CM strenthened in window?

[NickG]

Pardew said by signing RB allows James to play in CM.

 

Gillett returned who seems to have done ok in CM in CCC.

 

Doesn't Puncheon play CM (attacking) sometimes? or at least allow Lallana to do so.

 

Think we have strengthen all the right areas this window, RB, CM??, more flair, and another forward.

 

Happy with squad now.

[Toadhall Saint]

.+1

[The Kraken]

I don't know enough about Puncheon, but the one thing I'd have thought we were missing was a CM player who will weigh in with a few goals; a League 1 Lampard, if you like. If Puncheon is that man then great, I think we have all we need. Otherwise that's the only place I can see where we may be a bit light.

[Saint_clark]

I think Puncheon would be better in CM than on the wing anyway to be honest.

[shurlock]

Don't think we have a real hustling and bustling CM in the engine-room to make the team tick - Hammond, Schneiderlin and James are all too pedestrian. Lallana and Puncheon are only as good as they get the right supply.

[Andy_Porter]

I think Puncheon would be better in CM than on the wing anyway to be honest.

 

Lallana, Puncheon and Waigo behind Lambert with Lallana and Puncheon switching every so often and Hammond attacking from deep - can't see many defences dealing with that.

[Saint_clark]

Lallana, Puncheon and Waigo behind Lambert with Lallana and Puncheon switching every so often and Hammond attacking from deep - can't see many defences dealing with that.

 

You're suggesting;

 

------Hammond-Morgan

Waigo------Puncheon-----Lallana

------------Lambert

 

?

Have to say, that is f*cking mouthwatering...

[saint_stevo]

You're suggesting;

 

------Hammond-Morgan

Waigo------Puncheon-----Lallana

------------Lambert

 

?

Have to say, that is f*cking mouthwatering...

 

 

Agreed. And the best bit......no Antonio!

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Don't think we have a real hustling and bustling CM in the engine-room to make the team tick - Hammond, Schneiderlin and James are all too pedestrian. Lallana and Puncheon are only as good as they get the right supply.

 

Don't agree, Hammond is exactly trhat kind of player, he is a classic box to box midfielder which is what you've described above.

[shurlock]

Don't agree, Hammond is exactly trhat kind of player, he is a classic box to box midfielder which is what you've described above.

 

In theory, deffo - and he looked great when he first joined. But since he's been made captain, he seems to have hit a bit of a wall. I really hope he rediscovers some of his early form coz we don't have many players like him.

[Toadhall Saint]

I think Puncheon would be better in CM than on the wing anyway to be honest.

.+1

[Avenue Saint]

Pardew said by signing RB allows James to play in CM.

 

Gillett returned who seems to have done ok in CM in CCC.

 

Doesn't Puncheon play CM (attacking) sometimes? or at least allow Lallana to do so.

 

Think we have strengthen all the right areas this window, RB, CM??, more flair, and another forward.

 

Happy with squad now.

 

Very happy and in the current climate what ML and NC have been doing is remarkable and we really should all be chuffed. To be honest, dare I say it, the mentality and direction since purchase speaks volumes for, if & when we make it back to premiership! God wiliing, lets just say, whoever is manager, playing a mind game or two with likes of Wenger & Fergie may not be totally inconcievable

 

Oh what it is to be a saint :-)

 

Happy days...

[Saint Charlie]

9/10 transfer window!

 

Would be 10/10 if we had got Stock or Danns and managed to ship out Pulis, Molyneux and Forecast!

[Clifford Nelson]

That's it. This is the squad we will support unto the end of the season. There are one or two who have some proving themselves to do. Otsemobor showed a couple of nice footballing touches going forward against Stockport, but nothing of the presence I would expect from a defender, which explains him not playing at a higher level. If he can find the motivation from somewhere, then maybe. Seabourn looked OK, but hardly more. He has got some growing to do before he can claim that CB space for himself every week.

 

Fonte looks the business, and about Puncheon I haven't got an opinion yet.

