Ross Stewart

[Willo of Whiteley]

Why would we want to keep a player that now clearly doesn’t want to be here?

I’d argue we’ve done well to not have him sign on.

[East Kent Saint]

I suspect Saints thought they had stood by him through injury but reluctant to prolong the experience so have let him try his luck elsewhere . 

[Patches O Houlihan]

Out of contract and at a World Cup.

Managed 6 minutes as an 89th minute sub in the 0-1 loss to Morocco, playing as a striker for a team whos only goal was a deflection against Haiti, and didn't make it out of the group in a WC where 3 of the 4 teams will.

Not really the promotional experience he might have been hoping for... shame it ended like this.

[Challenger]

49 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

Out of contract and at a World Cup.

Managed 6 minutes as an 89th minute sub in the 0-1 loss to Morocco, playing as a striker for a team whos only goal was a deflection against Haiti, and didn't make it out of the group in a WC where 3 of the 4 teams will.

Not really the promotional experience he might have been hoping for... shame it ended like this.

St Mirren, Partick Thistle, Kilmarnock await.

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

55 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

Out of contract and at a World Cup.

Managed 6 minutes as an 89th minute sub in the 0-1 loss to Morocco, playing as a striker for a team whos only goal was a deflection against Haiti, and didn't make it out of the group in a WC where 3 of the 4 teams will.

Not really the promotional experience he might have been hoping for... shame it ended like this.

How many touches did he get in those 6 minutes?

[chiknsmack]

Still every chance he signs with Saints. Just because he lawyered his way out of a one-year deal on the same money he got last year doesn't mean he wouldn't sign a longer deal for the same money. He'd be a safer bet for the club than bringing in an unknown who could be anything from Larin to Downs. And we know the club wanted to sign him up using the clause, so the club doesn't actively want rid of him.

[Dman]

1 hour ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

Out of contract and at a World Cup.

Managed 6 minutes as an 89th minute sub in the 0-1 loss to Morocco, playing as a striker for a team whos only goal was a deflection against Haiti, and didn't make it out of the group in a WC where 3 of the 4 teams will.

Not really the promotional experience he might have been hoping for... shame it ended like this.

to be fair, other than maybe Che (different attributes imo), he's better than any of their other options up top. Madness he doesn't get selected / played more. 

[trousers]

19 minutes ago, chiknsmack said:

Still every chance he signs with Saints. Just because he lawyered his way out of a one-year deal on the same money he got last year doesn't mean he wouldn't sign a longer deal for the same money. He'd be a safer bet for the club than bringing in an unknown who could be anything from Larin to Downs. And we know the club wanted to sign him up using the clause, so the club doesn't actively want rid of him.

My take on it is the club were happy to have him for one more year because we didn't get promoted, the implication being that we wouldn't have exercised the contract extension has we been promoted. Ergo, now getting him to sign anything longer than a one year contract would somewhat contradict that stance... That said, if we were to offer him a 2 - 3 year contract and were confident we could get our money back by selling him next summer, if we were to be promoted, then nothing to lose I guess...

[SylvianSylvian]

I think LND would definitely have got a goal or two for Scotland had they played him 

[saintant]

31 minutes ago, Dman said:

to be fair, other than maybe Che (different attributes imo), he's better than any of their other options up top. Madness he doesn't get selected / played more. 

Clarke probably developed his favourites for the striker role while Ross was not in the squad and wasn't brave enough to upset them by picking Stewart ahead of them. He maybe should have given him at least 30 minutes against Haiti and Morocco to see what he brought to the side. They weren't exactly potent up front though admittedly didn't create much for their strikers. 

[so22saint]

They should have played him in goal or centre defence - couldn't be any worse than the shower of shite they had there

[trousers]

Hmmm...

 

[Jaime]

51 minutes ago, trousers said:

Hmmm...

 

Not too surprising the door remains open. Saints in a stronger position over wages now and have insurance of being able to review medical data.

There was never going to a) be a queue of clubs or b) many prepared to pay him what he was seeking. 

Stewart's biggest problem remains the medical, and he no longer has us as an 'out' for that. He will have to have everything crossed he can pass one. Really, really badly advised by his agent on this one. Agent should have run to saints with a signed contract in May.

[VectisSaint]

8 minutes ago, Jaime said:

Not too surprising the door remains open. Saints in a stronger position over wages now and have insurance of being able to review medical data.

There was never going to a) be a queue of clubs or b) many prepared to pay him what he was seeking. 

Stewart's biggest problem remains the medical, and he no longer has us as an 'out' for that. He will have to have everything crossed he can pass one. Really, really badly advised by his agent on this one. Agent should have run to saints with a signed contract in May.

He wasn't offered a contract by Saints. We fucked up the option (because of Spygate). It wasn't an extension to a contract. 

