I really want to believe him. But past few years have shown it's about doing not saying. If we keep this side together I will have so much belief. Even without new signings imagine lining up next season with Forster Cedric VVD Caceres/Yoshida Bertrand Romeu JWP Redmond Tadic Boufal Gabby
There will be no firesale ... now, where have we heard that before? As much as I love our board, whatever they publically say, the opposite seems to happen.
Apart from Ralph went on talkSPORT and said that Jay and Morgan will not be sold. And they weren't sold.
As much as this is Saints tinted rosey glasses, I don't actually think Virgil, who lets be honest will be the first name out the door if we sell someone, wants to actively leave. I think he would be happy with another season.
No firesale, but if the right bid comes in, a player will go. All depends on our valuation of the right bid. Although, I don't think there will be many players who think they could get it better elsewhere, bar Virg, and he seems pretty grounded so I'm hopeful of another season out of him.
If this could be the first summer where we actually keep every player we want that would be brilliant. The only one in danger of leaving is VVD, keep him and add a few and we could really do well next season.
Isn't a firesale when lots of things (players in this case) are sold? The only 2 I can see leaving (as they are the main ones I can see attracting interest from the bigger clubs) are Van Dijk and Bertrand. If they were both to leave for big money then it wouldn't really be a firesale in many people's eyes
A good interview. Saints have moved to longer contracts....that is a sign that we intend to keep teams together for longer. And although we sold several good players in recent seasons, we made some wait an extra season...such as Morgan, Victor and Sadio. And although we have a good side, not many are the out and out stars that attract huge offers...ignoring Gabby who has only just signed, I can only think of Virgil (and I think he will stay next year). I can see no reason why any player would leave us for a team outside the top 6 (unless they want to go abroad). A lot of fans forget we are a business and you can never say never in business....things change...a player wants to leave, the money is right and we can see a good replacement. It is how we do and how we stick to principles over the long term. Too many fans (who are probably reasonable adults and make compromises in real life all the time) are too ready to revert to childhood....'it's not fair and it's not what you said before'. We are well run and we will be fine, but no one can promise gold every season.
I'm not even sure about Bertrand. I think he still has to go another rung up the ladder yet, until the big boys look at him. And in any event, Chelsea and Spurs as a minimum don't need a new LB. Whilst Arsenal could do with spending their money elsewhere, other than on replacing Monreal. In my book, Virgil is the only player who the big boys would be looking at. So yes, by default, Ralph is right. We won't be seeing another summer of mass sales. (Might be a different story in summer 2018 though!)
I'm not going to get into an argument about it, as I don't like criticising the board, but 9 times out of 10, what they say publically, the opposite will happen.
You can't really say "I'm not going to discuss this" and then quote an arbitrary made up statistic. That's Trump-style at it's finest!
Actions speak louder than words, though we *appear* to be in a better position than previous Summers. Still think Virgil will go, though I'd love to get another year out of him.
Out of interest, how many sales would you class as a firesale? Playing devils advocate what happens if the 'right bid' comes in 3 or so players?
Not using the word firesale as literal; so I mean when a load of first team players are sold. I.e. that season we lost Lallana et al. We've then lost what, two key players per season since on average? Depends who the 3 players are obviously. Van Dijk, Bertrand, Tadic, would be different to Martina, Long, H. Reed. I fully expect Rodriguez and Martina to leave. Noting we've already lost Fonte this season.
Well he does say "...we can keep the core of this team moving forward for a few years" which would suggest that one or two players will move on if the bids come in. We're Southampton and if VVD is wanted by ManUre or Chelski and he wants to go all the best intentions in the world or the outrage and upset by supporters won't make a difference. He'll go. No point sweating it.
