Really good read. Also says two players are already close to signing for Saints. Promising. Mauricio on BBC Football Focus this Saturday, at 12:15 - BBC 1. DTLW
Because he was told not to? The Answers are only as ever good as the questions. 9/10 football hacks just ask the same dry questions over and over and over and wonder why they get dry answers.
Mauricio said that Cortese should be the most popular man at the club. I think most fans give him his due...he has been central to our renaissance and I fear him leaving the most. Luckily, by the sound of it, he's going nowhere in the near future.
Who told NA not to tell us anything? I think he just liked to be obscure and loved to tease the Press.
Pochettino has confirmed Southampton would NOT accept a Europa League position through the Fair Play league. After the West Brom game I don't think that really matters any more, but it's still a relief to hear.
"In the first season, the club survived. But in the second and third, they thrived, gaining successive promotions" Survived??? Sod off BBC we finished just outside the play offs.
"Behind the scenes the club is already working hard to plan for next season. Two players are already close to agreeing transfers, and one or two more may follow. The other aspect of the summer will be the need to ensure the pick of Southampton's best young talent, players such as Luke Shaw and Morgan Schneiderlin, stay put."
We might still be up there because cards are only one part of the score, and Sidwell has been sent off twice recently anyway. But I really don't think England are gonna finish in the top 3 spots - those Scandinavian countries won't lose any points because their teams all went out of Europe ages ago. But it's all moot now anyway (the whole idea is silly).
He didn't say Close to signing for saints, He said two players were close to agreeing transfers! Which could just as much mean leaving the club!
The guy who wrote the article, (@BenSmithBBC), confirmed that both deals were to Saints, not away from Saints, on twitter.
Poch confirmed in his press conference this morning that Saints will TURN DOWN an opportunity to go into the Europa League if the chance arose via the Fair Play League. From various twitter sources like Simon Peach & Radio Solent.