Summer 2014 Transfer rumour thread - Part IV

Bump.......to move above closed threads

 

No worries saintR was in hand anyway....

 

We had a great finisher last season and our main problem was creating clear-cut chances for him. We have everything we need in terms of the possession game, and obviously we need a new striker or two regardless, but I think there's a lot more to it than acquiring a reliable finisher. We need to improve at making our possession pay off. Top quality players who can come up with that extra bit of quality to work it through a tight defense, and someone who is capable of hitting it from outside the box. More goals from midfield are a must.

 

I am a member of another football forum which is a mix of fans from all nationalities/teams and Koeman to Saints was being discussed there. The general consensus from Dutch,Portuguese and Spanish football following fans was that he is pretty terrible, and his style of football is incredibly boring to watch, and very anti-dutch (lots of long balls into the box, and very direct). They did say that he has been successful at Feyenoord recently so perhaps he has learnt along the way.

As I said before I take peoples opinions of managers with a pinch of salt as there are so many examples of managers being highly rated and failing or written off and finding the perfect club for them and being a success.

 

Feyenoord will have played quite a few high balls into the box because they had Graziano Pelle on the end of them. I'm sure the guy can adapt to suit his squad. He played in some very pretty sides.

 

This was the argument somebody on there mentioned and a Valencia fan said it was crazy how badly he got such a talented Valencia team to play in terms of style, and also results I suppose.

That forum is blocked at my work, but when I get home I'll get some of the comments from other fans.

 

I think we will do a lot more counter play. Problem for a lot of last season and even more of the season before was that we passed, passed, passed and by then every team had men back and in position. The times we have countered we have scored a lot of goals. Last season JRod did this a lot. Imagine being able to put a few balls over the top more often. Not just a case of long ball counter attack but being able to get forward quicker.

At the minute we seem to play in a way that asks the opposition if they're ready before we then move the ball forward.

So more ability to mix it up with 2 quick strikers, 50% balls over the top/through balls on the ground. 50% tiki taka, fizzle out

 

Would love to sign Hernandez.

 

Hernandez and Lambert up front together would have worked out really well. Ramirez could be the one who gets us more goals, but I don't think you can drop Davis so he'll be on the wing (hopefully with Lallana on the other side!). We needed a new striker anyway, but with Rodriguez' injury and Lambert's departure, do we need three?! I'd be happy with two.

Lambert did have a fairly good season last year, but don't forget that he struggled a lot in the middle of the season and found his form, coincidentally, just before the World Cup and when Liverpool were speaking to him! We are going to miss his creativity, but a more mobile striker would help us counter attack a lot better.

 

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/fo...-to-lure-2m-Southampton-ace-Jose-Fonte-to-QPR

Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha

 

That is not funny on any level #justiceforfonte

 

That is just idiotic.

 

Whatever happened to the Fonte interview? Did I miss it?

 

I don't think Hernandez is going to solve all our problems. I'm not as high on him as some others are. And he's going to cost too much and not want to come here, so the point is moot.

But Hernandez is capable of working through tight defenses. He's not some one dimensional speedster with a good finish. He's quick, technical and very evasive. And if you want someone to take shots from midfield, he would be good to pounce on the rebound. I think the problem with him is more that he wouldn't do much on defense. He and Ramirez are the type of players who need free-ish roles where they constantly looking to drift into space and run away from people. Makes it hard to get back into position when possession is lost.

There are players I'd like more, and who represent much better value but IMO Hernandez would definitely help the team.

 

10 strikers to replace Rickie Lambert - http://www.ftbpro.com/posts/southam...kers-to-replace-rickie-lambert/leonardo-ulloa

 

I still want Lasogga. Seen him play a few times and he reminds me of Lambert but with a bit more pace.

 

Before I open that, I have to declare that I am still in the "irreplaceable" zone for just a little while longer. Ah Rickie.

 

I'd love to try Batshuayi - I think he has a reasonable release clause too from distant memory...

 

Doubt we'll need ten to be honest.

 

He is irreplaceable, some players are. Man Utd never replaced Roy Keane, Arsenal never replaced either Patrick Viera or Thierry Henri, because there really wasn't anyone who could do what those individuals could do. It wasn't the end for either club though, you don't find a like for like replacement, you just find a different way to get the job done.

We'll never find another 20+ goal a season striker with a 100% penalty record, who's also deadly at free kicks, with a first touch like Rickie, nor his ability to hold the ball up, read the game, and find the perfect lay off for Jay Rodriguez. We might find someone who can actually run though.