spyinthesky Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Whilst hopeful that things will improve for the better (but feeling quite uncertain in this respect today) it was interesting to have a look at the squad listing on the official site. First of all no photos of Big Vic or Billy Sharp. Can understand the latter but surprised that there is no shot of Vic as he has been here a year!! Is he on a witness protection scheme perhaps!! Also only a few of the team are shown in updated team colours but I suppose this is the least of our worries. Anyway a list of the current squad for the minority who don't realise how thin our current squad is : 1.Goal keepers BORUC DAVIS (great servant but.....) (GAZZINIGA/CROPPER - both unlikely to feature unless desperate) 2.Right back CLYNE No specialist cover as yet (who will play there if Clyne gets injured?) 3.Left Back BERTRAND TARGETT 4. Midfield BIG VIC CORK JWP DAVIS TADIC RAMIREZ (question mark over his future) SCHNEIDERLIN (if he stays) 5. Central Defence FONTE YOSHIDA HOOIVELT (!!!!!!) STEPHENS (prospect but unproven at top level and played cameo midfield roles pre-season) 6. Attackers MAYUKA (!!) MCQUEEN (prospect but unproven) ISGROVE ( ditto ) 7. Central Strikers PELLE GALLAGHER (prospect but unproven) RODRIGUES (Not available until near Christmas and uncertain future beyond this) SHARP (Likely to be on his way) OSVALDO (definitely on his way) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farawaysaint Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Whilst hopeful that things will improve for the better (but feeling quite uncertain in this respect today) it was interesting to have a look at the squad listing on the official site. First of all no photos of Big Vic or Billy Sharp. Can understand the latter but surprised that there is no shot of Vic as he has been here a year!! Is he on a witness protection scheme perhaps!! Also only a few of the team are shown in updated team colours but I suppose this is the least of our worries. Anyway a list of the current squad for the minority who don't realise how thin our current squad is : 1.Goal keepers BORUC DAVIS (great servant but.....) (GAZZINIGA/CROPPER - both unlikely to feature unless desperate) 2.Right back CLYNE No specialist cover as yet (who will play there if Clyne gets injured?) 3.Left Back BERTRAND TARGETT 4. Midfield BIG VIC CORK JWP DAVIS TADIC RAMIREZ (question mark over his future) SCHNEIDERLIN (if he stays) 5. Central Defence FONTE YOSHIDA HOOIVELT (!!!!!!) STEPHENS (prospect but unproven at top level and played cameo midfield roles pre-season) 6. Attackers MAYUKA (!!) MCQUEEN (prospect but unproven) ISGROVE ( ditto ) 7. Central Strikers PELLE GALLAGHER (prospect but unproven) RODRIGUES (Not available until near Christmas and uncertain future beyond this) SHARP (Likely to be on his way) OSVALDO (definitely on his way) Probably Cork, loving the exclamation points by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Spell hell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrensup Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 And only 12 days until the start of the season :mcinnes:Oh wait it's okay, we still got 2 weeks after that until the windows closed so it's fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Midfield looks good. Left back is ok I suppose. Everything else is f*cked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Great balance of youth and experience. English core with some good prospects waiting to burst on the scene. What's not to like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyinthesky Posted 4 August, 2014 Author Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Great balance of youth and experience. English core with some good prospects waiting to burst on the scene. What's not to like? Sir Your post is most comforting. However I fear your trust in the youth/experience mix is possibly misplaced within the competiveness of the EPL. Most happy to be proved wrong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Sir Your post is most comforting. However I fear your trust in the youth/experience mix is possibly misplaced within the competiveness of the EPL. Most happy to be proved wrong Yeah, didn't work for us at all last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Sir Your post is most comforting. However I fear your trust in the youth/experience mix is possibly misplaced within the competiveness of the EPL. Most happy to be proved wrong So Saints last season with the youth of Shaw, Chambers, Ward-Prowse, Wanyama, Clyne, Reed, Gallagher etc didn't work "within the competiveness of the EPL"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano6 Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Wanyama's been playing in Kenya, hence no photos. They did well to only lose narrowly 1-0 to the mighty Lesotho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Wanyama's been playing in Kenya, hence no photos. That doesn't explain it, because the rest of last seasons squad are still using last season's photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DT Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Have always thought Wanyama would be off. Surprised not so far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 That doesn't explain it, because the rest of last seasons squad are still using last season's photos. he refused to let the club use the old one, wanted to get his current hair cut in the new one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 So Saints last season with the youth of Shaw, Chambers, Ward-Prowse, Wanyama, Clyne, Reed, Gallagher etc didn't work "within the competiveness of the EPL"? Wanyama ain't youth! You have neglected to adjust for african passport, it's like dog years he's prob in his mid 40s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Wanyama ain't youth! You have neglected to adjust for african passport, it's like dog years he's prob in his mid 40s. Emoticon for "uncomfortable silence"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Mikey Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 So Saints last season with the youth of Shaw, Chambers, Ward-Prowse, Wanyama, Clyne, Reed, Gallagher etc didn't work "within the competiveness of the EPL"? Not quite the same is it? 1) Shaw, Ward-Prowse & Clyne had already made a number of appearances the season before. 