SaintJackoInHurworth

So... have we signed Alderweireld? Has the medical been completed? What is the delay? Are they just waiting to complete the other deal (for Sadio Mane?)? Is that one happening or is he going to Spurs?

Yes, you're right.. it's a rubbish connection! Also though, being on holiday in Malvern, having travelled down here on Saturday, my laptop and phone have tried and tried to get a connection to my rubbish internet connection in Darlington without success... strangely enough! Yet, the continual attempts of my computer and phone to connect to a connection completely out of range are rather like the continual repetition of the same joke on this thread.... Or to put it another way: 'Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.' (credited to Einstein) Which leads to the question: "Insanely unfunny" - a title to credit to me for criticising the sarcasm on this thread? ...or one to credit to those who repeatedly sneer at anyone who doesn't either like (in my case) or understand (in the case of many others) their humour?

I'm glad to see that this thread is finally getting back onto topic a little after the massive discussion about Boruc (why doesn't someone start a new topic to discuss that?!). Anyway, perhaps I can help to get things back on track... I've been trying to think through which potential transfers have been discussed recently and come up with the following summary: Potential Signings * Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid) – Koeman has ruled him out as not possible * Virgil Van Dijk (Celtic) – Strong rumours that we are interested even though Koeman has previously ruled out signing another CB. Rumours have resurfaced after Celtic exited Champions League. * Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord) – With Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Cork, JWP, Reed, Davis, Ramirez, Tadic, Taiider all available to play in central midfield it would seem strange to sign another player in there, but on the other hand if he is good enough or has that much potential then why not?! * Andros Townsend (Spuds) – MoPo has said he’s going nowhere and the inevitable pressure to sell Morgan make it unlikely we would deal with Spuds. * Nathan Redmond (Norwich) – Young player with bags of potential and would give us another option on the wing as well as Tadic and Isgrove. * Danny Ings (Burnley) – Ings apparently declared his commitment to Burnley earlier in the summer and there has been little recent news about Saints potentially signing him. * Alessio Cerci (Torino) – Rumours that Arsenal are in the market to sign him and leading the race. * Davie Selke (Werder Bremen) – a new rumour with other rumours that Bremen are cash-strapped and that Benfica are also interested. Potential Departures * Artur Boruc – Upset at losing his first team place and dropped from the squad until his position is made clearer. * Morgan Schneiderlin – The club have stated categorically that he is not leaving. * Gaston Ramirez – Ronald Koeman has declared that he is not going anywhere despite rumours linking him with Sevilla. * Jack Cork – Koeman has also said that he will stay according to the BBC. * Jay Rodriguez – As above = not going anywhere. * Jos Hooiveld – Rumoured this week that he may be about to go to Burnley. So... is that a comprehensive list? Have I missed anyone?

I can't believe the sarcasm on this thread. Even worse I can't believe that some people actually don't realise that it is sarcasm and some have even gone as far as to apparently become convinced that it genuinely was deliberate! How gullible can you be! Worse than all of this I fear that maybe there are less being sarcastic than I think. I also seriously suspect some people are unsure what to think but dare not speak out the obvious fact that it was a fluky miss-kick for fear of being ridiculed. Well, for my part, I don't often do sarcasm (as it is the lowest form of wit), so let's just acknowledge that it was a moment to both cringe and laugh at the hapless Shane Long and to hope that somewhere he does have some ability to warrant the massive amount of money spent on him. As for those debating seriously whether this might possibly have been deliberate, all I can do is roll my eyes and shake my head in disbelief! Please... just think about it - think especially about the air shot that brought the whole comical incident to a close and realise that that is not the kick of a player performing an amazing trick but the kick of a buffoon who has just accidentally struck the ball with his standing leg and yet still tries to follow through with his kick like some kid in the school playground! In short, I am putting my head above the parapet of sarcastic wit ready for whatever tirade anyone might wish to launch at me as a result. Though to be honest, as a mere 'registered member' here, don't expect me to respond anytime soon! PS I appreciate that the whole reason for the sarcastic wit was that this subject didn't, in some people's opinion, need a thread of its own and that it has been extensively discussed elsewhere. If it doesn't need a thread of its own, why not close this thread now before it gets completely out of hand! Thanks.

