Saint Charlie

http://foreverwestham.com/2014/06/blog-topics/southamptons-mass-exodus-is-a-lesson-for-west-ham Thought this was a well balanced and interesting read from a WHU fan.

Not expecting anyone to sign today, just the Lallana confirmation. Pelle will probably sign Tues or Weds.

If our tactics were bad with a Manager who is strong tactically and got a record PL points total I dread to think what fans of WH, Stoke, Spurs, Fulham, Cardiff, Newcastle etc must have made of their tactics.

Good for the players and especially good for Manchester United who have bought the English young player with the most potential. For Saints it has to be bad, especially when combined with other departures. Its not just the quality we lose, but two academy players. We will only have Chambers and JWP left from the Academy who are genuine first team quality, so can no longer boast of the Academy setting us apart.

Finding like for like quality to replace Shaw will be impossible. Whoever we get will be good but not on Shaw's level. There is a reason he is the most expensive teenager ever you know!

Worst thing about the PL for Saints and the other mid sized teams is that 4 qualify for the CL. Would be so much better if it was still 2. A move to one of the top clubs virtually guarentees CL football every year.

Why are people still talking about Witsel? Its a made up rumour.

Exactly. Yet reports on here of those who have seen him in the U21s are hardly great.

Alan Blayney had Intl experience. That isnt necessarily a good judge of a keeper. Most of the goalies happy to be a no 2 somewhere are at the top clubs where they can say they have won trophies even if they havent played a lot. Its tough to find someone good who will accept not being a first choice. Someone like that Beleneses keeper is more likely IMO.

Is decent not positive? LOL. Anyway, if yoy google there are plenty of Ruddy howlers on You Tube. Probably lots for any keeper, Ive just never really rated him (which I am perfectly entitled not to).

Great incentive for some of these lads knowing if they impress this year they could well get some first team minutes within a couple of years - so different to most teams!

Possibly just my own perception of him. Makes good saves but seems to let a lot squirm under him also. Would imagine Norwich would want at least 8m and he isnt worth anywhere near that. At all.

Not sure they are best pals. Ruddy in all the Eng squads the last two years then not in the WC squad. You would think the GK coach has some input, and he has been coaching Ruddy at club level so bound to be some friction, perhaps even the reason for Watson moving on. Also, Ruddy makes so many howlers, he is certainly not better than Boruc.

Do we need a new no 1? Could just see the scenario that we get someone in, Boruc not happy as wants to play every week so we let him leave then are just back to square one with no backup. Barely any team has two no 1 keepers, and nobody brilliant is going to want to sit on our bench surely?

Guess he left Norwich once Hughton got fired as he followed him their from Birmingham. Sounds like a decent appointment.

Hardly likely to have taken off Rickie or Jay to being Sharp on though? Can you imagine the uproar if NA or MP had done that? And in the PL you get far fewer clear chances. Since he left us his form has been poor, if he gets a look in during pre season then he will be lucky. Would rather Gallagher got the minutes as in a coupld of years he might be good enough to start each week at PL level.

I think its because he seems nice and is on Twitter. On the topic of those who did well for us in L1 and the Champ its interesting how many of them who have left have not exactly set the world alight. Can't thinknof a single one who has been a really good signing for anyone. Chaplow, Hammond, Richardson, Sharp, Martin, Harding, Fox - all bit part for their teams or have already had more than one move. Richardson just signed for Rotherham.

He obviously won't be replaying to questions very often. Don't see it does any harm but in the end it will be our own fans that probably stop him using it.

1. Did Koeman want him or did Reed bring him in as he knows him, like Hunter. Don't see how he fits Koeman's football philosophy in all honesty. 2. Is this really how we do business now? All seems a bit desperate. 3. Will there be any news that our club announces before its completely common knowledge?

Hs is WH's top left back target. They have looked at 3 or 4 others too. Will be interesting to see who we go for.

He could be coming into the U18s setup perhaps? Brighton fans think there has been a problem with him joining them.

Would imagine he is in the Reed/Hunter circle so would fit. Hardly inspiting though.

Can believe some of what Im reading. The guy loves Saints, he was almost in tears during the Awards dinner when he admitted he might need to move on. He has trained for his whole life to be a footballer, so what logic is there in not taking a CLEAR opportunity to further your career and try to be the best you can be? He doesn't owe Saints a thing, and has a superb player for us for a lot longer than your average stay at a club, but he is good enough to acbieve things that Saints cannot.

Also players only tend to use the media when they want something. How many times does Jay Rod need to tell Sky his recovery is going well and Pochettino is the best Manager he has played for, as an example? Also at Intl tournaments the club has no control over either questions asked or answers given. At the club during the season everything is policed.

He is as good as gone. I think we will do well to get £20m due to position and relative low profile.