Sekou Mara - Official: Signs for Strasbourg

[kitch]

17 hours ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

He’s a better finisher then Adams .. 

 

So are you and I, most likely.

[Weston Super Saint]

3 hours ago, kitch said:

So are you and I, most likely.

And Oscar Pistorius (without the leg).

[pimpin4rizeal]

On 03/05/2024 at 16:02, Saint_clark said:

People who write off Onuachu forget that Rasiak was a quality striker at this level. I don't think he'd be suited to Martins style of play but if we had someone that liked the wingers and fullbacks to go down the wings with pace he'd be ideal. 

Yes exactly. Rasiak was the kind of player you wouldn’t notice all game but give him a chance he was clinical .. I don’t mind a striker like this at all much better then having a Adams’ type that fucks up 7 chances out of ten yet had good hold up play 

Edited 5 May, 2024 by pimpin4rizeal

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

On 30/04/2024 at 17:36, kitch said:

Agreed, but not for us. Suits a slower game. I've given up on him now, get rid in the summer along with Sulemana.

Should suit us then but once again, totally useless today. What's particularly frustrating is that he never breaks out of a jog. There were a couple of occasions today when a little more effort and he could have got to the ball first or put their player under pressure - but he didn't. 

I've also given up on him. Hope he doesn't play for us again.

[Harry_SFC]

On 05/05/2024 at 15:17, pimpin4rizeal said:

Yes exactly. Rasiak was the kind of player you wouldn’t notice all game but give him a chance he was clinical .. I don’t mind a striker like this at all much better then having a Adams’ type that fucks up 7 chances out of ten yet had good hold up play 

Not sure if you're referring to Onuachu or Mara but I've seen nothing from either player to suggest they are "clinical". Onuachu has scored goals in Turkey but they are all from crosses, something we don't tend to do, as Saint Clark said.

The difference between Adams and Mara is, even if Adams isn't scoring he helps others to score. If Mara isn't scoring he doesn't do a thing. 

Edited 12 May, 2024 by Harry_SFC

[Suhari]

I think Mara has regressed in his time her. He showed a few flashes last season, but now he's toilet.

Shame.

[Insert comment about his mum].

[S-Clarke]

If i'm honest today was a good result as we played 10 men for most of it. He is so bad it's not even a joke anymore, club should be able to sack him as he cannot do his job.

I can't be arsed with him anymore. I'd play Stephens up front in front of this fella.

[John Boy Saint]

I remember that African lad we had, Mayuka (?) sat behind me in the stand at a pre season game in Spain with Maya and “Box head” Jos - he was often asking Maya sat next to him what was going on, on the pitch. 
I just wonder if Mara is of a similar mould, where he knows what to do in his own world, but doesn’t quite know what everyone else is doing around him and whilst he is working it out for himself he is mostly a step or two off the pace of the game. Watching yesterday, a good way into the first half, I wondered who the Saints player was moving to the ball, the commentator says “Mara” - thank you, I’d forgotten he was on the pitch!!

There must be academy boys watching and thinking “what do I have to do??!!”.

[kitch]

14 hours ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Should suit us then but once again, totally useless today. What's particularly frustrating is that he never breaks out of a jog. There were a couple of occasions today when a little more effort and he could have got to the ball first or put their player under pressure - but he didn't. 

I've also given up on him. Hope he doesn't play for us again.

One decent overhead attempt in the first half, and two good moments in the second (forget what they were, but by "good" I mean the basics). Stewart did more in the last 20mins.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Was waiting at the back post, to tap in a cross ball that never came.

Nice control, pass and move into space in the second half for a return ball that didn't get to him.

Che-like drop back into midfield, creating the space that led to a chance for others.

Clearly prefers to remain higher up and central. Wants to receive it far more than go out and work at getting it back for the team. That led to those moments, where he was off the press and general lack of work rate and intensity.

There were moments when we did get it into his preferred area, only to find he'd vacated it moments before, taking himself out of the attack.

He is capable of getting a goal. But there's a fair bit of our build up play that would have to change, to get him enough chances.

Che and Stewart offer lots more. AA and Aribo offer more too, but are needed elsewhere. That would leave Sule as an option. When AA was offside a couple of times against WBA, I was thinking they'd not be that high up knowing Sule was on the park.

[Dman]

He can't play with his back to goal, put in no effort to wn the ball back, struts around like he doesn't care & hardly scores. 

He's a luxury player, without the luxury bit. 

Waste of space, the sooner he fucks off the better. 

The longer the season has gone on, the more I can't believe we let Alacarz go - Would have much rather we had him up there than Mara. 

