Jack Cork Signs for Swansea

Ander Herrera all day long you loon!! Do you think Cork would get anywhere near United's bench??

If McNair and Blackett get starts and Darren Fletcher is a bench fixture then probably yes.

United not a great example.

Koeman confirms he's in Swansea and likely to leave. "He was offered a good contract but I can't guarantee him the game time that he wants" (or words to that effect)

Completely fair enough, as far as I'm concerned. Good luck to the bloke.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jack-cork-swansea-city-more-8549785

Monk says is basically done and he was slightly suprised Cork was available and thinks he can still be a "top midfielder".

Henderson is utter toilet, Delph ppossibly has a bit about him and Colback is bloody average. Losing a decent player imo but oh well nothing we can do.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jack-cork-swansea-city-more-8549785

 

Monk says is basically done and he was slightly suprised Cork was available and thinks he can still be a "top midfielder".

Agree completely with Monk's assessment. Only reason he hasn't played more this season is he has been injured and we have 2 of the stand out performing centre mids of the season. Expect to look on with frustration as he excels for them.

Now on the Beeb:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31040534

Sad to see he him go, he's been an excellent player for us. It seems Jack was getting less playing time here. His move to Swansea gives him what he wants, and probably the best outcome for all parties.

We get some money now. free up some wages and opens up the space for Reed to be more involved. Its a shame its happened now in the midst of an injury storm. But we will just have to deal with it until they are back from injury.

Decent player. You've got to respect his reason for leaving. Good luck to him.

OptaJoe ‏@OptaJoe 1m1 minute ago

75% - Southampton have won nine of their 12 PL games with Jack Cork this season (75%) and only four of 10 without him (40%). Champagne

Interested in 2 foreign players and yet another English one on their way out. What happened to wanting the core of the team to be homegrown?

Interested in 2 foreign players and yet another English one on their way out. What happened to wanting the core of the team to be homegrown?

Is part of Cork's problem not that there are 2 homegrown, academy talents coming through in CM?

Interested in 2 foreign players and yet another English one on their way out. What happened to wanting the core of the team to be homegrown?

We haven't played anyone English or from the academy have we!!! Did I dream Hesketh and Gape playing oh and Targett was another figment of my imagination. ...Isgrove. ...Seager...FFS

Interested in 2 foreign players and yet another English one on their way out. What happened to wanting the core of the team to be homegrown?

I agree, shameful that we now only have Forster, K. Davis, Clyne, Bertrand, Targett, Reed, Hesketh, Gape, Ward-Prowse, Davis, Isgrove, Rodriguez, Gallagher, Seager and Long from the British Isles...

I agree, shameful that we now only have Forster, K. Davis, Clyne, Bertrand, Targett, Reed, Hesketh, Gape, Ward-Prowse, Davis, Isgrove, Rodriguez, Gallagher, Seager and Long from the British Isles...

May as well name the whole academy to prove your point.

May as well name the whole academy to prove your point.

It sort of does though, doesn't it.

May as well name the whole academy to prove your point.

Isn't that the point? We try and get better value players from Europe in the transfer market and complement it with bring through our own young British players from the academy.

British players, generally speaking, are very expensive

May as well name the whole academy to prove your point.

I'm naming the players who have represented the first team this season (+ Gallagher, a regular last season).

That is the point, to suggest the club is neglecting home grown/UK talent is absurd.

Henderson is utter toilet, Delph ppossibly has a bit about him and Colback is bloody average. Losing a decent player imo but oh well nothing we can do.

*Not sure if joking*

I don't get some of the reactions from people. He is a good player, but clearly not going to play ahead of Schneiderlin and Big Vic. Not a massive loss, RoKo obviously has faith in Reed, who's impressed in a few games. Cork's been a good servant, wish him well at Swansea

I'm naming the players who have represented the first team this season (+ Gallagher, a regular last season).

 

That is the point, to suggest the club is neglecting home grown/UK talent is absurd.

I didn't say neglecting, and I said team not squad.

I agree, shameful that we now only have Forster, K. Davis, Clyne, Bertrand, Targett, Reed, Hesketh, Gape, Ward-Prowse, Davis, Isgrove, Rodriguez, Gallagher, Seager and Long from the British Isles...

Two of those are likely to be off in the summer; and a significant proportion of the others probably won't make the grade. None, perhaps with the exception of Forster and potentially JWP, form the spine around which we're building the team. And the trend seems headed in the wrong direction.

Two of those are likely to be off in the summer; and a significant proportion of the others probably won't make the grade. And none, perhaps with the exception of Forster, are currently part of the spine around which we're building the team.

So we didn't give JWP a contract today and big him up today?

