MarkSFC

So we sell big and buy cheap again. When will they learn that if you replace all your players with cheaper options "with potential" you just downgrade the overall standard and are relying on the potential being achieved all at the same time in order to compete high up the table. As is being proved right now is that when they do not perform as a group, the baseline standard is not high enough. We are doomed with this approach.

When will Reed and Co. realise that we are able to sell high because of the market and that market means we have to buy high and cannot just choose a ceiling price and then target players below that??? Obviously we are never going to attract a 40-50m player (unless it goes completely mad!!!) but we must be looking in the 20-30m bracket NOW. Palace, WHU, Everton, have all signed players of that level and above. As more and more clubs expand their stadiums we are going backwards all the time by continuing what was working. The best businesses adapt and are flexible enough to react to market changes quickly. The market place has accelerated and our inept leaders (who are not leaders in my eyes) just don't get it and are still catching up it seems. Or maybe they will finally prove us all wrong.....:lol:

Because in 12 months they have f****** up what took 5 years to build. This attitude of Saints will still be here, well they nearly weren't in case you'd forgotten. People invest time money and lots of emotion in their club and when imbeciles fail to do a good job we reserve the right to come t and complain. If you blindly accept whatever they do then fair enough but some are more passionate than others.

The decisions the club / owners make over the next few days are the most critical for years. I am genuinely concerned.

Listened and read both pieces and agree with the many on this thread that it is a load of PR ****. He does not talk to the man on the terraces, he talks like he is in a board meeting, reporting to his employers. When I saw the audioboom link from Adam Blackmore I had hoped it would be a positive interview and with some sort of reference to incoming transfers. Basically this could of been said at anytime in the season, ignoring the league position, and was a waste of everyone's time. I suspect he is good at visioning the future, strategizing and planning; all of which are keys competencies of a coach, and this will go down well with the owners. What he has not addressed in his time here is his ability to talk to different people, with different interests in the club, who speak in different terms, and build rapport and a long term relationship; all of which are also key competencies of a coach! His insight and experience in a coaching setting were clearly a big reason why he was employed to begin with. But as he actually says, it all about the wins and the points, and that interview does not fill me with any hope that the club are going to make the significant 2-3 signings we need NOW! We need tangible actions not behind closed door planning.

These cash plus player deals never happen. Plus if that had happened with the VVD deal it would of impacted the "world record fee for a defender" line. I think it's a possibility to get him but we should do it very quickly or move on.

Stayed at The Adelphi many times in the 90s......brilliant venue then....even met Robbie Fowler in the nightclub!

I really do not get the negativity from some about Walcott. Who...seriously, who is better that we have even a small chance of getting? He is in and around the England team, in my opinion is better than Sterling, although to be fair he is having a very good season, but last year it was no contest. Forget the age, although 28 is basically prime time in most footballers careers. Even though we have similar type IF you judge him as a wider attacking player, he is better than Redmond, Tadic, Sims, Long, and Boufal (more skilful but fewer goals than Theo), he has always said he wants to play through the middle. Not the scorer, but he could easily be a Defoe type of forward given the chance, that Wenger never did, other than the odd game here and there. As you can tell, I really hope this happens as I do not think we can get a better player (permanently) who knows this league. We need 2-3 players who can come straight in and get going, not take a few months to "settle"!! IF we were to get Sturridge as well on loan I think that would be very exciting. He is not the longer term option granted but in a World Cup year could be a very smart move. You'll soon see how injured he really gets.... On top of these two, I think Mawson would be a great option at the back as he is the type of CB we do not currently have, very strong in the air and strong, albeit less mobile than the others but that is not an issue when the other CB or 2 are more mobile. Reading the game is the key. Even though I have wanted MP to go fo a few weeks, if we can have a good transfer window, then even with him I think we can secure safety and top 10 again. Anyway, I am choosing to be positive for a while about Saints, at least until they let us down come Feb 1st!!!!!

Would love that!!!! Him and Sturridge...

if the way Pellegrino has come across in that press conference just now is typical of him day to day on the training field no wonder our players seem to have any inspiration or motivation to do well. This CLUB needs a new leader and the TEAM need a new leader both of whom have some damn energy, enthusiasm and positivity. A phrase I heard a while back "mood hoover" (someone who sucks all the energy out of the place) was applicable with Puel and it seems like MP is not able to put it back in!!! Arrogance and complacency is a toxic mix and this seems to be the club from top to bottom. For the 2nd time in a few days I am praying we get hammered by the opposition. Hopefully Lukaku will find his scoring boots and we lose by 7 or 8. Surely then MP wll go, and Gao will realise that Reed cant make a decent decision anymore. Otherwise, the nightmare scenario becomes more likely with every game....we go down.....the skatecvnts go up.

