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Posted

Good as time as any to start this up..

Saints summer transfer strategy appears to be buy young, unproven talent from the big boys, after last year's success with signing 18 y.o. Chelea's Tino Livramento. Spending for any individual player seems to be targeted to the £6m to £12m range.

Saints appear to be methodically hitting their positional target needs, which are GK, CB, DCM, AM, and Striker

In..

  • 20 y.o. Gavin Bazunu GK (Man City) £12.6m
  • 18 y.o. Romeo Lavia DCM (Man City) £10.5m
  • 20 y.o. Armel Bella-Kotchap CB (VfL Bochum) £9m

getting close...

  • 25 y.o. Joe Aribo AM (Rangers) £6m

weird rumor of the day...

  • 21 y.o. Neco Williams RB (Liverpool) £20m - this doesnt sound like Saints M.O.

targets

  • 24 y.o. Sasa Kalajdzic (Stuttgart) - would be a BIG pricetag.. £20m-ish
  • 19 y.o. Liam Delap (Man City)
  • 19 y.o. Levi Colwill (Hudderfield)

OUT

  • Fraser Forster to Spurs
  • Shane Long to ??

may go..

  • Walcott,
  • Redmond,
  • Bednarek
  • Djenepo
  • Stephens

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted

and maybe a bigger impact than summer transfers..

https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/joe-shields-manchester-city-southampton-7288169

Joe Shields sends Manchester City farewell message ahead of expected move to Southampton

 

Joe Shields has moved one step closer to joining Southampton after posting a message about his exit from Manchester City.

Shields is widely expected to join Saints as the club's new head of recruitment, having spent the past nine years with the current Premier League champions and playing a big part in their successful youth recruitment. He has developed a reputation as one of the best at identifying talented young players in European football, with City going on to enjoy sustained success at various levels in recent seasons during his time with the club.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

UPDATE:

Priorities remain : strikers, and full back cover. Sticking with the youth theme, priced from £6m to £12m range, Saints closing in on some player i have never heard of from France.

  • 19 y.o. Sekou Mara Striker (Bordeaux) £11m

IN

  • 20 y.o. Gavin Bazunu GK (Man City) £12.6m
  • 18 y.o. Romeo Lavia DCM (Man City) £10.5m
  • 20 y.o. Armel Bella-Kotchap CB (VfL Bochum) £9m
  • 25 y.o. Joe Aribo AM (Rangers) £6m

i hope Saints scouting department knows what they are doing. Going to be a bunch of kids in the side.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Spurs v Southampton

tough ask to get any points in the season opener against Spurs

This summer the Saints picked up 6 players for less than the cost of Richarlison (£52.20m v. £50.76m)

  • Sekou Mara Striker 
  • Gavin Bazunu GK  
  • Romeo Lavia DCM 
  • Armel Bella-Kotchap CB
  • Joe Aribo AM
  • Mateusz Lis GK

3 of those (in bold) are likely starters... and 2 more could see 2nd half action.

 

 

 

Posted

spurs 4 -1 saints

We’ll that was depressing. 

- wrong formation (3CBs actually made saints weaker defensively)

- players playing out of their normal positions (S. Armstrong, Djenepo, Valery)

- best striker - on the bench

- Valery, Bednarek, Djenepo, A. Armstrong should not be in the Saints starting XI. Ever. 
 

already rumblings of Hasenhuttl out by World Cup. 
 

Posted

Southampton 2 -2 Leeds

That was a very interesting game.. 

  • Down 0-2 in the 2nd half at the 60'.  Was reading on a Soton board that the atmosphere in the stadium at that stage was the most toxic they have ever felt -  calls for Hasenhuttl's head.
  • Ralph has been pushing a 3-5-2 formation, starting players not in their natural positions to start the season and being too cautious with our new signees.
  • Supporters during the last match and leading up to this one have been pleading for a 4-2-2-2 formation, getting our new 5 new signees on the pitch, having players play to their strengths, etc.
  • at the 70th minute mark, Ralph does just that, apparently after an animated discussion on the sidelines with his coaching staff. Subbing in offensive players, taking off a CB (current whipping boy Bednarek), going with a 4-2-2-2
  • Soton's shape immediately looks more threating and forward - leading to 2 goals
  • goal at 72' by new signee and sub Aribo
  • goal at 81' by KWP, with a beautiful DeBruyne-like thru ball assist by new signee and sub Mara

Hasenhuttl might have saved his job for now. There will be a revolt if the 3-5-2 shows up next week for Leicester. When Hasenhuttl's lineup/formations are announced leading up to matches, it's been bloodsport on Saints fan forums for quite awhile now. It's unpredictable and surprising every matchweek.

all that being said - much needed point. Cautiously optimistic if Ralph can get his shit together. If not, get ready for the Sean Dyche era.

