Yes I'm confused with everyone seeming convinced he's leaving in the summer? Why? Did I miss something?
I can't understand some of you guys. It's not like yesterday was a semi final and if we won it we would have been in the final. Some of you are acting as if we only had to beat Sunderland then the other teams we would face would roll over.
Perez alluded to the fitness of the players, following the long journey to Hull and the game, being a reason for the changes, yesterday. If that is the case, we will just have to accept it. That MP has previous, for using fringe players in cup games, may however, cast some doubt on that comment. Surely, if we don't want our better players to leave, we should go full tilt to win the cups? With Chelsea now out of the competition, there is no team left, to fear.
If our team can't manage flying to Hull and Sunderland in 4 days, how will they ever cope with going to Dnepopetrovsk or wherever on a Thursday and then Sunderland on a Saturday?
Don't velieve that "fitness problems". Would Boruc, Fonte, Rodriguez or Schneiderlin be rested for a prem match? Don't think so.
@ Beefy Only one defeat in four games, against them, and that was a gift. Why fear them? Chelsea, on the other hand, have been too powerful in both games, this season.
Fear is the wrong way to put it tbh. We shouldn't fear anyone. But you also have to accept on their day Liverpool,City and Arsenal are much better teams then us.
I thinks it is more a combination of lack effort/spirit given to the competition (i.e. best team available) and just a frustration and sadness that the FA cup seems to mean **** all to the management, and not just Saints. Also our league position would suggest that we are in a good position to have a crack. Personally I don't believe Perez about the injuries, he's just being tactful. I do believe that they believe in the squad, but that's another story. But if they believed in the competition, the strongest team would of played. Maybe St Brendy is on to something (and it did cross my mind) Poch really really doesn't want the FA cup, as it would possibly mean the Europa league! I guess we'll have to settle for the Champions league next year then!
Not for the want of trying on his & his agent's part. Just no firm bids came in for him. I have a strong feeling that Poch has an agreement with Liebherr to see out this season & then he'll be off.
Ramirez faked an injury so he couldn't pass medicals so he could stay here; after all he said he came here as he was offered "lots of money".
So quotes from interviews with Solent and press conferences on Saints Player where he clearly states he's not going anywhere, whether or not he has a new deal, until the end of next season, cut no ice with you..? You'd prefer to go on a strong feeling..? You're just a traditional Saints supporter who can't shake off the years of doom, gloom, let down and mediocrity. I understand that, and it takes effort to shake off the old feeling, but this is not the same club you started supporting, donkey's years ago.
I'll correct that for you However, I agree with the original sentiment. This is the new Southampton...they may just surprise us.
Nail on the head, for me. Yes, Poch might still leave in the summer, and I wouldn't be shocked if he did. But yes, surely yesterday is a strong indication that he'll be here next season. If he's going to leave, then surely he'd have taken a leaf out of Harry's book and only focused on the here and now. "Sod next season, I want to leave with an FA Cup winners medal on my CV" sort of thing. Like Martinez, Poch's stock over here is already quite high. And like Martinez, winning the FA Cup would only take it higher. Yesterday has simply strengthened my belief that Poch remains here to stay.
That may well be the case. Jesus gave a wee clue to back up that opinion when he said that in Spain they play their cup ties at 10pm in empty stadiums. It may be that the same attitude is being carried over to here. And certainly amongst supporters also, the enthusiasm for apathy is growing, if you'll pardon the expression. 16,777 for a 5th round. That's diehards only.
I don't come down on either side of this argument, as have no clue whether or not he'll leave; but I find you put a serious amount of stock in words that managers, chairmen, and footballers say. Poch also said he'd leave if Cortese left - and he hasn't; and it's in my view pretty naive to expect people in the football world to stick to what they say. Things change - experience tells us this. Look at Cortese...