I agree, genuine PL goalscorers are like goldust and his all round game is so much better than Chaz for example. I think that his injuries this season have been a little overstated, he has only missed 7 league games completely I think and any player can pick up a hammy at any time.
As much as I want a top quality striker, who can hold the ball up, bring others into the game, create chances for himself as well as others, and, yes, score a few himself, I still can’t get away from the fact that we more desperately need play makers. Game changers, who can beat players in a crowded midfield, draw defenders out of position, and play in strikers for genuine goal scoring chances. The main reason why we are so desperate for a top, top striker, is because we don’t create enough “easy” chances for our average strikers, who can’t be relied on to put away the few half chances that come their way, during a game. The hope seems to be that a better quality striker would convert some of the half chances, which isn’t a given. This isn’t to say that I don’t want a striker, as described in my first paragraph, I just don’t see bringing in a great striker being the end to our goal scoring issues, if we don’t have the players to provide the chances.
More than anything else, we need a leader in defence. Saturday proved that, actually, we can break down a well drilled, determined side who pack their own area; but that was wasted because they got in our 18 yard box twice and scored twice.
Nice to see MOTD putting a realistic analysis of the Saints -v- Cardiff match. They suggested we’re still going in the right direction but unlucky to meet up against a Cardiff side determined to reverse their own recent tragedy. For all the criticism of GAO, I never ever want to be associated with a team that buys success by throwing money around. We’ve long since concluded that the only sustainable way to run our club is to live within our means. A lot of our investment therefore goes into the academy and gambling relatively modest amounts on youngsters from home and abroad that can be developed. Our mistake, IMO, was not poor signings but failing to have anyone who has the skills and belief to coach younger players. Now we have Ralph doing just that, I see no point in going back and over analysing previous mistakes. In the time that Ralph has been here there has been an immense improvement on and off the pitch. Continuing the present rate of improvement we will survive despite the occasional (what seems like) disastrous setback.
I don’t want to support a club that just spends money wastefully like some clubs but if you don’t invest in your business it will fail. I’d like to hear where all the TV money has gone. If we can only sell to buy then I see little chance to improve our situation. No VVD’s left to sell. There should be lots of TV money around and maybe 20% per year could be put towards first team players instead of just sell to buy.
So just so I understand, if some multi billionaire comes in a buys us and spends millions of pounds on some of the best players in Europe and we go on a win the Premier League, the European Championship and the FA cup within two seasons, you would not want to be associated, because they throw their money around.
It will be fascinating to hear the fans' reaction to Ralph's squad preferences at the end of the season. I believe that he has improved the way the team play and we press with more conviction. Without doubt this style of play is generally good to watch. However, I have some major reservations about some of his judgement. I applaud him for identifying a suite of players with whom he has confidence and giving the youngsters a pop but letting Davis go was a mistake. He may have been released for financial reasons but surely he is a character the manager would have wanted around the club? I am not sure about releasing Cedric although I do like Valerie. The big error for me was letting so many players leave and not bringing in any replacements. It is worth considering that Ralph would have let Austin leave too if he had a buyer for him. The squad was too large and needed trimming but it also needed the addition of quality. A newer central defender was a must as was someone who could bang goals in. I think the midfield is ok, to be honest and we have two good goalkeepers as well. I am sometimes not 100% with Ralph's understanding of his squad albeit he is the first manager to unlock JWP's potential.. Thankfully we have got over the rotation scenario. I was shocked that no one came in during the window and that the players going out were largely on a loan deal. There have been some good performances under Ralph with Arsenal and Chelsea standing out for me. We rode our luck at Leicester with Long's goal being diverted in to the net by Schmeichel. The home performances recently have been a disappointment as we had a genuine chance to pull clear of the relegation zone. When he arrived, I believed we would end up mid-table but the Cardiff match and the closure of the transfer deadline has made me very pessimistic. It is unfortunate having Ings and Obefemi injured at the same time. I felt the latter showed genuine potential even though I see Ings as just another Austin insofar that he will rarely remain fit. My confidence has been dented by the last few weeks and the constant failure to win at home remains a real concern.
Hell, I'd settle for an owner that merely wants to run the club around break-even. Living within our means is fine, but that's not really what we're doing.
I think selling Gabbi was the right option, Brendy. He was a flash in the pan despite having an intelligent football brain. However, I just don't think he was the same for us after his initial injury. Long gives 100% and is a nuisance but he is not prolific enough. Both Ings and Austin are injury prone. I wish we would try some more youngsters up front. Ely remains an enigma. He reminds me a lot of Juanmi who seemed another waste or space yet I don't feel he deserved the vitriol on this board over the weekend as he was not on the pitch long enough to do anything. There were flashes of skill from him in the Derby game but he remains something of a luxury. I don't think we have seen the best from him and it is arguable whether he has been given a proper chance. I can appreciate the frustration with him yet it is very difficult to make a judgement on someone making cameo appearances in a poor squad. At the moment he does not look as good as some of the academy players but it must have something about him if we were tracking him for so long.
To be honest I’d quickly lose interest. As we've seen with some of the top clubs, it’s not sustainable because you just encourage others to pay more and inflate the market beyond our reach. With a mega rich owner the best we could hope for is a couple of years in the sun a bit like Leicester. I only support Saints because they have an identity that I like and I have already seen more cups finals and European trips than I ever dreamed possible.
It’s not just sell to buy though is it. That’s the Ralph H quote about getting the squad down to a manageable size. Ralph K I thought indicated Tv money AND transfer money was available to move the club forward. Just don’t expect Gao to put personal funds in (or take out come to that).
I agree with you mostly, but have real doubts about Ings being out too much, even though a fully fit Ings will be a fantastic asset!! In perspective, we’ve already got a few £M worth of players on loan and not doing anything to assist the cause. At least Ings is in the squad, but at the back of my head is a growing belief that the owner has a different game plan and only what happens after the season’s end will confirm or remove this nagging feeling that the Club is, as others have said a tradeable asset and a few years in the Championship seem more likely now.
I guess the proof is in the pudding. January came and went with only outs. As calculated in a different post the VVD money is gone and we are about even with Ings in. I’d love to see the summer be TV plus what we sell but the history indicates that is not a reasonable expectation.