2) Wanyama cost £12m. FFS. 3) Reed made a couple of cameos and is yet to make his full league debut. 4) Gallagher made little impact and looks too raw for the EPL at this stage. Chambers is the only player who came from nowhere and established himself. Are you expecting 3/4 to do it this season? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Emoticon for "uncomfortable silence"? oh what have i done? Is he not Africa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lallana's Left Peg Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Current squad is good enough to stay up but falls well short of clubs stated ambitions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 oh what have i done? Is he not Africa? I think you may have referred to our African friend as a dog in some people's minds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony F Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Emoticon for "uncomfortable silence"? Emoticon for "political correctness attention seeking plonker"..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Current squad is good enough to stay up but falls well short of clubs stated ambitions. Current first XI is good enough to stay up but not the squad as a whole. And its a squad game. Central defence, wide and up front we are woefully thin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lets B Avenue Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Woof? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Emoticon for "political correctness attention seeking plonker"..... You should try not being white. 3 posts, unfortunately no allowance for 24 hours being shorter in dog years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony F Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 You should try not being white. 3 posts, unfortunately no allowance for 24 hours being shorter in dog years. Hmm.... bit of an assumtion there.....maybe I already do, every day? And no, thats not me in my avatar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Ok, so to clarify, Bear was (clearly) referring to the none-too-accurate ages of a number of recent African international footballers. That Skate Kanu and Obafemi Martins spring to mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 You should try not being white. 3 posts, unfortunately no allowance for 24 hours being shorter in dog years. sorry bud i was trying to mug off the reliability of African Registrar of Births & Deaths vis-à-vis Kanu & Eto'o situations, not people who ain't white or dogs or whatever else. Edit: Like The9 said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smarmy Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 I like small squads. Good for morale, not having players hanging around knowing they won't get a game. Also if we are to keep our reputation as a club that gives youth a chance, develops talent etc, we have to at least trust the young players to come in if we have injuries. Zidanes y Pavanes. Only without the Zidanes. Having said all that, the squad is unbalanced. But they are gonna bring in a 1st choice CB and a 2nd choice striker, I hope/pray. I think we're alright in the AM positions, plus looks like more coming there. Dunno about right back. Cork or Bertrand play if Clyne gets injured? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 sorry bud i was trying to mug off the reliability of African Registrar of Births & Deaths vis-à-vis Kanu & Eto'o situations, not people who ain't white or dogs or whatever else. Edit: Like The9 said! I hear he can't count. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Not quite the same is it? 1) Shaw, Ward-Prowse & Clyne had already made a number of appearances the season before. 2) Wanyama cost £12m. FFS. 3) Reed made a couple of cameos and is yet to make his full league debut. 4) Gallagher made little impact and looks too raw for the EPL at this stage. Chambers is the only player who came from nowhere and established himself. Are you expecting 3/4 to do it this season? 1/ Bertrand has a champions league winners medal FFS!! JWP and Clyne are still here and more experienced. 2/ Wanyama is still here and has a season under his belt now 3/ Reed is said to be one of the best players to ever come through the academy, like Shaw, maybe this is his break through season?? 4/ Gallagher has already made a number of apperances the saeson before It is very similar actually. Arguably in terms of youth we are in a much stronger positon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 I like small squads. Good for morale, not having players hanging around knowing they won't get a game. Also if we are to keep our reputation as a club that gives youth a chance, develops talent etc, we have to at least trust the young players to come in if we have injuries. Zidanes y Pavanes. Only without the Zidanes. Having said all that, the squad is unbalanced. But they are gonna bring in a 1st choice CB and a 2nd choice striker, I hope/pray. I think we're alright in the AM positions, plus looks like more coming there. Dunno about right back. Cork or Bertrand play if Clyne gets injured? I'm starting to doubt the sanity of some of the people on here - do you really think our currently decimated squad without any further additions looks good enough? As for playing Cork at right back, do we never learn? He's utter gash there. Does raise an interesting question about cover though - I'd assume at the moment Stephens would cover, but he's off to Swindon isn't he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Dunno about right back. Cork or Bertrand play if Clyne gets injured? someone was saying that new cornetto loan bro from inter plays sometimes right back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Mikey Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 1/ Bertrand has a champions league winners medal FFS!! JWP and Clyne are still here and more experienced. 