[Edmonton Saint]

I’d like to see LND come back , offered us a good option up top with Larin

 

[St Chalet]

I’d welcome him back with open arms. Him and Larin sharing the load worked out so well the second half of our season. 

[hypochondriac]

Tonda seemed more definite that he wouldn't be here in the solent interview. 

[saintant]

This needs sorting one way or the other before the squad fly out to Germany. If Stewart is going to sign another contract with us it should be done ahead of this trip so that he can accompany the group. If not, we should move on to other targets.

[LiberalCommunist]

Yep. And Ross needs a pre season more than any other player. Or he'll start the season like a 56 year old man reaching too far for the remote with a bout of sciatica. Click click snap. 

[Saint Pete]

I would be happy enough to see Stewart back with us next season as he's a good player but can't see it happening somehow after the extension wasn't done at end of season. If it is to happen, it needs to be soon as others have said above. 

[HKsaint]

We need to wait for another fortnight. 

[Mr X]

13 hours ago, Saint Pete said:

I would be happy enough to see Stewart back with us next season as he's a good player but can't see it happening somehow after the extension wasn't done at end of season. If it is to happen, it needs to be soon as others have said above. 

Was he on a short contract because he's made of glass at times? 

[Willo of Whiteley]

I’m sure he’s representatives have been trying to cosy up now that the offers aren’t flying in. 😂

[VectisSaint]

2 hours ago, Mr X said:

Was he on a short contract because he's made of glass at times? 

His contract expired, so yes I guess you can say it was short. There was an option to extend, but it wasn't activated (in time).

Would be interesting to know when other Scotland players who went to US are due back at their various clubs. I'm guessing at least another week. Whatever it is we won't see Stewart before then.

[saintant]

It's starting to look as though his agent may have dropped a clanger. Ross remains a free agent and didn't get the opportunity to showcase his talents in the World Cup. You'd have to say it is unlikely a Premier league side will be interested given his injury record. Which leaves Scotland, the Championship or a European club. None of these are likely to pay him what he was earning with us and will also be wary of that injury history.

My take is that he has been badly misadvised and will find his career prospects going backwards. With careful nurturing by the fitness team he was building a reputation with the management and fans at Southampton but might struggle to do the same at another club where he'd be starting again.

[goodymatt]

It’s a bit mad we still aren’t 100% sure if his time here is done. Could do with figuring that out ASAP.

[Saint86]

Could see him winding up in the MLS for a couple of years at this rate, that or hearts are short a striker. Saints shouldn't be rolling over to give him a new contract after his antics.

[tttdcs]

Now missing out on pre season training, that's not good for him or anyone. 

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, tttdcs said:

Now missing out on pre season training, that's not good for him or anyone. 

Saints need to move on. He will break down if he hasn’t had a pre-season or not be fully fit until October/November.

[VectisSaint]

12 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Saints need to move on. He will break down if he hasn’t had a pre-season or not be fully fit until October/November.

Of course it could be that he was not due back yet, having been on WC duty. Admittedly that argument is getting a little weak, given that Sugawara is already back (does anyone know if other Scottish players have returned from their break yet?). I reckon if nothing is heard by Monday then he is looking elsewhere.

[Saint86]

8 minutes ago, VectisSaint said:

Of course it could be that he was not due back yet, having been on WC duty. Admittedly that argument is getting a little weak, given that Sugawara is already back (does anyone know if other Scottish players have returned from their break yet?). I reckon if nothing is heard by Monday then he is looking elsewhere.

I guess it could also be the case that players aren't committing now until after the Eckert verdict, but he either wants to be at saints or he doesn't... We don't owe him anything, and as GS says, he isn't worth having without pre season 🤷

Edited 18 hours ago by Saint86

[Pilchards]

53 minutes ago, goodymatt said:

It’s a bit mad we still aren’t 100% sure if his time here is done. Could do with figuring that out ASAP.

I’m pretty sure the club would know by now.

Like some have said, I reckon players could be holding out until the Eckert situation is finally solved. That could mean players coming and going.

I personally think he gets a hefty fine and everyone moves on.

The FA could destroy the promising career of a future EPL manager if they lump him with a touch like ban that runs for many months.

 

 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

53 minutes ago, Pilchards said:

I’m pretty sure the club would know by now.

Like some have said, I reckon players could be holding out until the Eckert situation is finally solved. That could mean players coming and going.

I personally think he gets a hefty fine and everyone moves on.

The FA could destroy the promising career of a future EPL manager if they lump him with a touch like ban that runs for many months.

 

 

Not sure the uncertainty is that big a deal. Didn't stop Larin or Peretz from signing. 

[hypochondriac]

I think it's fair to say that if he doesn't sign this week then I can't see him signing at all. The very last thing we need is Stewart with no Pre season.

