Dman

Sulemana would have been on the radar for the top clubs by now if he'd signed for a decent, solid and stable club like Brighton or Brentford (instead of teh basket case that is Southampton FC).

Should be a game in which we dominate possession and can play a slighlty more attacking side, whilst giving a bit of a rest the starters who've played consistently for the past few weeks.. i.e Bree and Downes. Pertez Jelert THB Stephens Manning Charles Jander Matsuki Azaz Scizena Larin

Momentum and consistenty also plays a hugh part. Wrexham are a club on the rise with a consistent baord and management structure. We couldn't be further from that if we tried.

Based on last season, Burnley and Leeds won c. 60% of their games. No unfeasible that Tonda could finish the season with a similar record. Lets also not forget that good manager that Leeds have needed 2 bites of the cherry (as was beaten by a Russell Martin side 3 times in one season). I'm not convinced Tonda is the right man for us long term. I suspect we'll have a new man in the dug out this time next season, but to rubbish his record, when he came in when we were looking more likley to go down than fight for play-offs is nonsense.

Probably an agency.

Ticket sales are down and they think some noddy social media posts will encourage people to go. The reality is, they need to sort their shit out in the board room to get the fans back on board.

Given hes our only threat, I personally think Scienza would be isolated out of the game in the PL, where the level of full backs and defence in general is so much higher. We're a million miles off having a side that can compete at the top level - we'd need to spend 100m+ and spend it well to have a chance... or accept defeat and just play orgainsed and compact and hope to nick enough points to stay up. From the players we have on our books, I'd likely only want to keep; Ramsdale, THB, Wellington, Scienza as your solid PL ready players. With Jander, Fellows, Charles, Peretz, Stewart, Robinson, Azaz, Bree, Quarshie, Bragg, Sesay, as your squad players, whom obviously some of which will start. We'd essentially need a new player in every position throughout the spin of the squad. The most important thing we could do is sign leaders. Some no thrills but experienced PL players who are ready for a dog fight and allow you to play the luxury players such as Scienza and Azaz etc.

He'll link back up with Paul Trollope. I wonder if he would have learned anything from his short time with him here.

He got 35 of those in 1.5 seasons we've spent in the championship. Played in the right system, he's a very good striker at this level. He's not a lone number 9, we want to play with 1 striker and 2 wingers, he wanted out. Good move all round I'd say.

Is there any evidence that data is taking the lead? Other than that window where Rasmus took charge, all evidence would suggest that the DOF in place hand picked the majority of the targets. As an example; Summer 22/23 - DOF Joe Shiels (previous role at City) - Lavia, Bazunu, Larios, Edozie all signed from City. Season 23/24 - DOF Jason Wilcox (previous role at City) - Shea Charles, THB, David Brooks all had links with city. Flynn Downes, Ryan Manning & ryan Fraser all had links to Russell Martin. This season - DOF Johannas Spors (previous experience in Germany) - Leo Scenzia, Downs, Jander, Peretz, Quarshie all from Germany. Azaz, Fellow both stand outs and obvious deals for teams in this leauge. Of course there may have (infact almost certainly would have) been some 'data lead' transfers, but I don't think there is any evidence at all that the data is taking the lead.

Yep https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/club-statement-january-14-2025

He's scored 6 goals in 21 games in Turkey. If he goes for £20m, that'll be good for us as we'll have some form of sell on clause. Had he stayed here, he wouldn't be getting a move anywhere close to €20m

Goztepe spend this season, €6m Southampton spend this season, €60m What have Goztepe gain from us? Matsuki on-loan (who came back to us a better player), Lis who wasn't good enough for us and that brazilian striker who's scored 6 goals in 21 games in the turkish leauge ffs. We're a basket case, Im not defending SR - they need to go. But there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that they have taken the prioirty in the clubs ownership model. It is within their intrest for all clubs to be over performing, but the money will always be with english clubs. A throw away comment, that was made a few years ago now, from a snake oil saleman won't change that fact for me.

This litterally only happened because he was doing a shit job with us 😂

A lot in here to break down, i'll give it a go. Nope. Doesn't mean that we're seen as second fiddle to some mob out in turkey. He may or may not be taking advise from Rasmus. We may or may not be leaning on his 'algroithm' to highlight potential transfers. Personally, I think the fact that pretty much everyone we've signed has been known to the DOF in charge at the time* would suggest that Rasmus hands aren't all over every transfer we do. Doing a shit job doesn't equate to 'being taken for a ride'. Its a pretty expensive ride for them as they aren't going to recoup anything close to what they've invested. If you seriously think that we only exist to fund a champions leauge push for some noddy turkish mob, then you crack on.

The fact the bloke who is funding the group out his own pocket, has personally stepped in to run us, is pretty strong evidence of that.

I mean, that's clearly not true is it.

I had no idea he was now back out in Spain. How does he continue to get jobs😂 14 games, won 4, drawn 4, lost 6 in the spanish second division. Looks like he'll be on the job hunt again soon.

Really? Both would equally be considered a huge gamble. At least the canadian has played (all be it not that well) at some competant level of european football. If we like the look of this young fella, I hope its as a replacement for Archer, who clearly needs to go, and is considered '3rd choice'

It amazes me that anyone would consider spending a penny down there.

You wouldn't because you're not one of us. Stick to baseball, basketball or whatever noddy sports you yanks enjoy.

TBF, it'll be a move back home to Manchester for him and his family.

I just want to go back to a time where we had @manji claiming we're entering the best period of our lives under SR.

I'm a little torn with Solak. Generally speaking I quite like him and I think he means well. He's not been afraid to put money in and from a non footballing perspectve I like the direction that the club are heading. My concern is that despite how they spin that Ankerson is no longer involved in the day to day running Saints, I fear that he has Solak's ear. I'm not convinced that Solak is a strong enough leader or ruthless enough for us to move forward with him. Without Solak's money, there is no SR. I'm not sure the multi-club model has benefited us in any way, shape or form to date and given the clubs they're looking at buying, i'm not convinced it ever will. Henrik Kraft was the fall guy last time, things haven't improved. Unless Solak can bring someone into SR who will challenge Ankerson and has experience at running a football club before, I think we're at a point where he needs to fall on his sword and sell the club. SR selling worries me. I'm not convinced its a great market for perspective buyers of a football club and I don't think we would be seen as great value for money. Sometimies its better the devil you know, but things cannot continue as they are.

To be fair, Rusk's days were probably numbered from the minute Spoors walked through the door. He clearly wanted to employ Tonda with a view of him stepping up at some point in the future.