Good lad - but I can't help but feel that many fans will feel these comments are too little, too late
Glad he's made it public how we welcomed him into the world of football superbly. At first I was angry to see him say how much he wanted to join Arsenal a few months ago but he's gained a lot of respect from me and I'm sure many other saints fans.
I think he's always been genuine and his comments before leaving us weren't really that bad. He simply said that he felt ready to play in the Premiership and moving to a club like Arsenal would appeal to him. His timing wasn't good, but I imagine he was under huge pressure from his dad and agent to push the deal along. Think the lad has sensible head on his shoulders and I have never felt at all upset about him moving on. Saints got a great deal, we've not missed him, he's at a big club, everyone's happy really.
I'd really like him to be a big success.... just after getting knocked out the League Cup at St Mary's
Totally agree - the days of one club players a la MLT are over. The fact that Le Tissier stayed with us was great, the amount of seasons his goals kept us up were too numerous to mention but for the player , how many competition medals did he acquire with us, none. Not that that will ever bother Matt too much due to his pretty laid back character and what was the importance to stay close to home Every player has his price...this is why NC has taken the prudent step of tieing our key players to long term contracts and why we received such a good fee for AOC
I have a little hope inside that Adam Lallana does the one club trick... alot will depend on our progress as a team to match his progress though.
For the record, I'm not bitter, think we got a great deal and we don't miss him etc. But that doesn't stop me finding this funny - please log in to view this image
Still don't like him or his dad,i don't hate him because life's too short but i've really got no interest in the boy.Heard he kissed the arsenal badge when he scored the other day,what a load of b*ll**ks! This is my opinion like all you have had yours so don't lambast me,it's just the way i feel.
You are allowed an opinion... just check its the right one before posting though It is hard when someone leaves. Steve Williams was my hero and I was about 14 or 15 when he left. I honestly didn't know what to think when he went; I was upset. I booed hime when he came back the first time with Arsenal and got sent off at The Dell for mouthing at the ref (unlike him, not), but gradually I realised that he was still my favourite player. I look back now and think I was a little hasty to boo him, but always remember him fondly and as my all time Saints favourite. I think it was just a slightly immature reaction from me as a teenager at the time he left.
But having a loyal legend like MLT certainly helps inspire other players to be loyal, as does playing for our youth academy. Take Andrew Surman. He lived locally and was living the "Roy-of-the-rovers" dream and was only sold to help balance the books. Will La-la shows us the same loyalty? He certainly seems to have. There's plenty of clubs that could have come in for him in the close season, but he chose to stay with Saints. As long as we are playing well and showing ambition, as long as we treat our players well, there are plenty of players that could and hopefully will stay loyal. Money isn't everything. Sure, you can earn more elsewhere, but you might rot on the bench for a big name team instead of playing for fans that shower you with adulation for loyalty, skill and commitment.
I think the only time that Lallanas head will be turned slightly is if one of the big boys come in for him,anyone else then he knows that saints can compete with them in a couple of years.The teams that i have seen linked with him in the past are wolves,birmingham and fulham,now anyone who knows anything about football will know that saints can offer him the same if not better prospects than those 3 clubs.Still don't think he will go anyway,he loves the club,his family love the club and support them,he's gonna be a millionaire one day anyway so why not do it by playing for the club you love?
I really think that Lallana will stay. Always a Southern lad Always had a good word for Saints an given his all every game 100%!
Must admit that pic is rather cringe-inducing....the boy's learning. All footy players do it, the difference is that characters like Lallana MEAN it, it would appear
Don't see the problem with the photo. For all we know, he might well be an Arsenal fan! I know as a Saints fan, i've kissed the badge on my shirt many a time! If Cork, De Ridder or Fox did the same in a Saints shirt, would we have the same opinion? Don't think we would.
