Oriol Romeu

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, Winnersaint said:

I always thought that the team was better when JWP had Romeu in the side that without.

Whilst JWP’s output was good during 22/23 in terms of goals and assists, the midfield was steamrollered regularly - most weeks if we are honest - without Romeu once he left. 

[sotonjoe]

3 hours ago, Christophenburg said:

Still need a striker though...

Super Rickie Lambert incoming, apparently 

[Harry_SFC]

1 minute ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Whilst JWP’s output was good during 22/23 in terms of goals and assists, the midfield was steamrollered regularly - most weeks if we are honest - without Romeu once he left. 

Yeah JWP was just a bit lightweight 

[Osvaldorama]

So happy. The goat Oriol back.

 

I don’t even care if he has lost some more pace, we can get someone else to do his running. He can be our Pirlo and just ping balls about, to saints players instead of opposition or out of play like our current lot 
 

This is genuinely fucking quality. Just having him in the dressing room is huge. He’s a proper leader not like rat boy. 

And if the rumours about JWP coming back as well… Whatever you think of him, he will cook in the championship. 

Edited 8 hours ago by Osvaldorama

[egg]

3 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

We wouldn't be able to get JWP for another two months anyway and Charles should be back then, so I can't see us putting that team out, even if Prowsey did come back.

I've no idea why people keep advocating for Oyekunle, who's never played senior football before, over Armstrong who has been a regular Championship scorer throughout his career. The former isn't even a target man, he's 5'9".

Yep. Brilliant news about Romeu, a proper player and leader, who'll boost us on and off the pitch. But the calls for Oyekunle are ridiculous. He's an unproven kid and won't offer anything that AA, or even Archer, can. 

[The Wyvern]

1 hour ago, Give it to Ron said:

Played 30+ games last season and the Championship is a league at least lower.

34 isn’t that old Welbeck still going strong and papers want him for England ! Milner is 41 still getting game time at Brighton

34 is generally at the upper end of a professional footballers career these days and he was never the most mobile at his peak. Plus Spanish football is slower than the Championship.
 

Hope the move works as he’s exactly the type of character we need. 

Edited 8 hours ago by The Wyvern

[Osvaldorama]

https://x.com/justsaints_/status/1985380101542842478?s=46

😂😂

[egg]

1 minute ago, The Wyvern said:

34 is generally at the upper end of a professional footballers career these days and he was never the most mobile at his peak. Hope the move works as he’s exactly the type of character we need. 

I agree, but sitting in front of the back 4 in this league (hopefully him in there means a back 3 is no longer felt necessary) should be manageable for him. 

Of all the news, I didn't expect this at all. Brilliant. 

[Sheaf Saint]

17 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Whilst JWP’s output was good during 22/23 in terms of goals and assists, the midfield was steamrollered regularly - most weeks if we are honest - without Romeu once he left. 

This was the first indication for me that SR didn't understand what was needed. They let Romeu leave and gambled on an 18yo Lavia, fresh from the City academy, being a suitable replacement. From their perspective it was a success, because we sold him for a huge profit. But that was the single biggest factor in our downfall that season IMO.

[Turkish]

5 minutes ago, egg said:

I agree, but sitting in front of the back 4 in this league (hopefully him in there means a back 3 is no longer felt necessary) should be manageable for him. 

Of all the news, I didn't expect this at all. Brilliant. 

He’s always kept himself fit so don’t see it as an issue playing as a proper holding midfielder. Let’s remember though he hasn’t played for 6 months before everyone starts saying his legs are gone after his first game 

[notnowcato]

1 hour ago, macca155 said:

Martin wanted by players: Latest Southampton manager rumours | Daily Echo https://share.google/OkxJeUflN1gCYYQ8u

Thanks… “article” whose source is talksport… aka the Crook. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

3 hours ago, the colonel said:

He never should have been sold in the first place. We haven't been the same since he left. 

Bring it on.

Welcome home Oriol.

This.

SR made a massive blunder in pushing our best players out the door, along with everyone else in their quest to reduce individual wages.

A false economy, considering the quantity and collective wages of the players they replaced them with.

Years later, we're now hoping Romeu still has the same levels.

Hopefully, he'll be the player we remember. Even if not, I hope SR sit him down and let him tell them about the standards and expectations the club should have. Also ask him, which younger players remind him of himself.

As also posted, if we're in the free agent market, we should also be picking up an experienced, veteran target man. 

Romeu can't do it all himself.

