The January Transfer Window 2019!

Carrillo is crap and has spent most of his career scoring 5 goals a season against French pub teams. He never looked like contributing anything here, even against Wigan.

Clasie lacks pretty much all of the attributes I'd want from a midfielder, except 'getting stuck in'. He also (reportedly) smokes like a chimney, which explains why he can never last beyond 70 minutes.

Boufal has been subbed off in Celta's last 4 games, all of which they needed a goal to get a result.

On a couple of occasions he showed he had a very good shot and and the potential to become our dead-ball specialist. I always thought he might be good at taking our free-kicks around the penalty area, instead of Ward-Prowse, who always seems to kick them a yard high and wide of the goal. But, to be fair, Ward-Prowse has now learned how to hit penalties with power so perhaps he will also learn how to score from free-kicks.

Boufal is a skilful player. But, you need players who can make a consistent contribution for a whole season and the stats show that, like Gaston Ramirez, Boufal just doesn't last. Celta Vigo are in a relegation battle and their results are getting worse. I'm not sure they'll persist with him much longer.

https://www.transfermarkt.com/sofiane-boufal/leistungsdaten/spieler/232271

I often disagree with what you say but on this I agree. There would be a lot more support and movement with the current set up.

 

Given what he's said about Obafemi's professionalism I'm not sure he'd be too impressed with Clasie's fitness and smoking habit, to pick on on alehouseboy's comment.

Vialli smoked. Not a bad player

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You’re spot on and by all accounts was a well liked member of the squad.

 

I really don’t get where this lazy tag comes from, I can only assume it’s from people who don’t regularly watch us play, live (some times tv doesn’t give full picture. I.e him on the edge of his own box tracking him man). I also don’t get this selfish tag? If he wasn’t playing for the team, why was he doing all that I just mentioned.

 

His decision making has been questionable at times and you’d have to say on balance he’s been disappointing, but when played in the right position/role, he could be a real asset. As demonstrated at Vigo and previously In France.

 

FWIW Tadic was far more of a selfish, lazy player and Boufal has much more natural talent than him as well.

Yes and no.

Lazy = no. He tracked backed and closed players down.

Selfish = yes. He frequently ignored team mates when they were the better option and would hold the ball too long.

I’d say that Tadic was lazier but less selfish. If anything, at times, he wasn’t selfish enough which is to say that selfishness isn’t a bad trait when you’re a creative player and need to impose yourself on a game.

With Boufal, he was too selfish which was exacerbated by poor decision-making (Tadic was far more intelligent) and also inconsistency (as you’d expect from a flair player). Perhaps that selfishness was a sign of immaturity; perhaps he felt he had to overcompensate because of lack of game time and surrounding talent. Of course, all these things can be coached and would potentially benefit from a change of scenery (e.g. new manager) but it’s understandable why many became exasperated with him, especially when we were fighting for our lives.

Vialli smoked. Not a bad player

 

 

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Here's another one for the strategic plan.

Don't worry if players smoke because Vialli was still good.

Keep all young players until 24 because Kane developed late

You’re spot on and by all accounts was a well liked member of the squad.

 

I really don’t get where this lazy tag comes from, I can only assume it’s from people who don’t regularly watch us play, live (some times tv doesn’t give full picture. I.e him on the edge of his own box tracking him man). I also don’t get this selfish tag? If he wasn’t playing for the team, why was he doing all that I just mentioned.

 

His decision making has been questionable at times and you’d have to say on balance he’s been disappointing, but when played in the right position/role, he could be a real asset. As demonstrated at Vigo and previously In France.

 

FWIW Tadic was far more of a selfish, lazy player and Boufal has much more natural talent than him as well.

Spot on on all fronts watching boufal live he works hard watching on tv you don’t see that

Vialli smoked. Not a bad player

 

 

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So did Johan Cruijff.

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So did Johan Cruijff.

 

 

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He’d probably get in our team too...

