saint1977

How do you know that it's unfounded? KL and Gao supposed met with the PL (according to reports) to persuade them that he was a viable buyer after he allegedly failed FAPP - alarm bells should be going off even amongst the most languid of Saints fans if even the PL had significant concerns (which allegedly from the articles they did). I don't know what they discussed in that meeting either but it can't be easily brushed away and a lot of people including me are concerned until we know more. I'm open to feeling reassured but at the moment I don't. 2. Given the PL allowed Pompey's buyers I don't take any comfort there at all in their competence or willingness to protect supporters and the game. 3. Let's see on the assets - I don't know what they are and neither do you. Remember, this was meant to be funded by Gao's own money - which hasn't quite borne scrutiny. So people are quite entitled to ask 'if that didn't match up, what else doesn't?' I'm open minded but contingent on knowing more - whilst these issues remain opaque, I will be concerned for the future for SFC, as will thousands of others. There's always a few that won't question and just cross their fingers but that's more of a Pompey thing than our fanbase. People are saying stronger things on the UI. No-one is saying he is as bad as one of the skate's past owners but given the sell was that there would be investment to sustain us in the top 10, this appears a stretch based on the information available, of which we'd like rather more of.

It doesn't but people's (legitimate) concern is that they could either be applied across or that money to enable us to compete will be used to service unnecessary debt. That then increases sharply the risk of relegation and the debts can't be serviced and the club rots, although not as fast if the liabilities can't be directly tied to the club. Not exactly the extra investment to help us compete is it? Hey, the previous money has made their money though.

It's 3 that concerns me greatly Benji and has done a lot of harm with the fanbase thus far that I'm not sure a few good results will erase. PL's governance has been appalling as well - they should never have approved this no matter how much KL pleaded and stuck to their original guns.

In which case for the club to claim that the takeover was necessary to enable the club to compete in the PL top 10 was untrue and will cause damage in the relationship with supporters. Not sure about the debt free aspect. More money coming out of the club is not what the fans were led to expect - although we all had raised fears about Lander not coming up with the money beforehand - and the Gao using his own money smokescreen has soon been blown apart by the Bloomberg and the Times articles. Would suggest the new owners outline their vision pronto.

Quite. Will keep an open mind but not getting a good feeling.

Agreed - the Bloomberg article doesn't seem to support his hypothesis much as I would like to believe it.

Worried by this - would like more clarification.

Or Oscar Gobern at Bournemouth; that was even more spectacular. Brilliant years since 2009, so many highlights (JPT, back-to-back promotions, stabilisation and the wins over City, Chelsea and Liverpool, four successive 8th or better finishes including top 6, Gabi's equaliser at the EFL Final and beating Inter in Europe). Impressed that the debts were cleared and Gao bought the club with own cash and not through Lander borrowing although let's see what the new regime brings - bit worried about who she has sold to. Our infrastructure, which to be fair had attracted Markus and was already good, has been taken on several other levels not least Staplewood which must be the envy of a lot of clubs. The academy is regenerating too after what was always going to be a lean period after the struggles of the late 2000s and impact on recruitment.

I'd broadly go with those. If I'm nitpicking, I'd raise Gabi to a 7 as I thought he looked lively and was unlucky early on. Tadic was decent overall but would knock him down to a 6.5 because he really ought to have scored with at least one of those opportunities. Redmond 6.5 too as want him to get in the box and support Gabi with runs more. Boufal I would say 6 as a couple of decent moments but Austin's 5 is fair as his movement needs work.

Or a scouser/ex-Liverpool/or have same agent as VVD.

Any more than I'd listen to him talk about running a pub, or driving safely. Was it him that had criticism for comments on air after Robin Williams passing away?