[Obstacle1]

Will avoid getting too excited until I see how he performs but it could be a very good signing. Would add some actual solidity to our midfield and be a good partner for charles/Jander or in a 3 with azaz as a 10.

[redkeith]

Really hope this comes off, he is exactly what we need . Top professional,  sits  in front of the back  four, great peripheral vision. 

I realise that he is older now, but I am confident he will be an asset , the first 10 yards are in his head. 

I remember when we signed Jimmy Case  we all thought he was just a short term replacement for Steve Williams,  but he was a great servant for years and could have done another season  if Branfoot hadn't  run him out of town. 

[Gloucester Saint]

4 minutes ago, redkeith said:

Really hope this comes off, he is exactly what we need . Top professional,  sits  in front of the back  four, great peripheral vision. 

I realise that he is older now, but I am confident he will be an asset , the first 10 yards are in his head. 

I remember when we signed Jimmy Case  we all thought he was just a short term replacement for Steve Williams,  but he was a great servant for years and could have done another season  if Branfoot hadn't  run him out of town. 

I also Peter Reid coming in for a few games under Branfoot and people saying he was past it at 37. Proved class is permanent, running the game v Spurs for a three points which helped keep us up in May 1994.

[ErwinK1961]

Couldn’t care less if he only plays 10mins here and there, it will be worth signing him to just kick the fck out of the cowardly slackers in training.

A wonderful human being and hopefully someone to properly set some standards in that dressing room (are you listening Jack?)

[S-Clarke]

4 minutes ago, ErwinK1961 said:

Couldn’t care less if he only plays 10mins here and there, it will be worth signing him to just kick the fck out of the cowardly slackers in training.

A wonderful human being and hopefully someone to properly set some standards in that dressing room (are you listening Jack?)

It's the standards thing which is so important, they've slipped so far and I think he'll be taken aback by how far we've regressed. JWP set similar standards of professionalism, but we were left with Flynn Downes - it's no wonder really.

I don't expect him to be as he was in 2020-2022, but the reading of the game never goes and his physicality will still be more than we have today. We don't have anyone who can fly into a tackle at the moment, they all prance around it.

I remember reading an article about Lamine Yamal and he actually namechecked Romeu as being such a good standard in the dressing room, as he was making his breakthrough seasons. Can't find it now, but I always thought that said a lot.

Edited 7 hours ago by S-Clarke

[Gloucester Saint]

5 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

It's the standards thing which is so important, they've slipped so far and I think he'll be taken aback by how far we've regressed. JWP set similar standards of professionalism, but we were left with Flynn Downes - it's no wonder really.

I don't expect him to be as he was in 2020-2022, but the reading of the game never goes and his physicality will still be more than we have today. We don't have anyone who can fly into a tackle at the moment, they all prance around it.

I remember reading an article about Lamine Yamal and he actually namechecked Romeu as being such a good standard in the dressing room, as he was making his breakthrough seasons. Can't find it now, but I always thought that said a lot.

Bring Fonte onto the coaching staff as well to do his UEFA badges and really give both Staplewood and in Jose’s case, Parsons and the boardroom a massive fright. 

[S-Clarke]

1 minute ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Bring Fonte onto the coaching staff as well to do his UEFA badges and really give both Staplewood and in Jose’s case, Parsons and the boardroom a massive fright. 

Fonte would be a great influence, I'm sure the club have had discussions with him over the last couple of years.

He'd add a lot, and would make a mockery of the supposed 'Stephens' role.

[SuperSAINT]

9 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

It's the standards thing which is so important, they've slipped so far and I think he'll be taken aback by how far we've regressed. JWP set similar standards of professionalism, but we were left with Flynn Downes - it's no wonder really.

I don't expect him to be as he was in 2020-2022, but the reading of the game never goes and his physicality will still be more than we have today. We don't have anyone who can fly into a tackle at the moment, they all prance around it.

I remember reading an article about Lamine Yamal and he actually namechecked Romeu as being such a good standard in the dressing room, as he was making his breakthrough seasons. Can't find it now, but I always thought that said a lot.

Didn’t Lavia do an insta post about him the other day saying “what a player” as well?

[S-Clarke]

Just now, SuperSAINT said:

Didn’t Lavia do an insta post about him the other day saying “what a player” as well?

Not sure, haven't seen that. Wouldn't surprise me, as any player he plays with only ever praises him.

[Osvaldorama]

1 minute ago, SuperSAINT said:

Didn’t Lavia do an insta post about him the other day saying “what a player” as well?

He did… Posted on his story. 
 

