So rather than motivate players who are potential match winners and we know have the potential to be very good (As we've seen it happen) we should sell them and buy replacements in the January window (a notoriously bad time to buy) who will then, at best, take time to bond with the team at a point when we have lost 2 key players and team confidence isn't high. Then they may not be as good as the 2 we sold, given they were let go by their previous club. As gambles go, I'd say it isn't a good one. I don't think the other players would be glad to see them go at all. BTW re: Dark Lord's comment on Mane and his end-product. I agree completely, Bayern Munich, they're having a laugh! But we have to remember how long CR7 fannied around at ManUre for before becoming one of the world's best footballers.
All true, thats why its such a tough call. But at the moment, players must be playing knowing that in the summer will it all happen again...? If RonKo doesnt sign a new contract soon, who will sign for us knowing that the manager is going...? The players may already wish these 2 players were gone as they are upsetting the team harmony. Even when Osvaldo was there, publicly the squad didnt say too much about what was going on. Im not suggesting Mane is roughing people up, but the effect on the squad could be similar.
All true, thats why its such a tough call. But at the moment, players must be playing knowing that in the summer will it all happen again...? If RonKo doesnt sign a new contract soon, who will sign for us knowing that the manager is going...? The players may already wish these 2 players were gone as they are upsetting the team harmony. Even when Osvaldo was there, publicly the squad didnt say too much about what was going on. Im not suggesting Mane is roughing people up, but the effect on the squad could be similar.
We might be better off selling them both now Squad morale is extremely low at the moment anyway. 7 losses in 9 games, a win and a draw against Villa. May as well get rid and start rebuilding now. They are likely to get in the heads of other players as the season goes on We have Romeu, Clasie, Reed, Davis and JWP who can play DM/CM at the very least. I imagine VVD can also play DM. Technically we don't even need to replace Wanyama if we sell him. We can just give Reed more game time and let him develop. We can easily change system to a proper 4-3-3 and arguably be just as competitive before even signing the replacements, have Reed/Romeu DM Clasie/JWP CM Davis CM Long/JWP right wing Tadic left wing Long/Pelle ST. Or play a traditional 4-4-2 and have Davis + one other as the CM's. Or play a diamond 442. If he wants to keep 4231 then he's going to have to sign two attackers probably. Bojan for AMC is an idea considering the buy out clause and a player on the right wing that has reasonable end product (100% not Townsend). Long can compete for/cover/get in the side right wing and centre forward. We have enough cover at DM already. I think we should sell them now..
Stats are dangerous DL. Remember he's playing in a Saints side surrounded by Pelle, Long, Davis, Fonte, JWP, etc. Scouts will be thinking about him alongside top players, where he isn't the only hope. * Mane is young, exciting, skilful and works his socks off. His work rate (normally) is superb. Any top scout watching him will be picking up the phone after the game. *exagerated before someone quotes me
You are still here and saying the same thing since the last time you said this, though, Godders. Which of course means that you are addicted to the unbridled high you get from the positive side of football.
Mane must be kept at all costs for me. He is absolute quality, the best player that has played for us since Le Tiss IMO.
I know what you are saying. It's one of those that I can genuinely see both sides of the argument. Of course it would be better if they both stayed and played to their potential. But they certainly aren't doing so at the moment so why should it suddenly get better?
Papers are saying that Sadio says (who did he speak to?) that he will not sign a new contract for us, if we hold him until 2018 on his existing contract, that will mean he will get no pay rise until he is released at our whim. Is that a good idea for him to consider.
That was a bit of what if scenario to be honest. Hope if he does go that we get the best deal available preferably not to a Premier Club.
According to the Mail (i know, I know) Mane was late due to Ron bringing the meeting forward by 10 minutes and not as an act of indiscipline. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/southampton.html
