Smirking_Saint

I dont particularly think we are either, but that sort of attitude is what has taken the likes of Newcastle, Leeds, Middlesborough etc down in the past, all big clubs in their day, all fell out of the Premier League and took a while to recover. Its not about spending money, or else QPR would have easily stayed up. It is staying at the required level to compete, and I would say we are in danger of turning the wrong way. Of course we are climbing the mountain right now, and its a real struggle for a club our size to keep up with those at the top but we only need to lose our footing and it can all come tumbling down. Our transfer policy, for instance, has been excellent so far, but it only takes a couple of bad replacements either in management or playing staff to have a bad effect on things. I don't see why or how we 'have' to lose 3-5 top players every year, its frankly embarrassing. Of course we have done excellent to nurture them into the talents they are but right now Im looking at this and thinking is this the first year we have lost control ? For instance, we tookour time replacing Koeman, and now it seems we are struggling to replace those we have lost. And if we are worried about the playing staff, what do the rest of the players think ? They aren't fools, and they'll look after themselves, if they see the good old ship Saints sailing into unsteady waters they will do their best to get off and the management so far has done nothing to prove they can handle an exodus, or atleast prevent one. I do wonder sometimes quite why, despite our upward mobility and so called 'southampton happy atmosphere' we are supposed to have still results in an inability to hold on to our brightest talents for more than a year or two.

I could'nt care less what you smoke or how much of an idiot you look aslong as you respect the fact that I don't and I still don't want it blown all over me

Did it work well ? They had a man down and sat everything they had just outside their 18 yard box, so I wouldnt of said it worked that well. That said I agree, I just can't see him going for the 4231 formation, and realistically I don't think he has the men defensively to do it. It'll be a struggle against what will be a very fluid attacking and well disciplined defensive side with no doubt Ibra, Pogba and Mkhytarian (or however you spell it) eager to perform on their first home match and possibly Mata/Depay etc eager to prove their place. I cant see anything other than a loss really, and Id say so far Im a little concerned by our strength this year. Definately require a DM to replace Wanyama properly, and a quality attacking midfielder and Striker we have required even when he had Pellè and Manè. Was looking forward to this year at the end of last season... I really don't know what to expect right now

How often are we going to say this ?

If we get Barahino and West Brom get benteke Id argue we are getting the worse deal

You can't question our spend, the Liebherrs are recouping their money.... Despite the 100m+ a year for the past 3 years etc etc

Apparantly yes

Never seen what the issue is with Cedric, I think we were spoiled previously by an excellent RB in Clyne. However, as far as Ive seen he is very able, of course he gets caught out from time to time but overall he is IMO pretty good. And showed his value in the euros aswell. Not that I am a particular fan of stats but Im sure I read somewhere that he scored pretty high on a sqwaka list of fullbacks. All in all Im very happy if we are doing what we can to keep our top players. If we are indeed 'ambitious' enough to retain our status as top 6 contenders (a very difficult ask this year with the reinforcement of liverpool/utd/city etc) then we need to pay the going rate. And hopefully we will see some incoming improvements, especially from a striking point of view.

Pretty much my thoughts batman, I dont always agree but IMO its a difficult year, on the one hand Im very happy about the fact that we have tied down some of our big players, but on the other very dissapointed at the lack of any real reinforcements despite a bumper TV deal and over 50m incoming for player sales

Not much has changed has it ? The whole Ethos of the set up needs to be a pathway to the first team, much like Saints. With a management structure that talks to each other at all levels and all levels playing the same way, to the same formations and philosophies. Players should be allowed to get tournament experience when they can, and this means allowing the bright young talents to play in the U21 tournaments and not just picked for a pointless friendly. Players should be reminded that refusing to play for an age group effectively means they will not be invited to play for a senior side. And honestly Id be looking at a combination of Southgate and Hoddle if it were me

Spot on

Unfortunate truth

Pretty much, why post twice ?