[SaintNewForest]

8 minutes ago, Dman said:

He can't play with his back to goal, put in no effort to wn the ball back, struts around like he doesn't care & hardly scores. 

He's a luxury player, without the luxury bit. 

Waste of space, the sooner he fucks off the better. 

The longer the season has gone on, the more I can't believe we let Alacarz go - Would have much rather we had him up there than Mara. 

Said it in another thread, but I'd have sooner have kept Ballard in the summer & sent Mara to Reading. Would have had more of an impact I feel. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

We need players who run and work hard, who are versatile and selfless. That's what's been required under the bright spells of a few recent managers.

It's why AA, Che, Downes are key. It's why Aribo, Smallbone and Stephens are playing.

Mara looked a little disheartened having to put in the work, knowing there was no personal reward in it, in those moments. That impacts other bits of his game.

I recall Alcaraz looking frustrated at all the things outside his natural game, he was having to do as well.

In the end, those players who can't adapt to it, are the ones who will be moving on. Hopefully, the recruitment team are learning a few things about personalities too.

[benali-shorts]

He was also incompetent at marking Barkley from set pieces. He was the last man on each occasion who presumably was meant to track Barkley, who was their last man. Three times Barkley was free at the far post. He is ill-suited to our game, but also lacks the basic discipline (at this stage) to play at this level. It's unfathomable that we spent £10m on him. Along with Onuachu, Sulemana, Larios, Bazunu, Alcaraz, Charles (the last 4 may eventually come good, but haven't demonstrated that they will to date) it's close to a £100m sh!tshow of a transfer strategy given none of them are in our first team. TheGoldMineEffect my arse. 

[Miltonaggro]

On 05/05/2024 at 14:32, Weston Super Saint said:

And Oscar Pistorius (without the leg).

Unfair, Oscar's decision making and shooting abilities are well documented.

[FarehamSaintJames]

Sekou Mara shouldn’t play for the club again. But I’ve been saying that for most of the season and he’s almost like one of those turds that won’t flush. He keeps coming back.

Sunday league players are better.

[Midfield_General]

He’s fucking shit

[AlexLaw76]

Do it for her, Sekou

[pierreduvalle]

Not in the French squad I just realised, surprise omission...

[Miltonaggro]

18 minutes ago, pierreduvalle said:

Not in the French squad I just realised, surprise omission...

My guess is that he became disinterested / disorientated and missed the flight.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Damn - thought for a minute there was some juicy rumour about him being sold.

[CB Fry]

I don't think I am quite ready to say goodbye 

[BallBoy]

BBC reporting he is on his way to Strasbourg. Already in France for a medical. £10.2 Million!

[Dman]

£10.2m is a great deal for all involved imo.

I think he'll do well in the french leauge, theres a player there, hes just not suited to the more physical nature of english football. 

 He's no loss to us and we've not had to take a hit on him. 

[benjii]

Who negotiated this for us, Derren Brown?!

[SNSUN]

Just because I may not get another chance to say this... there's a player in there. 😁

But seriously I hope for his sake he settles there, his time here has been marred by bit part roles and relegation in a crazy team. Another player that fit the SR model of buying young talent in the hope they become a success. Sadly for Mara as we saw last season he's somewhat of a lazy player. This is good money for the club as we shape ourselves for the future by offloading the mistakes of the past.

[Jack]

Unreal business to get that money for him. I’m not sure I agree there’s much of a player in there, but his attitude/work rate stinks so not much chance of seeing it even if there is. 

[Badger]

13 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

Just because I may not get another chance to say this... there's a player in there. 😁

 

It would have to be surgically removed, and probably isn't worth the risk so all in all selling him is the best move for all.

[spyinthesky]

10 minutes ago, Jack said:

Unreal business to get that money for him. I’m not sure I agree there’s much of a player in there, but his attitude/work rate stinks so not much chance of seeing it even if there is. 

Just goes to show how transfer 'values' have increased beyond respectable amounts.
Martin Chivers was sold to Spurs for a fee of £125,000 which was a record in the mid 1960's.
We then bought in Ron Davies for £55,000 who had a wonderful goal scoring record for us/
Mara, valued at around £10m???
For a player who has done bugger all for us.
Insane!!

[Cabrone]

1 hour ago, BallBoy said:

BBC reporting he is on his way to Strasbourg. Already in France for a medical. £10.2 Million!

Great deal!

Best of luck in France, for whatever reason it just did not work here.

[East Kent Saint]

Excellent news , if it goes through !

[Whitey Grandad]

38 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

Just because I may not get another chance to say this... there's a player in there. 😁

But seriously I hope for his sake he settles there, his time here has been marred by bit part roles and relegation in a crazy team. Another player that fit the SR model of buying young talent in the hope they become a success. Sadly for Mara as we saw last season he's somewhat of a lazy player. This is good money for the club as we shape ourselves for the future by offloading the mistakes of the past.