 

Then it's a matter of all the players who are still here, but will never play for us. Lancashire gone for the end of the season, as I think, are Thomson and Poke. But all the rest of them are still here, as I forecast. Is it not the time now to pay up their contracts and retain a squad with only players who are competing for a place and those youngsters we firmly believe in?

[Nineteen Canteen]

Don't think we have a real hustling and bustling CM in the engine-room to make the team tick - Hammond, Schneiderlin and James are all too pedestrian. Lallana and Puncheon are only as good as they get the right supply.

 

Agree, I see Puncheon more as a ready made replacement for Antonio when he goes back to Reading. Our CM are tough and break up the play although that was not evident last Saturday in the first half but they lack drive, pace and imagination IMO and with our squad we should be creating far more goal scoring opportunities than we do.

[Nineteen Canteen]

That's it. This is the squad we will support unto the end of the season. There are one or two who have some proving themselves to do. Otsemobor showed a couple of nice footballing touches going forward against Stockport, but nothing of the presence I would expect from a defender, which explains him not playing at a higher level. If he can find the motivation from somewhere, then maybe. Seabourn looked OK, but hardly more. He has got some growing to do before he can claim that CB space for himself every week.

 

Fonte looks the business, and about Puncheon I haven't got an opinion yet.

 

Then it's a matter of all the players who are still here, but will never play for us. Lancashire gone for the end of the season, as I think, are Thomson and Poke. But all the rest of them are still here, as I forecast. Is it not the time now to pay up their contracts and retain a squad with only players who are competing for a place and those youngsters we firmly believe in?[/QUOTE]

 

Couldn't agree more we have to many players on the books who will never play for us so what is the point of having a 40 strong squad and loaning them out.

 

IMO because of the state of the finances in football there are far to many loan transactions going on its difficult for the average fan to know which club a player actually belongs to. It raises the question that some of these players are playing for clubs to suit their own ends and not those of the club or its paying public and loyalty is barely recognised.

 

That said I think we have been lucky with our loans in this season but that has not necessarily been the case recently and I'm sure there must be problems with loan players at other clubs.

 

Time football and its entire structure from ownership, financing, overseas players, loan players, agents, governing bodies, transparency of accounting and so on was put under one big umbrella of formal regulation.

[goodymatt]

hammond is being under rated, earlier this season people were sayin on here we didnt play well unless he played well... he has been injured lately and i think he is our midfield engine you are going on about. WHEN IS HE BACK FROM INJURY? also puncheon has creativity, flair and pace we saw tht at stadium:MK, as does antonio when he plays well. are midfield is not a weak point really. spiderman and lallana are class when on form. hammond is solid, and antonio and puncheon add so much pace, james has a cracking pass on him as well! imo we have alot of choice!

[NickG]

Agree, I see Puncheon more as a ready made replacement for Antonio when he goes back to Reading. Our CM are tough and break up the play although that was not evident last Saturday in the first half but they lack drive, pace and imagination IMO and with our squad we should be creating far more goal scoring opportunities than we do.

 

he's not going back to Reading.

[NickG]

Agree, I see Puncheon more as a ready made replacement for Antonio when he goes back to Reading. Our CM are tough and break up the play although that was not evident last Saturday in the first half but they lack drive, pace and imagination IMO and with our squad we should be creating far more goal scoring opportunities than we do.

 

Antonio is on loan to the end of the season when he is a free agent.

[RinNY]

I don't know enough about Puncheon, but the one thing I'd have thought we were missing was a CM player who will weigh in with a few goals; a League 1 Lampard, if you like. If Puncheon is that man then great, I think we have all we need. Otherwise that's the only place I can see where we may be a bit light.

 

One word: Lallana.

