MarkSFC

Being the academy player of the year does not automatically equate to good enough for the first time. You'd hope so but clearly their is some glaring space in the quality spectrum.

Well according to many on here he is good enough for us so that makes him attractive to lower level PL clubs. I'm glad I made you laugh. It makes me laugh when people suggest my opinion made them laugh. Obviously it's not a simple as just going "Redmond for sale folks" and getting a deal done the next day but I genuinely think he is a style of player that will be attractive to someone like Brighton or Newcastle or even Norwich again.

Not really. He's one who should be sold. Not going to improve.

Curious as to what JWP or KWP could/would need to do in the last 3 games to change that?!!

It can't be underestimated the value of one or two players of Theos history within the club, playing experience, winning, and international experience. What he may be lacking on the field ideally he will add tones during the day job and Semmens alluded to this aspect being part of the reason.

The price or value more accurately of Southampton FC is driven by performance and the market forces. Buying a football club is a high risk investment. High risk investments come with disclaimers about the value of your investment potentially going up or down. In this instance I see no reason to argue against the fact it is worth less than he paid for it. 120m seems too cheap, 250m seems too much. I hope we can find a new investor who has more than "making some cash" on his mind for the club. I think we deserve a break in that regard....

4th best in PL at time of survey. Good stuff.

Probably the only perspective he has. He is entitled to voice his opinion. Why not debate rather than taking the easy option of just trolling.

I like Che Adams and I think over the next 2 or 3 seasons he will turn into a really decent 2nd striker. His stats are already better than Shane Longs. I am comparing with Long because he was always the 2nd (or latterly 3rd choice striker). Long averaged a PL goal for us every 6.8 games, Adams is at every 5.5 games. Long scored 10 in one season but other than that never got past 5. Adams in season 1 got 4 and this season is on 7. It's pretty certain he will get better, especially if we get better players around him. Its also clear that Ings play better with him than anyone else. Whether he stays or not or is fit often enough, only time will tell but either way I hope Adams is here for while yet.

The only thing keeping Ralph in his job (from a fans persective) I think is that when we are at our best we are very good. Unfortunately I can't remember the last time that happened and for me that is why he needs to go. The injuries completed scuppered the season and as much as that's not his fault directly I think he has struggled with tactics, subs and getting the players fit enough. I think we should have a massive clear out, owner, manager, coaching staff and players. Easier said than done of course but I think it's that bad and perfect timing for all of that to happen.

They were. A mate of mine has been a City season ticket holder for 45 years. I've never known him to be so angry. Want them relegated to non-league!! Doesnt meant it is the most suitable punishment but I would enjoy it!!!!

This has not gone away. I repeat what I said a few days ago. I thinkvthe solution is a European League System, 3 or 4 on top of the domestic leagues, with promotion and relegation throughout. It's not really that people do not want the best teams (I'm not saying biggest clubs, as that's different) play each other - I for one havnt enjoyed 2 CL games as much as I did the recent PSG v BM games - it's the closed shop mentality that's the issue. All businesses get to a point where they have to make a decision, expand, stand still and possibly shrink, or even collapse. Football is possibly at that place now financially, not so much sportingly, but money drives this industry because of the commitments already in place. This is not the end of the desire for change. This may well of been a red herring to stir UEFA and fans into what they really want, which is basically anything that guarantees more money. There does need to be some form of punishment for these people, and the easiest thing is hitting the club with financial penalty and points deductions but those hurt the wrong people, the fans and the players. It's far form over, it may go very quiet for a few months but this will come back.

I didn't state it as fact. I said if this is the system I could get on board.

Now this I could get on board with... I could see 3 or 4 "EUROPEAN DIVISIONS" fed into from the various countries. Might be slightly complicated but as long as there is promotion and relegation all the way through, (so in theory Barcelona for example could end up back in the Spanish league) then I think it would be good. As a standalone I'm not sure.