Perhaps he’d come on for Slattery in the 60th. Ahem

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I’m not sure anyone’s debating whether he works hard physically in terms of running around. You can work hard and run your socks off but still either be a poor decision maker or selfish with the ball. Can’t see him being a rabbit for Ralph’s hutch.

Yes and no.

 

Lazy = no. He tracked backed and closed players down.

 

Selfish = yes. He frequently ignored team mates when they were the better option and would hold the ball too long.

 

I’d say that Tadic was lazier but less selfish. If anything, at times, he wasn’t selfish enough which is to say that selfishness isn’t a bad trait when you’re a creative player and need to impose yourself on a game.

 

With Boufal, he was too selfish which was exacerbated by poor decision-making (Tadic was far more intelligent) and also inconsistency (as you’d expect from a flair player). Perhaps that selfishness was a sign of immaturity; perhaps he felt he had to overcompensate because of lack of game time and surrounding talent. Of course, all these things can be coached and would potentially benefit from a change of scenery (e.g. new manager) but it’s understandable why many became exasperated with him, especially when we were fighting for our lives.

Whereas with Boufal, it often seemed that he was playing his own game for himself to me, too many tricks and not enough end product. I'm puzzled why some saw him as "direct". Just because you like to run and hold onto the ball, it doesn't necessarily mean you are direct. Ralph likes his players to move the ball quickly and directly with aim to get shots off as soon as possible. This can mean early and accurate forward passes as well as direct running, Redmond style. I don't remember a lot of either from Boufal, but I do remember a lot of running down blind alleys and ignoring teammates in better positions.

Why is he being discussed anyway? Is it even an option for him to be recalled this season?

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Vialli smoked. Not a bad player

 

 

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So?

George best probably played whilst half-cut on occasions. Should the club tolerate that also?

Vialli smoked. Not a bad player

 

 

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As much as I hate smoking personally, There was once this famous Brazilian called Socrates. He smoked 80 a day. Just saying [emoji23]

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I always saw Boufal as a 'show pony' and wasn't unhappy to see him leave, however, given that he belongs to us and we have a new manager (well known for his player improvement skills) then it makes sense that he comes back in the summer, has a full pre-season and let Ralph decide !!

You could say the same with Carrillo but I doubt he has enough natural ability to make the step up to the PL !

Clasie doesn't bring any more to the table than the likes of JWP or Slattery, is not as effective as Romeu or Hojberg so it's probably best that he spends his final year elsewhere IMO !

Anyway, are we signing anyone?.

Agree with you. Tadic was definitely NOT selfish in the way he played, often looking to make a pass to set up teammates rather than go himself, probably too much as you say.

 

Whereas with Boufal, it often seemed that he was playing his own game for himself to me, too many tricks and not enough end product. I'm puzzled why some saw him as "direct". Just because you like to run and hold onto the ball, it doesn't necessarily mean you are direct. Ralph likes his players to move the ball quickly and directly with aim to get shots off as soon as possible. This can mean early and accurate forward passes as well as direct running, Redmond style. I don't remember a lot of either from Boufal, but I do remember a lot of running down blind alleys and ignoring teammates in better positions.

 

Why is he being discussed anyway? Is it even an option for him to be recalled this season?

 

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People quite clearly are talking about his return in the summer at the end of the season. With our limited budget resources for new players, letting Ralph see him in action for a few weeks is eminently sensible. You never know it might actually turn out that we have a star on our hands.

People quite clearly are talking about his return in the summer at the end of the season. With our limited budget resources for new players, letting Ralph see him in action for a few weeks is eminently sensible. You never know it might actually turn out that we have a star on our hands.

Ralph has already confirmed he will look at all Loaned out players when back in summer. So wouldn't worry.

Boufal isn't the answer.

I always saw Boufal as a 'show pony' and wasn't unhappy to see him leave, however, given that he belongs to us and we have a new manager (well known for his player improvement skills) then it makes sense that he comes back in the summer, has a full pre-season and let Ralph decide !!

You could say the same with Carrillo but I doubt he has enough natural ability to make the step up to the PL !

