Weston Saint

Have been fed up with this forum and some of the mindless posters for a while now. Thank God it does not represent life. For me, I see no reason to post any more.

Remember the chant "We are Southampton, we're off to Brazil" Well we were but we seem to have lost some of them along the way! Possibility that all our World Cup stars will be starting the season somewhere else. Absolute tragedy for us supporters but plenty of memories from the last few seasons particularly the last one. New board, new Managment, new Team and with the money we have to spend, new optimism??

It matters to me as a supporter.

How can it be. You do not move up for less money. Silly analogy. Of course money is important. But so is stepping up on a bigger stage. The two go together.

Likewise.

Have to say if we can get him for £10m as Adam Lallana replacement our loss is an English born player but our gain is a player of at least equal ability/age and money in the bank on the deal. Yes please.

Not worthy of comment so I won't!

But will you wish Lambert & Shaw well or treat them all with the same disgust? If so I accept your comment.

I am saddened to see some of the comments regarding Adam Lallana. This is a guy who stayed with us when we got relegated from the Championship and has assisted us returning to the Premier just as much as Lambert. He has accepted wages way below what he might have got had he sought another club in that time. He has now reached 26, is an England International as has had an offer to play for a club who have qualified for Champions league. He has been loyal for many years. So what that he kissed the badge and said what he said about Southampton in the past. He has exceeded his own expectations both playing at Southampton and being selected for England and now wants to reach for the next level. He cannot get that at Southampton. This is his great opportunity. An opportunity that most of those who are knocking him would take if they had the opportunity. If the club were so determined to keep him they could have insisted he stuck to his contract but they appear to have accepted this is his great chance and with the right transfer fee have let him move on. Not much different from Lambert in my opinion. This is all about opportunity in a short career. Accept that and wish him well. Anything less is disingenuous to a long term servant, not a mercenary who came in for a year or so to use us as a stepping stone.

This is how I feel. We do not have the income (under financial fair play) to pay the wages required to gain or keep players to take us to the next level. Just like those outside of the top 4 or 5. It is they way of things now and it will remain the way of things in the future. I already have my season ticket so will continue to support this coming season but I think this will be my last year! Outside the top 12 at the end of next season and that will be it for me. Increase in season ticket more than inflation next season and that will also count against. I am lucky that I can afford Itchen central and Hampshire Cricket Executive Membership plus dining. However I am not going to continue to feed this obscene beast that is the Premier League unless it is on my terms. I will support from the armchair if we do not achieve my targets!

On a lighter note Adam Lallana on his move to Liverpool "It's a dream move for me. It just seemed the most logical way to avoid getting bitten next season".

Why did we not put them back in! The wicket is not going to get better. It is a dry wicket and Hants did not fancy last use with so much time available. The fact we are 264-2 vindicates with 2 days to go in good weather. That from our 1st team coach. Why is Vince not playing for England! Well he is disappointed he was not included in the ODI squad at least. That from his father Time and weather on our side. We should beat them. Fantastic bowling from our strike bowlers this morning. Briggs is now a Dad. Stanley Robert Briggs born today.

Could not agree more. May be time our little group went out for another drink and chat! Will send an email shortly to all.

I thought it was a good read. Since the high of the end of season I am growing more and more disillusioned as weeks pass. I renewed my season ticket this year for 2014/15 but there is a growing reluctance to do so in the future. I am one of the lucky ones who can afford it but I want a good return for my money Hopefully we get a good Manager who can settle what we have left after summer transfers and that he is of a stature who will attract good replacements and continue our journey. Football stinks at present!

Wheater has already said he does not want to be a batsman but a wicket keeper who can bat a bit. He has done well and can count himself unfortunate but Bates holds the gloves at present but needs to keep scoring runs to hold on. Maxwell is in for his spin and lets remember he is an Australian Test Cricketer. You do not just walk into that side.

Abbott has been rested because he has played every game since he came. The thoughts were that Worcester would prepare a wicket to compliment their spin attack so we wanted to strengthen our batting and at the same time give us a spin option. Abbott, although our overseas star, is low maintenance in the club and highly respected. I spoke to his father on Thursday and although he has been called up by SA they are allowing him to stay a few days longer and will miss the first couple of days of the training camp prior to the test matches. Dawson said he is progressing well and about 3 weeks away from recovery. I spoke to Dawson's mum a few weeks ago over what I thought was an overlook as Vice Captain this season but she said when it was talked about he ruled himself out immediately as he wants to concentrate on his own game.

Thanks for all the comments and for kpturner trying to explain. As he said we both know Adams father and at this stage would not dream for asking him what is going on. It is private and a position he has not been in before. Even if he did say something, which he has not since the last game of the season, I would no longer post it. I have his email mobile and home number and address but now is not the time. I took the same line with Drew Surman when there was speculation. As for his Agent, I cannot remember his name but he is not connected to the family but a professional agent. No more comment from me on the subject as I have nothing further of interest or opinion on the subject.

So if Lallana was simply telephoning the club to find out what was happening and to speak to them about his future and the board are not returning his calls I would say that has to be totally unacceptable. He is the first team captain and our most valuable player yet he is being ignored. Contract or not this is not how a club who claims openness should act. Are they panicking? It certainly looks that way. I am certain Adam Blackmore is reporting correctly. And for those asking I am told players do not get part of the transfer fee whether they ask for a transfer or not.

Not sure who Saint Charlie is but you are right, I was not present but you told me after!!

My opinion alone but it would be a great shame if Saints deny a great servant the opportunity of playing at a higher level in the Champions League. It has to be subject to the right price and I can understand Saints making sure they end up with £20M net. He is worth the £27M Liverpool will have to pay. By the way, I am told he does not get a cut in the transfer figure whether he asks to leave or not so his only focus is bettering his football career. As a Saints supporter I desperately want him to stay but I can see his point of view

I still do not know but Terry Paine says he is likely to go. I expect him to go if Liverpool have upped their bid to £25M.

Agree with you and MLeG.

To be honest I really have no idea. Once a new Manager is appointed I hope he and the board sit down with them and other key players, sell the club vision and demonstrate it will good quality additions. That would have to be after the World Cup so time to get words into action. If they both go it will not be the end of the world.

Yesterday and today I got sucked into the doubt and what I perceived naivety of the board and the way our club was now being run. Having listened to Ralph Krueger I am happy we have a very intelligent and capable Chairman who will use the team round him to drive this club forward. If we fail it will not be without a fight. That is all we can ask.

This is quote of the day for me.