Donatello

No, he's saying players were committed to Southampton whilst European football was a possibility. Now it's not, they're moving. Besides, his point (as you interpret it) would only be applicable to, say, half of our outgoings.

Trousers is suggesting that players are leaving because Champion League aspirations have been dashed at Southampton. Edit: And I've read *plenty* of 'the dream died with Cortese' posts.

I accept your point reference contracts, but (as far as we're aware) few of these players were being chased when they signed their fresh contract, ergo, why would Cortese have to promise them European football in order to convince them to stay. It may have been a stated ambition, but I can't see how it could've been a deciding factor (save for Morgan and Shaw).

Yes, but you misinterpret my point, they didn't join Southampton for European football, nor have they been played the majority of their footballing careers at Southampton under the pretence of European football. So we're talking about a 'dream' which has manifested itself within the past 12 months. Are we really suggesting that every player (that has left) had adopted the notion that Southampton were going to be a European force and that the departure of one man tore all of their dreams asunder? Many of these players have been here for years upon years, they're accustomed to a lack of Champions League football.

So Lallana, Lambert, Schneiderlein, and Rodriguez joined Southampton for Champions League football? Any farfetched notion of Champions League football would only have been broached after our first season back in the top flight. I, mean, who in their right mind is pondering European competitions during a relegation scrap?

This isn't Football Manager. Look at how many years it took City to get their act together.

Ermmm, Liverpool did.

Really? It's almost comical now.

Changing the mantra of 'sell whomever wants away' would go some way to halting the rot. That is to say, a simple 'No' now and again would suffice. Anyway, thanks for the update.

BBC reporting it now. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28534458

Davis in central midfield? No thanks. Perhaps as part of a three, but then you're forcing Gaston (assuming he's here come match day) out wide. A Cork/Wanyama midfield is fine, certainly very solid, but offers nothing (relatively speaking) in the opposition half.

That is just ridiculous. Each player's potential departure should be risk assessed, not blindly submitted to.

I think it's far more likely that she executed her father's (and Cortese's) plan.

Last week? Jesus.

If true (best case scenario), it wouldn't be unfair to accuse him/the transfer committee of being laborious in their business (in terms of incoming).

Which sane manager wouldn't want Morgan and Jay in their team?

If Callum Chambers can force his way out, Morgan will have no problem doing so (assuming it's his desire to do so).

Using that logic, Liverpool should have sold Suarez last season.

Of course he doesn't, unless one can link to 'figment of imagination'.

Then she can just sell it, making a mint on her father's original investment and any subsequent investment.

BBC are reporting it, so I'm inclined to believe. Incredulous. Seriously, this is a ducking joke.

He's referencing comments made by certain posters in response to his previous update.

Haha, just ignore him, Guan.

Take a deeeep breath.

That was Stefan de Vrij, I believe.