I don't get some of the reactions from people. He is a good player, but clearly not going to play ahead of Schneiderlin and Big Vic. Not a massive loss, RoKo obviously has faith in Reed, who's impressed in a few games. Cork's been a good servant, wish him well at Swansea

Personally disagree, especially as it seems almost certain we'll lose Morgan in the summer. Big loss, big mess up by the club.

Don't think Reed's ready and neither does Koeman clearly as he's already stated we'll need a midfielder if Cork Leaves.

If he signs in time, is there much we can do to stop him/them?

 

I know there have been 'gentleman's agreements' around this sort of thing in the past (I think Johnny Woodgate when he went from Leeds to Newcastle had one) but I don't think they are enforceable in any meaningful way.

Transfer window doesn't close until Feb 2nd, we'll just stall until then, or sell him right after the match. With a transfer pending he's not that likely to be in the squad anyway.

How have the club messed up?

Corks contract is running out we have offered him a new one.

Cork has asked for a guarantee of more first team football.

Saints can't guarantee him this for obvious reasons.

Cork has said he wants to leave to play football.

FFS it really is that simple we want him as a squad player he wants to be a starter so has opted to move in search of that, hats off to the lad for wanting to play and I wish him all the best at Swansea. Really what more do people expect the club to do? Offer him way over the odds in the hope that he is convinced to stay for the cash? or lie about first team opportunities that simply don't exist?

I don't get some of the reactions from people. He is a good player, but clearly not going to play ahead of Schneiderlin and Big Vic. Not a massive loss, RoKo obviously has faith in Reed, who's impressed in a few games. Cork's been a good servant, wish him well at Swansea

I think the gist of it is that when they're both injured we don't have many proven defensive midfield specialists, at least until we sign someone else.

Reed's progress is clearly why Cork's heading off, and probably also why Cork's contract offer wasn't confirmed until recently.

If Morgan does leave (which I expect he will, this summer) - if Saints have achieved UCL or even EL by using Morgan and Vic, we will be able to sign a better player than Cork anyway.

Personally disagree, especially as it seems almost certain we'll lose Morgan in the summer. Big loss, big mess up by the club.

Don't think Reed's ready and neither does Koeman clearly as he's already stated we'll need a midfielder if Cork Leaves.

That makes no sense, obviously we need a midfielder to replace Cork if Cork leaves, Reed was already part of the first team squad with Cork in it.

If Morgan does leave (which I expect he will, this summer) - if Saints have achieved UCL or even EL by using Morgan and Vic, we will be able to sign a better player than Cork anyway.

Well, we'll be able to sign a player we expect to be better than Cork, anyway. No guarantees, which is one of the reasons I'm quite surprised at this turn of events, though you can see Cork's logic if he thinks he'll get more games at Swansea and a signing on fee, etc.

How have the club messed up?

 

Corks contract is running out we have offered him a new one.

 

Cork has asked for a guarantee of more first team football.

 

Saints can't guarantee him this for obvious reasons.

 

Cork has said he wants to leave to play football.

 

FFS it really is that simple we want him as a squad player he wants to be a starter so has opted to move in search of that, hats off to the lad for wanting to play and I wish him all the best at Swansea. Really what more do people expect the club to do? Offer him way over the odds in the hope that he is convinced to stay for the cash? or lie about first team opportunities that simply don't exist?

IMO They messed up by offering him a contract at the last minute, rather than when others were given theirs in the summer.

Think Cork's response might have been very different if it had of been. Being made to act like an apprentice on trial likely didn't make him feel overly valued.

Two of those are likely to be off in the summer; and a significant proportion of the others probably won't make the grade. None, perhaps with the exception of Forster and potentially JWP, form the spine around which we're building the team. And the trend seems headed in the wrong direction.

Losing Cork doesn't change that though, he's not part of the spine of the team.

Personally disagree, especially as it seems almost certain we'll lose Morgan in the summer. Big loss, big mess up by the club.

Don't think Reed's ready and neither does Koeman clearly as he's already stated we'll need a midfielder if Cork Leaves.

How's it the club messing up, he's not signing a new contract due to a LACK OF FIRST TEAM FOOTBALL.

IMO They messed up by offering him a contract at the last minute, rather than when others were given theirs in the summer.

Think Cork's response might have been very different if it had of been. Being made to act like an apprentice on trial likely didn't make him feel overly valued.

Perhaps it's simply because those that matter didn't\don't overly value him.

It would appear that the fans, myself included, value him more highly than the club.

How's it the club messing up, he's not signing a new contract due to a LACK OF FIRST TEAM FOOTBALL.

He was never offered a contract in the summer to reject. Hence why it was a mess up. 'First team football is an excuse', think it's likely he doesn't feel overly valued at Saints.

In fact Monk at Swansea suggested they were interested in the summer but Cork was committed to Saints at the time. 6 months later after being treated like a trialist he suddenly feels he might be more appreciated at Swansea.

How's it the club messing up, he's not signing a new contract due to a LACK OF FIRST TEAM FOOTBALL.