[TheSaint75]

hammond is being under rated, earlier this season people were sayin on here we didnt play well unless he played well... he has been injured lately and i think he is our midfield engine you are going on about. WHEN IS HE BACK FROM INJURY? also puncheon has creativity, flair and pace we saw tht at stadium:MK, as does antonio when he plays well. are midfield is not a weak point really. spiderman and lallana are class when on form. hammond is solid, and antonio and puncheon add so much pace, james has a cracking pass on him as well! imo we have alot of choice!

 

.+1

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Antonio is on loan to the end of the season when he is a free agent.

 

wrong - he actually was given a 6 month contract in December. Reading let him go.

[verlaine1979]

You're suggesting;

 

------Hammond-Morgan

Waigo------Puncheon-----Lallana

------------Lambert

 

?

Have to say, that is f*cking mouthwatering...

 

Swap Lallana and Puncheon presuming Puncheon is a left-footer?

[Fowllyd]

You're suggesting;

 

------Hammond-Morgan

Waigo------Puncheon-----Lallana

------------Lambert

 

?

Have to say, that is f*cking mouthwatering...

 

It sure as hell is. All the more so when you consider the options from the bench - Antonio, Barnard, Connolly (once he's fit again). And, if Hammond or Morgan gets injured, there's James and Gillett (assuming the latter is staying with us for the rest of the season). Looks pretty damn fine to me.

[Saint_clark]

wrong - he actually was given a 6 month contract in December. Reading let him go.

 

No, he had his loan extended to the end of the season.

[NickG]

wrong - he actually was given a 6 month contract in December. Reading let him go.

 

you are amusing! and the difference that makes (apart from making you feel good?!)

[Andy_Porter]

You're suggesting;

 

------Hammond-Morgan

Waigo------Puncheon-----Lallana

------------Lambert

 

?

Have to say, that is f*cking mouthwatering...

 

Exactly. We can also bring in James, Antonio, Connolly or Barnard and give one of those five a rest without weakening the side too much.

[NickG]

wrong - he actually was given a 6 month contract in December. Reading let him go.

 

No, he had his loan extended to the end of the season.

 

Really? lol!

[Fitzhugh Fella]

you are amusing! and the difference that makes (apart from making you feel good?!)

 

they you go again, you can't resist being a keyboard warrior can you?

Difference is they could have called him back but we hold his registration now.

 

Plus of course it affects how many loan players you can have at any one stage.

So NickG - quite a difference.

Edited 1 February, 2010 by Fitzhugh Fella

[Saint_clark]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/8441350.stm

 

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~1923012,00.html

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michail_Antonio

"Antonio has extended his loan spell at Southampton until the end of the season."

 

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5832733,00.html

 

http://www.eatsleepsport.com/southampton/winger-deal-extended-1002209.html

 

http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1839874,00.html

 

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1783_5832856,00.html

 

http://www.thisishampshire.net/sport/4833607.Saints_extend_Antonio_deal/

 

http://www.football.co.uk/southampton/southampton_extend_antonio_stay_rss300292.shtml

 

http://www.football.virginmedia.com/page/Southampton/NewsDetail/0,,12555~1923570,00.html

 

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/4833607.Saints_extend_Antonio_deal/?action=complain&cid=8203216

 

http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/sport/sotonsport/4833607.Saints_extend_Antonio_deal/

 

http://www.examiner.co.uk/huddersfield-town-fc/huddersfield-town-transfer-rumours/2010/01/05/huddersfield-town-s-next-opponents-southampton-extend-loan-deal-of-reading-winger-86081-25530162/

 

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8703_5832885,00.html

 

http://www.clubcall.com/southampton/pards-completes-winger-deal-1002209.html

 

http://www.southampton-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/antonio_would_welcome_season_long_deal_472825/index.shtml

 

http://www.footballfilter.com/league-one

I could go on...

Edited 1 February, 2010 by Saint_clark

[Scummer]

they you go again, you can't resist being a keyboard warrior can you?

Difference is they could have called him back but we hold his registration now.

 

Plus of course it affects how many loan players you can have at any one stage.

So NickG - quite a difference.

