thats what I meant, when did this all happen?! Be gutted if he left, same with Morgan, such great players for us last season (and Morgan has been for years )
Maybe the players coming in will be better? English players are overrated and expensive, and paid far too much.
We have to remember all we have achieved has been through teamwork. Not one of the departed/departing players is world class, some have the potential. Most have been together at Saints for several years and have developed an understanding (excusing the defensive errors) Those who are seeking glory elsewhere might be in for a bit of a shock!!! I for one can't blame them, if we were offered double the salary or more to change jobs we wouldn't hesitate. I can only think the unrest is caused by some sort of wage cap, I can't see that changing until we achieve champions league football. Maybe the consensus of opinion within the squad is they've gone as far as they can go. My only worry is that this situation will keep repeating itself, buy them cheap, bed them into the EPL and watch them walk after a season or two. It would be interesting to see the stats on all of the Premier leagues wages...anyone have that info?
I can't add anything to FLT's post on the previous page. Absolutely bang on, and my personal reading of the situation too. Like others, I just hope that Morgan was outside of the little Red Hand Gang (reference for oldies there) and manages to get his head into the idea of this new phase here.
When Saints went down to Division One, it has been widely reported that Morgan was told to get out by the French FA. In that wonderful Gallic way, he told them to shove it. He showed at 18 or 19 that he is a member of no-one's gang. He is a clever young man who will calmly decide what is best for Morgan Schneiderlin. Personally, I expect to see him in an Arsenal shirt next year, but not because he has followed the crowd. His loss will be enormous, and not just for the football.
Morgan is a very good player and has done a lot for us...he may feel this is the right time for a move, however I hope he gives us one more year to give us some continuity.
Giboman: Maybe the consensus of opinion within the squad is they've gone as far as they can go. I think some from outside think they have gone as far as they can go here , but for some it may be a case that they have peaked (thanks to us) and the time is right to move on whilst their cred is high. May be wrong, but I think Lallana will not be a massive hit at Liverpool. Morgan is good, but again will he be as good at a different team playing a different style. Who knows, though I wish Morgan well (unless against us).
I think the difference with Morgan is he is very intelligent. It was he who chose us as the next step in his career instead of Arsenal considering it would be better for his development. All of the others (including Rickie) would have gone to the biggest club at first chance if given the option. And no I don't accept Adam turning down Sunderland as the same thing. If Arsenal or another top 6 club had come in for any of our players in L1 then they would all be gone. Morgan is the exception.
If the players were truly dedicated to Saints "vision" wouldn't they say something if you saw it going sideways? There might be some bad press and damage to your reputation and fan pushback if you go public with your displeasure, but we've seen players speak out against managers/chairmen before. Lallana was willing to burn all his bridges to leave. If he'd put the same effort into agitating for fixes maybe he could have gotten something accomplished. I think that NC did help keep the team together, and might have helped in this offseason as well. But it probably wasn't the vision. I think as a player you look very unsympathetic going to the press and saying "I'm not happy with the club because I'm no longer getting the super-comfy bed, and this new chairman won't tuck me in at night." That's why they haven't said anything. Because it wasn't so much about the team as themselves. I think it shows how fragile things are, and how amazing it was for Saints even to get as far as they did. All of these players could easily change clubs and get paid a lot more, gain a higher profile, and have the chance to win titles. They could have it all (at least in their minds). All it took was one small change, and we had at least two large ones-- the team doing well enough for great opportunities to be available to the players at other clubs, and KL deciding to run the club and probably cutting out some perks. After that, everyone had one foot out the door and any tiny thing was going to start a mass exodus. You can pick anything you want.
When things go really well at Saints, don't we all expect a ruddy great juggernaut to come through the wall. There's always a slight feeling that good things can't last...well, they have lasted for 5 years. This is just a hiccup (all be it, a bad bout).
I have said it before and I will say it again.......The lads were sold a dream by Cortese......Later the dream was intensified by Pochettino. The whole bunch of them with the exception of Ramirez and the other t**t that was loaned out have been together almost from the resurrection of saints from the ashes. The likes of Lovren have no reason as far as I can see to doubt Saints ambitions or to query the goings on in the boardroom battle. From my understanding from my source it seems they were not happy that Saints would consider selling any of the current team...including Ricky. The loss of Pochettino was just the push they needed to create the doubt that Katrina was not going to follow the path her father had laid. To be fair to them the whole affair was handled very badly by Katrina and her advisers. There should have been a cart blanch ban on the sale of any players full stop. No matter what money was offered or using not having a manager as an excuse. No doubt we would have had a few transfer requests but they too should have been ignored as is Saints right. Mind you how easy it is to say these things after the event especially as none of the players would have known if they would figure in the new managers thoughts...despite their reputation. The fact is though they have gone and others may follow...Sadly as they say that is the football world. It is a pity though as a supposedly non selling club we are going to break all top flight records it would seem of selling so many of our squad players while still remaining in the top flight. It surely does not bade well if the new players brought in do not hit the ground running.......
