On the subject of long term targets, it's quite obvious that this has been a policy of the Liebherr era. As far back as Nigel Adkins there were long term targets. He spoke once or twice in interviews of the strategy of players that Saints were targeting a year, eighteen months, two years away and further into the future. So the policy is nothing new to Saints.
So Long was targeted as a Summer 2014 signing regardless of whether or not someone signed him in-between, gave him a 4 year contract and doubled his asking price...?
I'm just reiterating what I know about Saints policy. Detail things like how much Saints pay is another thing.
Long term targets are not always targets for the short term. Long was targeted as capable of fulfilling a role, but that doesn't mean we wanted to sign him in December. That is the point, surely, of having long term targets. Knowing who we might get in for a variety of needs.
Another decent article on us. ESPN wrote this piece, nothing earthshattering but a sound look at the finances etc. http://www.espnfc.com/club/southamp...eap-the-benefits-of-an-astute-transfer-policy
And the Grauniad today: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/04/southampton-ronald-koeman
All stuff we knew, but well joined together. It does show we are a plan coming together, not a club in total chaos. I especially liked the bit that said, unlike United, our owner has not saddled us with debt, but has made us virtually debt free and has taken no profit (by reinvesting all money back in the club). Long term thinking...Katharina may want some money some time, but has obviously decided we are still in the building phase.
Really, the money she could make from us is so insignificant in the picture of her overall wealth and empire. We are but a wafer thin slice by comparison.
