Peachy: "Pochettino very open at today's press conference. I asked him about Banega, Damiao & Wanyama - he confirmed #SaintsFC are after all three." Very different from Nige who never gave away anything, but that is an enormous statement of intent.
Does that mean "piss off and go annoy someone else tabloidy red-top employed rumour monging hacks"? I might have misunderstood.
It feels to me like this was a PR exercise to counter the 'every player in the world rejects Southampton' type articles in the media. Worked for me, I now feel convinced that we'll sign some quality players.
Very different from Nige who never gave away anything, but that is an enormous statement of intent. ________________________ To be fair to Nige, he found out about our transfers about the same time we did.
I like the bit where he says that players want to come to Southampton, but we decide the timings of these signings. Sounds like someone has been a bit disrespectful and perhaps tried to force something through. My guess...Wanyama's agent trying to play us off against Cardiff. No player is bigger than the club...remember not one player we are pursuing is essential...there will be others who can do a similar job.
Ok seeing as it's a bona fide rumour now, someone tell me something about Banega. Wikipedia says his main achievement is running himself over. Is he a defensive midfielder? Presumably we wouldn't sign two new first teamers there. Has he had a good season and how much would we be paying?
He's more advanced. I hesitate to use the phrase "Number 10" because he's not that attacking, but think more the role Steven Davis played in front of Cork and Morgan. I certainly thought he had a good season. The rumoured prices are in the £7-10m range which seem strangely low for a player of his ability.
No, I'm sure it's one or the other (or neither). We won't end up with both Banega and Wanyama, that's fairly certain.
Pochettino said: 'We manage a lot of information about very good players. One of them is Damiao, also Banega and also Wanyama." Surely 'managing information about very good players' is not the same as making offers for players. I think this sentence could more accurately be interpreted as we are managing the grapevine and hype around us and these players, rather than working on any deals
Interesting to see he said he only wants 2-3 more players. Having mentioned Banega, Wanyama and Damiao, where does that leave the rumours for wide players i.e. Stoch and Bueno?
Press conference of just over 24 minutes is now on Saints Player... http://www.player.saintsfc.co.uk/la...ochettino's-First-Pre-Season-Press-Conference As is a roughly 6 minute interview with BBC Solent... http://www.player.saintsfc.co.uk/la...nager:-Our-Preparations-Have-Gone-Really-Well
I'm not so sure, we do lack depth in the centre. Morgan, Banega, Wanyama and Cork rotating around and Davis as back up is solid.
I don't think we need quite that amount of depth, especially as Morgan and Cork have the fitness of gods and just don't get tired or injured. We also have Ward-Prowse.
He made some comment about doing things according to FIFA's rules...suggests that perhaps some agents have made approaches which we have rebuffed. Incidently, I like the dark Adidas top he's wearing...can't swear you guys would look as good in it
Not only that but our midfielders play different roles. Morgan/Cork/Wanyama for the more defensive pairing, Banega/Ramirez for the more attacking one, with Davis and JWP providing cover for both. Not necessarily leaving anyone out, can pick players depending on the fixture, Ramirez can sit out wide etc... I don't think that's too much.
