A proper transfer with weird translations and a will he/won't he situation. But we are too burnt out to have a proper thread for him. P.s. Lose the hair.
I've tried to stay positive over this post-season but I am finding it very hard to keep this way. On the OS Koeman has said this morning that we are looking to bring in '2 or 3 players' over the weekend and then we will be 'preparing for the Liverpool game' or as I like to think of it the 'very rude awakening'. Firstly we appear to be linked to average loanees who don't want to come here - not good and most people I have spoken to or read have said we desperately need a strong centre of defence and another good forward minimum but yet we are permanently linked to a goalie, which can't be a priority, and endless midfield players, which is the one position we have an abundance of. If we get three of any position, that's basically five in, five out, yet last season one of our problems was a very weak squad and a short bench at times. I really don't understand the loans policy and I really don't understand the thinking we need 2 or 3 players to make our squad stronger and competitive when I would say even to an unprofessional eye we need another six or seven at this point in time. I have a bad feeling about this season - I sincerely hope that this will be rammed down my throat come the end of September but I've been following Saints for too long to get my hope up.
I agree regarding the Koeman interview. To me it sounded like he was saying "we are only going to be signing 2 or 3 more players", which isn't enough. I am hoping it was just a slight miscommunication and the intention is to bring in a few more
On a more positive note! 2/3 signings this weekend, more to come, some great (non loanee) names linked (yes I know linked doesn't mean signed!). Impressive pre season so far, Tadic and Pelle have slotted in nicely, stripes are back and we have lost the players who didn't want to play for us! Looking forward to the season, even if it is tougher than last year.
Signing a goalie does not preclude signing defenders...we have the money. Our problem is that we are a middle sized club but with ambition...we want players that consider themselves too good to come here. We aren't a side who just wants to stay in the EPL...therefore we aren't looking at ageing EPL-experienced players looking for a last pay day and we aren't a top four side who can buy good players and pay them high wages. In the last few years we have sought out players with ambition and given them a chance to slot into a terrific side...we are now caught because we need quantity as well as quality. I think we are also trying to get good value...sod that, pay enough to force moves..we'll still be quids in.
Think he meant over the weekend...may still be more. Kreuger said that Koeman needed players in immediately, but said that September 1st was judgement day (for keeping and gaining players).
Shepherds Clearing, where have you been for the last two months? We've been linked to several CBs, the one loan we have is to support a trainee coming through without blocking his progress (excellent decision), our only good goalie is 34, a known party animal who may go 'pop' at any minute (great when he is focused) and several attacking players! Add to this that Koeman didn't even suggest that the 2/3 this weekend is the end, I really am not sure what you're on about. The only thing you said that made any sense is that Liverpool could well be a rude awakening for Ronald, but hey, that'll be the first game only with two weeks left of the window. Don't worry, be Happy
In fairness I also worried that Koeman meant 2 or 3 more and that's it. I'm sure we wouldn't leave it at that, but if we did it'd certainly be reason to worry.
"The only thing you said that made any sense is that Liverpool could well be a rude awakening for Ronald," Could be right but I'm hoping the Liverpool game is going to be a rude awakening for Rodgers!
I heard it as 2-3 more in before the Liverpool game, get them playing in the Leverkusen game, then continue to add to the squad before the end of the window. I just read it as what it was, 3 more in this weekend.
