santolijador

I wonder if the club want to take a look at Matsuki in that role too - he is drifting about, up and down the pitch and looks fairly tidy in and out of posession

Norwich are spending a lot and, on paper, look to be a contender for at least the playoffs. They look to be spending well ahead of Sargent and Sainz going. One to watch under Manning. Dipping into the Scandinavian market payed off with Pukki as well and it seems that they fought off Ligue 1 and apparently UCL competition with Kvistgaarden

Every decent squad has a couple of older heads who have been through both the good and the bad times with the club. Whilst legitimate questions are rightly raised about his footballing ability and standard, he very clearly wants to be at Southampton and wants the best for the club, and by all accounts is influential in the dressing room. He came through our last Championship season as Captain and went through that playoff win. What remains to be seen is how he is used, and if he has learnt anything from the last dismal year in the PL. I, perhaps blindly, (although no reason not to) have faith in Still to, if Stephens does play and is shit, make changes accordingly to lineups and so on. He has said he wants to play 4 at the back - we have plenty of CBs with Stephens, Quarshie, Wood, Edwards (not counting Bednarek/ABK as they are likely off) for Still to rotate and react to performances on the field. I believe that decent teams need a couple of influential players - Jack having been captain will be close to lots of player and play an important, but intangible, role I'm sure. I hope this is why he has been extended.

Sainz will end up at a top division club, I've seen reports here in Spain that he is lined up as the Nico Williams replacement at Athletic Bilbao - one of the few players that they can actually sign with their transfer policy...

Armstrong to Norwich Sargent to Leeds Piroe to Saints. 🤨

Jos Hooiveld on the streets of Norwich during his loan spell there. He mentioned that he was very keen on returning to Southampton and playing in the Prem, despite it being clear to all of us he wasn't quite up to scratch, and wasn't too happy at Norwich. Very complimentary about Southampton though.

Nah, he's signed up til 2028 I think https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/josh-sargent-signs-new-contract https://www.transfermarkt.com/josh-sargent/profil/spieler/393325

Sargent is unrealistic I think (unfortunately). Saw him linked with Roma, and more recently Leeds. I think he will reunite with Farke for them up there, but I suspect he will have suitors in the top divisions around Europe before Saints. That plus the money it would cost, it doesn't feel realistic at all.

I knew that was coming.... Two footballing powerhouses of course!

Yeah brilliant insight, he looks great in this. Enjoyed the conversation 1 to 1 with that young player - I know Still is 'English' (although I've seen him refer to himself as Belgian in some interviews), but I hope he brings a bit of this 'French directness/frankness' with Saints players and has those type of conversations with those who deserve it. I am quite optimistic about it. Looking forward to seeing who comes in to work alongside him. I also think that there is something to say for his ability to communicate in at least 3 languages (English, French and Dutch/Flemish) - under Martin we went pretty heavy on the domestic signings, something I assume was partly due to this heavy emphasis he put on culture (the whole matey-matey vibe he had going) - I think the Championship lends itself to being a springboard for some talented global gems (emphasis on some, not the full XI) and I hope that someone with the communication skills of WS would be able to unlock that in a wider market. Aside from that, from this video, it is clear he communicates well with players and based on his career until now, this has shown in terms of tactical application. I would not be surprised to see us look to France, NL, Germany and even South America (in before, 'they don't speak french or dutch') for some signings, depending on who we move out.

My breath is bated

They just qualified for Europe for the first time in their history. He's not coming to Saints, even if we want him.

Gone

According to The Telegraph, 100m valuation lol

In the league this season he has 63 minutes in 12 appearances, averaging about 5 minutes per game. He has 50 minutes in 2 appearances in the Belgian Cup Then about 6 appearances for the U23s. According to BeSoccer, he got 12 goals in 23 games for Antwerp II in 23/24. Some sources say 12 in 21. Appreciate it might not be the most inspiring signing of a disappointing deadline day, but this guy has actually scored goals in his career and has had very limited senior game time, hence him joining up with the U21s here. Interesting story as well, same class/academy as Anthony Dennis who is doing great for Goztepe (apparently)

For me, thanks for the goals and the promotion, if someone offers good money, great memories, but what if that reservation turns out to be true and he can't do it under another manager or system. Of course, no guarantees in football, but I'll stand by the Reset Reset Reset idea. Even if we did keep him in the Champ, we all know he isn't a Prem player.

I'm all for him going, and the rest of them. Full reset needed - twice now Bednarek and co have shat themselves in the Premier League. If offered fees now for players, I'd take them and then more in the summer and see where we are at with a new DoF in Spors (if that goes through), and more lessons learned (ik they say that every 6 months or so, but still, let's see what Dragan cooks up I guess?) Squad is huge too.

Think one of the biggest differences under Juric is off the ball. KWP and Sugawara are pushing high (as opposed to ManU wing-backs) and restricting the space. One of the 3 CBs (often THB) is also very aggressive in pressing, and they are trying to go man for man, which is frustrating United. The two CMs in possession have been great at turning and looking for Sugawara and KWP, whilst KS and Dibling dritfing into space have caused problems. Clearly Juric is tactically astute and I like this return to an aggressive pressing style - at no point have United looked that comfortably playing out, and whilst they have broken the press a couple of times, we look committed in tackles and defence.

Reported as staying at Wolves in any case now.

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/24855586.southampton-chairman-kraft-steps-solak-takes-control/ Kraft gone, Dragan in charge, DoF likely appointed soon

It's not for real. Alfie House has confirmed that nothing in that link and Kayi Sanda is staying at Saints.

Would we perhaps be interested in taking Zirkzee for 6 months? (Not that I'm at all convinced he would be interested in us by the way) - Surely United would be looking to send him somewhere 'pressure-less' and maybe keep him in England as part of his adaptation to see if he might come good? Juric is probably aware of him from his time in Italy as well? I must also confess to not knowing too much about the guy, but he looks big enough to hold the ball up and act as a focal point? Happy to be corrected here as well.

I've also seen he has form for scrapping with Sporting Directors - Rasmus about to get what's coming...