So what is the point of supporting the club then whether it makes no difference whether we win lose or draw which is what you are saying. Maybe that is the prevailing attitude of those a bit older than me and older, but times have changed. Sport is a results business. In the 70s and 80s the Game was more level and success more easily achievable but still hard. Oh well, I hope you enjoy watching Daints cos right now it is turgid.

I reckon you'd of stayed on the Titanic because you believed it was unsinkable. Sometimes you need to open you eyes and see what's staring you in the face!!! The bloke is clueless. Reed is past his sell by date and Kruger should go back to ice hockey. When we sink into Championship oblivion again will you change your mind? I've supported Saints for over 40 years but I still have my own opinion. The last time I felt this strongly was this time last year!!!

Pretty much this. Been saying Reed should go for 2 years now as it was very clear from some of his statements and videos that he was very complancy and in a comfort zone. I'm hoping the Gao family are decisive and ruthless, and although we heard that they wanted not to disrupt the ethos of the club they do need to change some key person ell who are driven to succeed. Reed especially seems to be cruising to retirement and his no doubt huge pension. Far enough but unless he goes the club may well be in the same place it was when he arrived!!

Well we need 24 points (to get to that magical 40) in 25 games. So 10 from the next 10 works within that.

Sell Long (10m maybe) Tadic (similar maybe more 15) and VVD for no less than 70. Buy Walcott (probably 20ish) Torres on loan ( can't believe it would happen really and use Stephens Hoedt and Yoshida at the back. Survive with 45 ish points, get rid of Pellegrino whenever and Reed at the same time, definitely before need g to appoint a new manager and then in the summer we will see what the Gap family's immediate intent is. In the summer get rid of Forster (15) Bertrand (20) Clasie, Austin and start a proper fresh team and management. Had enough of this ineffective sh**. Pretty footvsll/possession football is great but only if goals come. Would rather player long ball in the short term if we start scoring again!!!! The teams that survive this league are usually the ones at the bottom with the best strikers not the best defenders. Our defence (first choice back 7) is very arguably top 5/6 quality but our front 4 are currently bottom 3 quality!!!! Revolution required over the next few months as evolution has stalled.

We won't be playing against Mbappe anytime soon so no concerns there.

*let him rot (Damn predictive!!)

Time for a quick poll with just a few days left Mods?? Keep him - play him Keep him - let him for Sell him - anyone Sell him - not Liverpool

His major value would be on the training pitch.. ..anyway back to reality!!

It's very clear now that whatever stance Saints take with VVD they won't win in opinion. IF the deal is to Chelsea for 70-80m and Christiansen and Remy come on loan as suggested on this thread then I think that's a very good deal. Having Hoedt in the door before we sell has strengthened our position. Of course VVD and Hoedt / Other is a lot stronger than Yoshida and Stephens but Hoedt plus Stepehens or Yoshida is better. Add Christiansen into that mix and actually it's a really decent group. That solution would then mean a well equipped squad with 70+m in the bank for next summer after 12 months identifying another new CB. In many ways I think I like that solution better than keeping him!!

It does not sat it is definitely done. One day when it suits your agenda perhaps you will be able to read something other than the headline and think for yourself. For me it suggests that we have bid for a player or even players but have not negotiated the deal we want and so are putting it out there that we are cooling. However MP clearly states that if a fantastic deal presents itself we are ready to act. So. Not done. Waiting. Ready to act. At the right price. Good business practice.

Spot on action. Someone (club wise) needs to move some of the power away from the players at some point. Not entirely convinced Ralph and Led have the balls....

If he plays and I think he will he will need to have a great season to attract new suitors next summer, stay in the Dutch team and possibly play in the World Cup and on the basis we are signing Hoedt there is a bit mire competition for him anyway. I think he will sort his head out and deliver a great season.

I would definitely hold on to Cedric for one more year and I would think the club will especially as he was made a special interview upon his return. Plus after the World Cup it's possible he will be a European and World Cup winner. It gives another year too for Valery (or ehatever the kids name is) who seems to have started well for tbe U23s to progress a bit furtger.

Yeah the restraint on trade angle is interesting. I think there is probably basis in this argument and as someone their 40s who remembers the old system of up to end if March window I think it would be best to return to that model but adapt it. I would suggest that clubs can sell a player at anytime and therefore buy at any time, however there should be a sensible point in the season where players can't play for the new club until the following season.