All this talk of wingers, attacking midfielders and strikers, but not one mention of Gaston Ramirez! Is there some assumption that he is about to be sold or abandoned to the garbage heap? If not then he is surely another option for us - either out wide, up top or just behind the striker(s)?

I thought he was OK and hopeful he will get better. However, I disagree that the one save he did have to make was a "great stop". I agree with the MOTD taters and analysts that he could have done better with it. While it veered a little he nearly dropped it and if he had done so he would have looked a complete buffoon. Nevertheless, Boruc made far worse handling errors for us in his early games in a Saints shirt, so I am happy to just that down as 'one of those things'. As for Boruc, despite early misgivings when he first played for us two years ago, I have grown to appreciate him as a keeper and will be disappointed if he leaves. If he does leave it will be a concern as to who will cover for him. Nevertheless, hopefully Forster will not have as many absences from the team as Boruc has done. In the longer term I hope that Cropper will benefit from the training he receives from our new goalkeeping coach and that in a year or so he can replace Kelvin (and/or Boruc) as understudy to Forster.

I thought he was OK and hopeful he will get better. However, I disagree that the one save he did have to make was a "great stop". I agree with the MOTD taters and analysts that he could have done better with it. While it veered a little he nearly dropped it and if he had done so he would have looked a complete buffoon. Nevertheless, Boruc made far worse handling errors for us in his early games in a Saints shirt, so I am happy to just that down as 'one of those things'. As for Boruc, despite early misgivings when he first played for us two years ago, I have grown to appreciate him as a keeper and will be disappointed if he leaves. If he does leave it will be a concern as to who will cover for him. Nevertheless, hopefully Forster will not have as many absences from the team as Boruc has done. In the longer term I hope that Cropper will benefit from the training he receives from our new goalkeeping coach and that in a year or so he can replace Kelvin (and/or Boruc) as understudy to Forster.

Are you comparing Liverpool's performance against us at Anfield or at St Mary's? Their performance against us at St Mary's was certainly sublime and today's performance was not a patch on that. If I remember correctly, however, it came at a time when we were not playing well and we allowed them to play well. Suarez was also at his best at the time, as was Sturridge. As for their performance against us at Anfield last season, we pretty much completely outplayed them that day. If you are referring to that match then your memory of it seems to have been blurred as Suarez did not play in that game!

Are you comparing Liverpool's performance against us at Anfield or at St Mary's? Their performance against us at St Mary's was certainly sublime and today's performance was not a patch on that. If I remember correctly, however, it came at a time when we were not playing well and we allowed them to play well. Suarez was also at his best at the time, as was Sturridge. As for their performance against us at Anfield last season, we pretty much completely outplayed them that day. If you are referring to that match then your memory of it seems to have been blurred as Suarez did not play in that game!

It's amazing how different people's opinions are on here. FWIW, my opinions are: Forster: Looked a bit nervous, especially with handling. Kicking was fairly good and helped to switch defence into attack on a couple of occasions. Didn't really make any significant saves of note. Clyne: Great performance in attack and also provided a great outlet for exchanges of passes in midfield. A little weaker in defence and was slow to respond to Sturridge's movement and lost him for their second goal. For the first goal however, it was Clyne who was left trying to tidy up following Yoshida's failure to deal with Sterling. Yoshida: Better performance than some he has made for Saints, but was caught out of position for their first goal and contributed to indecision in defence. Fonte: Generally a good performance. Bertrand: Better going forward than in defence and combined well with Tadic on a few occasions. Doesn't provide the speed and quality of cross that we had with Shaw, but does seem to be a good passer of the ball. Possible prone to getting caught out of position. Wanyama: Great tackling and short passes. A rock in front of the defence. Schneiderlin: On several occasions he was simply too good for anyone else on the pitch, with his ability to turn out of trouble and lay the ball off faultlessly to others. Koeman clearly likes short passes, so his ability to pick out and complete a longer pass was under-utilised. JWP: Despite the criticisms of some on here, I think this was one of his best performances for Saints. His attempts at goal were audacious and brilliant and he deserved a goal for at least one of them. While he looked a little lightweight at times in the first half, in the second he discovered a confidence to do more with the ball and was a real threat to Liverpool. There were signs that he is beginning to step up the quality of his game, though he needs to work on his accuracy of shooting and passing when half -chances come to him suddenly and when under pressure. Tadic: An inspiration for much of the game, though did fade a little before he was subbed. Davis: Worked hard and contributed positively to the team performance. He is never going to set the world alight with amazing flair play, but he is solid and consistent. Pelle: Better than some have suggested on here. While he didn't always get into enough good positions to score, he worked hard and produced some good knock-downs and was a threat throughout. He is not dissimilar to Lambert and I am sure he will gradually adapt to the English game and once he starts scoring could get a lot of goals for us. Long: Made a nuisance of himself, but it was hard for him to fit into the team having only just joined on Friday. He will I'm sure provide a biggerthreat as he settles into the Southampton way of playing. Isgrove: I thought he did really well in the few minutes he was on the pitch and would like to see him getting more opportunities. For me it was a more accomplished performance than that shown by either Reed or Gallagher when they first got their first team bows. He provided an alternative option and threat that gave Liverpool something else to think about. His crossing needs to become more consistent though - some were good, others less good.

