

Dragon_man

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10 minutes ago, Hodgey said:

They should not be, and are not, really happy. This is a PR article to appease the fans, behind the scenes there will be blamestorming and finger pointing galore. 
they have clearly made some big errors, which they are trying to justify.

Yes there is well thought through strategy, but the execution so far has been poor.

some of the nonsense about Jones having to follow the Ralph playbook (whatever that was) you would hope is just rubbish. As is the quote about how happy they were about the transfer window.

Plenty of time to put it right, but this is to be taken with a massive pinch of salt

I hope this is the case, but I'm not so sure.

We're all grown ups, so the interview is condescending and insulting our intelligence.

They should say it as it is. Show anger, show passion, accept responsibility, be clearer on the plan, be honest, treat fans with respect!

 

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saint1977

saint1977

Posted
Posted (edited)

Not surprising about that article - the complacency and lack of any drive or leadership has been evident for a while. Seems little chance the board will give Jones the proper tools in January of the 3-4 first team players needed - great signings my arse (ABK, DCC excepted) - so pretty clear this season is a goner. And even if they did, what good player wants to join a rudderless corporate soulless club who has barely won a match this calendar year? We needed two strikers of first team calibre in the summer - and we got a couple of very late moves for CL level players why were unlikely and Mara, who probably needs a spell at Sheffield Weds or Ipswich in League One find his feet. £10m - even Ross would be ashamed of that signing. 

I hope Nathan Jones isn’t too grateful for his new role and challenges these people to shake them out of their daydreams. The loss of revenue next season in the Championship will sober them up hopefully if not. Unless the transfer strategy becomes more flexible, Jones’s main priority will be stabilising the ship in mid-table and then aiming for automatic promotion in 24/25 with targeted investment. That’s a fair expectation on the new manager.

Badly need some actual football experience on the club’s board as well to challenge the culture. First team manager can’t do it all.

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