http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/05/1...-defender-jack-stephens-may-be-on-the/page/1/ Piece reworking a Telegraph article suggesting that Stephens could be on the move. It damns him with faint praise by using the qualifier 'fairly' quite often. Giving it credence for a moment...it would depend on whether the club adjudge him as about as good as he will get and/or we need room for a better CB (even at the back up level). The article talks about us making a good profit on him....that may be true, but it could be even bigger if we think he will improve further....and the main point is whether he is good for the team now. Unless the team and club is about to have a major overhaul, letting Stephens go at the moment would be an odd one IMO.
Particularly as you don't need to play Gabbiadini as an out-and-out striker. We haven't seen it that much, but he's pretty capable with the ball at his feet, and wandering in from a wide position is a lovely way to attract less attention (or draw defenders off a poacher like Iheanacho).
It is really annoying seeing the media claim every summer that we are going to sell all our players. Although, I can partially understand it as we have brought this reputation on ourselves by, well, selling all our players.
Whether they would really sell or even if we would pay that much I am really not sure. But let us hope it bloody happens. The kid looks incredible.
If I was a cynical old sod, I would suggest that his agent is looking for an improved contract by linking him with a move. Personally I think Jack has shown more than enough this season to warrant a new improved contract as we know we need four decent CBs in the squad due to injuries, suspensions and we can give both cups a real go next season instead of throwing the FA match like we did this season
Total speculation, as is the original Telegraph article. Both rework answers to questions given by the manager so that they appear uncertain. The rest is just building rumour upon rumour. Really, I would have thought the Daily Telegraph was better than that. Still, Saints are ripe for this sort of stuff, and until they become a different club, where we can all laugh at unsubstantiated rumour, safe in the knowledge that 99% of the bullshit will lead to nothing more, they will continue to be the 'go to' club for it.
Was just thinking of the list of players who are, or have been, rumoured to leave Saints in the past season. Let's see: Forster, Cedric, Cuco, Van Dijk, Stephens, Bertrand, Romeu, JWP, McQueen, Redmond, Rodriguez, Long, Isgrove. And that's off the top of my head. Think I've done reasonably well, though I've probably left out a few. Laughably, I think I remember correctly reading a report after the Home Boro game, where Boufal scored a cracker, that they praised him and speculated how long Saints would be able to keep him. And he'd only just got into the side.! That's how ridiculous this rumour mill has got about this club. The media, even the responsible media, will continue to speculate how long Saints can keep any player who pokes his head above the mediocre. It has to stop, or at the very least, drop to a level consistent with every other PL club. Saints continued 'working below the radar' stance does not work in this respect. The radar stoops pretty low.
So you started our having a moan about the media and then agreeing that they probably have a good case . Sorry that made me smile... and no offense intended! It almost reminds me of the "whatever did the Romans do for us?" sketch from Monty Python.
I can see why they do it and still be annoyed by it. They don't negate each other. I can see why we sell our players every season and I'm still annoyed by that!
If not posted before, this was funny http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/news/45695/#undefined.gbpl
Used to annoy me too - but have come to accept that the club will do what he thinks it needs to do to survive and, although, not a recipe for sustainable growth and success - we have to live with it.
Well we don't have an option to not accept it really, there is nothing we can do about it other than stop turning up and supporting he club which, for me, is not an option. I live in hope that one day we will be able to keep hold of our players a bit longer; you never know what the future holds.
I've always felt it is a recipe for sustained growth. The more we sell players to big clubs the more talented players and highly rated youth will want to come here to prove themselves, and the more we can pay them. It does rely on our scouting department to choose the right candidates though or you risk going backwards. edit: and i don't think its the nicest growth strategy from a fans perspective.
Boudebouz been linked a few times. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footb...pton-everton-newcastle-battling-sign-10435597
