Saints are 'increasingly hopeful' on Victor Wanyama signing a new deal at St. Mary's

See, this is what I have an issue with. Players are not components on a circuit board that can easily be replaced with like for like parts. You lose one important member of the squad and it's never an easy thing to replace him. There may be plenty of players about who can do some things as well as Vic, some things better than him, and some things not nearly as well, but to say we can "purchase a DM of Wanyama-caliber" - for any price - is bit of a misconception imo.

 

And just as important.... It's a gamble that they'll work out.

The bit i'd like is for us to decide that new player X is now better than existing player Y who we thought too important to sell and be happy to let him go.

 

ISIRTP does have a point though about "statements". Overall though, it is not just a question of "stopping the exodus". If Wanyama signs, I would be OK with calling it a "statement", but more importantly we'd be signing someone we know will perform. Just as, if and when Jay recovers his fitness and form we'll hail it as "as good as a new signing".

Imagine if we'd managed to hold on to Morgan. We'd have been making the statement of intent, maybe, but more importantly signing a known excellent player

 

This could be what's happening. In the case of Pelle they have probably got a better player in Austin so are happy for Pelle to return to Italy in the summer. Let's face it we have no idea what is going on but have great fun pretending we do!

 

Some of us were never saying that about Clasie! Quite the opposite.

I do take your point though!

 

I don't understand how some people write players off so quickly. New league, new country, injuries and only here about 6 months. Good job people aren't written off so quickly in normal every day jobs! How many people start in a new job and don't take time to settle in and that's doing it day in day out? Players play once a week on average if they get picked. Unless they are obviously awful give them a chance.

 

Yeah, but people tend to look past the fact that signing Wanyama is also a major gamble. Mostly because it's not our money.

If Wanyama signs and plays as well in the same role for the club for the next four years, people would be quite pleased. Because we just look at the players on the pitch and how they do.

But if we were paying Wanyama 250k a week to do it, it would be a crippling deal for the club. Obviously that is an exaggerated figure, but point is-- it's not like Wanyama is just going to play on the terms of his initial deal on a year-to-year basis.

If we were to sign a player for maybe 8-10m at 40k a week for four years, people would say "Oh, that's a gamble." But if we re-sign Wanyama for four years at 80k-ish plus signing bonus, etc. it might be the same amount of money. But people wouldn't think of that as a gamble.

It's like people think the distinction is between "I can have 10 pounds in my pocket, OR I can gamble this 10 pounds at the track."

But that's not the case. If you really just want the cash in pocket, don't re-sign Wanyama and just let him leave for free.

Otherwise, you're betting 18-20m pounds.. it's just a matter of deciding which horse to bet on.

 

The one with proven form in existing conditions is usually a safe bet.

 

I think you are making way too much of this and looking at too much analysis. I think it's safe to say that the club won't go OTT on his wages and it will be better for us rather than worse for us if he signs.

 

I don't want the safe bet. I want the bet with the better expected rate of return.

 

I honestly don't have a strong opinion either way. I will say that the board has earned my trust given their strong record.

If he signs, I assume that the board feels he is worth the money and that is fine. And if he doesn't sign, then I assume he was asking too much and that is fine as well. I'm a little nervous either way, but in the end I trust Reed.

I've never said we have to sell Wanyama. Just that we don't have to keep him.

 

Then you'll probably go skint.

 

Agreed, what I have said and others is that it would be nice to have him re-sign simply because it would be a player staying that every bloody media outlet has already sold for us..

 

Succinctly put, and agree totally.

5.11? Is this you coming in or getting up to do the paper round? You sound grumpy so I'm assuming the latter. All rock 'n' roll your life, mate.

 

Ha ha! Woke up early. Even too early for the paper round!!

 

Any ITKs know anything ?

Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama, 24, is stalling on a new contract at St Mary's amid interest from Arsenal and Tottenham. (Daily Mirror)

 

Yes, the Daily Star are issuing the same crap. Isn't there any proper news around. Krakatoa not erupting ?

 

The media have left us alone for three days now without trying to sell our entire squad...give them some credit! LOL

 

True. I think it's about time to close the Winter Transfer Rumour Thread in any case.

 

If I had been as competent as the national newspaper's football correspondents when I was at work I would have never kept a job. As I said before there are lies, dam lies and then the crap written by football correspondents. When I paid my newspaper bill last week I said to Mr Patel that he should put the tabloids up with the girlie mags as they were all written by ****ers. He said he couldn't do that but he would put them down with the children's comics.