Good article, thanks for adding Cartman. I hope that the power of agents is gradually brought back to a realistic heel. I don't think anyone wants the return of the pre-minimum wage days but the 'short career and playing in the CL' cards in order to gain their agents yet another fat pay day on fans' backs is really tired and had it's day. I hope Saints hold out - and that Liverpool are learning their lesson with Coutinho and Kieta. I'd also like to see the likes of Wasserman eliminated from the game - and there are others like him. Danny Rose has just had to apologise and suspect he repeated in public what a puffed up agent in a bubble had probably convinced him of. At least he's had a little bit of brain to pull it back back in the real world. I'd be proud of Saints if we were to play a small part in this. Even VVD going to Chelsea or City would be a minor victory of sorts although I fully support the club's current stance. Players will still move and have agents - Shaw, Mane and Morgan still did and the former two with the minimum of fuss.

Good grief, I must have imagined the Ryan Smith and Jason Euell era. JWP did improve his stamina last season IMO, he still his some way to go granted but not sure I've ever seen him bottle tackles, he just isn't robust like Romeu and nor are the rest of our midfield although Lamina sounds like he's not so shy. JWP hits a good dead ball, can cross well, should have been used for penalties at the end of last season, passes well and improved his finishing. He's never going to be quick or sending tackles flying in but that's not his game. He's got no room for resting on his laurels but don't think he will with MP. Puel did a find a system though that worked for JWP but will MP? As Shroppie says, PEH needs a much better and certainly more consistent season and arguably JWP contributed more last term. I'm also a believer that PEH has a lot to give and can develop hugely.

I'd agree with that summation - although PEH is frustrating because you can see all the components are there to be a top midfielder and his attitude seems good. His confidence seems to fluctuate sharply so it might be that MP is a more suitable man-manager to get the best out of him. I also think he needs to find his niche in this league - DM didn't work out, think he'll end up more advanced with Lemina's welcome signing. Davis's finishing is like Ronaldo's by comparison though to PEH's and JWP also occupies space there. Still, he's young and you don't get signed by Bayern at that age unless you have something about you. Speaking of JWP, big season for him too. Certainly some welcome improvements last term in stamina and presence in matches plus some very handy goals. It's about a more consistent contribution now and sustaining those improvements in more % of games. JWP is something of a golden boy, as was Harrison when he first came on the scene under MP1, but he could be vulnerable if he goes back to standing still and Harrison does well at Norwich and adds more attacking threat to his game there which being box to box is possible.

Agreed mostly - although Jack is an excellent player in the making and Maya is a good squad CB - hopefully Tom 28's information on club talking to potential CBs was correct. Even if they retain VVD, he'll be off in January/June 2018 and SFC need to succession plan in such a key position and new signing needs a chance to build a rapport with Jack/Maya.

Ah yes, cheers. Harrison had a good debut at Fulham for Norwich I'm told - encouraging.

Who cares - player and agent shouldn't have so flagrantly engaged in illegal approaches with Klopp. VVD's actions have consequences and not necessarily the ones he wanted. Agent won't care, unless he has a contract with the Netherlands FA as well.

Who had that last season? Was it Martina?

Got found out at Chelsea. Still remember him refusing to play for England B - in an era where England had strikers like Shearer, Fowler, Collymore and quite a few others to call on (bit different to now). Plus there were prolific English goalscoring midfielders like MLT.

Amen to that.

Getting back to his sharpness from when he first joined. Encouraging.

Wrong ground for a riot, Turf Moor for that. Hannover 96's ultras keeping Lancashire Constabulary busy.

I agree with that Adrian; 2 or 3 quality signings straight for the first XI, no more squad filler. Sooner the better as well and I would imagine MP has a better idea now of where they are needed. Let's hope he is stronger than Puel was in standing up to Wilson and Reed with what he needs. More savvy with the press and has better command of the language. Can't see MP being a patsy if he isn't getting what he needs.

His knees have had it sadly. Like him as a player and local lad but let Pool pour money down the drain. As for the suggestion by Ally of Barkley....

Hard to say where we'll end up. You'd hope the Sevilla game would give us more consistency with the line up for Swansea and might have more of an idea overall. Midfield options apart from OR and JWP are still terrible and very light at CB. Could be 04/05 again with the holes in midfield, needs to be a very busy week for Ross Wilson.