All I can say is thank the lord! The standing your ground experiment has been a total disaster and undermined the club ethos. The stepping stone thing worked - even though I really, really hate it. This new hodge podge approach is a disaster. Buy good players, bring through youth, sell for profit. Repeat. If what we have seen this year is the alternative, I am okay with the above!!!
Not sure it's been a total disaster and each case could turn out differently. Sometimes you have to fight for what you believe.
This wasn't a new approach though. We did the exact same with Schneiderlin, Mane, Clyne and Wanyama. Most likely Bertrand too. They wanted out and clubs were in for them but we refused to talk and made them stay an extra season. The difference here is that VVD was returning from a very serious injury and hasn't returned in the same form so fans think he has been **** because he hasn't tried (which may not be 100% untrue). I think we have played this well. We ha e shown we won't be pushed about be a player or bigger club - we have also shown that if you want a saints player you are going to have to pay well over the odds and break world records!
The issue is we desperately needed money, new players and enthusiasm from existing players without any distractions from the get go. Our 'easy start' fell apart and we are in danger of a bottom 6 finish. **** football. Awful manager. Hopefully this is the start of better things. MP2 out next, please.
Not so sure mate, VVD isn't just an average Saints player, he was clearly the most valuable asset to you. So you're saying if we wanted Redmond we'd have to pay well over the odds? I doubt it. He's a 20mil winger, it's a big difference.
Not sure I'd personally want him, I think he'd give us an extra option and be a good squad player but I certainly don't see us breaking the bank to get him.
Why has it been a total disaster? I would argue that the constant high turnover of players is a factor in our seemingly lacking team spirit.
Liverpool fan In peace, sorry that we keep taking your players. It is a bit embarrassing for both sides. I do like your club and the system you try to do things. The youth system you have and the way your scouts get great players to play for a great club like yours is second to none. From a selfish point of view I'm happy to get van dijk, but fully aware of how **** it is to lose your top players. It's funny isn't it because if football wasn't about money and buying players then your club would probably be up there as one of the best in the country because you DEVELOP players. Good luck for the rest of the season and hope you finish strongly
Is 'Pellegrino out' the consensus among the majority of fans now or do people still want to give him the season? I think a while back people were split but I don't follow all the threads on this site.
Not embarrassing for us mate, players we have bought for about 30m in total, sold to you within a couple of years for about 170m. I am sure there is only one of us who should be embarrassed.
Depends on the way you look at it. One thing you can't deny is if some of the ones who have left didn't leave then you'd be even higher in the league