I do think it's time for Ralph to leave. I don't think it's all his fault. I think the second 9-0 defeat has completely knocked the stuffing put of the players and the club. The subsequent performances suggest that players are just trying to hang on rather than what happened after the Leicester one and the fighting spirit. It looks to me like everyone is just done. I think we are in a worse position psychologically than even a relegated team would be. Time for big changes.

I think Ralph is a good manager/coach. I think he some flaws. Are his strengths beneficial to the long term success of the first team? Maybe, maybe not. Are his flaws detrimental to the long term success of our first team? Maybe, maybe not. And here in lies the problem I suspect the board are pondering. At his best, we are superb. At our worse we are abysmal. I think there are many mitigating factors for the downside, such as Covid and the training environment, a squad full of players on loan, and the consequences of them on the buget, and an injury problem I am struggling to recall ever being so bd in such a short period of time. I think he has a bit of the Wenger about him, in his stubbornness to play his way ALL THE TIME!! His substitutions (or lack of them) are frustrating, the latest example being on Monday when he just waited and waited and waited and then it was pointless. The question is, if he was to be replaced, who would come in. I have no idea who, but I am not a fan of Howe for example, and would want someone who is up and coming, rather than looking for a job for the sake of a job. Sometimes in leadership you need to hold your nerve. Tere is the famous example of Alex Fergusson being on the brink at Manure in his early days, and they held their nerve and reaped the benefit. This could be another example of that, although on a lesser scale it is all relevant, and its a bit different as the board have already held their nerve at least once. Although the financial position may well have prevented it in reality. Overall, and I'm not totally convinced even still, Id give Ralph the summer and the first 12-15 games to see. He still does not have "his team" due to the finances. This summer may allow that to be closer, especially if a takeover does occur and there is some more cash to invest in the team. 🤞

This "partnership" is not a good one, for all the reasons others have stated. Last night (and against Burnley) I thought Diallo was hesitant, negative and almost nervous. When he first played, I thought he was lively and skilful, but he seems to be inhibited now, most likely that he is being asked to do certain things which are slightly alien to him. He is playing consciously, rather than subconsciously (automation). We have missed Romeu a huge amount. Those who are being critical of JWP are being unfair in my opinion. I will agree that he is not the "hardest" but there are many players in that category who we would welcome with open arms. At the start of the season when we were playing great football I doubt these people even noticed. For me we need another CM in the Romeu mould. I hope AJ is that player but who knows. JWP is very clearly running on empty, physically and mentally. His corners and free kicks the last couple of games have been the worst of the season, particularly the speed. I have never really liked him as the captain, as he does not strike me as a verbal leader, just one who leads by example - which is great - but for me the captain on the field needs to be a motivator and organiser. I wonder if making Vestergaard captain would bring a little bit more from him and I like CBs being captain. On the basis he stays! Otherwise I'd probably make Armstrong Captain, but again, is he verbal enough?

It was interesting in todays press conference, as I sensed a bit of confidence from Ralph regarding transfer plans. Talked about early deals and this is not something you need to mention, so would think there's one or two fairly far down the line. I'll quite possibly be proved incorrect but I have a sneaky feeling that all 3 of Ings , Bertrand, and Vestergaard will end up staying. If that does prove to be the case I think the signing of Walcott and A.N.Other Striker will be all that is required up top. Sure you could sell Redmond or Djenneppo, or both and refresh but I wouldnt expect that. I like the prospect of Tella but think N'Dundulu wont make it here. I can see many of the fringe players going, cant remember all the names but the ones that I think will come through are Jankewietz (if he stays) and Caleb Watts next season. In CM Romeu, JWP, and Diallo are good, and if AJ does stay thats probably good enough. In worst case scenarios, Armstrong or Stephens can go in there. Although having mentioned Stephens I wonder if he will go, probably be lucky to get 10m for him but hes not going to get good enough to oust the 3 now ahead of him, and if there is a CB coming through (Tchapchat??) he will either block or get fed up not being involved. But we do need 4 CBs who can start! Fullback is obviously the big one this summer. I hope Bertrand stays, but like others I would like to see some more KWP energy on the left (not at the same time of course!!), but I think Bertrand is far better than given credit for. Someone to push him though (like Redmond has suffered and seemingly responded to, at least recently an short term) and start may be great. And someone who is perhaps a bit younger but can play RB as well, ideally a utility RB/CB? In the GK position, I would be fine with Fraser staying but think we should sell McCarthy and Gunn, and get at least one more in who should be able to start. All in all it could be a good summer.

