I still think it will be 2 or 3 more signings. Last week we were trying to bring in 3 but obviously Toby didn't happen, but we bought Martina. I seem to remember us being poor last season (maybe wrong). But we still had a great season.
Each to their own, but if we only sign 2 (e.g. one CB and one CM) then imho we're definitely down on first XI quality with no more depth than last year either bearing in mind the extra fixtures also. That being the case would be the opposite of what Les has been saying really as it would be obviously apparent that we're just competing to collect the PL money each year with very little ambition. It would in effect guarantee 3 years in a row of £30m+ operating profits leaving the club.
Second squad were more chaotic than the team that played Valencia....luckily Ronald gets to select from both groups to put out a proper first eleven. Let's hope he got something from it....because we didn't Our preseasons are often poor, so not reading much into defeats...though wins would have been encouraging.
We are not competing with very little ambition...the previous years show that. You can't make people sign for you. We may start with a weaker side for various reasons, but I'm sure that isn't the plan.
Agree with this Fran, but time will tell. We had a great summer last year as it turned out but based on how other teams in the bunch just behind us are investing their money, it looks very much like this year it will be harder to repeat that if we are holding out for cheap bargains. Ultimately I trust the club to get what they feel is good value on each transaction, but if Crystal Palace, West Ham, and Newcastle are outspending us then value or not we will slowly slip back down to mid-table and the brand that we keep saying that we're going to spread globally won't grow on that scale effectively unless we spend enough ourselves to challenge the big boys and solidify a top 8 position with some european exposure for at least another 3 years running.
Sold or gone: Clyne Alderweireld Schneiderlin (I still count him as gone) Elia Djuricic Plus Forster injured Total: 6 Come in: Stekelenburg Cedric Martina Cb Cm Juanmi Plus Rodriguez back from injury. Total: 7 Plus I think we will bring in another player. Then you have the youth players Koeman rates. We will be fine.
Europa = 10 extra games assuming we have the ambition to play in the group stages. We played 45 competitive fixtures last season, and have a minimum of 42 this season prior to any Europa, FA Cup, or League Cup progress. Rightly or wrongly, I'm concerned by depth. Happy to agree to disagree though if you think we've got enough to compete effectively though. Lastly, you put J-Rod as back from injury. But no mention of Forster being very likely the same category in the 'out's' section this time around. Think we were quite fortunate overall with injuries last year as it goes.
I do agree that we need to have increased numbers on last year, so a lot will depend on how many from the U21's Ron thinks good enough to include. I'd still like a striker to threaten Pelle, but I don't think we'll get that.
That really is a pearler if you believe that. There's many publications proving a strong correlation between a) Wages and League Position/Pts, and b) Transfer Spend and League Position/Pts. Yep, there's ways of doing it more or less efficiently than others do (which I believe we are on the right end of), but nevertheless being prepared to spend money is a BIG advantage when compared to running a football club for profitability only.
http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/20150330-southampton-financial-results-2013-14-2367070.aspx £33.4m profit on ordinary activities 2013/14 When published in March 2016, because of the net transfer income last summer 2014/15 will be the same or bigger profits again. When published in March 2017, based on this summers transfers which will at best/worst (depending on your point of view) break even based on Beefy's projection of one CB and one CM to replace Alderweireld & Schneiderlin this figure will again report £30+m profits. Name any other PL club (bar Newcastle) who run themselves at this level of profit each year for 3 consecutive years....
We were way too thin last year, and that was without European football. If that's all we're bringing in, we kinda have to hope that our time in Europa League is a short one, because we don't have the depth to handle that grind.
We already saw about the 'way too thin' last year, heh. All of us agreed going into this summer that we needed a much deeper squad, including you.
I just think is good that we believe in giving youth a chance. We have plenty of players that deserve a chance. McCarthy Stephens Mugabe Woods Gape Hesketh Etc. Isgrove will also be given a chance this season it seems.
Was hoping for 3-4 players in that quality range though. CB/CMx2/RW/ST (specifically a target man to compete with Pelle, unless Gallagher is ready for 10+ games a season) still needed for me if we're serious about competing in PL & Europa. I'm happily writing off FA & League cups before we start.
