If we are planning on releasing him anyway then giving him a loan gives him the best chance to get a good move next summer. Saves us some wages this year and gives someone else playing time in the u21s. So could be that we are just loaning him out to help his long term career. If someone wanted to pay a fee for him now we probably would sell him, so doesn’t look like there is any interest Also the chance that he has a really good first half of the season out on loan and we offer him a new deal in December or something
I don't think any manager will play someone that isn't good enough, or there is a better option because he comes from a club in the same group. Besides, SR would always want the best team to play rather than giving someone minutes that doesn't deserve them. Even you look at better loan agreements as a benefit, this is only a realised benefit when we have a player return to us good enough to either sell for profit or play for Saints - which hasn't happened yet. It is pretty clear the only benefit is if we can sign players from these clubs that go on to play for Saints. I do appreciate this was always going to take a few years to come to fruition, but if it doesn't start to happen in the next season or two then you have to question the model.
Well, his head simply may not be in the right place, rather than kick up a fuss. Still may have requested he train with the U21's for the time being - we don't know the circumstances other than he's clearly unsettled.
He's also just come back from being injured so it's not surprising that he's doing non contact training to work on his fitness. Might just be a case of 1+1=3.
Shame if true; I like Smallbone, and was a key part of our championship side last time (just not when played as a defensive midfielder)
He's just too limited as a player. He's good in a team that will dominate possession and where he doesn't need to do much defensive work...or running. But yeah, too limited, particularly for the PL. That said we are likely to lose Fernandes and Aribo so we might have to keep hold of him for numbers.