SaintBobby

Koeman is gone, surely?

Really crucial win today. Overall, a bit of an underwhelming start to the season. Before kick-off today, I was definitely looking downwards. Started the game in 14th, one point clear of the bottom three. We'd really have to screw up to get involved in a serious relegation battle though. I'd be surprised if we drop as low as 14th again this season.

Interesting to see the praise for VVD on here. I thought he was perfectly okay, but that Maya was a bit better. What did I miss?

Cancer. Wow.

He seems pretty clueless. Can't see we have made any progress since last season. Worse still, he seems to be making a moderately good team look pretty damned awful. I'm not much in favour of wielding the axe, but I think I would in this instance. Just can't see what's going to improve otherwise.

Glad it's been muted. Was worried it was under active and high volume discussion for a second.

Wtf does this mean?

You're not the first offender, this "in and around" phrase is now common analysis. What does it mean?

Well, this was enlightening. Thanks to all involved.

He's been a little disappointing this season. But he isn't merely a "good championship player", he is way better than that.

He was utterly superb today. Man Utd will obviously be a different proposition though.

Redknapp's just been fired by Birmingham. Nice.

It isn't called "VanDammGate" in Southampton, is it? So, if that's where you're from, that's very odd indeed. Haven't seen that phrase mentioned anywhere. I'm from Winchester, by the way, it also isn't called "VanDammGate" in Winchester, either. Hope this helps.

Mods, please make this a sticky. The insight and info is gold. Thanks.

Probably about right. We'll be somewhere between 8th and 15th. And that's probably only a spread of 6 or 10 points. I'd lean to 9th or 10th. But 12th isn't an absurd idea.

Why's "it" called "VanDammGate" where you come from? Very odd. Where do you come from and who exactly calls it that?

Please, please, lock this thread.

I'd say we need a public apology from him to assuage fans and the club. We should also ask him to change agents, although the decision is ultimately his. We should tell him that we aren't willing to consider or even discuss a transfer until June. Even then, we think it unlikely that we will be minded to sell him and impossible that we will sell him to Liverpool.

yeah, I agree sadly. Although they do seem like the club most in meltdown. Tragedy is that Theo would be a great fit back at Saints, for him, the club and the fans, but despite that, the vagaries of modern football make it vanishingly unlikely it could happen.

I am sticking with the prediction that he's staying. I also think the club have handled this brilliantly if he does (but appallingly if he now goes to Liverpool on deadline day!) If he does stay, which I both hope and predict, this is a total shambles by Liverpool. Had they acted differently and legally, I'm sure they could have got him. Their screw up could cost them very dearly given the weakness of their defence. Maybe the Ox can play centre back? ;-)

Redmond and Tadic are both very good players. They just haven't been very good in the last few games. I'd have both in the starting XI still.

If VVD goes, it is too late for us to complete a deal with the money. Maybe we are already about to sign a new £20m player, but the idea that this would be triggered - and only triggered - if there's a last minute sale of Virgil is hard to credit. The only obvious exception to this would be a makeweight in the deal (e.g. VVD goes to club X and player Y joins us from club X).

I reckon he's staying. The club/Ralph have been pretty adamant on this. They could have left themselves a ton of wriggle room but have chosen not to. The issue isn't just VVD - it's the signal it sends. It's a shame we have our best player in the deep freeze, but the new-ish strategy of signing players on long contracts and keeping them unravels if Virgil leaves by Thursday evening. The club need to send a message so that in the months and years to come Saints players are thinking "I don't want to get into the God awful hole that van Dijk got himself into, I have to knuckle down and put 100% into playing for Southampton, possibly for 2 or 3 more years". If he is still here on Sept 2nd, VVD has one hell of a big hole to dig himself out of. God only knows what step he takes other than - hopefully - a massive mea culpa and U-turn.

So frustrating at the moment. 4 matches played this season. One goal scored from open play. Grrrr. We're not awful, just very annoying.

I'm pleased to report that you were totally wrong. I'm very glad that this was what you always hoped for. Sweet.