Yes, there are definitely better players than Shane Long available for 12m. The part everyone seems to be struggling with is that after our disruptive summer, they don't want to come to Southampton. So we need to buy Shane Longs, and their ilk, in order to stabilise the club under a new manager, before hopefully aiming our sights somewhat higher next summer. He's also meant to be a very positive and motivating presence in the dressing room. I'm all for it. So we overpaid, so what. We're not strapped for cash and Hull didn't want to sell. Get over it.
But Les has tweeted that he couldn't keep you waiting any longer for a signing after reading all your moaning about no signings, so he went out and got you one. Poor Les. He just can't win with you. Now if only you'd given him more time
LTL, you go now. I'll stand here and watch the horse. I'm not sure it will take a drink though. But we'll see.
Of course. But when a player is 27, and has scored sporadically in every season in the PL (and most in the Championship), the odds are that they're going to continue scoring sporadically. We have a lot of "prove us wrong!" out there.
I really don't agree. And sessegnon, you can't honestly believe that. If we'd paid 9m instead of 12 there's no way he'd be getting slated like this. We paid too much, but we needed a player now. And no one wants to sell key players now as season starts. Needs must and he will come good. Price tag is circumstantial and unfair to use as a yardstick.
Long's a great capture! He gives everything, has great pace, with easily fit into the Southampton set-up, and will score a few goals. Who are these people who care about the price??? Are you accountants or football supporters?! He's constantly brought up on the Newcastle board as a potential transfer, but his name doesn't have french accents so it was never going to happen.
Long could probably have been a good player for us last season around the likes of Lallana and Lambert. Let's hope that the replacements can create as many chances.
Yeah, great transfer policy that. Chuck massive wedge at average players just for the sake of it. What has happened to scouting young players? What has happened to the southampton way? I consider myself more realistic than negative to be honest. I am expecting 5-7 goals from Long this season, 5-10 from Pellè. When you compare that to lambert Jrod and Lallana running riot last year.. Then yeah I am absolutely devastated.
Of last season, perhaps. We need to wait and see what our performances will be like with a new manager and seven (maybe more) new signings.
Sorry, remind me how many Lallana scored whilst running riot through the premiership? Even with your doomsday scenario you're saying Long scores 2 less, Pelle scores 3 less than the team that RAN RIOT!
This. Lambert was **** last year let's be honest and jrod will come back. So the net loss, or gain, is eredivisie's top scorer + dependable and (some won't agree but) exciting partner minus Lallana. Yeah, nightmare.
I'm glad you consider 12 million pounds on Shane Long to be a good deal. I however actually watch football.
Scouting young players has brought us Gardos and Tadic. Seeing a need for some experience has brought us Long and Pelle. The Southampton Way still exists in the desire to nurture and bring through talent such as Targett, McCarthy, Reed, Isgrove, McQueen etc. The only thing that's changed is that we've lost a load of players which has made us a lot less attractive THIS SEASON to the players you seem to think we should still be able to sign? Either that or we sign a load of young players as you seem to want, that are massively risky, not suited yet to the premiership, and we almost guarantee relegation.
You may have it playing in front of your eyes, but I'm not entirely sure what you're seeing, other than the bits that fit in with the narrative in your head. By the way, where did I say 12m is a good deal? It's too much, but I don't think he'll be a bad player for us.
Realistic really isn't a word I'd use for someone who screams and shouts that we haven't signed anyone, and then when we sign a Premier League striker screams and shouts it is not very good. I would be surprised if you found a Saints fan who is genuinely not disappointed that 5 of our better players and our manager from last season have been sold. I just wonder for how many months we are going to cry about it. It has happened. There are many possible reasons why it has happened, but none that we can do anything about. We have a new manager who sounds pretty decent and a few new players that have arrived. We will have to watch patiently to see how they get on and how well we cope with all the changes. It is a shame, but not the end of the world. It is time to accept what happens and hope the new manager can do a good job. I can't wait to read some of the reactions if we lose to Liverpool. By the way Osvaldorama, how much do you know about the new CB?
No, no and a comedy thrice no you haven't . You've done nothing but whinge and moan all summer. By the way, do you or we know the down payment and if it is totaling 12m or is part of it based on performances?
Well that's not really all you have said, is it? But do let me know who, won't you? In fact, moreover, do let the club know. What do you imagine Long's job is going to be - just scoring goals? Or do you imagine he might bring a whole lot more to the club than just that? I'm not saying he's a brilliant signing, I'm not saying that we didn't massively overpay (a bit like Liverpool did with Lallana), but for where we are, right now, I don't necessarily think he's a bad signing at all.