It's points that matter. Last 16 games Newcastle are bottom of the league. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/formtabelle/wettbewerb/GB1?saison_id=2020&min=15&max=31

Steve Bruce has...

In his head....probably.

I think the mood in this thread of "sell him if we get X..." is the challenge the club has. It is proud of its academy and the success in bringing players through but if you end up selling them all you set the culture and mindset of players in the academy that you're here until we get the price we want fr you. That may mean you just play 25 games or 300 games or anywhere in between but that is an horrendous thing to have in the club. You could argue we are not too far away from that already but by not selling JWP and hopefully one or two more come through and stay for a long time over the next few years we avoid this. Of course, those players who are unquestionably too good for us (as a small number have been) then they may well be sold (subject to any ownership change and financial investment), but hopefully the majority of those will be young players we have bought and developed rather than had in the academy since teen years or before, which is a different thing. JWP has been the poster boy for our academy and him staying for most if not all of his career is very important for me for a few reasons, not mention he is turning into a very decent and useful footballer.

Its obvious we need a new owner/consortium, I'm curious to know though (particularly from those who are critical of Gao's total lack of investment in the business other than purchasing it) how much each season or up front you think any new owner(s) should / need to put in? Do you want them to invest in order to up the wage limit (which potentially takes the club beyond breakeven, should investment cease) or can better players be acquired without doing this? Can we even if they invest say 50m a year attract the type of players we need to progress ? Should their investment include/focus on the stadium in terms of capacity and facilities and therefore income?

It's a very very crucial next 3 games. A win at Bournemouth hopefully changes the mood and can be backed up with wins against Burnley and WBA and then we are near as damn it safe. Should we lose those 3 then we are under extreme pressure with only 7 games to get probsbly 8 or 9 points. We play Palace H Leicester H Liverpool A Fulham H Leeds H West Ham A in those 7.....Im not confident!!!!! Would you therefore wait until WBA game to change the manager? Win v WBA and lose v Burnley....slightly better. Jeez...who would be a CEO of Saints?!! The decision they face right now and over the next 2 or 3 weeks is huge and balanced on a very thin knife edge. We don't see the mood at Stappewood, we don't see how the players are with the manager. I would be in there Monday/Tuesday if I were Semmens seeing whether the players are still "believing in the manager". If they are. Stick. If not. Twist. Sad times.

It's really interesting because it clearly works very well with decent players (when they are fit). The quandary is perhaps the balance between teaching players this system/style so that they can move through the levels more easily and destroying their confidence with the style/method and internally. We've been exceptionally unlucky with injuries in the first team so tbe B team will of suffered losing players moving up and so too the 18s. I'm not worried we will go down but it's likely the league season finished very flatly. Let's hope somehow we can lift the Cup!!! I'd would give Ralph as long as possible. On tbe assumption we get new owners sooner rather than later we could be lucky enough to afford one or two better players and things change rather quickly. Next season also will not be as squashed not restrictive and obviously with fans so lots will change and lots can change. We just need to get to the psychological necessity of safety for everyone to calm down and let logic set in again😂😂 Im not saying though he is flawless. I do think there's been some strange selections and his substitutions are not the most inspired I've ever seen. I also think he needs to accept that we need to do what we do slightly differently at times. Sometimes we need to move the ball quicker. Sometimes we need to go longer. Sometimes we need to shut up shop. Overall I'm very pleased he is our manager and hope he gets the results to stay here for a long time to come.