I didn't mention Catholics, I said ROI internationals. Be surprised if even 5 have played for them this century and more than 10 ever. The bigotry still runs deep up there.
I don't see much of a difference tbh and Smallbone and Manning are mostly English. I think Martin wouldn't consider it in his purchases.
Is Manning mostly English? From Galway isn't he? I think it does have an impact tbh. Otherwise they'd have more regularly had ROI internationals play for them.
Was second top scorer in the Champ last season playing for Norwich which is pretty impressive given where they finished and that he’s not a striker. I did see a YouTube video talking about how last season was weird and maybe a new trend in that the goals scored last season across the league was very low, except for Leeds. The top scorer in the league was Piroe with 19, which is very low for a 46 game season and especially when you consider the points totals of the top teams. Made me feel even better about our strike force for this level
I was going say, if Manning is mostly English, then he is seriously cosplaying with his accent. Smallbone does have links to a Basingstoke IRA cell. can see Aribo wanting to go back, but his wages would take a fall. I’d imagine he’d see out his contract with us.
Skipper Stephens signs new deal | Southampton FC Official Site Honestly thought he'd be out the door, not signing a new deal. Just never felt he was captain material and if we get promoted he will be shown up again.
Pleased to see that Sainz is off to Porto. Norwich will struggle to replace him. In an ideal world, I'd have liked us to sign him - and £14m isn't an outrageous amount for a Championship club to pay - but realistically he was always going to move to someone bigger. If Norwich lose Sargent too (who is another one I'd have liked here - more so than Downs), then they're screwed. Even if they end up receiving £30m or so for the pair, it's asking a lot of adequately replace them both.
One thing I will say is that he has been a good servant to the club. He is prone to mistakes and a bit hot headed at times but if Will Still thinks he can still offer something to the club then so be it. I am neither overjoyed or upset about it. He clearly loves the club which is more than I can say about few of our other defenders in recent years.
Would take him over the likes of mercenaries like ABK & Salisu any day. We always need players like JS in the squad; maybe it's time to start transitioning away over the next couple of years given his age and our aspirations as a club, but players like him are important to have around.
David Ornstein reporting the KWP to Besiktas talks now. Still in negotiations rather than being close to an agreement, apparently
I guess it depends what he wants. He’s already done most things in the PL (been a starter at a midtable nothing side with us, been a starter in a relegation threatened side with us, been relegated with us, been a back up at a European side with Spurs). If he’s not going to be a starter at a European competing side and only at a mid table team then he might fancy doing something else. Competing for trophies as a starter, playing abroad and playing in the Champions League regularly at Besiktas would probably be appealing compared to playing week in week out for Everton or back in relegation fight with Leeds. Imagine Besiktas pay decent wages given the names of some of the players who go to the Turkish league, which is a nice addition as well
And said wages probably go even further out there. Not that it should matter at the sums we are talking about here