It's amazing how different people's opinions are on here. FWIW, my opinions are: Forster: Looked a bit nervous, especially with handling. Kicking was fairly good and helped to switch defence into attack on a couple of occasions. Didn't really make any significant saves of note. Clyne: Great performance in attack and also provided a great outlet for exchanges of passes in midfield. A little weaker in defence and was slow to respond to Sturridge's movement and lost him for their second goal. For the first goal however, it was Clyne who was left trying to tidy up following Yoshida's failure to deal with Sterling. Yoshida: Better performance than some he has made for Saints, but was caught out of position for their first goal and contributed to indecision in defence. Fonte: Generally a good performance. Bertrand: Better going forward than in defence and combined well with Tadic on a few occasions. Doesn't provide the speed and quality of cross that we had with Shaw, but does seem to be a good passer of the ball. Possible prone to getting caught out of position. Wanyama: Great tackling and short passes. A rock in front of the defence. Schneiderlin: On several occasions he was simply too good for anyone else on the pitch, with his ability to turn out of trouble and lay the ball off faultlessly to others. Koeman clearly likes short passes, so his ability to pick out and complete a longer pass was under-utilised. JWP: Despite the criticisms of some on here, I think this was one of his best performances for Saints. His attempts at goal were audacious and brilliant and he deserved a goal for at least one of them. While he looked a little lightweight at times in the first half, in the second he discovered a confidence to do more with the ball and was a real threat to Liverpool. There were signs that he is beginning to step up the quality of his game, though he needs to work on his accuracy of shooting and passing when half -chances come to him suddenly and when under pressure. Tadic: An inspiration for much of the game, though did fade a little before he was subbed. Davis: Worked hard and contributed positively to the team performance. He is never going to set the world alight with amazing flair play, but he is solid and consistent. Pelle: Better than some have suggested on here. While he didn't always get into enough good positions to score, he worked hard and produced some good knock-downs and was a threat throughout. He is not dissimilar to Lambert and I am sure he will gradually adapt to the English game and once he starts scoring could get a lot of goals for us. Long: Made a nuisance of himself, but it was hard for him to fit into the team having only just joined on Friday. He will I'm sure provide a biggerthreat as he settles into the Southampton way of playing. Isgrove: I thought he did really well in the few minutes he was on the pitch and would like to see him getting more opportunities. For me it was a more accomplished performance than that shown by either Reed or Gallagher when they first got their first team bows. He provided an alternative option and threat that gave Liverpool something else to think about. His crossing needs to become more consistent though - some were good, others less good.

Doubt Nicola will read this, but would echo the sentiments of many in wanting to thank him for all he did for our club and in wishing him a great birthday. Whatever mistakes he made (e.g. getting rid of the stripes and, reportedly, not having great relationships with club staff) he can credited with far more successes and for those I am truly thankful and grateful. Happy Birthday!! (Apologies that I post this somewhat belatedly!)