He’s loved everywhere he’s been and played with and against some of the best players in the world. 
 

Give him the captains arm band immediately!!!!

[Saint Gifford]

If this comes off, will be great both on field and the dressing room. Must have the armband.

However was this in the 5 year plan document written by the grown ups at the Club as the direction they wanted to go right at the beginning. 
 

Just re- enforces the complete lack of accountability, plan, direction, decision making and DNA that is seriously lacking at the top. 
 

Welcome back if we can get it sorted. I still wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley. 
 

But you have to question what is the actual short medium long term goal of the owners. 
 

Sticking  plasters and what a sticking plaster by the way are normally only just that. A temporary solution until you can get to a long term fix. 

 

 

[S-Clarke]

3 minutes ago, Saint Gifford said:

If this comes off, will be great both on field and the dressing room. Must have the armband.

However was this in the 5 year plan document written by the grown ups at the Club as the direction they wanted to go right at the beginning. 
 

Just re- enforces the complete lack of accountability, plan, direction, decision making and DNA that is seriously lacking at the top. 
 

Welcome back if we can get it sorted. I still wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley. 
 

But you have to question what is the actual short medium long term goal of the owners. 
 

Sticking  plasters and what a sticking plaster by the way are normally only just that. A temporary solution until you can get to a long term fix. 

 

 

The goal of Sports Republic is player trading. Buy low, sell high, make profits, develop players across the portfolio.

It's not a goal that will ever equal a competitive football team across multiple seasons. We are simply owned by a player trading company and that is how they deem success.

Edited 7 hours ago by S-Clarke

[Willo of Whiteley]

JWP loan in January. Ralph’s first signing 👀🤣

[Weston Saint]

1 hour ago, S-Clarke said:

Fonte would be a great influence, I'm sure the club have had discussions with him over the last couple of years.

He'd add a lot, and would make a mockery of the supposed 'Stephens' role.

Think he is still playing for Casa Pia in Portuguese Premeira  Liga. In fact he scored on Saturday

Edited 6 hours ago by Weston Saint

[Disco Stu]

Couldn't ask for a better leader to come in. I'd immediately make him captain.

[OneMrsWallace]

1 hour ago, Osvaldorama said:

https://x.com/justsaints_/status/1985380101542842478?s=46

😂😂

Fucking quality, I just pissed myself laughing - as opposed to our squad who will be pissing themselves in fear. 

[BARCELONASAINT]

29 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

It's the standards thing which is so important, they've slipped so far and I think he'll be taken aback by how far we've regressed. JWP set similar standards of professionalism, but we were left with Flynn Downes - it's no wonder really.

I don't expect him to be as he was in 2020-2022, but the reading of the game never goes and his physicality will still be more than we have today. We don't have anyone who can fly into a tackle at the moment, they all prance around it.

I remember reading an article about Lamine Yamal and he actually namechecked Romeu as being such a good standard in the dressing room, as he was making his breakthrough seasons. Can't find it now, but I always thought that said a lot.

Lamine Yamal has praised Oriol Romeu by citing his strength and robustness as qualities he looks up to. Yamal has described his ideal player by including Romeu for strength, in addition to other players for different attributes like speed, passing, and finishing. 

• Physical strength: Yamal identifies Oriol Romeu as the player he looks to for "strength, robustness and resilience".
• Part of an ideal player composite: When describing an ideal player by combining the strengths of multiple professionals, Yamal explicitly lists Oriol Romeu for his strength. 

[Gloucester Saint]

7 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

The goal of Sports Republic is player trading. Buy low, sell high, make profits, develop players across the portfolio.

It's not a goal that will ever equal a competitive football team across multiple seasons. We are simply owned by a player trading company and that is how they deem success.

The issue for them is they need Saints re-established in the PL in order to make the margins large enough to be sustainable as a model.

They won’t be able to buy the Fernandes and Lavias in the Champ. 

[Turkish]

14 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

The goal of Sports Republic is player trading. Buy low, sell high, make profits, develop players across the portfolio.

It's not a goal that will ever equal a competitive football team across multiple seasons. We are simply owned by a player trading company and that is how they deem success.

Yep they won’t measure us on league finishes or cup runs, success will be how much profit has been made from player sales. 

[LVSaint]

17 minutes ago, Saint Gifford said:

Welcome back if we can get it sorted. I still wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley. 
 

If we can get it sorted and he's able to sort us out, I'd be more than happy to sort him out in a dark alley.

[Lighthouse]

13 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

The goal of Sports Republic is player trading. Buy low, sell high, make profits, develop players across the portfolio.

