david in sweden

once we got past the "asset-stripping " and " club for sale " comments, I noted that few people reverted to those regular criticisms we saw so much last season. " Lambert is only good enough for 30 mins. off the bench " (or words to that effect)......well, whether it's Liverpool or England, from now on he'll be lucky to get that much playing time, (barring injuries to S&S). " Lallana never finishes a game ...." not quite true, but at a rough count he was subbed around 20 times last season. Why so often?...carrying an injury that won't heal? ....or...? Someone noted (jokingly or were they ITK?) ...that when Luke Shaw signed his contract (aged 18) it was with the understanding that after a year he'd be allowed to move to Man.Utd ..(guess or fact?) Although I enjoyed his contribution last season, I have little sympathy for Dejan Lovren's " outburst " because contract or not, surely I'm not alone in thinking behaviour like that is bad in dressing rooms. Teams evolve ..players go and others come.....some retire, some get career-ending injuries and others "...just aren't good enough ". It takes time to get a good squad together, and make it work properly. I don't wish ill to any of the above......but somehow, I wonder if their (joint disappearance) is really SUCH a bad thing. Time will tell. Those fans who reacted so violently (in words) to the close season's tumult should perhaps ponder the fact that " nothing is forever".....and sometimes " change " isn't always such a bad thing. Certainly,some of the changes that took place were quite surprising, and often ...quite sudden, but can it hardly be seen as the worst season in my 55 years as a Saints fan.

exactly my thought old friend......by the way, can you lend me a million, or......?

tbf....I thought it was a bit too fast. Inter probably looked at the commitment for Osvaldo and (maybe) Taider wasn't living upto their expectations (?) , he obviously didn't meet ours... ...and it was a case of ONE IN-ONE OUT for them. They are surely a bit miffed that it didn't work out, but we did the sensible thing and must be glad the two deals weren't " connected " in any way.

Perhaps £4 million is too... judging by more recent signings.

That's what I thought , but it was mooted a long time after the event and Victor was already a success, so perhaps nobody cared too much?.

I'm inclined to agree Alpine, One has to think they were " found " through Cortese's network, but the "powder-puff " style you sometime see in Italy, isn't good preparation against tough Prem.sides.

you can tell the Swedish football season is nearing its end - when the Ice Hockey sides start their practice games. After game 22 (of 30 game season) last year's Champions Malmö had a comfortable lead *****il unexpectedly losing to Djurgården in a recent game) and may find that qualifying for Champions League - the first Swedish side to do so for a decade - may bring a stressful time, especially as they have a tough run of league fixtures before the end of October. Even if they fail to retain the Swedish title ....the £20 million income from CL games will be some comfort, as they already look to be the " cannon-fodder " in their CL group. Second-placed AIK and (Anders Svensson's) Elfsborg side look to have a bit too much to do, if they are to overtake a good Malmö outfit who have only lost 2 games all season. Anders has once again come in for mixed media reaction when claiming that (international manager Erik Hamrén's) insistance on building the team around the skills of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the PSG star is harming the other squad members who carry the can when there is a defeat, or when the normally excellent Zlatan has an off day ....and the Swedes lose. Zlatan who is superb in the French side, often blows hot and cold in international games, varying between being superb match winner, and occasional impersonations of " the Invisible Man ". The three big Stockholm clubs have all moved to new stadia recently.AIK leaving the national stadium site at Råsunda (ground sold for housing development),whilst Djurgården left the old Olympic Stadium and the site of the old Hammarby ground now means that the two clubs "share" (somewhat uncomfortably)...the new Tele 2 Arena which is same size as St. Mary's. Hammarby (never a regular title-winning club, but who have a reputation for entertaining football) suffered the indignity of relegation to Superettan (read Championship) a couple of years ago, but have now had a fine revival and kept their solid fan base, which sold-out the game with over 30,000 in a recent game. They are fighting for the title against Ljungskile and Sundsvall who are two sides who have " jo-jo-ed " between the top two divisions in recent seasons, but Hammarby fans really feel that it's their year. Relegation from Allsvenskan ( Prem.) looks certain for Brommapojkarna (again). The little Academy-based club lost their top goalscorere thrroughh injury early season and have suffered a run of defeats by the odd goal, and they looked doomed already in June. Two from the cluster of non-descript sides above them will likely be... for drop at the end of the season. Looking back a decade, Swedish players were amongst the best in Europe ( Saints had the two Svenssons - amongst others) at this time, but as with other international squads there are few class replacements for those retiring from the game. (England have same problem). However, Swansea seem to think they have found a gem (though his name escapes me) but he plays for the second division side Östersund in the north of Sweden. Only time will tell if he can make the grade in the Prem.