2/ Wanyama is still here and has a season under his belt now 3/ Reed is said to be one of the best players to ever come through the academy, like Shaw, maybe this is his break through season?? 4/ Gallagher has already made a number of apperances the saeson before It is very similar actually. Arguably in terms of youth we are in a much stronger positon. If I didn't know your posting style, I'd think you were being serious... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smarmy Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 That's not what I was saying. I was saying the problem with the squad is that it is unbalanced not that it is too small. And I agree that Cork is not great at right back but was speculating as to what we would do. We seem to have plans for most of the holes, but not RB cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lallana's Left Peg Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Current first XI is good enough to stay up but not the squad as a whole. And its a squad game. Central defence, wide and up front we are woefully thin. We're short in areas but many teams in the bottom half are. I think we're in better shape than we were two summers ago. I've been very scathing of our summer thus far but I am not too worried about relegation. I am just concerned about our prospects beyond middling as a lower half team that festers away just happy to exist and be a part of the party. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
for_heaven's_Saint Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Always loved a relegation scrap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 I hope Koeman is not as nervous as I am. Right now things are looking iffy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DG Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Always loved a relegation scrap! Yep it has been a while since we had a decent one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 (edited) Yep it has been a while since we had a decent one. We're not that club anymore though. THe great scraps at the Dell are a thing of the past. These days our fans are bunch of whinging pussies with a sense of entitlement, probably born out of the fact the clowns were dreaming of the champions league when we were in league one. If we were in a relagation scrap our melts of fans would be sulking and crying, whinging about the shirts, the pies, the players, whinging about everything. We even had scape goats and whipping boys when many were saying it was the best time in their lives to be saints fans and look at how the helmets are behaving now, gods knows what they'd be like if things went wrong. There wouldn't be the togetherness like there used to be. We're club where a lot of fans need bringing down a peg or two. Edited 4 August, 2014 by Turkish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Mikey Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 We're not that club anymore though. THe great scraps at the Dell are a thing of the past. These days our fans are bunch of whinging pussies with a sense of entitlement, probably born out of the fact the clowns were dreaming of the champions league when we were in league one. If we were in a relagation scrap our melts of fans would be sulking and crying, whinging about the shirts, the pies, the players, whinging about everything. We even had scape goats and whipping boys when many were saying it was the best time in their lives to be saints fans and look at how the helmets are behaving now, gods knows what they'd be like if things went wrong. There wouldn't be the togetherness like there used to be. We're club where a lot of fans need bringing down a peg or two. I agree with your sentiment, mostly. However, there were plenty of whipping boys in the Dell relegation battle era. Benali, Cockerill, Dowie, Beasant (when he first came here) all got loads of stick. TBF though, I can't remember fans booing their own players when they came on or giving ironic cheers when the GK caught the ball or anything like that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 I agree with your sentiment, mostly. However, there were plenty of whipping boys in the Dell relegation battle era. Benali, Cockerill, Dowie, Beasant (when he first came here) all got loads of stick. TBF though, I can't remember fans booing their own players when they came on or giving ironic cheers when the GK caught the ball or anything like that... There were, but i dont remember it being anything like it is now. Ironic cheers you mentioned, booing players when they came on, sarcastic applause when they came off. Some of the abuse given to Fox and Guly was absolutely shameful. this when we were doing well! When things are going badly whilst i dont agree with it, it's at least understandable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goatboy Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 sorry bud i was trying to mug off the reliability of African Registrar of Births & Deaths vis-à-vis Kanu & Eto'o situations, not people who ain't white or dogs or whatever else. Edit: Like The9 said! My westie's called honky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctoroncall Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 I'm starting to doubt the sanity of some of the people on here - do you really think our currently decimated squad without any further additions looks good enough? As for playing Cork at right back, do we never learn? He's utter gash there. Does raise