Those aren't the best examples when defending the black box. Clasie had played for Ronald and I seem to remember someone saying Erwin knew Martina. I don't think the black box had a lot to do with either signing.
I agree. I already said in the match thread earlier that Clasie and Martina were the candidates for MOTM and I have been very critical of Clasie so far this season. I am not questioning the black box itself. More the whole package that Reed promotes of this isn't a problem because this is in place, that isn't a problem because that is in place. We will achieve this because we've done that and because of everything we've done there's nothing to worry about and we can only end up smelling of roses. There is no If or but, no thought of anything not working, just this continual description of utopian Southampton. I just wish one of these interviewees would pause lapping up all of the methodology and surety of the ambition to ask a question like 'What if x happened' to which Reed (aka David Brent) would answer 'But it won't, why would that happen? We've planned for that not to happen', while Kruger would probably answer something more like 'We have it covered but if that wasn't working we would have to look into it closely'. Reed just blindly states that something can't happen, whereas Kruger leaves space for the realism that plans don't always work especially not forever.
Absolutely. There's no anger toward KL on my part in saying that; she has been in a very strange place throughout, because she didn't merely inherit an asset, she inherited a plan not of her making but involving her money...plus the hopes of dreams of tens of thousands of people. That's a hell of a thing to have foisted on one's self. However, we're starting to see what happens with an uncertain long-term direction. I'm not terribly fond of Koeman/Fonte going to the media, but it speaks to the fact that even individuals who are at the club don't appear to be particularly sure what our aims are. When our board does speak it varies, as ImpSaint says, between being exceedingly vague and sounding like they're working toward entirely different goals. More than anything, we need a return of The Plan. Not necessarily Cortese's vision of such, but some sort of concrete and coherent vision of where we want to be and how we intend to get (and stay) there, paired with equally coherent statements from our executive stakeholders. We're probably never going to keep some players from looking at big moves, but we need some binding force that will either keep them focused during the season...or ensure that anyone losing focus is kept in line by those who have bought in.
Should also mention: if there can be no The Plan now because we're simply waiting for some of the debt to be repaid so that the team can be put on the market, don't wait. Sell now, reap a profit and get the (earned) well-wishes of those of us who have witnessed a great few years. Football is a crazy, crazy sport; 'we will spend a couple years of profitable safety in midtable' is roughly equivalent to 'and then I saddled up the unicorn and conquered Portugal' in terms of degree of difficulty, and it doesn't exactly encourage players to run themselves into the ground. Gambling is about knowing when the upside of a play exceeds the downside, and it doesn't in the Premier League; relegation can go from an indistinct speck on the horizon to a moose crashing through your front bumper* in a heartbeat...take the money and run. *Ralph will understand.
If Mane doesn't want to be here, then get rid! Of course, only if the money is right. Make sure we get our business done early, so the new player/ players gel.
I can't help but think that Vic hasn't done himself any favours by his play recently and yesterday would have had (imo) many managers scratching his name off any "potential signing" list. Interesting, then, that his only decent game this season was against the Arse (to impress Wenger perchance?). I don't see any bids coming in for him now unless he bucks up and plays better for the rest of the season. As for Mane, to me, he hasn't looked particularly interested for so many games this season - again, interestingly, since he was linked to Manure. Based on his performance, again, I'm not sure anyone would want him, unless he sorts his attitude out. We shouldn't sell now, though I doubt we'll get big offers. Tell them to start showing potential and there's a chance for them. Blame? The agents and the short-sightedness of "prima-donna" players. We need both of them for the squad, but the way they can play not the half-arsed attitude they're showing. I'd keep Mane on the bench now and play him as a sub (I think Ron would have left him there if we hadn't conceded - just to make his point - and I respect that). Big Vic needs a boot up the arse and we should play Romeu (until he gets a red) and Harry (ditto) What we as fans need to do is not go into meltdown - we're still better than at least 4 of the clubs in the league and when the team ethos gets going we can beat anyone. Let's get behind the team, the manager and the club and stay focused. We were never going to have as good a year as last year, so we should keep supporting and work for next year.
What a surprise. He was probably on the phone to his agent when he was late for the meeting. Can't see that he would help Manure with their current style. Perhaps he goes to them and Ron goes next year - and drops him for his attitude
There were quite a few boos at the end of the game from Saints fans as the players came over to thank the fans. There was even one lad near me giving them two fingers. That probably really helped the situation ... Not.
Who can blame the lad? He had spent a lot of money travelling there and more to watch the match only to see these highly paid players not functioning as they should in his eyes. He'll get over it. So it is underperforming footballers and politicians who we should boo and two-finger!!
Not for me Ides. Thick and thin is my belief and trust me this is not even wafer thin yet. Yes, I can blame the lad. I don't like that.
So where do we go from here? Well firstly, those thinking that this is all some scheme to get a transfer are probably thinking a bit too hard. These lads are younger than me and they don't have some kind of perfect agency. They do stupid stuff despite the consequences, not because of. Anyway, we should deal with both players seperately, like this: Mane has done his penance now and if he scores a goal or two, all will be forgotten. If someone is talking to Man Utd, then it hasn't really affected him on the pitch yet. If Ron doesn't say something like "get on with it" to him this week, I'd be surprised. Wanyama has two games on the naughty step to think about what he has done. And if Romeu and Clasie play ok (as they are capable of), then it might be a little bit longer. Now he's got a problem entirely of his own making. But hey that's football. Whatever happens, Ronald is not an amateur. If you are having doubts then just listen to his interviews, he has barely got those wrong. Him and the rest will sort it.
I seem to remember the black box also looked at character etc as well as ability,given some of Mane,,Lovren and possibly Others(Vic) attitude maybe our much heralded black box could do with a lick of paint.
Going purely from memory but I don't think Mane was a black box signing. I remember Koeman saying that he had played against him in the Europa League when at Feyenoord and had been tracking him since. The black box had probably picked him up, like it supposedly does on any player playing in a top flight league, but I think Koeman had quite a bit of input. Also if we only signed players who weren't moany little ****s then our team would be terrible
Well we seem to have passed through the "Sack the manager" phase and we're now onto the "Sell the players" phase and there are signs of the "Sack the board" phase approaching. My club and football team are in the hands of professionals who I have some amount of trust in and who are doing a difficult job and not operating in a vacuum. They don't react as readily as the fans, thank Le God. Young men with big egos, dodgy agents and lots of money and potential for even more money don't always behave well, as Qwerty says. We need to give them the chance to improve and behave with some self-respect. Ron never ceases to impress me as do some of the players with their amazing attitude. Our promising young 'stars' need to match the attitude and work rate of these people if they are to become 'rich and famous'. (Bring back Ricky for character training) I expected this sort of drama when we arrived in the Prem, but I see now that we avoided it as a small team fighting to stay up and we have now hit it as a medium team trying to upset the status quo. Watford and Leicester will likely discover this next season. I have re-adjusted my expectations for the season and trust we can avoid relegation. By the way, I heard the PLAN at the players awards and it is clear to me and I believe it is clear to everyone at the club. It isn't paying off KL so she can jump ship. I also heard how difficult it is given Financial Fair Play rules. We need to increase our income to compete. Buy more shirts !!!
With Wanyama I would see how he reacts to a few games being suspended. Mane. Koeman etc need to have a meeting with him (one he turns up to on time). Have a word with him and tell him to sort it out. If he carries on or gets worse (we know he has done before), then get rid. We have enough problems as it is without a player stinking up the place.
