Agreed. I think before the Spurs game, the fans/questions would have been quite positive. I think that result and the Che news will make the fans who are going much less hopeful. Wonder if there will be positive news conveniently just before the forum?
The proof is in the pudding. What I mean is, we don't actually know we are being well-run until the results begin to improve. I do agree, that it appears we are being well-run, but there is a significant chance that this whole youth-experiment goes absolutely tits-up, and we get relegated.
Maybe the Spurs result was a blessing in disguise. It will hopefully give Ralph and the squad a big kick up the arse.
oh i think theres more to it than results tbf. we have been through a pretty tight period overall and it only starting to come right financially.
The Athletic: Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has caught the attention of other Premier League clubs and could leave before the transfer window closes next month, reports Dan Sheldon. Southampton are open to offers for McCarthy, who has one England cap from 2018, and there has already been interest in the player. Including McCarthy, Southampton have four goalkeepers on their books — Gavin Bazunu, Willy Caballero and Mateusz Lis are the other three. McCarthy signed a three-year contract extension last summer and is among the club’s highest earners.
What a genius move that would be. Sign him to a new contract to prevent him leaving on a free then sell him a few months later!
I think the long term future is looking decent. But the short term future is a bit ropey, to say the least. It could well be that we make £30m profit from Bella-Kotchap some day. But was it wise to spend £20m on two players (ABK and Mara) who might not be ready to make an impact for quite a while?
I'm expecting Mara to play this weekend tbh. Think he was only left out on Saturday due to it still being so recent that he'd joined.
If this is the final squad at the end of the window then it is a huge risk. Still 3 weeks to go and I’m sure everyone is hopeful of some more additions. We have obviously told these young players they will be getting game time though so can see them featuring a lot (unless it’s another Small situation)
I agree with you but to be fair I'm not sure the Athletic report goes quite that far. The exact quote I've seen is "A penny for the thoughts of Che Adams, unused off the bench and untrusted, who The Athletic understands the club are willing to move on this summer." The fact he's not played does suggest something is up but it could be there's a legit, somewhat tempting offer on the table from Forest or Leeds and he wants to go. So it may be that rather than the club actively looking to sell.
I’m intrigued as to what he’s actually done to catch the attention of other clubs! He made 17 appearances last season, conceding 27 goals. He did keep 5 clean sheets though. As Tom says though, if we get a decent offer for him as a result of the contract extension, fair play to the club.
McCarthy one of our highest earners? Christ, I thought the board were supposed to know what they were doing these days.
I think as a former Saints player, Chris Nicol had the club ethos. It was always a mystery to me that he was sacked. IIRC he still holds the record for our highest ever top division league finish.
Please let it be Leicester. In this instance, selling to another relegation rival would be extremely positive.
A bit risky seeing as Bazunu is unproven? I get that McCarthy isn’t going to set the world on fire but you kind of know what you’re getting.
I think Bazunu is relatively proven. International caps and a full season of football (be that in a lower division). I have no problem with him being our number one keeper (though I worry about his confidence getting shot by our defence, but that would be true of any keeper).
