gio1saints

I think Matt O’Riley, of all the players names we have been associated with, is the one I’d think most likely to make an immediate and positive impact upon our first team. In the continuing absence of a top CF and with Stu gone, doubts over Charlie and we not even got Flynn over the line yet this is exactly the kind of consistent high energy levels goalscorer and assist machine we need. Seems a level above Aribo and Will IF he can bring anything like his Scottish form over to the EPL. If it’s €25m that’s a lot - and no doubt his wages will be in line with that - but I think if we put whatever we get for Paul towards it and remember we not paying Stus wages any longer it won’t seem so high. I’m 100% in favour of this rumoured transfer.

I think we will need six cb’s this season if RM continues the way we ended last year with 3CB’s on the pitch at anyone time. The point regarding Jan is well made. Maybe Saints will let him run out the contract - but given the two newbies and the return of BK it does kind of point to Saints cashing in on him before he does a Che. Hard call that as Jan was fundamental last year.

Agree his injury record is not good. I made that a first proviso. The thing about not wanting him in the trenches is a debatable comment. I do not know what it was like for him aged 20/21 in the uk playing in Ralph’s team but surely not easy and a walk in the park. German international defenders not usually cowards. I’d hope a years maturity - and RM “bravery coaching” influence - and staying injury free - might address any “resolve” issues

I took a moment to remind myself about Bella-Kotchap. His injury record is obviously not good - but - 1. He is / was a German international centre back. When fit. 2. I will repeat that - he is/ was a German international centre back - when fit. 3. He is only 22 years old. 4. He speaks English, - pretty much essential for a RM player especially seeing how non speakers like lyanco and Charlie get shipped out. 5. He is 6ft 3” and athletic with it, - our biggest defender in a team not all that big. 6. RM thinks he is an impressive massive unit and wants to get to know him better - from a fellow defender to take a personal interest like that is crucial. Can RM teach and motivate BK - and keep him injury free? If so skys the limit. 7. BK has Rio Ferdinand as his hero role model- a classy cb good choice to aspire to. 8. Bought for £11m still valued at £12m by transfermkt and cannot be on big wages. Selling him now for what we paid can be done - easy - but surely he’s worth a pre season at least to see if he’s able for the EPL with RM,s team? 9. His contract is until 2026 so we got time - if he does well we can sell him next year for a gazillion -or upgrade and extend his contract. I don’t see much downside to keeping him in the squad. Go Bella!

Guido Rodrigues has got a Barca, Juve and Inter free transfer written all over him. Current wages €32k pw so plenty of takers for him. The Barca offer was 2 yrs+1 at €52k pw I think. To join the massive downgrade that is Saints compared to those elites he’d need to be financially recompensed to mad levels - breaking our wage structure and getting £100k pw+ and a £M’s bung to him and his agent. I reckon. And even then he could join a bigger team than us in the EPL and do better still Chelsea would have him lol as would Liverpool.

Yup I guess so. If he went from £70k with them to £35k-£50k pw or so with us thats north of £1M less for him this year. why move to get >£1m less - even if he is happier here? Getting £1m more just for training a year is a lot of money. Forget about “ wants to play” and “ enjoys his football again”. What he might earn - or more what would clubs be willing to pay him in year two though is anyone’s guess. I imagine that is what our salary and number of years contract offer to him takes into account and what the haggling is over. My best guess is he might be offered £35k -£40k pw over a two year contract with us - and simultaneously is hoping to get at least £700k ( basically 10 weeks pay +) He will have to compromise on that if he wants to get away though ..and get an extra year ( or two) tagged into the contract - and that’s the haggling part.

My guess is that RF is not going to be in anything like £70pw at Saints. If he is on £70pw at NUFC and has a year to go in which he is unlikely to play it’s going to cost them £3m plus a bad at us and optics unless they get rid. Clearly NUFC would love a fee but it seems we are the only game in town. Indeed he is asking for a pay off . I suspect they will end up giving him £750k and we’d put him on £49-£50k pw as a top earner on a free. Two years.

Hi Kristian, Any ideas from the Danish press on why O’Reilly, supposedly a £30M player (and superstar in Scotland) and eligible to play for Denmark did not make the Danish euros final squad? Would be interested to know if there was any reasons speculated or otherwise seeing as he’s been heavily promoted here as a possible - and highly desirable - Saints signing.

Read his wiki. Written and edited by somebody who wants Southampton to make an offer. “Plays like Flynn Downes”. “ takes feee kicks like James Ward Prowse or Rickie Lambert….” 😎…..Looks like a wind up or a phishing exercise or both. Im half expecting Saints asked to send bank details and a small deposit to pay air fare in return for a free transfer…

Open training session men’s and ladies teams announced at SMS for 1/8/24 starts c 1pm outside but interviews at 2pm and actual training on pitch from 2.30 onwards. Free tickets available via the app in kingsland. Good and rare opportunity for saints supporting students of body language and non verbal comms in general to get an insight into the group and Individual dynamics at play in the squad. As well as the mechanics of the actual training itself of course.