I'm not sure that you could say that Poch was crap - he did after all achieve far more with the squad than Adkins. However, I do feel that Poch had a significant part to play in what has since happened. If I remember correctly, at the end of last season, Poch was critical of Europa League football and suggested that we don't want to qualify for that as it could/would cost us our 'destiny' of qualification for the Champions League. At about the same time we put in some particularly inept performances - including against Sunderland in both cups (thus eliminating any hope that we could go on to win either tournament thus risking Europa League qualification). Similarly, when Champions League qualification was beyond us but Europa League qualification by virtue of league position still a possibility, our performances were sub-standard. Indeed many have criticised Lovren and Lallana for their poor quality performances at the end of the season. So... here is my contention: 1. The players (or many of them) were convinced by Poch that they were good enough to qualify for Champions League football. 2. Poch also convinced them that qualifying for the Europa League would hinder progress towards CL qualification in 2015. 3. Poch and the players decided they would do everything they could to avoid qualifying for the Europa League. 4. When Poch left they found themselves not only without CL football, but also without even Europa League football, thus precipitating what we see now. For those that like conspiracy theories, you may also like to extend this idea to consider the possibility that Poch decided he would leave as soon as Cortese was ousted and that he put in place a plan to both undermine and unsettle as many of the squad as possible by leaving them believing they are world beaters who should be playing CL football.

Until now I have sat on the fence and been wary of just criticising everything that the board are doing, arguing that while they have made mistakes, I am sure they genuinely want to achieve the best for the club. While I still believe that to be true, what is happening has now convinced me that they are just completely clueless and incompetent and something needs to change quickly. Enough is enough. We cannot sell all of our best players and hope to achieve anything other than a season in which our Premiership safety is seriously at risk and with it the very money that has been raised from these sales. The board are a complete and utter joke - even Rupert Lowe had more sense than this and that is saying a lot as the guy was a complete idiot. I am sad to say it but it may soon be time to draw together the collective fanbase of this club and protest until Krueger and Reed are sacked or sold into slavery, Katherina offers the club for sale and Cortese comes back with another buyer to save this sinking ship. Liebherr, Krueger and Reed OUT!

Considering so many people on here wait with avid interest for every word that Guan shares, I'm surprised that this post has received such little attention. I guess the problem is that everyone just assumed that Guan was talking about this article in the Express: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/492137/Arsenal-set-to-beat-Liverpool-in-16m-bid-for-Southampton-ace-Calum-Chambers However, Guan clearly stated that it was posted by the Express 'today' (i.e. Sunday) whereas that particular article was actually posted by the Express on Saturday! Besides, an article about Chambers leaving is hardly anything different from what is being reported elsewhere so why on earth would that be a leak from the club? My guess is that Guan was actually referring to this article in the Express which was posted on Sunday: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/492185/Ronald-Koeman-ready-to-splash-50m-on-new-look-Southampton Now, if that is a leak from the club, then it is far more interesting, if not wholly related to this particular thread (though it does make reference to Chambers, thus potentially confirming that the club may indeed be leaking confirmation that he is on his way). And since I, like Guan, only get two posts (though unlike Guan don't claim in any way to be ITK!) my own personal opinion on the probable sale of Chambers and the state of SFC is much like that expressed by others: * I don't understand why we aren't just saying 'no'. * I believe he will be worth far more in a year or two than he is now. * I believe it further adds to the perception that we are selling the crown jewels of SFC. * I believe it will adversely affect the attitude of potential transfer targets who will be less likely to join what may now appear to be a sinking ship. * I think the communication by the club is shocking. * I think the club is lacking a clear strategy or vision. * I suspect that KL does not have the business prowess of her father - if I remember correctly, didn't the MALI group of companies which her father set up fail under her leadership? However... * I don't for a moment believe the club is selling because it is in massive debt. I am good at maths and know a bit about business. With 80-something million pounds of TV and Premier League revenue for finishing 8th, all of our current debt was wiped out and I don't think our future debts to pay off Ramirez, Osvaldo, etc. are really that much and would be more than covered by our revenue at the end of the coming season. * I also believe/hope that RK is a good manager and will hopefully be able to mould our new squad (if we are to make several new signings) into shape successfully by Christmas at least, if not sooner. Yet... * I do fear that we could become the new Norwich - signing a load of new players who fail to impress and struggling as a result. If we become the new Tottenham - having the same issue but nevertheless, staying around fifth in the table as the previous season - then I would accept that!