This is an angry question that seems to turn-up on this site every time there is a transfer window, and Saints may appear to be slow on the uptake. I've looked at this q. closer during the summer. I'm quoting a well-reputed agent (interviewed on SSN), and Niall Quinn (former Sund'land player later Chairman) on Sky TV yesterday morning). Firstly, we see that July / early August activity is very small compared with final figures. Of course, it's business ...and so both club and player's agent want the best deal they can get. Some disreputable agents / a number of clubs are quick to " move the goalposts "....(quite appropriate phrase here) and may up the price / wage demands whether there is one bidder or several. I had heard that Wanyama's agent(s) pushed on the fee claiming that Cardiff had also made a bid for Victor - (which Cardiff later denied they ever had). We ended up bidding against ourselves. (AGENT) said some deals can take several months to conclude from the first enquiry to the final signing. Lots of other factors besides money. Can be ...family, location and other players in team. The player may need persuading / time to think about move / help or harm to international career, if they move to another land and end up on the new club's bench instead of the team sheet. (QUINN) was very enlightening. Contacting the player - especially during the holiday period or (as this year) when there's a summer tournament isn't always easy - and getting him to agree might seem the next logical step, but sometimes it's very public (in media) but other times can be done in absolute secrecy, but he added that many transfers can be a minefield of problems. If a foreign player is involved.. there could be upto SIX different forms to sign. New club / old club / FA / UEFA even FIFA ..not to mention work permits, international qualifications etc. The medical is important of course, and that can take time...(depending on who /where it's taken). Players do back out of a deal - even at the eleventh hour, or can't agree personal terms (greed). Many other people can be involved, and it's very rarely just a question of; a smile, a quick chat with the manager, agreeing a salary, a handshake and signing on the dotted line. Quinn quoted a couple of " horror stories " that occured with transfer bids that didn't work out, but the funniest was a foreign deal that failed - because neither the player, or his agent knew how to work the fax machine, and couldn't transmit the completed paperwork in time. Sky reported one deal that failed because the agent - so busy driving back and forth to different clubs - ran out of petrol on the motorway .. Whilst we see some clubs go for (but not always get) their targetted players early on) ..Saints signings came in spasms with the last two only signing in the final hours. Better late than never. As we have seen in previous years.... 'appy 'arry makes a speciality of signing people (often his old players) ..on the last day, (this year at QPR). I found the whole process both fascinating and confusing - but quite enlightening, and I hope that some people reading this might be dissuaded from threatening to burn themselves, along with their season ticket in the car park at St.Mary's - if we haven't made all of our summer signings by July 2nd next year.

A good summary. Although some of the " replacements " may have been hasty, it does seem that we've got quite a few players who were " somewhere... on someone's list ". Replacing Lovren seemed a big challenge, but hopefully that problem may have been sorted now. Although they are (IMO) still worth their place, both Fonte 31 in December, and Steve Davis (29) have given good service to the club... but must consider their days will start to be numbered by the end of this season, but the new arrivals give a good feeling of continuity with Koeman. Despite his " antics " I've always rated Boruc, but Fraser Forster seems a v.good investment in the future......and Artur will surely find himself a new club - in time. Providing they stay, and hold the form we know they are capable of, both Jay Rod and Morgan Schneiderlin may become key figures in Koeman's " new look Saints." The most comprehensive overhaul of a Saints side for many decades. Had MP and those players who left..still been at the club. I can't see any of the new recruits even being considered as possible signings.