an interesting question about cover though - I'd assume at the moment Stephens would cover, but he's off to Swindon isn't he? Jason McCarthy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eelpie Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Great balance of youth and experience. English core with some good prospects waiting to burst on the scene. What's not to like? Results will be the answer beginning in less a fortnight's time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint IQ Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Whilst hopeful that things will improve for the better (but feeling quite uncertain in this respect today) it was interesting to have a look at the squad listing on the official site. First of all no photos of Big Vic or Billy Sharp. Can understand the latter but surprised that there is no shot of Vic as he has been here a year!! Is he on a witness protection scheme perhaps!! Also only a few of the team are shown in updated team colours but I suppose this is the least of our worries. Anyway a list of the current squad for the minority who don't realise how thin our current squad is : 1.Goal keepers BORUC DAVIS (great servant but.....) (GAZZINIGA/CROPPER - both unlikely to feature unless desperate) 2.Right back CLYNE No specialist cover as yet (who will play there if Clyne gets injured?) 3.Left Back BERTRAND TARGETT 4. Midfield BIG VIC CORK JWP DAVIS TADIC RAMIREZ (question mark over his future) SCHNEIDERLIN (if he stays) 5. Central Defence FONTE YOSHIDA HOOIVELT (!!!!!!) STEPHENS (prospect but unproven at top level and played cameo midfield roles pre-season) 6. Attackers MAYUKA (!!) MCQUEEN (prospect but unproven) ISGROVE ( ditto ) 7. Central Strikers PELLE GALLAGHER (prospect but unproven) RODRIGUES (Not available until near Christmas and uncertain future beyond this) SHARP (Likely to be on his way) OSVALDO (definitely on his way) No Reed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyinthesky Posted 4 August, 2014 Author Share Posted 4 August, 2014 No Reed? Well spotted sir He was on my original hand written list but forgot to include him when transferring over Reinforces the fact that we appear to be OK in certain areas and woefully short in others Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 (edited) No Reed? No Rodriguez, Gazzaniga or Hooiveld either. Edited 4 August, 2014 by Matthew Le God Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sentry Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 We're club where a lot of fans need bringing down a peg or two. Agree, we have had it so easy over the last few years. Too easy. Sure everyone is entitled to their opinions (for example I dont like Hernandez, over-rated), but he ahave been linked with Inter players like Schelotto, and people dont want him here? I remember when we signed Mark Draper I almost wet myself at how big a signing that was at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miltonaggro Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 Wanyama ain't youth! You have neglected to adjust for african passport, it's like dog years he's prob in his mid 40s. You might be on to something, I'm sure he was a member of The Drifters in the 80s... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacey Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 (edited) Am i the only one who still thinks we have a fairly strong team?! I mean people espically the media think what has happened is the start of the end for southampton. Yes not as strong by any means as last season but still strong enough to easily hold our own this season, without adding any of the expected potential signings set to come in imho: Here goes: ----------------------------------Bourc----------------------------------- N.Clyne-------------J.Fonte--------------M.Yoshida--------------R.Bertrand ------------------M.Schneiderlin-------V.Wanyama----------------------- G.Ramirez------------------------------------------------------------D.Tadic --------------------------------JWP---------------------------------------- ----------------------------Pelle/(Jay Rod)------------------------------------------- With a subs bench of the followng: GK: Kelvin Davis J.Hooveld H.Reed J.Cork S.Davis E.Mayuka S.Gallagher. This leaves out the likes of Lyodd Isgrove who has looked the dogs nuts in preason, and future star of the future Matt Target. Also there is Billy Sharp (i know), Sam McQueen, and Keepers Paulo Gazzaniga and Cody Cropper. Also Jack Stephens (likely to be loaned out to Swindon), and Jake Sinclair (I believe Jordan Turnball has allready joined Swindon on loan?) Also good things are expected of Omar Rowe but still one more for the future me thinks. We have some really exciting young talent coming through who i think will easily make the grade. We can not block there progress by making signings for the sake of it, but having said that 3 or 4 more signings maywell be needed for squad depth and cover. Maybe we need a bit more experienced players in the squad to arrive which we know is likely to happen, but i hope not at the younger players expence of not getting any game time: All in all i feel our squad is still strong enough to compete midtable, but as others have said really lacks depth if we were to have injuries etc. I feel we need a keeper to make sure Boruc stays on his toes, a NEW CB to go and play along side Fonte and one more striker. Midfeild looks fine to me, although having said this we for some reason have been linked with midfeilders more than any other postion which is a bit worring! Oh and i nearly forgot another RB as Clyne is all we have i believe? Edited 4 August, 2014 by peacey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 4 August, 2014 Share Posted 4 August, 2014 We have a fairly strong team but possibly the worst PL squad depth wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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