It's not a goal that will ever equal a competitive football team across multiple seasons. We are simply owned by a player trading company and that is how they deem success.

No, the goal of Sports Republic is to run a portfolio of successful, profitable football clubs. Player trading is part of that but you can only make profits on players who improve here. We made profit on Van Dijk, Lavia, Tino and Lovren. There's no profit in signing Finn Azaz, not playing him and being bottom of the league.

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, Turkish said:

Yep they won’t measure us on league finishes or cup runs, success will be how much profit has been made from player sales. 

This is true, but they will make more with Saints as their supposed primary club re-established in the PL. That will require far more of a vision than they’ve had so far. The money to buy players to establish ready for WP qualification via Goztepe and a revitalised Valenciennes won’t be there otherwise. Nor will they be able to attract the Lavias and Fernandes types that turn over the most with Saints stranded in Champ or League 1.

Over to you SR.

[Appy]

One part of me thinks it’s a win win signing, another part of me, the cynical side, thinks it’s very convenient how this has all come about after the toxic atmosphere on Saturday. 

Edited 6 hours ago by Appy
Commas are important

[Saint86]

1 hour ago, The Wyvern said:

34 is generally at the upper end of a professional footballers career these days and he was never the most mobile at his peak. Plus Spanish football is slower than the Championship.
 

Hope the move works as he’s exactly the type of character we need. 

Romeu had a couple of nasty injuries early on if memory serves, so doesn't quite have the full mileage on him that other experienced pros do.

[Convict Colony]

I give it 15mins of his 1st appearance before some says his legs have gone.

[James G]

If Romeu is signing, it surely means Ralph is back

 

[Harry_SFC]

20 minutes ago, Appy said:

One part of me thinks it’s a win win signing, another part of me, the cynical side thinks it’s very convenient how this has all come about after the toxic atmosphere on Saturday. 

Apparently talks were initiated several weeks ago. But I do agree it's convenient timing. 

[Appy]

3 minutes ago, James G said:

If Romeu is signing, it surely means Ralph is back

 

Does it? He played under Koeman, Puel, Pellegrino and Hughes too, are they in the running? 

[CB Fry]

6 minutes ago, James G said:

If Romeu is signing, it surely means Ralph is back

 

I always associate Oriel with one particular manager

 

[Zorba]

6 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

I give it 15mins of his 1st appearance before some says his legs have gone.

To be fair, it’s something that I’ve already thought may be the case. We need a Romeu.. but do we need Romeu?

[James G]

Just now, CB Fry said:

I always associate Oriel with one particular manager

 

Romeu and Ralph are buddies 👍 

[Osvaldorama]

15 minutes ago, Zorba said:

To be fair, it’s something that I’ve already thought may be the case. We need a Romeu.. but do we need Romeu?

Having seen how poor most of the sides are in the championship this year.. yes.  

He will do a job for us imo. He never relied on his pace anyway. He’s always a yard ahead because of his touch and awareness. 
 

Tbh it’s more about his influence than anything , even if he barely plays, it’s still a good signing imo. We are absolutely crying out for a leader. 

[James G]

Or they could be wooing Ralph.

You don't just randomly sign Romeu at 34. Look at the signings

[Paul_B]

Yes Oriol!! Get the fuck in! A glimmer of light within the doom and gloom of this club! 

Show these dick heads how to put a proper tackle in and how to be a professional football player! 

[Noodles34]

2 hours ago, Sheaf Saint said:

This was the first indication for me that SR didn't understand what was needed. They let Romeu leave and gambled on an 18yo Lavia, fresh from the City academy, being a suitable replacement. From their perspective it was a success, because we sold him for a huge profit. But that was the single biggest factor in our downfall that season IMO.

Yeah, gamble on Lavia and sold him for 50 mil. I’d have that gamble 

[sfc4prem]

Isn't it sad that when I see us readying ourselves to sign Oriol, that my delight at such a brilliant human coming back to the club is tempered with thoughts of how fucking inept the owners of this club are?

They'd turn gold to shit with a look, Sports Republic.

[S-Clarke]

16 minutes ago, James G said:

Or they could be wooing Ralph.

You don't just randomly sign Romeu at 34. Look at the signings

I think we were looking at the possibility in the summer, but we couldn't shift Aribo and/or Downes.

Now Charles is out injured long term there is a huge gap in CM, so we've moved I reckon. Not sure there is anything in this manager wise.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Extra words to now sing "You're not fit to wear the shirt, except Oriol."