Shoosh. For God’s sake keep that bit quiet. We don’t want to put them off. Wait until the money’s in the bank.

[Turkish]

15 minutes ago, spyinthesky said:

Just goes to show how transfer 'values' have increased beyond respectable amounts.
Martin Chivers was sold to Spurs for a fee of £125,000 which was a record in the mid 1960's.
We then bought in Ron Davies for £55,000 who had a wonderful goal scoring record for us/
Mara, valued at around £10m???
For a player who has done bugger all for us.
Insane!!

you could buy a house for £500 back then though pal. Times change.

[Colinjb]

One of the more frustrating players we have had.

Will be remembered for depriving Man Citeh of the quadrouple.

Edited 20 August, 2024 by Colinjb

[david in sweden]

2 hours ago, BallBoy said:

BBC reporting he is on his way to Strasbourg. Already in France for a medical. £10.2 Million!

at that fee, we have more of less recovered the original outlay, but wasted almost 2 years in the process.

[Whitey Grandad]

Just now, david in sweden said:

at that fee, we have more of less recovered the original outlay, but wasted almost 2 years in the process.

This, and he has taken a place that might have been better used by another. 

[Badger]

12 minutes ago, david in sweden said:

at that fee, we have more of less recovered the original outlay, but wasted almost 2 years in the process.

But he was young, and guaranteed to improve. 

Will it make us more cautious in these transfers ? Doubt it. 

[spyinthesky]

2 hours ago, Turkish said:

you could buy a house for £500 back then though pal. Times change.

They do, pal.
However an average cost of a house in 1966 was £2,000 and now £250,000 ie a 12,400% increase
Assuming Ron Davies was £55,000 versus Mara at £10.2m = 18,900% uplift
However the point you make is relevant to you whippersnappers.

[kitch]

If the rumoured £10.2m is correct, that is OUTSTANDING business!

[Midfield_General]

Breaking news: Sports Republic announce the signing of Strasbourg's recruitment and negotiation teams. "With their eye for a player and a red hot deal they'll fit right in", says Ankersen. 

[Doctoroncall]

1 hour ago, Badger said:

But he was young, and guaranteed to improve. 

Will it make us more cautious in these transfers ? Doubt it. 

We were all young once. It passes, like innocence and a sense of fair play. 
 

[FarehamSaintJames]

He was dogshit for pretty much the whole of his Southampton career. Let’s not dress it up as anything other than a spectacular mistake. Five tap ins against sub-par championship opposition don’t make him a good player.

Good riddance, great deal if we get £10M for him.

[beatlesaint]

If this goes through and we get £10 million for him for me it kind of offsets the ABK transfer fee not happening cos lets be honest who the hell would have thought £10m for Mara ?

[Lighthouse]

3 hours ago, kitch said:

If the rumoured £10.2m is correct, that is OUTSTANDING business!

Well Mara is an outstanding player. I mean literally - he’s out, standing in the middle of the pitch.

[david in sweden]

3 hours ago, kitch said:

If the rumoured £10.2m is correct, that is OUTSTANDING business!

AH ! ..you mean considering that we paid out  11 million  when we bought him from Bordeaux in June 2022 ? 

[Ex Lion Tamer]

5 hours ago, david in sweden said:

at that fee, we have more of less recovered the original outlay, but wasted almost 2 years in the process.

 

5 hours ago, Badger said:

But he was young, and guaranteed to improve. 

Will it make us more cautious in these transfers ? Doubt it. 

There's never any guarantees that a young player will fulfill their potential. We sign a bunch of them and the successes pay for the failures. It would be madness to stop investing in young players on the basis that they sometimes don't work out

Edited 20 August, 2024 by Ex Lion Tamer

[Saint Fan CaM]

19 minutes ago, Ex Lion Tamer said:

 

There's never any guarantees that a young player will fulfill their potential. We sign a bunch of them and the successes pay for the failures. It would be madness to stop investing in young players on the basis that they sometimes don't work out

Maybe if the scouting network was sound at that time - suspect this was not part of the usual proper tests and reviews. There was promise, but not in any form of the type of football the club wants to employ.

[kitch]

4 hours ago, david in sweden said:

AH ! ..you mean considering that we paid out  11 million  when we bought him from Bordeaux in June 2022 ? 

Well, yeah.To only lose £1m over two years on a flop is pretty good going. Look at all our others! Still paying for some of them now...

[CSA96]

Official.

 

[AlexLaw76]

What an utterly pointless signing for saints