Only thing you could argue they messed up is not showing him they really valued him by offering a contract sooner, as you would with a key player.

Koeman said about Clyne that you never let a player reach less than 12months but they did with Cork.

IMO he wouldnt have been too buzzed up by comments like that which show we didnt really value him that much (fair enough).

As an aside the Echo said the deal he turned down would have made him one of the highest earners which must be BS because if we valued him high enough to pay that then he wouldnt have to worry about game time.

But yes, nothing Club can do if he wants games and we can't offer them.

Losing Cork doesn't change that though, he's not part of the spine of the team.

He's played a lot of games for us and would have played a lot more this season if not for injury. Our "spine" is regularly missing key players, particularly in Cork's position where injuries and suspensions are a real issue over the course of a season. Ultimately, and regardless of who's fault it is (no one really), we are losing our 3rd best option in a specialised position and without adequate replacement it leaves us short of options and quality there.

It's a shame to see him go.

If Morgan does leave (which I expect he will, this summer) - if Saints have achieved UCL or even EL by using Morgan and Vic, we will be able to sign a better player than Cork anyway.

We hope. We have three very good and experienced defensive midfielders at the club by the summer we may well be looking to replace all three. It will be a very tall order to replace all three of those with better players.

Corks lack of first team action has nothing to do with his abilities, but with his constant and repetitive injuries. He'd be in the England team but for getting injured at a vital time. So it is with Saints, he gets injured just when he's beginning to hold his place. Can't see anything changing at Swansea or elsewhere. Will be gutted to see him leave but his head is obviously screwed up and he doesn't see his best option.

Only thing you could argue they messed up is not showing him they really valued him by offering a contract sooner, as you would with a key player.

 

Koeman said about Clyne that you never let a player reach less than 12months but they did with Cork.

 

IMO he wouldnt have been too buzzed up by comments like that which show we didnt really value him that much (fair enough).

 

As an aside the Echo said the deal he turned down would have made him one of the highest earners which must be BS because if we valued him high enough to pay that then he wouldnt have to worry about game time.

 

But yes, nothing Club can do if he wants games and we can't offer them.

I kind of agree the time to offer him a new contract was last season when he came into the side and put in great performances week after week. That he wants to go now can't be a big surprise I doubt he feels particularly valued by the club.

He's played a lot of games for us and would have played a lot more this season if not for injury. Our "spine" is regularly missing key players, particularly in Cork's position where injuries and suspensions are a real issue over the course of a season. Ultimately, and regardless of who's fault it is (no one really), we are losing our 3rd best option in a specialised position and without adequate replacement it leaves us short of options and quality there.

 

It's a shame to see him go.

It's a shame, but I don't think there's a lot we can do about it.

Perhaps it's simply because those that matter didn't\don't overly value him.

 

It would appear that the fans, myself included, value him more highly than the club.

Agree clearly someone didn't rate him, i'd assume Reed.

As a fan i think it was a mistake.

It's a shame, but I don't think there's a lot we can do about it.

Of course we can't but it's an interesting one. Particularly as we appear to have targetted an unproven 20 year old who is unhappy with his lack of first team football to replace someone who is leaving due to his lack of certainty around first team football.

To be honest, it's a real shame to lose him. I'm a big fan and think he's a valuable member of the squad - but that's the key thing here. I wouldn't say he's a first team player when everyone is fit, Morgan/Wanyama/Davis/JWP are all ahead of him right now - there's no denying that, and I think it's fair they're ahead of him as well. Midfield is one area where we have been incredibly well stocked for a good few years, and whilst it's a shame to lose him, the core quality of the side isn't reduced. Especially if we're adding the guy from Holland to replace him.

But we obviously want to keep Cork in a squad position, we said as much to him and offered him a good deal - but he has decided to pursue first team, weekly football - that's fair enough, you can't begrudge him that. Whilst it's a shame we lose a valuable and talented squad player, you need to respect that he wants to play football rather than sit around waiting.

Top bloke, been a top player for us - can only wish him the best.

Players come and go, that's football. Moving on..

If only St George would post demanding Cork stay and everything will be fine.

Players come and go, that's football. Moving on..

How dare you! That is far too rational a way of looking at things.

Of course we can't but it's an interesting one. Particularly as we appear to have targetted an unproven 20 year old who is unhappy with his lack of first team football to replace someone who is leaving due to his lack of certainty around first team football.

I don't think it's a like for like replacement by the way, I think Reed is earmarked for the Cork position, with the new player coming in to be another creative midfielder (which we need).

If only St George would post demanding Cork stay and everything will be fine.

Golden post

what about the Sneijder rumours?

what about the Sneijder rumours?

None of the journalists in the broadcast section of the press conference asked Koeman about him. Perhaps they did in the written section, but that is currently under embargo.