Saint Billy

Saint Michael & Billy think the same!

What a pants job!

No punchline, no answers just a genuine question. I don't believe there is any point in forcing a player to stay but I am asking basically how do we stay competitive in this league if the inevitable is that we will keep losing our best players whilst struggling to find adequate replacements. Although we have had a great couple of seasons I think we've reached the point where we cant sustain the loss of quality players again and we may be thrown into a scrap at the bottom end of the table.

Any idea's? Also, is it possible to compete in this league with players that are not sought after?

Definitely no chance as Liverpool are after him.

As per Clyne 2nd half of last season. I know what you saying SOG, I am a bit disenchanted with the game atm what with players agents calling the shots and multimillionaire footballers throwing their toys out the pram, Sky tv scrutinising every blade of grass and who trod on it last, the likes of Mourinho blasting a phsio for treating a player, its all a bit sad atm.

We aren't selling anyone means "well not till next season that is" and then we spend this season watching said players running about with the sulks, Morgan being the exception. What's the answer? No idea.

Thats the first team then.

Apparently Celtic have stated no deal has been done with any club and that he plays for them this week.

After finishing 8th and 7th the last two seasons you take mid table as acceptable. You jump on people if they are too optimistic and you jump on people if they take the pessimistic route. You have this pious attitude against anyone who does not see things exactly as you do coupled with sarcastic put downs. Despite the fact that you are all over this place like a nasty rash doesn't give you the right to assume the role of father figure. We all see things differently and the forum is a place to express our different views. God, thankfully not everyone on here is not like you although I do see signs of mini you's appearing making me think twice about leaving this damn place. For your information, I know saints are a relatively small club and my expectations are grounded but after doing so well the last two seasons it is reasonable to hope for more of the same, we obviously have the infrastructure and resources to do that having done it already. Yes if players want to move on you cant force them them to stay albeit temporarily, my issue is the standard of the replacements.

Christ you are dull, did I say we are going to finish higher than 7th?

You read into my post what you like but I can assure you I do not think we will break into the top 6 or even the top 15 for that matter.

Don't you think being nicely mid table is a backward step considering we were 7th last season?

3 games plus the eufa games observing how poor we look compared to last season and the season before even this early on. You cannot lose diamonds from a necklace and expect the same quality with cheap replacements.

If you think I am going to brown nose every saints decision you have another think coming. If it was me making the calls I would have gone after the likes of Shaqiri, Austin, Cabaye, I agree with our interest in VVD, I would be interested in James Tavernier of Rangers a right back up and coming, to name but a few. Hey, I am not the decision maker but I have every right to question saints when in my opinion they have made a blunder, for me apart from Clasie we have we have gone the cheap option in comparative terms with what you have to pay for quality these days. I would also have shipped out one or two.

No, I suggest buying better replacements than we have.

Read it again then comment!

Appease him, this place is probably his only opportunity in life to appear important.

Is it good business to sell your better players and replace them with lesser quality saving a few quid? For me that is playing with fire and putting us at risk of dropping out of the most lucrative of leagues.

In my opinion things are not looking good and do not encourage me to be optimistic. Bertrand yes, we know what he can do. Clasie, not sure about apart from a couple of dubious displays in friendlies, will obviously improve but I cant see him matching Morgan. As for the new additions so far, for me not that convincing but early days I know but I feel too much quality has left the club and has not been replaced with comparible quality. For me we have a weaker side than last season which does not give me much optimism. Only my take on it for what its worth, hope I'm wrong.

A misfiring team, held at home by a Danish side we should have dicked, possibly more of our better players on the move, 3 nil loss first home game of the new season, looking half the side we were last season. Optimistic, damn right I am, I predict us to equal or better last years position, reach at least the semi's of the Eufa cup and have an extended run in one of the domestic cups.

Dont be pedantic, you know what I mean, a player can sign a 10 year contract for all I care but can still be gone in 6 months or even less.

Jeeze, does it ever end.

He'll be gone next season then! Contracts mean sweet f a.

I knew someone would come back with that comment and I have already constructed a reply which is: Of course, saints are as guilty as anyone but the question is have any of the players we have brought in signed for the reason that they want to play a part in saints success, I would say perhaps short term but long term no!, most if not all have signed for saints in the hope that they are noticed by the elite clubs. We are a stepping stone club just like all the others outside the 5 or 6 of the prem. Until this rumour regarding Mane today I was still sort of philosophical regarding our player sales this summer but losing Mane will be a bridge to far, 4 of our best lost last season, possibly 4 of our best gone this season will be devastating for us, we cannot sustain these losses and unlike Celtic who will still win their league, we might have to look forward to a relegation battle.