 

Posted (edited)

transfer news - or silly season news

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/20670289.southampton-reportedly-hold-talks-benfica-25million-striker-deal/

£25million deal for Portuguese striker Goncalo Ramos from Benfica.

  • What, Wolves not interested?
  • Spending £25million for a single player is out of character for Southampton
  • backup to Darwin Nunez last season - already 5 goals for Benfica this season.

 

https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/18/southampton-leading-nottingham-forest-in-race-for-man-utds-james-garner-17204974/

£15-£20m deal for Man U midfielder James Garner

  • Please, no Maverick or Rockford Files jokes.
  • again seems pricey for Southampton
  • was on loan to Nottingham Forest last year in the Championship (starting 39 league matches)

 

both match the youth movement strategy - both are 21.

 

 

Edited by yoladu
Posted (edited)

Leicester 1 - 2 Southampton

  • desperately needed 3 points and got it.
  • 5 new players in the starting XI
  • apparently, youngest Starting XI fielded in the PL since 2017.
  • 10% of points needed for safety achieved.
Edited by yoladu
Posted

Southampton 0 - 1 Man U

  • Southampton played well, but have no quality in the final third.
  • ABK is a beast at CB. Good business there.
  • Lavia is so composed on the ball. Good business there.
  • Would be nice when Southampton get Livramento back from his ACL injury.

The last week of the transfer window will basically decide if Southampton stay up or not. So far its been a good summer. All transfer ins look quality, at bargain prices. We just need a bit more. Still need a tall, physical striker (who doesnt?) and a creative offensive minded midfielder.

The pieces are in place. They just need a few bit more.

I feel like a really good team is going to go down his year. Southampton are definitely in peril.

 

Posted (edited)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/08/29/southamptons-214m-cody-gapko-bid-rejected-psv/

Southampton's £21.4m Cody Gakpo bid rejected by PSV as rivals hover

 

Unfortunately, Saints are trying to do it on the cheap. All of our mid table competitors are spending like crazy. And everyone is getting better. Much better.

If we are simply unable to spend more it's becoming pretty obvious we don't belong in the PL.

Not sure how much longer we can continue on with such a small transfer budget.

Edited by yoladu
Posted (edited)

this morning has been crazy.... potentially 5 new signees eminent. 

  • Gakpo (would be record signing)
  • Bade (Loan - option to buy)
  • Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Loan - option to buy)
  • Edozie (Man City youngster)
  • Larios (Man City youngster)

FbfuhxyWAAYIJaQ?format=jpg&name=small

Edited by yoladu
Posted

well that was a dramatic 24 hours with the whole Gapko thing...Southampton were in rarified air there for a moment. Well back to earth.

https://theathletic.com/3556650/2022/09/01/cody-gakpo-leeds-southampton/

PSV decide against selling Cody Gakpo

Southampton met PSV's evaluation, but PSV then got cold feet. Didn't help that he scored a hat trick last night against FC Volendam.

Sucks.. he would have completely changed the trajectory of Southampton's season, IMO

 

Posted

Maitland-Niles joins Southampton on loan

Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles has joined Southampton on loan for the season with an option to buy.

 

lcimg-4b453099-f32c-4a60-805a-70c441af71c2.jpeg

 

Posted (edited)

the Saint youth movement continued with the deadline day singing of Sam Edozie from City, age 19. Got in the game last weekend and looked very lively!

 

 

Edited by yoladu
  • 4 weeks later...
Posted
  • Wolves 1 - 0 Southampton
  • Villa 1 - 0 Southampton
  • Southampton 1 -2 Everton

three anemic performances in a row against teams you should be beating.

grumble, grumble, grumble

Hasenhuttl may not last to the World Cup.

 

  • 1 month later...
  • 4 weeks later...
Posted (edited)

Southampton were in talks to sign Gapko and Ramos both this summer.

https://www.the-sun.com/sport/6861180/southampton-transfer-ramos-gakpo-world-cup/

‘Spare a thought for Southampton’ – Fans all say same thing as it emerges Saints tried to sign Gakpo and Ramos in summer

Quote

Another replied: "We were in for Ramos and Gakpo and got neither and now are in 19th while they both tear up the World Cup. Sadness abounds."