 

Pretty sure he's still on loan. It's never been said otherwise.

[Saint Charlie]

Definately still on loan but out of contract at end of season, so I am sure we will get his permanently then.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/8441350.stm

 

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~1923012,00.html

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michail_Antonio

"Antonio has extended his loan spell at Southampton until the end of the season."

 

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5832733,00.html

 

http://www.eatsleepsport.com/southampton/winger-deal-extended-1002209.html

 

Thank you St Clark - but I don't regard Wikipedia as being reliable and the Saints web article is inconclusive.

The BBC have been known to get it wrong too.

 

There is a subtle difference between "extending the loan" and "offering him a 6 month contract", mainly because of the rule on the max on loan players allowed at any one time. I am pretty sure the Echo reported at the time that we had given him a 6 month contract.

I will have a look at their website when i have more time. Either way contrary to what NickG says there is a difference.

[Saint_clark]

See my edited post. How many sources do you need before you will agree he is on loan till the end of the season?

[Scummer]

Thank you St Clark - but I don't regard Wikipedia as being reliable and the Saints web article is inconclusive.

The BBC have been known to get it wrong too.

 

There is a subtle difference between "extending the loan" and "offering him a 6 month contract", mainly because of the rule on the max on loan players allowed at any one time. I am pretty sure the Echo reported at the time that we had given him a 6 month contract.

I will have a look at their website when i have more time. Either way contrary to what NickG says there is a difference.

 

Reading still have him on the squad list on their website, saying he's on loan at Southampton.

 

http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10306~45990,00.html

[Fitzhugh Fella]

See my edited post. How many sources do you need before you will agree he is on loan till the end of the season?

 

well that is an impressive list, but most of those outlets get their info from one source. I will e mail the club to find out.

Even if I am mistaken in his status, there is a difference to him being "on loan" or on a perm 6 month contract. For instance do Reading have call back rights? If he has a broken leg does he go back to the parent club and, say today another club wanted to buy him (a la Puncheon) - who would they negotiate and settle a fee with? Us or Reading?

Whatever his status it is relevant would you not agree?

[NickG]

to you so it appears - I wonder why?

[alpine_saint]

Not convinced about midfield

[NickG]

I will be if Hammond plays like the first few games, but otherwise share your concern

[Fitzhugh Fella]

to you so it appears - I wonder why?

 

well for one reason, I am at present compiling the complete who's who 1885-2010 and whether a player is on extended loan (and therefore could potentially be called back) or has signed a 6 month contract is relevant and will be needed to be accurate in his career details. If you check out ITN you will see how fastidious we are.

 

So Nick nothing sinister just like to be accurate when it comes to the small print, but please don't let that get in the way of your theory that I am out to bring down SFC because I haven't swallowed my NC tabs

[Nineteen Canteen]

Not convinced about midfield

 

Agreed but do you have a take on the Antonio Loan / 6 month contract debate. Don't want ot get involved in case Clark posts up another 50 web links to prove a point.

 

All it proves to me is Puncheon was bought in for cover for Antonio come the end of the season and a merely a stop gap solution for central midfield.

[Lets B Avenue]

Agreed but do you have a take on the Antonio Loan / 6 month contract debate. Don't want ot get involved in case Clark posts up another 50 web links to prove a point.

 

All it proves to me is Puncheon was bought in for cover for Antonio come the end of the season and a merely a stop gap solution for central midfield.

 

Dont agree. If he plays on the flank, then it will be on the left rather than Lallana, who can be moved inside, or Holmes, who is probably due another injury soon.

[Nineteen Canteen]

well for one reason, I am at present compiling the complete who's who 1885-2010 and whether a player is on extended loan (and therefore could potentially be called back) or has signed a 6 month contract is relevant and will be needed to be accurate in his career details. If you check out ITN you will see how fastidious we are.

