Lazlo78

In terms of playing style, results etc. we can only say in hindsight whether Koeman was an upgrade on MP. But in terms of the impact of his appointment here and now I would say it is a huge step forwards from the club and a signal to the footballing world that we are not about to give up and go back to the lower leagues. Unless players purely want away for economical reasons and have already made up their mind / struck informal deals, Koeman stands a chance to convince Shaw, Lallana, Lovren etc. that we are not in free-fall and that our ambition remains. Also as others have pointed out, he may be able to attract players of a higher calibre than some of our other candidates - and even draw upon his existing network. So in short: In time, Irvine may turn out to be a better football coach and tactician than Koeman (I highly doubt it), but in the short term we've sent out a strong signal that there is an interesting project on the south coast that players should be fighting to be part of. Good move by the club.

So you would side with the press rumours and consider the player guilty until proven innocent? That doesn't seem very loyal to me.

We expect commitment and loyalty from the players, yet we relegate them from heroes to villains on the basis of rumours and allegations in the press...

I think you've hit the nail on the head with the last sentence: I'm quite sure the club would love to keep absolute silence and signal that the shop is closed until the manager is installed. Period. But unfortunately these stories keep popping up everywhere and the club is forced to act - otherwise the "vultures circling the carcass" will be trotted out... Tricky situation!

Agreed. It's like seeing your ex-wife suddenly using all sorts of weird analogies with her new man!

It's like seeing your ex-wife, who never wanted to speak English to you, doing so to her new husband... or like if she didn't want to serve you breakfast in bed but does with her new man. The sex analogies I'll leave to Bearsy, but it will surely involve the ex-wifes *rsehole...

I don't think the club really needs to explain the Lambert transfer further. We'll probably never know the details of the timing or who said what, but the basic reasoning still stands: "There may be circumstances under which the club will feel it is right for a player to move on. Those circumstances have to be right for the club and the player. This is the case with Rickie’s move to Liverpool. When Rickie Lambert requested to leave for Liverpool, the club felt it could not stand in the way of having him fulfil his boyhood dream of playing at home. It will be a big challenge to replace him and our intention is to source a quality replacement who will fill his shoes now but also for many years to come." (Read more at http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/02062014-statement-player-interest-rickie-lambert-1592309.aspx#8XteYUJ6ObYIv7mT.99) I don't see why this needs to be dragged into the excellent and forwards looking interview, when all he would do is to reiterate the above.

Ah you made the basic mistake of thinking that you get something for your money. It's a donation and once the money leaves your hand you can go home and wait until the next time the begging bowl comes out. You should much rather buy a "share" and drag them to court for misleading you

The very, very short message from Les Reed is as follows: - We have the managerial situation covered and we won't hire some clown. We'll get a decent one! - No players are leaving right now so just lean back and enjoy that d*mn World Cup! You're welcome

Cult t-shirt for Saints fans to recognise each other instantly?

Some very reassuring comments in the video. It is nice to have it said directly that the people in charge are fully aware of the effect a new manager may have on the player's desire to stay or leave. That doesn't sound like Malky Mackay, Sean Dyche or Felix Magath (though in honesty none of them seem to have been close to the job at any point). I'm happy to see that the public opinion of Les Reed is changing to the more positive, but sad to see that it is at the expense of Ralph Krueger. But it seems that for some reason we need a scapegoat / lightning rod...

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?50630-Les-Reed-s-Video&p=1963796#post1963796 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/context

Yes I'm well aware that we are a fickle bunch and I do not wish to come off as a better fan or whatever - I'd never manage to pull that off anyway I just think we're moving a bit fast in relation to Lallana and I'd hate it if we were actually in the wrong and he is a pleasant, loyal young man who wants to play for the Saints. The Pompey reference was a low blow, I'll admit that, but the dynamics of the scenario are just too similar to those we laugh at in the PTS-thread to be ignored. For me at least. My next project? To stem the flow of the Nile with a twig. After that, blocking an avalanche with a ski stick...

This is a tremendeous hero-to-villain swing that would make Pompey fans envious. Very good, Saints, very good... Not too long ago he was our talisman, the heart of the side, the local boy who earned his captaincy. Now the mob is waiting to go after him when he comes back from Brazil. The rumours are plenty and may turn out true (most probably), but I'll reserve judgement on Adam until then and cheer for him at the World cup...

Not entirely correct. Bale is actually the previous Shaw!

Shaw is amazing in direct duels with the opposing winger. His trademark move seems to be forcing/inviting the winger into making a move and then beating him for pace shielding the ball. Usually the winger barges into his back and gives a free kick. He is really concentrated in those crucial moments where he is the difference between a dangerous cross and a promising counter. This is the impression I have from the tv games but feel free to correct me if I'm off the mark with young Luke...

I agree that we're not sure to win, call up or not, but it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect Morgan's price to rise after the WC to reflect his ability better... And that would leave us better of in the transfer market...

Fingers firmly crossed for Morgan!

A lot of interesting information keeping your caveats in mind! Points 2 and 3 make me quite happy. First point is a huge surprise and rather disappointing, but as Cascadia Saint wrote in #56 it "would make it easier to imagine selling him"...

Excellent read. A fitting tribute to the man and also a tribute to the history of your own blog!

Naughty stuff!!! :poundit:

Yup, I agree. If one wants to take the cynical approach then Rickie was probably not going to be such a central player for us in the coming seasons, so a £4M sale is very good for a player in decline. But if you want to take the more emotional approach that Rickie is a talisman for the club and that he is a role model for the young fans, then you're probably a softie like myself who can't help looking at the bigger picture in the amazing saga of Rickie Lambert. And I'm thankful that we played a part in the most important chapter about the symbiosis between SFC and Rickie Lambert. The Liverpool years will be an epilogue to end the story in style... I can't help being happy for the big guy.

I really appreciate your calm and pragmatic approach. Much easier to comprehend than the panic posts that have taken over recently...

A sensible statement. Yes, everything could go pear-shaped for us, but so far I'll trust that we have a plan for the transfer window

Yup, I see it the same way. Potentially, this could be a disastrous summer, but let's wait and see what happens before August...