I would place them in this order: * Monk * Poyet * Lambert * Bruce * Pardew * Allardyce * Irvine * Redknapp * Pearson * Van Gaal * Koeman * Dyche Beyond that I do not anticipate any other managers will face any chance of being sacked.... * I think Poch will be very successful at Spurs and the fans will eventually get behind him. * I think Rogers will continue to do well at Liverpool, though they will possibly be less successful than last year having lost Suarez. * Mourinho is a cult hero at Chelsea and a great coach for them. * Pellegrini will continue to taste success at City - no-one else gets near to their in-depth squad quality! * Martinez had a great season last year and Everton are a patient club. Even if they are not as successful this time they will be slow at sacking him, unless they descend to being relegation fodder. * Similarly Stoke's successful season last time will ensure Hughes is given plenty of time Stoke, who rarely sack managers. * Finally, Crystal Palace will be delighted with their run-in to the season and will not rush to sack Pulis even if they don't do as well this time out.

Probably a rehash but hope it's true. While I agree this is not the position in which we are weakest, Banega at his best looks like a quality prospect. Hopefully, Koeman may be just the right man to bring out his best again and at £6m he could prove to be a steal. Also, with all the extra cash we have from the Lallana and Shaw deals, we have a great opportunity to create greater strength in depth across the whole squad and this could be just one part of that. With that greater strength in depth we will be better placed to compete in the cup as well as the league - and maybe eventually in European competition too.

Rod Wallace Wizard

Hysterics

I think this is where the confusion is for you lot that like to sing about P*mpey. It's not that we don't hate them - most of us most certainly do. I certainly do myself most of the time, though I can't speak for Steeleye; that's up to him. My hatred of them goes back to living with a skate for a year while at uni. He was a mate until it came to football - but as soon as football came into the equation he was a complete and utter tosser. I have also seen documentaries about that idiot 'Big John' or whatever his name is and the bile that comes out of his mouth is enough to make anyone hate them. However, it is in no small part because of my hatred for P*mpey that I don't like to sing about them. You see, it's not that we don't understand the hatred, it's just that we: 1. Hate P*mpey too much to want to hear them even mentioned. 2. Hate the thought that P*mpey fans are getting enjoyment from the mistaken belief that we are worried that they could beat us if we were to play them now. 3. Love Southampton a million times more than we hate P*mpey. 4. Hate the fact that many fans can't sing about Saints without mentioning P*mpey as though they were still in a position to challenge our status as the 'only one team in Hampshire' (a song that I DO approve of!). 5. Have this sneaking suspicion that some of the anti-Skate songs are actually promoted by P*mpey fans trying to get one over on us (so they would think). 6. Get a greater rush of joy every time Saints win (even if P*mpey happen to win) than we get from them losing when we lose (even if it does give a crumb of comfort, especially when it edges them closer to the bottom of the table). 7. Have the sneaking suspicion that some fans would rather we were in the same division as P*mpey, at whatever level that might be, than that we challenge at the upper end of the Premier League. 8. Feel that singing about P*mpey is a kind of flattery for them, whereas we would rather laugh quietly at them every time they lose and loudly at them every time we win. So, these are a large part of my reasons why I would rather we stopped singing so much about P*mpey and sung far more about Saints.

Who are Pompey? Why sing about them? Are you talking about that nothing of a club that once made the mistake of believing they were the best team in the south but are now an irrelevance in the lower leagues? Who cares about them? I don't understand why people would prefer to sing about them than about Saints. If that's the case for some, then they should go to their matches instead of to watch Saints. Or to summarise: for flip's sake let's sing about Saints not about some tinpot lower league irrelevant lame excuse of a football club!

I notice that Schneiderlin has not returned to training to join up with the squad in Belgium - presumably because France remained in the World Cup until the Quarter Final stage. When would we expect him to be back? I'm guessing next week - from Monday 21 July. Anyone know for certain?

6.06pm

Personally, no matter what is being offered for Lovren I would want to keep him... at least until we can sign two quality centre backs to replace him and improve our defensive options (a left back or two would be good too!) If we did then sell Lovren I would want £25m at least, with extra payouts on top for international appearances, qualification for Champions League, reaching a Cup final, making 50 appearances, etc. and a 25% sell-on clause.

Last year there was a long-ish thread about us potentially signing Banega, but it didn't happen. However, in the past year his fortunes have dipped, so if Koeman has managed him before he might have some influence to get him here. IMO he would be a great addition to the squad.