 

Edited by yoladu
  • 4 weeks later...
Posted

Here is to a miserable calendar year for Southampton under new owners Sports Republic.

fewest points (31) of any English Club at any level in 2022.

spacer.png

 

we are going down.

Posted

Nathan Jones era.. 

3 PL matches - 3 losses, Goals 2 For, 7 Against

I fear what will happen when the new manager bounce wears off. 🙄

Just shoot this team now, it's over.

Posted (edited)
56 minutes ago, yoladu said:

Nathan Jones era.. 

3 4 PL matches - 3 4 losses, Goals 2 3 For, 7 9 Against

I fear what will happen when the new manager bounce wears off. 🙄

Just shoot this team now, it's over.

Corrected. Worse than I originally posted . Nathan Jones was a terrible appointment by Sports Republic. Every big decision they have made since taking ownership has been a disaster.

Sean Dyche in to save Saints?

Edited by yoladu
Posted (edited)

Southampton is desperately trying to change the trajectory of the season so far.

Winter transfer positional targets Striker, Central midfield, attacking midfield, CB

so far midfield players are in.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64216310

  • Carlos Alcaraz: Southampton have signed midfielder for £12m, say Racing Club

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64188095

  • Mislav Orsic: Southampton sign Croatia winger from Dinamo Zagreb

 

of course it is all being done on the cheap, so these players are very much a crap shoot.

Edited by yoladu
Posted

Striker targets:

Beto - Udinese (possible)

Terem Moffi - Lorient (probably too expensive)

Chuba Akpom - Middlesbrough (leading goal scorer in the Championship this season) -- We'll never learn.

  • 4 weeks later...
Posted

second exciting signing... 6'-7" Paul Onuachu - Striker..

funny tweet.. He is gonna be interesting to watch.

Peter Crouch, Part II (another former Saint)

Giraffe GIF

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Saints 1 - 2 Wolves

1) at home

2) against a relegation rival

3) starting 4 of our winter signings

4) up 1-0, while wolves down to 10 men. 

5) lose

Nathan Jones out. We are going down. 
 

I am usually an optimist guy, but we are done. There is has been no joy in watching this club for a long time. 

miserable. 

Posted

Today was an enormous missed opportunity. 

I didn’t watch, but I noticed all of those things (except for starting 4 signings) when looking at the box score and the table. 

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted (edited)

It will be warmer :) the whole "We March Marsch On" will go on and on and on (hopefully)

Marsch is about the best option out there -  believe it or not. Re: Leeds current manager search

I like his positivity and the way he carries himself. Most supporters are divided 50-50 on the appointment. Can't make everyone happy. I am on board though.

No one will blame him for us going down. Will be a hero of course if he keeps us up.

Edited by yoladu
  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted

consensus on the Leeds board is that Southampton has players that better fit Marsch's system.

12 minutes ago, yoladu said:

I like his positivity and the way he carries himself. Most supporters are divided 50-50 on the appointment. Can't make everyone happy. I am on board though.

 

I mean, he only was successful at Salzburg where he had a significant talent advantage (the rest of the Austrian Bundesliga is worse than both the Championship and MLS). His Leipzig and Leeds teams didn't have that and he struggled. 

Posted (edited)
41 minutes ago, The Dog said:

consensus on the Leeds board is that Southampton has players that better fit Marsch's system.

I mean, he only was successful at Salzburg where he had a significant talent advantage (the rest of the Austrian Bundesliga is worse than both the Championship and MLS). His Leipzig and Leeds teams didn't have that and he struggled. 

i think the thought amongst many supporters and the Southampton Board is they have brought on players of enough quality to stay up and team management is what is lacking. Whether Jesse has that or not remains to be seen. Detractors do note, his last two gigs ended in sacking (a 5 month and a 12 month tenure) - teams that had marginal talent when compared to top teams in their  respective league. Southampton is not different in that respect - so that is a definite red flag.

Southampton squad quality-wise is not that much different than most of the bottom 10 is the thought. of course that is a matter of much debate. But you hear comments like, "with this roster a good manager could keep this lot up". However, in regards to roster - i still think striker and goalkeeping has been this year's achilles heal that Ralph and Jones could not overcome.