Clasie doesn't bring any more to the table than the likes of JWP or Slattery, is not as effective as Romeu or Hojberg so it's probably best that he spends his final year elsewhere IMO !

I would love to have Boufal back with a manager who knows how to man manage. He could really entertain us.

And yet Tadic has achieved far more both at Saints and elsewhere...

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not slating Tadic. He is and was a great player for us. We miss his creativity this season and I think Ajax got themselves a very good player for relatively low fee.

I just don’t get why people label Boufal as lazy and not Tadic.

Other than the fall out with Hughes, who seems to do it with everyone, Boufal was not an issue and a well liked member of the squad, I’m lead to believe.

Boufal suffered with managers who were too afraid to lose where as Ralph has more of a desire to win, imo.

I’m sure we’ll find out in the summer anyway.

Just seems more and more weird we got rid of Tadic AND Boufal at the same time.

We couldn't and shouldn't play them both and fair enough ditching one. But both?! Only makes any sense if you replace them with someone guaranteed to come in and do the job.

 

The most ridiculous thing is Ings would have really benefitted from the way Tadic plays. No point him playing Long in on goal over and over to miss.

Wages probably. Getting rid of those two and Carrillo allowed us to bring in Moi, Ings and Armstrong. Boufal contributed pretty much nothing so was no loss and Tadic needed a fresh start. Neither would have improved our fortunes under Hughes had they stayed.

If Moi wasn't so bad, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Hoedt drove off before the game apparently. Either his role for the team now involves nipping to the shop for the half time oranges, or he was in a strop and buggered off home.

Hoedt drove off before the game apparently. Either his role for the team now involves nipping to the shop for the half time oranges, or he was in a strop and buggered off home.

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Hoedt drove off before the game apparently. Either his role for the team now involves nipping to the shop for the half time oranges, or he was in a strop and buggered off home.

He’s such a delusional c()nt if it was a strop, which it probably was.

Biggest waste of 16 mil ever. Utterly cr4p, almost every game.

I think he's too inclined to believe the hype of his worshipping fans.

 

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Why not? Belief is what makes a player. Look at Redmond, JWP, Bednarek, Rom etc. The manager has obviously told them they are good enough, they will make mistakes but they should take chances and be positive. I’m all for arrogance, but in the right way.

This whole myth about Boufal being lazy annoys me, he used to track and tackle more than most of our players. Just because he is willing to take on a man and maybe lose the ball doesn’t make him “lazy”. Boufal isn’t the answer, but I would hope he will come back and prove he can be a useful asset to the squad, like he was before Hughes, if he doesn’t ship him out. Who knows Carrillo might even show him something. It seems everyone has a chance, unless they are Hoedt, who is muck.

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So?

George best probably played whilst half-cut on occasions. Should the club tolerate that also?

If we could have George Best in his prime, yes. Absolutely. No question. Ps Charlie George played like that for us, as did Frank Worthington

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If we could have George Best in his prime, yes. Absolutely. No question. Ps Charlie George played like that for us, as did Frank Worthington

 

 

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You don't get the name Charlie George for nothing

So.... nothing really happening then. Not much in the way of firm links/rumours.

If we signed no-one, would it really matter? We've probably got enough quality to stay up: haven't we?

So.... nothing really happening then. Not much in the way of firm links/rumours.

 

If we signed no-one, would it really matter? We've probably got enough quality to stay up: haven't we?

Imagine a Redmond injury just now! + Ings won't play more than 10 full games

So.... nothing really happening then. Not much in the way of firm links/rumours.

 

If we signed no-one, would it really matter? We've probably got enough quality to stay up: haven't we?

I am quite happy to sign no one and let Ralph mould this squad to his style, he is already doing that as we can all see. Then in the longer summer break do the big sort out and have the right set for pre-season. Makes sense! I didn't expect to say that a month ago.

Still think it depends if we can get rid of Cedric as our right wing back option could be stronger.

