saints_is_the_south

Right back in it now. Must capatalise tomorrow morning and not allow them a lead, and if we can keep it then even better. Can see a result inside 4 days at this rate.

According to Sky Italia, we've had a €20m bid accepted by Roma, but the player still not keen. https://m.facebook.com/RGiallorossa/posts/421030761344840

Supposedly told fans that he was definitely staying at the players' awards dinner, and then a couple of days later it was confirmed....

He posted this in response to being questioned about it: @ciersteele: @Jayrodfan2 believe me, he did. I've made the effort to come to this match....

This is the one I really really want. Would be an amazing signing for us if we can pull it off.

Is it just me, or is the standard of defending and goalkeeping absolutely horrific in this video?

No surprise at reports tonight of on going negotiations between Saints and Damiao's agent, given what I posted yesterday. Note that Internancional, Saints and Di Marzio who broke the news tonight were all in attendance in Barcelona over the 2 days of the WYSCOUT Forum too...

Napoli offering Champions League football, and with a shed load of cash are going to be hard to fend off.

Not seen this posted anywhere else, apologies if already posted. Saints have been present over the last 2 days at the WYSCOUT Forum held at Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium. The event (explained in a bit more detail here - http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/fourfourtwoview/archive/2013/06/20/wyscout-forum-2013-europe-s-secret-transfer-network-returns.aspx) sees delegates from clubs & players agents meet over the 2 days to discuss transfer dealings, and also acts as a scouting database. The list of clubs in attendance in Barcelona are here: http://forum.wyscout.com/clubs/ As well as ourselves, it's worth noting that Celtic, Valencia, Roma and Internacional, all clubs of whoms players we have been linked to recently were also all in attendance. So it's possible that we could be somewhat closer to signing a couple of our targets following the meeting in Barcelona (today was the 2nd day), and perhaps something has happened leading Poch to verbally confirm our interest in 3 players today.

Only 23, and a regular since the 2004/05 relegation season - has to be somebody I saw live, so for me it's between Marian Pahars and SRL. Scorers of my 2 favourite Saints goals, MP against the skates and SRL at the Etihad.

Been rumoured for a while, wouldn't be surprised if it happened.

http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/europa/southampton-20mln-per-damiao-summit-nei-prossimi-giorni-461167 Southampton have accelerated for Leandro Damiao, attacker of Internacional who has also been linked to Napoli recently. The English club have offered €20m, and a meeting is previsted in the coming days. Report comes from Gianluca di Marzio (@dimarzio) at Sky Italia.

Sky Italia are a fairly reliable source, they were the first to report on Guardiola to Bayern and those rumours ultimately forced Bayern to announce it earlier than they had wished to do so. Palmeri is also quite good when it comes to transfer rumours. Would be amazed if it came off, and it would be an incredible signing for us.

Super post Turkish, 100% spot on. I am most definitely one of these people. Other than drawing the skates, my absolute number 1 wish in any cup draw where it is possible will always be Leyton Orient away, the best away day ever, twice! Following that I'd want Carlisle, or Hartlepool or Exeter....etc Makes me feel a tad nostalgic thinking about those days. Glad I got the DVDs of the League 1 years and Championship promotion season, great times never to be forgotten. On the other side of the coin, the administration and near liquidation days make me believe that yeah, I get it. Every day that summer, I would wake up and there would only be one thing on my mind without fail. When Pinnacle collapsed it really looked like we were on deaths door, they were extremely worrying times and it felt to me inside like a relative was terminally ill and on their last legs. The joy when the breaking news came through on SSN that Markus & NC had completed the takeover will always be the biggest joy I have ever felt as a Saints fan, more so than the promotions or any other good moments we may experience in the future.

Whoever is prepared to pay the agent what he wants, safe to say that won't be us.

Emailed Saints last week re Season Tickets being posted out, this was their response.

Emailed Saints last week re Season Tickets being posted out, this was their response.

I don't need to follow Roma to know Lamela is one of the biggest young talents in Europe, even if you were a casual watcher of Serie A you'd see that this boy is absolute quality. 15 goals and 6 assists last season playing primarily as a wide attacking midielder, in a team that had a disappointing season is extremely impressive and exactly why he has been linked with Europe's major clubs. Still has 3 years left on his current contract, so €30m would be about right for him.

Lamela would cost more than €20m, more like 30. He's staying at Roma, but if he were to leave it would be to Barcelona/Real Madrid/United.

The job they do at Udinese do is incredible, such a small wage bill but consistently finishing in the top 6. Unearth gems for virtually nothing, sell them on for a tidy profit & then go on to unearth more gems. So Osvaldo currently earns around 38K per week net. Ramirez is on the same here apparently, although that may be 38K gross and not net.

He joined Fiorentina at a young age (21), wasnt getting much game time despite scoring some important goals, most notably a last minute winner against Juventus which helped towards them qualifying for the CL. Loaned out to Bologna and then Espanyol for game time who then signed him permanently and that is where he made his mark.

Having watched him 50 plus times in 2 years, £17m or €20m is about the going rate for a striker of his ability. If he didn't have all the side issues, then Roma could easily demand €25m or more for him. A goal every other game for the past 3 seasons in La Liga and Serie A, definitely worth it IMO.

Still unable to find any reports of issues at his clubs prior to Roma, and also checked with a couple of Italian friends who cannot recall him causing any problems at Fiorentina. As I've said before, I think he'd be ok here. No media scrutiny or making up false rumours such as his mum dying, no fans hanging around outside his house or harassment in the streets, a far far more peaceful life compared to Rome. I'd take the gamble on him, just need to try and convince him to come it seems.

It's perfectly understandable why Osvaldo doesn't want to move here. I have read that he is concerned about the impact on his international future with Italy if he were to move to us. Perhaps an hour with Cortese could help to change his mind, if he were aware of the project and ambitions for European football.

So .5 goals less makes Serie A a defensive league?