I think I agree on Ings. Time to move on. If we are going to struggle to score in the EPL with whoever plays up front at least let someone younger and new have a chance at it. Ings and Che are unlikely to set the EPL on fire and become overnight goal scoring machine revelations - neither probably is RS- but I’d rather he be given the place in the starting line and offered the chance than those two if there was the choice. And in any case we need at least two so attacking players like Delap and O’reilly as well are required, or both better.

I’m not sure that’s entirely true. 😃. Lyanco was and is acutely aware of his Brazilian heritage. Indeed it was probably the main reason he ultimately could not play in a RM team. The times I watched him play - including his last match away to Gills, it was clear he was not following the instructions he was given as diligently as others regarding position or when to pass or how and instead wished to rely on his Brazilian passion and the occasional Hollywood pass or trick to plat his football. Being Brazilian this is natural but his relative ill discipline plus the disadvantage of not being Neymar and playing at CB meant it was not going to end well.. NB. But he gets full marks for passion/charisma but that alone is not enough to win football matches unfortunately. Who doesn’t like watching saints players with that fire in the belly. We’ve had a few - Ruddock and Williams, Case and Dennis spring to mind..

Got my ticket and really looking forwards to seeing especially whoever RM plays up front ( hoping for RS - With RF andAA all at same time 😃

I voted. I’m a Northam st holder. It’s gonna ruin my view unless they take it off before kick off though. 😄

Agree. Dont think Jude is as popular as some make out for example. No shots on target first half with the quality of forward players we have is poor.

Players have already been playing for ball to arm penalties- and practising for ball to arm penalties - for quite some time. It's quite a skill though totally outside of the spirit of the game and next season in the EPL I hope our team is up to speed on it.

Oh dear …it can get worst. Maybe Italy can do a LCFC kind of result….

Watching Italy be useless is like watching peak Saints playing PB football- badly- Spalletti will not survive this match whatever the result. PS. That half was the WORSt ive ever seen Italy play. Unbelievable how pathetic they were. They surely cannot be as bad as that second half. If Swiss only got one against that dog shit then who knows - second half might be better. Don’t write them off- yet. But boy oh boy that was horrific.

100% agree. This sack the Manager game - sometimes twice or three times in a season - is like a cancer . It kills player, young manager and English football development in general. IF we are getting torn to shreds every week and IF there is no response and IF the team and Manager has lost its heart I get it. BUTif Saints are playing attractive, competitive football - yet getting beat more than win or draw & showing signs of improving and yeah even if we are bottom three of league at Xmas that is probably the most likely narrative of the season and where I expect us to be. If so it’s not a sackable offence - it’s pretty much expected.

All true. But at least we have the players to do something about it. (1) Bad players and it’s not a team : Bad and prospects very low. (2) Bad players and it’s a team though : Can win the Euros but shouldn’t ( but Italy and Greece and Czechs did ) (3)Good players and no team : Bad but there’s still some hope via individual brilliance. (4) Good players and good team : Best chance to win Euros. England currently a hard (3).

Only asking on the basis that it’s desirable to be a ( free or very close to free ) transfer and it’s an experienced EPL goalscorer. And maybe it lubricates the Flynn transfer also. Does not preclude getting other younger forwards who are hungry and got potential and cost£30m accordingly in which we will not be doing I don’t think - but Saints seem to be interested in the latter type of free -ish player at present and MA coming back may not be a bad idea for a season or two.

Ok. Is gravy better than eggnog as a replacement for Che?

Is Michael Antonio > Danny Ings? As a replacement for Che?

Thanks for clearing that up. Do you have any detail? Such as what was the match day squad bonus and was that included in his reputed £50k pw salary ( Google) - or was that match day bonus on top? reason asking is if the bonus was £15kper match then his basic was less than I thought - and it may be his new epl basic. Somehow I think it was on top and if it was a small figure- say £5k - I can’t say im Pleased that he could not make the squad let alone play for certain matches - just to give Baz a much needed rest. Not good management there I’m afraid cos Baz was obviously below his levels latter part of season and a turnover would have been proper and sensible - as it was we relied on bad luck for Baz good luck for Saints to see Alex in goal. Hope RM notes that.

Im In. Most impressive highlights reel for a player I’ve ever seen.😍. Think he might have something of the Mark Dennis about him. Good. If we going to get beat and if we are going to get spanked a few times at the very least I’d like our right back to mitigate it with some useful skills such as he had shown he clearly has. Especially on clowns like Grealish if he starts doing twenty six stepovers and our boy just goes @ bosh” take that. And it’s not even a foul. Ah I can see it now…