david in sweden

for as along as I can recall, some fans have bleated about the poor quality of managers who have been in charge at SFC (not always true) but were quick to point out ....no real League record..inexperienced at International level...or Europe, and with the influx of players and the inevitable You Tube clips (usually only from their best games) so I decided to take a longer look at the record of our new manager.RK. Playing often as no.4..usually midfielder but also at CB on occasions. RK played over 500 times and scored 193 goals (a world record for a defender ). This % is much better than many international strikers. Around 200 of those games were for Barcelona between 1988-1995 when he scored 67 times. You can add on the 78 apps. for Holland with 14 goals. He seemed almost infallible with penalties, often with a long run-up, and a strong ground shot. Surely David Beckham must have studied his free kick style, because RK's prowess was amazing - often long, swerving shots from enormous distance - There are several Ronald Koeman You Tube clips -if you look for them- but the 24 min. one from his Barcelona days is really entertaining...if he can manage half as well as he played - we're onto a winner.

if this statement is referring to Pelle, then I think we might recall that many players who come from other leagues often NEVER make the same degree of success in the Prem. Many clubs have a history of foreign internationals who have come to Prem. with enormous reputations and flopped badly. Spuds signed 2 or 3 very expensive flops last season in the wake of the Bale exit. The " physicality " of the English game is something that many Latin players have seldom experienced prior to a move to England. Used to closer ball play and more space, they obviously look good...whereas a few crunching tackles from tough defenders soon brings home the "facts of life " in our Leagues. I think that the " Osvaldo experiment " was evidence of that, he really never settled and the Fonte " incident " was surely the proof.

I seem to have read (somewhere) that the potential transfer fees were about the same amount, but not that the deals were in any way " linked " or dependant on each other. It was not seen as a "swap". RK certainly knew what he wants from players in training ..and Taider (seemingly) didn't cut it! Best decision all round really - don't need another dissenting voice in a dressing room with so many new faces.

Admitedly, Wet Sham were totally outplayed for long periods yesterday, but Bertrand certainly did his shift and looked very promising. He doesn't charge forward (as Shaw did so often)... but with Tadic in front of him, it's not needed to the same extent. I think he has good defensive skills, which was a criticism against LS (on occasions).

Er....? you were saying ...?

Now that Morgan has his priorities right, he's looking star quality again.... and Pelle is becoming accepted by more people. In the final 20 minutes, (with 60+% ball possession)... it almost looked like the same side as last season. ....perhaps the players are beginning to recognise each other..... .......and at last we have a manager with a Plan B. Well done Ronald.

...have to agree 100%. Every time I go to the site, that news is so old it's got hairs on it, and still no news as to when Skacel will sign:lol:

Seems RK may have missed some of those targets on his wish list, but what about those " spare bodies " on the books who are most unlikely to make it this season.? Boruc seems to have declared his intentions to be a no.1 keeper and may well move on, but he won't want to drop a division (and lose his Polish spot) - so he may end up moving back to Poland. Paulo Gazzaniga never established himself as a fans favourite, and did little to improve his image whenever he did get the chance to play. Surely a loan-out here, as he still has a contract, and tbf...even Cody Cropper looks to be a more likely prospect for the longer term. Rumours surrounding Jos Hooiveld maybe only paper talk, but he too won't get many chances if he stays, with Gardos newly-signed and young Jack Stephens in the frame now. Even after all the bally-hoo about Jack Cork's future, I'm betting he will stay (it'd be a poor decision to let him go - regardless of whatever fee). The departure of Taider has surprised everyone,(though difficult to see where he would have fitted in), as there are several Academy graduates who stand a better chance of getting game time. then we have... Emmanuel Mayuka; I'm sure he must have seemed a good prospect two years ago, but subsequently ignored by both Adkins and Pochettino, it's difficult to see what lies ahead for someone who hasn't even made the bench since pre-season. Another loan-out seems likely because of his long contract. A number of Academy lads are on the brink; Isgrove was getting game time *****il his injury) but I'm assumimg that RK will have found a more suitable solution by the time Lloyd recovers fitness. CB Jordan Turnbull has already been loaned-out to Swindon, (Jack Stephens impressed there last season), but a few others will need league experence if they contemplate a future career in the Prem. Only a couple of days left before the window closes (what a terrible pun that is) ....but although we may see a couple more of RK's choices coming in, there are sure to be a few more going out.

yes, but did you also see Ali Dia play?........

