I'm wary of criticising Forster as there may be underlying issues which may have stopped him playing for anyone. Employers do have responsibilities to employees. I like McCarthy and he is a great GK to have as back up at our level, but he probably deserves to go where he will get regular games. Be interesting to see if any incoming keeper serves as a back up to Gunn or a replacement. We must remember Gunn is young for a keeper...I think he is/will be a very good keeper.
I guess so Fran, but I actually enjoy the transfer window when it gets in full swing so am itching to see some comings and goings.
I'm getting cynical about Saints and transfer windows....rarely exciting and always incredibly sloooooooow.
I have to live in hope of exciting developments, because otherwise I could quite easily stop being interested in football. I've had most of my love for the game sucked out of me already - Saints are the last bastion of interest in the sport and I still delude myself that any of it really matters in the big scheme of things
BIG FAT RALPH WAS LEFT ON THE SHELF HUGHES WAS SHOWN THE DOOR THE SHELF FOR RALPH NO MORE That's all i got, some one else can finish it.
The first month after the season ends is usually the quietest as most of the club are on their holibobs.
As I have said before, we do need a serious clear out but we have to find clubs desperate enough to take our long list of overpaid rejects. It isn’t going to be easy and we won’t get much into our transfer coffers if we do. Tough job for whoever is in charge of our transfer dealings
I read somewhere that Messi topped all stat charts in La Liga apart ffrom ok successful dribbles or something, where he was behind Boufal. Now stats can be ****, so I take it with a pinch of salt, however.... I still want us to be able to sing “So so Sofiane, so So Sofiane, you’ve got me rocking and a rolling Sofiane”
What makes Boufal unique among our loanees is that you can not only see that he has the talent to be a really good player, but you can kinda see the pathway. I don't think the same can be said about a Hoedt, a Carrillo, a Clasie, or a Cedric, though there's a huge difference between seeing that path and following it. If he can be focused on what he does well -- beating people, ideally within a couple seconds rather than after a prolonged staredown -- and played far enough up the field that he doesn't feel obliged to try to go through a whole defense, you can make a player out of him. It's entirely possible that his bad habits are too ingrained to be cut out. But it's worth a try, because whereas the others are some refinement away from being functional, Boufal's some refinement away from being a real player. Zaha's an example there...he had no end product until he started getting himself to places on the field where he didn't need to beat seven guys in order to have an end product.
I want to see Sofiane Boufal back at Southampton. Then again, we have Carillo under contract, and so we might as well give him a proper shot under Ralph too. Incidentally, here is some of what Sofiane has been doing whille he's been away: That first goal you see him score is absolutely gorgeous. I'll see if I can find a Carillo recent compilation.
Wonder how Boufal feels about it...will he welcome a chance to prove himself under a (hopefully) more suitable manager or will he decide he'd rather look elsewhere. I know in theory he has no choice as he is under contract, but in reality his attitude is important...if not committed, better to find out sooner and move on.
I hope he has the same attitude as Redmond when looking to turn over a new leaf. Ralph seems like the type of manager that can help him live up to his talent if he is committed to improving. It would also require his team mates to give him a fresh start. I remember talk of divisions and fallings out with Boufal and others that are still here, so that’s an important barrier to get past. I hope it works out, but won’t be surprised if it doesn’t. As Fran says, be interesting to know Boufals mindset. It all starts with him. If he’s not up for it here, Ralph won’t keep him around long.
Sofiane Boufal's close control, dribbling and ability with both feet can be frightening. If he has the right attitude, Ralph is the sort of guy who can get the best out of him. I can't help but think a high intensity, fast pressing and quick counter-attack set-up would be absolutely perfect for him, where he's the out ball up with a striker, not sitting too deep in the midfield. He just needs to work on releasing the ball faster. A lot faster. A lot of people seem to mistakenly support the misconception that he's lazy. I tend to think he is just a bit petulant and he definitely needs to learn to release the ball sooner. Would definitely be willing to give him another go in the new system for next season.
