I can’t see him being treated like Lallana because the circumstances are very different. When Lallana left we had just finished a promising season and looked like we could push on and the fanbase was optimistic about the future with the players we had. When we go down any player who leaves to play at a higher level is understandable (even though the Lallana/Lovren/Shaw etc moves were understandable as well, I just think the fans were pissed off as it was when we thought it was possible to build something in the PL)
Right. And 50m is a lot of money for a player, who, free kicks aside, perhaps isn't worth much more than 25m, especially being 29 years old this year.
I'd be very surprised if he sticks around too. He could have jumped ship years ago as it's not like we've suddenly hit an iceberg, we've been on the decline for years whilst his stock has been at it's highest. Certainly wouldn't begrudge him moving on, and he absolutely should go down a Saints hero regardless of his decision.
I can't be arsed to look up the stats but how many points have his free kicks earned us over the years?, maybe we would already be relegated this season and possibly last season too.
I don’t see any possibility of JWP staying if we go down. He is at the peak of his career and has a Premier League record in his sights. I wouldn’t blame him either, end of the day he is a professional and is one of the few players I believe has given it his all during a poor period, he only has about another 3-5 years of the peak of his career to go, he’s made over 400 appearances for Saints, he deserves to play in the PL.
You can bet your bottom dollar that the media will lose all interest in the record until a 'popular club player' gains the record, not likely for a long time but just saying.
He earns a lot of points for us because he's our star player. Would he even be a starter for the likes of Spurs, Liverpool, Newcastle? Also, most other teams have established FK takers; Trippier, TAA, Kane. So he wouldn't be as valuable to another team, relatively speaking.
And free kicks aren’t exactly prolific goal scoring opportunities either. What is he on? 17 in his PL career of roughly 8/9 years? Sure playing for a better team he would’ve had more chances to score from them but scoring an average of around 2 a season wouldn’t make many clubs go “let’s sign him”. I know pundits wax lyrical about his corner and non direct free kick delivery as well, but we know we never score from them. Could be the ability of the players he’s crossing to so again he might get more assists at a better side, but again not another huge factor in the “let’s sign him” debate for a top team. Someone like West Ham/Everton I could see him going to if they are willing to pay the £40m or whatever it is we would most likely want for him, but I doubt it will be one of the top teams unless they need to update their English quota
Or maybe we could have got better players with the money for JWP? With our record, maybe, maybe not, but I have long thought JWPs value is overstated, and am looking forward to a good old refresh from top to bottom. We’ve needed it since 2017.
JWP would fit in wonderfully with Newcastle and they would easily pay another £1m a year to his already massive wages
I reckon if he had a single player Infront of him playing at his standard he would easily get 12-15 assists per season. His all round game isuch improved on 5 years ago. In fact since he has been captain he has been nothing short of a true professional with an unbelievable work ethic. Can't believe the stick he gets it should be so obvious he, Lavia and KWP are playing at a different level to anyone else in our squad.
I think that Tall Paul in particular would benefit from his service and it needs to be looked at for a longer period, Ruben's "Ralphball" is not really bearing any fruit offensively at the moment anyway.
Hmm I don't see that Paul is good enough for the PL to be honest. He has terrible movement and despite his height loses a crazy amount of aerial duels. Our stalwart attacking player this season has one assist and zero goals and is lauded for his defensive accumen. Shambles.
If you just want to do football with LOLZ, appoint Warnock/McCarthy with Holloway as assistant. I'll pass, personally!
Except that probably after Jones sacking, as a short term measure until the end of the season, either one of those guys are more likely to have kept us up by kicking arse. Not mentioned by you but I'm pretty sure Dyche would have done. I do concede that neither of them are viable long term prospects
We really can't say that with any certainty. I wouldn't have wanted "Hollowords" but Mick McCarthy can kick arse, which is what some of our players need and Warnock can be inspirational. It's all about opinions and I respect yours but let's be honest Selles, who seems a decent enough chap, has not kicked us on. Dyche I would definitely have welcomed. All hypothetical mate but we needed experience post Jonah imo.
I get what you’re saying, but McCarthy just got booted by Blackpool after three months in charge, and two wins in fourteen. I think his goose is cooked.