The WHINING of the Starting XI/formation announced the hour before matches is palpable on Southampton boards. Most thinking Ralph and especially Jones would never get it right. - wrong formation, wrong players, in wrong positions. Maybe that happens incessantly in most if not all PL fan boards, i dont know.

Edited by yoladu
Posted
2 hours ago, yoladu said:

It's not happening.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12811739/jesse-marsch-talks-between-former-leeds-boss-and-southampton-break-down

Jesse Marsch: Talks between former Leeds boss and Southampton break down

we deserve to go down.

Halt Marsch!

About Face!

My guess is that he wanted time to bring them back up in case they went down and they didn’t want to commit in case of one or the other.

Posted (edited)

“Ruben Selles will now take charge of Southampton for their Premier League trip to Chelsea on Saturday. The 39-year-old is highly regarded internally at Southampton and is well-liked by senior figures and the playing squad. There was always confidence that Selles could take Southampton’s trip to Chelsea if no appointment had been made by then.

In a training session on Monday, Selles made it known to some players that they needed to step up their efforts or, given the size of the first team, may not play again this season. His direct, thorough approach to work is appreciated by players.

Apparently they had what they needed right there all along.

https://theathletic.com/4205353/2023/02/15/southampton-jesse-marsch-talks-break-down/?amp=1

Edited by Napoleon
Posted

Just waltzing into Stamford Bridge and picking up ALL 3 POINTS.

No Big Deal.

Southampton sored up from last place with 15 points to 20th place and 18 points. Before they needed 5 points to be out of the drop zone and now they only need 4 points. Baby steps, but going in the right direction with a big win. 

Posted (edited)

Massive 3 points yesterday. 

  • The bottom 3 all won Saturday - not sure when the last time that happened. So, winning was crucial.
  • Ruben Selles as caretaker manager seems confident and cool headed. If Saints beat Leeds next weekend I reckon he will stay on the rest of the season.
  • It is possible (incredibly).. that Southampton could be 17th at the end of the day next Saturday if 3 things happen.
    • Bournemouth (17) loses to City - likely
    • West Ham (18) loses to Forest - toss up
    • Leeds (19) loses to Saints (20) - toss up
  • With 18 points and 15 matches to go, the safety target is 38 points.. so find 20 points  in 15 matches
    • 5 wins, 5 draws, 5 losses - that is a big hill to climb

trying to stay optimistic 

image.jpeg.041da1a45698ab02f2d11965bfcc5714.jpeg

sauve, so sauve

Edited by yoladu
Posted
59 minutes ago, yoladu said:

Massive 3 points yesterday. 

  • The bottom 3 all won Saturday - not sure when the last time that happened. So, winning was crucial.
  • Ruben Selles as caretaker manager seems confident and cool headed. If Saints beat Leeds next weekend I reckon he will stay on the rest of the season.
  • It is possible (incredibly).. that Southampton could be 17th at the end of the day next Saturday if 3 things happen.
    • Bournemouth (17) loses to City - likely
    • West Ham (18) loses to Forest - toss up
    • Leeds (19) loses to Saints (20) - toss up
  • With 18 points and 15 matches to go, the safety target is 38 points.. so find 20 points  in 15 matches
    • 5 wins, 5 draws, 5 losses - that is a big hill to climb

trying to stay optimistic 

image.jpeg.041da1a45698ab02f2d11965bfcc5714.jpeg

sauve, so sauve

Were “we” going for:

Suave, so suave.”?

…or…

Salve, so salve.” for your wounds?

Posted

Leeds 1 - 0 Southampton.

lose on a very soft goal. Our goalkeeping is a big reason why we are going down.

After all the momentum of the Chelsea win, the team came out flat for some goddamn reason. Could have pushed on to 18th place with 3 points. Looking more and more dire. 

£126m spent since summer and this is the end product?

 

Posted

Southampton 1 - 0 Leicester

Somehow got a very much needed 3 points on a  gorgeous finish from Alcaraz.

A likely very angry Man U coming up this Sunday.

The bottom of the table really bunched up this weekend w/ Saints moving out of 20th place - 9 teams within 6 points of each other.

image.png.c57eade8d1491723b6ba3eeabee309bd.png

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Southampton 0 - 2 Brentford

66% possession, with only 1 shot on target. Lots of fannying about with 2 moments where Saints switched off defensively.

 

This loss was familiar in a lot of ways, but the ramifications feel very different.

losing what little optimism I had left.

  • 3 weeks later...

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