......give the player a new 3 year contract - he must be worth it

don't you see...the Media is living in its own world of fantasy football. The bookies are open to offer any combination of " who goes where" , even when there's no bid /deal in the first place. Villa claim that NO-ONE has made a bid for Ron Vlaar, yet Skybet says we are odds-on favourites to sign him ...and Paul Lambert criticised RK because he made a comment about it. Don't answer dumb questions Ronald.

I think this game is winnable. Arsenal are also in a Euro competition, and I'm sure that Wenger won't fielding his strongest side. Hopefully our best ....will be good enough to beat their " second best ". Interestingly, with 6 Prem. sides eliminated in the last round... there are 5 fixtures between Prem. sides in the next round, so that will leave only 8 Prem.sides to go forward.

I didn't wait that long to listen.......

after his injury, and the projected return time for his return, I estimated that it would be around Prem. game 7. Which means away game at Tottenham (4th October). However, I'd expect him to have a bit of game time with the Development Squad first to see how he performs.

Aha, so Villa have stated they have received NO BIDS at all for Ron Vlaar:?.......a little strange / unusual / slightly criminal ?.....when SKY Bet have Saints as favourites to sign him? Either SFC are really playing their cards a bit close to their chests until the last minute ...or it's a rip off by the bookies. Wonder how much the mug punters have put on that "NO CONTEST " already?

...but of course his agent can talk to whoever he wants to .......

oh you also had that thought? Their PL opponents are playing two Chelsea sides. The regular PL one, and those other talents scattered around other clubs with the same task. Sturridge did a pretty good job, didn't he.

Once a Saint ..always a Saint...though (sadly)....even Ali Dia.

is there a chance that he will be " Saints fit " by then ?

woe betide anyone who denies that some footballers actually have skill to do such things......I look forward to more antics (sorry) skill from Shane during the season.

I'm looking to see who will start the thread demanding Koeman's sacking..... if we lose at The Emirates

Amen to that. If Saints have ANY intention of keeping him they should put up NOW, and not drag it out. He may be (unfavourably) compared to Wanyama, but he has seldom let us down whenever called upon.

One might say that we might not have got promotion... if Hooiveld hadn't been with us in the promotion season. You can analyse it any way you like, but Jos scored two vitally important goals (both against West Ham. A 1-0 home , and 1-1 draw away. At the end of that season, we got automatic promotion, and WHam went into the play-offs. Without those particular 4 points, it might well have been the other way around. However, I do agree that Jos was less than convincing in the first season, but he shouldn't be faulted too much...as Fonte had a very indifferent season, and too much has been written about Fox already. The OG's were (for the most part) down to bad luck, rather than him being totally blameworthy. Several of them were unfortunate deflections ... and it's not as if he did a Gareth Barry every time. If he does go I'll wish him well, I think he has a season or two left in him, and it'd be shame if he was on our bench for 30-odd games.

PRECISELY !....the club is being very inconsistant if they are trying to look after incoming players, and let our main man disappear.

I can agree with the sentiment in the OP, but whereas it's hard for the majority of Prem. sides to balance their books every season.....in truth the top four /six can practically buy whoever they want because they have owners who just solve a problem by throwing money at it. Saints, (who historically have never been a rich club) have gone about it more sensibly through youth development, and careful transfers. Naturally enough, good players who do well move on to " bigger clubs " and bigger salaries,(Shaw, Lallana) but that happens in all walks of life, anyway. Football fans expect loyalty from their favourites, but if someone in your office / workplace does the same .....who would begrudge them a better job?....only the envious ones, I suspect. In retrospect, I don't see the " loss " of the summer transfers as a major disappointment - except (oddly) Chambers. Now we start over with team-building just as Liverpool, Man.Utd...and England will do. IMO The whole FFP concept stinks, and for several years back, I've wished they would all go away and play in their own " Euro TV-land " and let the other Prem. clubs get on and play normal league games.