Just have a gut feeling this lad is going to be a bit of a cult figure with the fans, especially following that superb goal yesterday. he seems to play with an enthusiasm that is very refreshing and has great pace. He,s going to get a lot better guys. Your thoughts?
He looks a good player. Where he does need to learn quickly is the understanding of how the others play. He was always going to be a cult figure as he's the first Japanese player to come to us. An opening goal like that and all that energy just makes it nailed on.
I think I can go along with that. He certainly gave the teams he has played against so far a different dimension to cope with. A lot of things happened yesterday simply because he wouldn't give up on the ball. They knew while he was around they had to get rid of the ball quickly, because of that they kept making mistakes at the back.....he gave them a real headache.
Feel a bit sorry for Chung. He's carrying a huge weight of expectancy on his shoulders, not only the normal expectancy that say, Sharp will have, but he's got the Japanese media apparently following him around like a faithful dog. Almost certainly the most important point of all of it, is that he is going to massively raise the profile of Southampton FC in Japan and Korea, so he has to be a success and Saints have to be successful with him. The potential winning situation for Saints, when it comes to Lee is huge. I'm sure Cortese was totally aware of that. Free transfer too. Amazing bit of business.
It's his own fault Secondstain..... he should have just scored a lucky close ranger for his first goal, ala Billy Sharp!
Listening to Adkins talk about Chung and the Japanese media ...my worry is that Adkins is going to become big in Japan! I don't like it, but in my minds eye I can see him managing the Japanese national team, I can see him loving it.
I am wondering given the comparative performances of our two new (stiker) signings to date, who will be starting alongside Lambert over the next few weeks. Sharp is the obvious choice given his English football experience over Lee; but for me, I am starting to think that I want to see Lee given his chance simply because I think he gives us more options than Sharp... it's not going to happen; because I am fairly sure Sharp signed on the basis that he had a starting position alongside Lambert, but I think Lee is an exciting prospect....
I'm sure both Lee and Sharp will get their chances. Not sure about Sharp joining us on the basis of playing alongside Lambert..no manager would promise you a starting place when you sign. He has to fight for his place like everyone else, except of course Lambert.
OK, perhaps. But seriously, he was always going to have more expectation on his shoulders than Sharp. We may not expect as much of him here, but there are 175,000,000 Japanese and South Koreans expecting the very best from Chung.
As much as I really want Lee to do well, I don't want him to over shadow Billy Sharp! I have so much respect for Sharp and think he could be great with us if he can find a few goals in the next few games as well as settling in the area. So long as Sharp starts and scores, and Lee comes off the bench and scores, I'll be happy.
Something I noticed about Sharp while watching his interview on TFLS with Mark Clemmit was that when he says he's a shy, fat lad from Sheffield, he's not entirely wrong. He may not be fat, but he most definitely is shy. I hope his confidence isn't suffering.
I too want Billy to do well and not just for selfish reasons. He really wanted to come here so I want it to work for him. Someone said that he seemed down at the signing session in the megastore..my guess is that it would be purgatory for someone who was shy.
Lee will become a huge hit with the fans just like Marian Pahars! Sharp will take a little while to settle, but he will also be immense for this club.
Interesting point....I actually made a comment at the game yesterday that Sharp looks slightly overawed by his team mates, successful side, bigger Club etc. Don't know what made me say it, maybe just his demenour. Guess like anyone of us, new environment, will take time to settle.
there were about a dozen Japanese in the club shop after the game buying a fair bit of merchandise. Long term saints fans or just at the game because of Lee. Either way great for Saints
It doesn't help Billy Sharp that he missed perhaps the easiest opportunity to score that he's ever had, in a top-of-the-table clash against the league leaders. His confidence was bound to take a knock.
On Lee: he looks a pacey, intelligent player that can't half finish well. Some of the runs he makes are top-notch, and his touch is excellent. He looks an all-round top-player. If he helps fire us to the Premiership it will only increase the coverage of him and Saints in Japan and Korea. I followed a Japanese sports magazine on Twitter, just to see if he spoke about Lee. Sure enough, the account owner was going mental about Lee's goal. They really seem to passionately, perhaps obsessively, focus on their national players.