 

So Nick nothing sinister just like to be accurate when it comes to the small print, but please don't let that get in the way of your theory that I am out to bring down SFC because I haven't swallowed my NC tabs

 

With genuine respect, and I say genuine because 'with respect' normally means anything but on here but I think you are compliling the wrong data/book. The Rise and Fall of SFC and it's Resurrection would have mass appeal beyond just those with a need to satisfy a blood lust.

 

In fact I think it would be required reading for any football fan especially those from Man Utd to Weymouth and Pompey to Chester and all those others that are adding to an increasingly long and precarious list.

 

Mistakes aren't the crime not learning from though is heinous IMO.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Dont agree. If he plays on the flank, then it will be on the left rather than Lallana, who can be moved inside, or Holmes, who is probably due another injury soon.

 

I guess time will tell but there is already debate on here if he can play on the left or right or both. Your comment about Lallana made me smile - does he do anything else? Has to come looking for the ball I guess and it will be interesting to watch if Puncheon played centrally is able to execute the killer pass and strong enough to ride the challenges to change that.

[JustMike]

Agreed but do you have a take on the Antonio Loan / 6 month contract debate. Don't want ot get involved in case Clark posts up another 50 web links to prove a point.

 

All it proves to me is Puncheon was bought in for cover for Antonio come the end of the season and a merely a stop gap solution for central midfield.

 

Puncheon as cover?? Anything but imo. Puncheon can play anywhere across the midfield and gives us various options which is a nice thing to have

[Nineteen Canteen]

Puncheon as cover?? Anything but imo. Puncheon can play anywhere across the midfield and gives us various options which is a nice thing to have

 

Can potentially play, not proven IMO and unless Plymouth are really struggling financially not sure why they would sell him as he has done allegedly so well for MK Dons. I hope I am wrong but remain disappointed we didn't strengthen CM with a recognisable talent as we have elsewhere.

[Scummer]

Can potentially play, not proven IMO and unless Plymouth are really struggling financially not sure why they would sell him as he has done allegedly so well for MK Dons. I hope I am wrong but remain disappointed we didn't strengthen CM with a recognisable talent as we have elsewhere.

 

I think they are.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

With genuine respect, and I say genuine because 'with respect' normally means anything but on here but I think you are compliling the wrong data/book. The Rise and Fall of SFC and it's Resurrection would have mass appeal beyond just those with a need to satisfy a blood lust.

 

In fact I think it would be required reading for any football fan especially those from Man Utd to Weymouth and Pompey to Chester and all those others that are adding to an increasingly long and precarious list.

 

Mistakes aren't the crime not learning from though is heinous IMO.

 

We very much wanted to do "Southampton FC the PLC years" but when we approached the leading protaganists not many were prepared to fully participate with our research.

 

And as it is our 125th anniversary the Who's Who does tie in with what the new owners are happy with. Now I just need a decent title.

[shurlock]

I think they are.

 

Thought Plymouth were taken over by some rich Japanese?

[Nineteen Canteen]

We very much wanted to do "Southampton FC the PLC years" but when we approached the leading protaganists not many were prepared to fully participate with our research.

 

And as it is our 125th anniversary the Who's Who does tie in with what the new owners are happy with. Now I just need a decent title.

 

Interesting enough you made the approach to those in the forefront. I would have thought you only needed one or two on board and the others would follow for fear of being misrepresented. In fact do you need them at all and just use the information in the public domain and add your own take - The Diary of a Saints Fan - The PLC Years or something like that.

 

I can understand it wouldn't fit in with the anniversary but would question if it needed to? The Who's Who is ok but only as a point of reference and half of which we already have in ITN ( ) less the 1,000 or so players who have gone through our books in the past 5 years.

 

Not many really understood the PLC from beginning to end and to simply tell the facts of the storyline and pull all the information in the public domain together would in itself be a good read with or without those who did not want to contribute. You could even write a book on the 'summer of our discontent' because a lot went on that many did not understand or has still to be explained.

 

Still very interesting you made the approach and knowing you can't answer it I won't ask the obvious question.