I agree. Swear words lose their effect when used like a scatter gun, but in this quite erudite piece, it had resonance.
An article that I can really relate to. So close to home. I can deal with the despair, its the hope I struggle with. Thanks DTLW
Yes. This is quite a poignant piece, and sums up the frustration that I feel. In my naivety I was thinking that no one surely would want to break this team up, we're so close, not Poch, not any of the players......but no, the lack of balance MUST be restored. I guess unless proper sanctions are put in place for failure to keep within the FFP rules (fines, meh) things will get worse.
Our team had a touch of magic about it and it sucked us in...very few players love their club as fans do. The players enjoyed it because we had success and they all got on well (obviously with one famous exception). We've just had a reality check. However, we will have the core of our side next season (I do not subscribe to the view that everyone is sitting on the steps of SMS with packed bags) and, with the addition of a few new players, we can have another good season. Our style may change a bit, but we have been entertaining for 5 years and will probably carry on the same way.
Well, this is the hope I have. Looking forward to getting the new man in and some transfer excitement. I think we all need a bit of positivity after the doom and gloom.
Nice article. Have to say that now that I have had time to calm down a bit following the rabid speculation of the last few weeks and the subsequent departure of poch, I feel a lot more positive about the future. I take all of the writers points, but equally I agree with Fran that the nucleus of our side will still be there. A new manager will help to stabilise the ship, but we are perfectly capable of playing hardball with our players if we want to. Villa, Swansea and Liverpool had to last summer quite successfully and while you want a happy squad, sometimes it's better not to give way. Equally, our new will, I am sure, work with our reportedly excellent recruitment people to find replacements - some will work, others maybe not. RK stated our aim as European football, so I'm not worried about a fire sale happening. They are not stupid and will know that these early statements can easily lose the trust of their customer base. Having said all that and now I'm calm, whatever happens I will still support like I have done for the last 34 year years. As long as my son doesn't switch to a glory club anyway
It's interesting, isn't it? There's a definite feel once again that we're beginning to hope and, dare I say it, beginning to trust the board a little bit more. Long may it continue (until we appoint Chris Houghton next week!)
Dare I say it, the tide of negative vibes, rumours and articles seems to be flowing a little... though maybe that's just the World Cup kicking in.
Just like the rise of McDonald's and Starbucks and Costa Coffee will be controlled so that local business is not wiped out? Governments aren't interested redressing these balances. The world is now driven by prestige and 'Joe's Cafe' next to 'La Plaza' does not have the prestige of a Starbucks with a McDs next to it. In the same way having ManYou, Arsenal, Tottingham, Chavski, Citeh, Pool gives England much more credibility and brand awareness than Ipswich or Middlesboro sneaking into Europe. And before people say that they would prefer 'Joe's Cafe' and 'La Plaza' than the Starbucks and McDs? Why is it that the local cafe's and restaurants were empty before the big boys swamped the country yet the big boys are always full? Because they draw people in. So there will be no redress in football. Makes no sense for government or PL or FA to damage their brand awareness.
A very well-written article which cuts to the heart of what it means to be a football fan. I like the logic the writer used of Rickie Lambert being his last football hero who was born before he was. One thing I can assure him though, from the point of view of someone whose current football heroes are all considerably younger than me, is that, whatever happens in the next few months regarding players moving on, we will get over it. I got over Martin Chivers moving to Spurs, I even got over Micky Channon going to Citeh. Steve Williams going to Arsenal was part of the breaking up of arguably our best-ever team, but we got over it. As for Walcott, Bale, and Oxlade-Chamberlain, they were just blips in the fall and rise of Southampton FC to where they are today. Personally I don't believe we are being asset-stripped or anything like what happened in 1984. I actually believe the intention of Katharina and her board is to continue to grow the club sustainably, which will take time, and which will mean that one or two high-profile players will be sold occasionally to fund the growth. That will be tough to take, but we'll get over it.
Without derailing DTLW's thread again, my understanding of the use of the phrase in football, and the difference between Southampton, and other clubs who merely sell players, is that it appears to be something of an effort by members of the Top-6 club to stop Southampton in their tracks by buying up their best players, thereby eliminating them as competition. Its only appearances, but appearances can be very persuasive. We're not talking about one or two, but somewhere upto half a dozen of more. Even Roy Hodgson was prompted to comment that he hoped Liverpool [for example] was attempting to purchase Saints players to play them and not stockpile, and that he felt sorry for clubs like Southampton who were victims of their own success. Other clubs can sell one or two fringe or key players and maintain their position in the league, having benefitted from the extra cash. Saints don't exactly need the extra cash, but need the key players. So while Southampton can come to an arrangement with Liverpool to end a sentimental journey for Rickie Lambert [a transfer I'm still far from entirely happy about because he was still a key element and he needs replacing], I shall be incredibly piddled off if Lallana, Shaw and significant others are allowed to leave. It doesn't matter how much Saints should realistically allow them to go for. They are established players and know exactly what they have to do in the team. There is very little learning curve for them to do. It is also unlikely that replacement players of their quality can be obtained elsewhere, because if they would like to leave for ManU, Chelsea, Liverpool, etc... don't you think replacement players would rather do the same..? So asset stripped or stripping seems a fair and accurate phrase for what might happen to Saints if the Board suddenly lose focus and allow the bigger clubs to eliminate us as a big thorn in their side.
Our academy is good, but will the rate of quality coming through the ranks (with purchased additions) match the rate of sale (if and when) that's the tough balancing act we seem to find ourselves in. Edit: our academy is excellent!
Good points. I have noticed though (depending on where you are in the country I guess) that there has been a resurgence of independent shops, and these seem to be flavour of the month albeit with the middle class ,and those that have expensive tastes!
It may well be, but it seems extremely premature to use it currently, when the only signs that it might happen are barely credible newspaper articles (in direct contradiction, often, to what the club's own directors are saying). Despite that, it seems like everyone and their dog is using the phrase willy-nilly, and some people on here seem perfectly happy to hear that we are being asset stripped for some reason, even going as far as to defend its use and attack me for questioning it. Go figure.
As has been stated, not just by me, it's use in this context (both in meaning and style) is really, really, really obviously not the same as when a corporation undergoes a sustained and deliberately focused exercise by a board. You're just digging your heels in, as per, and refusing to accept that there might just be a different version of something than that which would fit neatly into a PTF designed box. Sorry to rise to the ridiculous bait again, but it really staggers me how you won't allow any shade of grey, a stylistic tweak, an authorly technique with words, when it's so mid-bogglingly obviously just that.
I don't think there is a conspiracy going on. The big clubs would be happy to asset strip each other, but it isn't going to happen. We not only have good players, we are also successful in using them...obviously we look like a sweet shop compared to West Ham. The trouble is that some of the players may be taken from us and not used, but I don't see this as a plan. Top sides would be happy for us to take points off their rivals (as long as we don't do it to them).
Absolutely Fran. In this context (and in any sensible context) our main (sporting) assets are our players and other clubs would like to strip us of the best ones. There's no suggestion of board conspiracy in this article.