Also an on loan striker like Lookman who would look the part in our system.

Then come the summer you get rid of all those not suited and bring in three class players to play attacking and quick football.

Sell Romeu, Austin, Long, Bertrand (If he has not stepped up) and Hoedt to raise some good fees.

Sell Romeu - our best player since Ralph arrived??? Don't think so.

Still think it depends if we can get rid of Cedric as our right wing back option could be stronger.

Also an on loan striker like Lookman who would look the part in our system.

 

Then come the summer you get rid of all those not suited and bring in three class players to play attacking and quick football.

 

Sell Romeu, Austin, Long, Bertrand (If he has not stepped up) and Hoedt to raise some good fees.

Romeu ? WTF

Still think it depends if we can get rid of Cedric as our right wing back option could be stronger.

Also an on loan striker like Lookman who would look the part in our system.

 

Then come the summer you get rid of all those not suited and bring in three class players to play attacking and quick football.

 

Sell Romeu, Austin, Long, Bertrand (If he has not stepped up) and Hoedt to raise some good fees.

Sell Romeu?? Behave ffs

Still think it depends if we can get rid of Cedric as our right wing back option could be stronger.

Also an on loan striker like Lookman who would look the part in our system.

 

Then come the summer you get rid of all those not suited and bring in three class players to play attacking and quick football.

 

Sell Romeu, Austin, Long, Bertrand (If he has not stepped up) and Hoedt to raise some good fees.

Lost all credence in what you was saying once you said Romeu... do you even watch Southampton play?

Face, and indeed palm. Romeu is pretty indispensable

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Listening to RH comments on Romeu gives me the impression he wants someone that protects the back four so we don’t play 5 at the back.

Listening to RH comments on Romeu gives me the impression he wants someone that protects the back four so we don’t play 5 at the back.

Even if that were true... Why would Romeu need to be sold? We need more than one defensive midfielder in the squad.

Even if that were true... Why would Romeu need to be sold? We need more than one defensive midfielder in the squad.

Fair enough but to raise some funds to push us on to another level would be RH aim.

Thats why I mentioned Bertrand as I can’t see him bombing the line for 95 minutes a game.

Listening to RH comments on Romeu gives me the impression he wants someone that protects the back four so we don’t play 5 at the back.

Wanyama the best around at that.

Wanyama was good a few years ago but can’t get a game . I remember his passing quality ie poor and his attitude when he thought he could do better so no not wanted back at St Mary’s.

Clutching at straws, but interesting to read about Everton saying that they can't bring anyone in unless they shift players & yet they keep being linked with Augustin & Batshuayi...

It's the ONLY possible way I could see Lookman being available. (Not to mention the big ask for us to have £25m+ tucked away somewhere).

I think Everton are playing Lookman to stop a move till Summer.

I think Everton are playing Lookman to stop a move till Summer.

Didn't stand out as a player we should be signing yesterday

Didn't stand out as a player we should be signing yesterday

Always wise to judge a player on one game.

If we stay up would love for us to try and get Billing.

Imagine a Redmond injury just now! + Ings won't play more than 10 full games

I would also like to see central defence improved. We have no choice at the moment but to play 3 at the back because the CBs we have are too weak to play in a back 4, which is far from ideal. I guess there's only a chance of that happening if we can shift Hoedt at least.

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Wanyama was good a few years ago but can’t get a game . I remember his passing quality ie poor and his attitude when he thought he could do better so no not wanted back at St Mary’s.

We'll I'd want him back. Could do a very good job for us.

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Even if that were true... Why would Romeu need to be sold? We need more than one defensive midfielder in the squad.

Quite. Very odd logic

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If we stay up would love for us to try and get Billing.

Would that be Top Billing, or would we settle for Second Billng ?

Exactly. When Redmond is not on the pitch we look extremely one paced and a whole lot less effective. So if we only bring in one player, it should be someone pacy, who can score.

Josh Sims?

Josh Sims?

Has some pace yes but not seeing the evidence that he scores goals.