Im not talking wages, I talking the playing budgets

Still plumping for the lack of ambition card, or lack of any real player funding to push on. Managers of course want to push on, not settle for the good of their career I wonder on the terms we offer, for instance, are we looking for a maximum return for medium or minimal outlay ? It sometimes feels that way, and the more and more its going on it makes me more pessimistic Ive no doubt we have our targets, but securing them has never been our strength. It seems our top targets have pulled out of the running after speaking to us, the latest potentially being pellegrini After all we struggle to hold onto top talents or coaches for long at all Maybe Im being unnecessarily pessimistic, but its an unfortunate reoccuring theme

Of course it is

This place misses them thats for sure

Which is a complete disaster waiting to happen. Our success is built on the planning put in through all aspects of recruitment, why would we let a manager come in and wildly change the ethos and style that the club as a whole has been used to for the past 5 years ?

I wonder what caused the club to change direction with Garcia, and I wonder why we seem to be somewhat struggling to get a named manager to show real interest. We set ourselves up as a progressive, well run club that is now in Europe. I wonder if we are difficult to work with. We dont have the best track record of keeping our top coaches. Perhaps the ambition just isnt there and maximum results are expected from medium outlay.

Not entirely sure you have a football brain either to be honest

I think its quite cute that Everton are using this situation to remind everyone that they are 'a big club'. Forever in Liverpools shadow. I actually quite liked them before but after all this ******** I think it is Liverpool as a whole thats clearly full of ******s. As per the debate, I dont really get the want to move from Saints to them, Saints are clearly on the up and things have been reletively stale at everton recently. It is obviously an attractive proposition, a wad of cash and the promise of a strong future, but is it worth it ? We all know Koeman wont go for longevity, even the Evertonians dont deep down. He is destined for a big team, arsenal, liverpool, milan, barca. And then there is his CV, a top for finish will just be pointed towards moshiri and his millions, anything less a failure. For me it speaks more of something going on at saints, I know some will no doubt berate me for saying it but did the contract renewals go stale ? Was there a bigger falling out ? There was of course a point everyone including Koeman just saw Evertons offer as an annoyance. But I think its more than just the money personally. Its a bit of a worrying trend that we lost two good coaches prematurely, and does for me point at that reluctance to go to the next level. All in all though this is Saints, its the badge that matters more than anything or anyone else, and we have come back before, no doubt we will again.... Hopefuly

Pretty surprised at some of the posters on here having a meltdown over a man that dares to question the offer on the table from saints. For a start there is no concrete evidence that he is talking to Everton yet, only that Everton are using the press to force an agenda through. I honestly wouldnt wish him any ill will if he moves on, similar to that of Poch, in fact Id wish him all the best. He is a man looking to improve his career and his bank balance, like any of us would. And the simple matter of fact is that if Saints cant offer him what all in all would be the best offer (salary and ambition) then why wouldnt he jump ship ? A failure to keep Koeman is as much Saints doings as it will be Everton's prying IMO. I just dont think personally, after Poch, we can afford to lose another outstanding coach. Its only a matter of time that we make a wrong appointment.

Its an easy negotiation tactic for him, I dont see why he necessarilly wants to go to Everton, its not a particularly big step up, and will take work to get them where they want to be. If for instance, he goes and fails, it will be an expensive mistake for his CV Its also however, a convenient situation, he is able to push his agenda with us, which I hope he is, the majority of which I think will be centred around transfers and the future. It allows him to try for his favoured option and still have a backup plan. It will however, IMO be an indictment of our own ambitions, and if we can meet them, which would be a shame considering we are so close to upsetting the top 4. However this is Saints, we have recovered before and will again.

Jesus Does this mean you lot are going to tell me I have to hate Koeman and Everton now ? And Koeman had flaws etc etc

Pretty much spot on IMO A midfield 3 of Alli, Dier and Wlshere would be my mudfield of choice, as it should give us fluidity and creativity. The forward options will pick themselves to be honest, Kane and Vardy should be dead certs, Id maybe start Sturridge or Lallana instead of Sterling. Its defence that we'll lose games, none of our CB's fill me with any confidence. Rose did ok, not MOTM but had a good game for me, surprising he gets slagged off so much, must be the spurs connection. Worth noting that anyone that plays down Stones side is going to be in trouble as his position discipline is pretty poor. Its a difficult call between Rose and Bertrand, Bertrands better IMO but Rose fits in with the spurs connections in this squad.