Edited 15 hours ago by hypochondriac

[VectisSaint]

11 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

I think it's fair to say that if he doesn't sign this week then I can't see him signing at all. The very last thing we need is Stewart with no Pre season.

Especially as we have Larin with no preseason.

[Matthew Le God]

15 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

I think it's fair to say that if he doesn't sign this week then I can't see him signing at all. The very last thing we need is Stewart with no Pre season.

Training with Scotland throughout the summer was effectively a pre season for him. 

[Matthew Le God]

4 minutes ago, VectisSaint said:

Especially as we have Larin with no preseason.

Larin was training and playing with Canada throughout the summer, effectively an early pre season. 

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Matthew Le God said:

Larin was training and playing with Canada throughout the summer, effectively an early pre season. 

And now he is 'on the beach'...

[hypochondriac]

25 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Training with Scotland throughout the summer was effectively a pre season for him. 

No it wasn't.

[The Kraken]

30 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Larin was training and playing with Canada throughout the summer, effectively an early pre season. 

Much more like a late post-season. 

[Turkish]

39 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Training with Scotland throughout the summer was effectively a pre season for him. 

 

38 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Larin was training and playing with Canada throughout the summer, effectively an early pre season. 

WALOB 😂

[UpweySaint]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

Training with Scotland throughout the summer was effectively a pre season for him. 

While it’s likely better than him having been on a genuine holiday there is a lot of sport science specificity (beyond me) that goes into a preseason. Ross in particular would need careful management and fine tuning to see the best of him. Perhaps he is doing some of that without a club, perhaps not. The situation isn’t ideal for anyone involved at this point. That’s not even thinking about the dynamics and tactical side of things that’s being missed. 
 

I’m very much “Stewart in” but would much rather it happen sooner rather than later if it is going to happen.

[Willo of Whiteley]

Bolder thought, we actually can and should be aiming for a lot better than him.

His record speaks for itself in terms of goals scored in minutes played, decent input.

But does it make up for the heavy transfer fee, two and a half years injured, and his agents fannying around trying to get him more lucrative terms - no, no it doesn’t.

Move on.

Edited 14 hours ago by Willo of Whiteley

[Ex Lion Tamer]

I wonder if we'll let him train with us in the hope he stays

[Dr Who?]

28 minutes ago, Ex Lion Tamer said:

I wonder if we'll let him train with us in the hope he stays

Not a bad shout. Let him train, if he breaks we let him go, if he is in good shape snap him up for a year. 

[Saint Pete]

1 hour ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Bolder thought, we actually can and should be aiming for a lot better than him.

His record speaks for itself in terms of goals scored in minutes played, decent input.

But does it make up for the heavy transfer fee, two and a half years injured, and his agents fannying around trying to get him more lucrative terms - no, no it doesn’t.

Move on.

The transfer fee we payed for him originally is kind of irrelevant now though isn't it? More relevant is that he would be free in terms of transfer fee if he stays now, whereas we would have to pay a significant fee for someone with equivalent ability to him and even more if you are right that we should aiming for someone a lot better. I guess we should be in a good place to assess how much of a risk he is now in terms of injury. But I would probably be in favour of him staying if he wants to, that way we can use that money in other positions where we might lose players before the end of the window. 

Edited 12 hours ago by Saint Pete

[HKsaint]

4 hours ago, Saint Pete said:

The transfer fee we payed for him originally is kind of irrelevant now though isn't it? More relevant is that he would be free in terms of transfer fee if he stays now, whereas we would have to pay a significant fee for someone with equivalent ability to him and even more if you are right that we should aiming for someone a lot better. I guess we should be in a good place to assess how much of a risk he is now in terms of injury. But I would probably be in favour of him staying if he wants to, that way we can use that money in other positions where we might lose players before the end of the window. 

The problem is if we snap him up, we still need another striker.

[beatlesaint]

I really dont understand what his advisors were thinking.

In an ideal world he would have gone to the World Cup and scored two or three goals. That didnt happen and realistically under Steve Clarke was never going to.

As it stands now a Championship or Scottish Premier League club may take a gamble on him but they hardly seem to be beating down his door .......but he would never be earning top dollar because of his injury record. The type of club who would look to sign him don't have big money to throw at a player with his injury record.  

The thinking behind it was stupid, he was playing, he was scoring and looking decent in a system and style that suited him......then his agent, and/or Ross himself just threw that away.

Crazy

Edited 3 hours ago by beatlesaint

[Convict Colony]

12 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

And now he is 'on the beach'...

saw a vid the other day of larin doing training in Canada to try and retain some sharpness while he is off.

I think it won't take him long compared to last time to start games 

[saintant]

I don't see him coming back now. If we wanted him surely he'd have signed in time to start pre-season training with the rest of the lads. As it stands he's not taking part in a structured training plan which won't help him because this pre-season stuff is very important and missing it sets a player back. Stewart can't afford anything that impacts on his fitness levels.