Jos was clearly a hero in our promotion season, and scored 8 times (not bad for a centre back) but sadly some moaners on here only recall his "other record " of 4 O.G's (most of which were unfortunate deflections rather than due to poor play). He was part of a good defensive unit that season, but clearly found the pressure of the Prem's faster pace (and only being used as a sub)... a bit too much in the long term. A good club man, a friendly guy who always seemed to have a cheerful smile. Good luck Jos.

Agree with most of that Duncan, I think Chambers was " a bit of a steal " for Wenger, but if CC had stayed, I wonder if MP ....(if he had stayed) ....would have had the courage to play him?

a victory for patience.....from those fans who have it, and for the Board who showed it, (despite the biting criticism from some quarters), the squad looks very good on paper. As soon as they get to know each other ......we will see it on the pitch. Perhaps the best signing of all .....may turn out to be Ronald Koeman, who had the chance to " buy his own team " (more or less)......and also seems to have a Plan B.

it's a good deal even if Hull only pay his salary for a year.....(wasn't he supposed to be on £35K / week from the beginning?) we're never going to get back the £12 million-worth of his fee, but the less he costs us from now on ....can only be regarded as a plus. Even for his occasional flashes of brilliance, he was never fit enough to play regularly, and seldom first choice anyway. Financially speaking....a very good deal....football-wise...(sadly) we'll never miss him.

you should have heard Niall Quinn (on Sky Sports) this morning explaining the problems surrounding signings and the manifold difficulties that can occur.....it sounded like a nightmare ....

join the club....we can have some badges made ..

think that may be 15 million EUROS, but it's still a hefty sum.

who do they think they are dealing with? ...some poor, down-on-their-luck L1 side? we don't need your money.! ..Rubbish Poch !

......going back 300-400 posts ago on this thread ......."someone" commented that Jack had been asked (in an after-match private comment ) ...if he was going to sign a new contract? ....(as memory serves me)....his reply was.... along the lines of...." I might do - if I get offered one "

....is their opinion any better than others, or is that just a judgement on Austrian football, I wonder?. Born in Belgium, Toby joined Ajax Academy (in Holland) and was a star player there... before moving to Athletico Madrid (one year ago on 4 year contract). Athletico had a great season with their predominently Spanish players, ....and consequently he was limited to only a dozen games. He's obviously second choice in the Spanish outfit. He's already played 37 times for Belgium (alongside Vertongen) .and was in their World Cup squad. Hardly seems like much of a gamble for a one year loan.

500,000 per year.? ....equates to something around £10k / week .....what's inflated about that?

I'm enjoying this post ....yes does depend on the individual....but young single guys, with say 40K-50K /week and a Porsche (or two) ...surely don't stay at home to watch EastEnders so often. Yes...lots of (daytime) activity with training ..but surely more diversions / interests in London than in So'ton in the evenings for this type of person, unless he finds a girl / boy friend (?) locally. As for the " type of club " ...it surely depends on their club's social image. I think the " danger area " for that is North London clubs. I've met many fans over the years, I've changed my mind (positively) about Arsenal under Wenger's reign as manager, but (sadly) many Spurs fans are no less egotistical than I recall from 40 years ago. Many of them still "glory" in past successes that their grandfathers have told them about. Whilst Spurs (read Daniel Levy) continue to change managers every season, they will lack consistancy, too. My generation enjoyed the FIRST promotion (1966)...and later the McMenemy era, but whilst still vivid in my memory ...to today's generation ...it's merely memories from a dusty old history book.

I'm fully prepared .......(and would be happy to be convinced otherwise), but based on the games I've watched him in ......I agree with that part....

.....a more sensible conclusion than the question on the OP.

Can you define "great " ?....to me Maradona was only a " great cheat ". It took Ferguson 3-4 years to win anything of note, and his " class of 92" helped him get established. Money did the rest. Being a good manager is about " people skills ". McMenemy had no League experience and Strachan won almost everything, but players surely respect players with such an impressive career.

....neither have most of the people on this board, but where is Alpine when you really want him to tell us something ?