Have we really weakened the squad? Looks like we offload Long. He barely plays sand this season is more than poor. Vokins played 1 game. And Ferry has played a similar number of games as him - not much wrong with that. Not ideal, but no point in getting someone for the sake of it. Adding an extra player who is pretty good (taking his form before joining the best attack in world football), is going to help us score those goal things that we haven’t been so good at lately.
Hate to state the obvious but we have the same squad that you thought could qualify for Europe. Once we get past the injuries, a decent run is certainly not out of our reach. Apart from the Arsenal game, our high intensity game has not really faltered despite youngsters coming in.
I'm positive about the Minamino loan. Strikes me as someone who needs playing time, and his attitude and application at Liverpool seemed good, if nothing spectacular. Potentially exactly the kind of player who may do well at a team like Saints - with a great combination of many good omens: played at Salzburg - not many forward players who leave them to top clubs do badly as far as I can tell - which connects him to Ralph's homeland; has played Champions League level; had around a 1-in-3 goal record at Salzburg; and as mentioned above, could well fit nicely into a pressing style. Plus he'll want to impress - either his parent club or for a potential move down the road. Sort of player we might have bought anyway - Liverpool just skipped the middle man this time.
What makes you think that? We were overachieving in a period of time. Football is about 38 games and that is the only true reflection on possibilities. Not wishing to be rude and I love positive thinking, but you were dreaming. We have been great and I’ve loved watching us. It ain’t over yet anyway, just enjoy the ride. Much better than before and a situation that is just reality, a better reality than we’ve had for a while.
I thought we got a full back last window. KWP. Everyone was happy. And he'll be back soon as will Vesty - leaves Stephens, Ferry, JWP and Djenepo as cover.
Agreed, our squad isn't weaker....our starting eleven will be for a few weeks until the injuries improve. We are a mid table team, it's just we flirted with the top 6 for a few weeks. I personally would have kept Vokins and player Bertie at CB if needs be but that ships passed.
Note too that this run is not as bad as the run Koeman took us on before finishing 6th - can't remember the year, but the one where we just decided to lose all our games bar battering Arsenal over the Christmas period.
Whenever I have seen him play, he doesnt look that great. But hey, who the f**k am i? I am just a Saints fan, who believes in Ralph and the coaching and development staff, at the football club. If they want him, that's good enough for me. Lol
I still think it is possible to get europe spot this season. Out form going back is good. We have had the wind knocked out of us with injuries and in a rough patch but we are still a good team that plays some great football. We may be in 11th place now but string a couple of wins together and we a right back up there
My main concern - what if Beetrand breaks his leg tomorrow and ends his season? Whose going to cover him? It's all well and good saying Stephens and Diallo (or even Ferry) can cover him, but none of them are natural left back so are they decent long term options? It's a scary thought, and I'm not convinced. At least Vokins was a natural LB.
Nah not rude at all, dont worry there! Honestly believe with the form we were on over a sustained period of time, it was more than just overachieving in my book, that was our ability level with a fully fit squad. Still, i guess we could still qualify via the FA cup.
That could happen, but we always knew the numbers were right. We’re skint. We also clearly thought we had a deal in place and no, it’s not ideal, but **** happens
I disagree that there isn't a link there. Ralf Rangnick, who as you'll know more or less created the modern high-/counter-pressing philosophy that Ralph, Klopp, Tuchel etc. all went on to practice, and which revolutionised German football, is regularly cited as the biggest influence on Ralph's career. He was both Ralph's predecessor and replacement at RB Leipzig, and as head of sport and development at Red Bull would have had impact on the way RB teams like Salzburg and Leipzig play. Both Klopp and Ralph come from that same school of thought, so getting a player schooled in that style as far as back as the previous two clubs before Southampton, can only be a good thing. He should be more ready to hit the ground running in that style, and not need too much instruction or extra fitness training before he can start playing for us.
I'm fine with Minamino coming on board - could be a good signing for us, I have no doubt about that. I'm worried about the lack of FB cover... ...but I'm more worried about people thinking Djenepo is in any way cover for a full back position. He's not. Really, really not.
