Summer 2013 Transfer Rumour Thread

I know what you mean Dan, but our little trip through the lower leagues was hugely entertaining for other reasons than the quality of football. There's a great deal to be said about winning a lot. Sure it is much more satisfying when done in the PL, but the high it brought in Lge One and in the Championship takes some beating too. I had the lowest expectations of Lge One and they were easily exceeded. I had higher expectations of the Championship but they were easily exceeded too. The expectations of the PL were higher still and yet they were exceeded, but as I say, for different reasons. We didn't win so much, but we played better football. It's a balance, and on the whole I prefer us playing our football in the PL. However, if all we did was lose..?

 

a better question might be, who is more entertaining, Gareth Bale or Lallana/Snodgrass/Pilkington/Gradel a few years ago.




The answer is still gareth bale, but at least let's compare really good players with really good players at the lower level.

 

We can compare **** with **** then - Gaston Ramirez or Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro?

 

Of course the answer is Gareth Bale. In fact a lot of answers to questions involving entertainment in football would end with Gareth Bale. He is an exception, even in the PL, and there is almost no equivalent in the lower leagues. Mind you, a few seasons back there was someone called Rickie Lambert who could light up a game.

 

oh snap!

 

first season mainly. when he'd whomp it from anywhere on the turn.

 

I think he did fine in every season. However after the first our expectation levels had risen. He still kept us hugely entertained though. For example, I defy anyone not to smile at the memory of this photo. These are what good football memories are made of. This is entertainment.

please log in to view this image

 

(i've looked up this barry sanchez fella on TSW... i'm fairly certain i'm not him. I'd never give them a fiver)

 

We may be in for Banega, but he will cost a fortune, alot more than the reported €10 mil that I've seen. I know they are struggling financially but they got €7 mil for Tino Costa, a player less important for them, who wanted to leave and is nowhere near as talented.

I would love Banega to join Saints as he is a top player, but think either the reported fees are way off, or it could just be a link due to MPs Spanish connection.

 

I think Southampton is the wrong place for Banega and he'll spend most of his time pouting, clubbing, and smashing up fancy cars. And if he's good, he'll want to leave immediately.

Best thing about Saints is they play above their talent level, and that is most true where Schniederlin and Cork are concerned. I realize that Banega is probably 10x the talent Cork is, and that if you look at him on the field he seems like a guy who can be everywhere at once and can tackle and doesn't mind doing the dirty work. But that's when he is healthy and feels like playing.

If he could somehow be had for 10 million Euros I admit that would be impossible to turn down. But he'll cost more than that, can't see him costing less than 15 and even that might be a stretch. And I wouldn't want him for that much, not at Saints.

 

We are the only PL side not to have published thier pre season plans, wher do you think it will be?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-League-pre-season-fixtures-results-2013.html

 

Enjoyed the lower leagues...always great to win. Was astonished by the Championship season...thought we'd be just above midtable first season. Dreaded going back down, because I don't think we would necessarily repeat that success. It is a tough league to get out of. Last season had its tense moments, but enjoyed being on the big stage again. Wins are always sweeter in the PL, especially when you get the shock ones. Thought we were better than our early results suggested. Although I worried with everyone else (all right I was down right hysterical!!) we began to look too good to go down even before Nige left. Our players enjoy their job and play above themselves. I think there will be a few surprises that fall by the wayside though if they don't up their game when new signings come in...example, Lallana. I think Nicola's desires exceed his reach...hence the delays in signings as he chases probably impossible dreams like Banega. However, better that than accepting mediocrity. Next season....bring it on!

 

Damn...when I heard Espanyol were over here I thought they'd play us in the Leihberr trophy game, but they are playing Spurs at WHL on the 10th August. May play us on another day I suppose.

 

Winning feels good. I enjoyed league 1 and the championship more than this year. But if we start climbing the prem it will beat the other years. A lot of it comes down to the fact the championship is probably the most exciting league in england

 

Part of the thrill of the championship was that I wasn't expecting that much ... I was quietly hopeful of a good season but to storm the division like we did was incredible.

 

Aussie Trent Sainsbury has been mentioned by Alan Nixon this morning and their is also a bloke on Saints web who is pretty sure we are signing Banega, with a deal being concluded in the next 5 days!

 

The only thing better about the lower leagues is more games. Monday, Tuesday; Monday, Tuesday. No waiting for games.

However, being at the top table feels so much better.

 

Trent Sainsbury has been mentioned for a long, long time .... last I heard he was going to Bolton

 

Nicola must love the transfer window...he'll hate disappointment as much as the next person (more probably, because he's not used to it), but I bet he loves the negotiating and wheeler dealing.

 

Is this actually based on anything? I don't think injuries are a huge problem with him (provided he learns how to work his car's handbrake) and I've never heard any issues of character concerns - I imagine he was probably involved in a big squad fallout with Unai Emery a couple of years back, but that was almost certainly the manager's fault.