http://www.london24.com/sport/footb...e_austin_s_bargain_southampton_move_1_4402111 Wenger saying that he was surprised that Austin went for only 4 million once he was in the market....that's because no one knew he was available, Arsene. He was also asked why Saints are Arsenal's bogey team having beaten them 3/4 times recently. His answer was simple, because Saints are a good side.
Nice to hear him saying that the fact he said nobody would be sold, was not just his opinion, it was the opinion of the chairman and Les Reed.
Really good interview. Interesting to see the new formation against a team that can pass as well as Arsenal. Shame Steve Davis is out, big miss, but a good opportunity for Clasie to show what he can do now he's match fit. Arsenal to win the Premiership and Saints to do the double over the champions???
Didn't realise that it was almost a full programme tonight....for some reason I thought we were on our own. I know we are being very very positive, but the 3 below us (threatening our 8th place) are United v Stoke, Crystal Palace v Bournemouth and Watford v Chelsea (Wednesday). On the other hand (as this is the positive thread), the 2 above we can catch are West Ham v Aston Villa and Leicester v Liverpool, so we could end up anywhere from 6-11th. Not many dead certs there. I know it only matters at the end of the season, but I only want to go up now, so COYR.
Not having a pop at all, but I wonder how many times Clasie has to be really good before people just accept that he's really good!
Your avatar is better looking! Yeah, I'm really up for this one. Dropped my car off this morning and started talking football with the mechanic. He's a Liverpool fan who is strangely unimpressed with the Caulker signing. Anyway, there was a bloke dropping off his van who came to join us. Turned out to be an Arsenal fan. I only said 4-0 a few times, honest. He said he was "terrified" of Saints tonight. Good. Let them be. Off for the train to London. COYR (or is that COYG?)
My mate's a gooner. Apparently last night a reporter from Metro was interviewing Per Mertesacker, and he asked, "So Per, how do you think you will get a-Long tomorrow night?", but apparently before Mertesacker was able to even utter one word, he accidentally shat a massive smelly log into the rear of his leiderhosen.
Such a modest player and very complimentary to his teammates. One gets the sense that Ryan is very settled at Saints and is just pleased with the club and his own progress. The truth is he could walk into any club, play for the first team and not disgrace himself at all. I think he's one of the best LBs in the country. Certainly he's the best English LB [and I include a fit Shaw], in my opinion. It turns out he's a bloody good left-sided CB as well, in a three, although he's shown plenty of evidence to suggest that when he tucks into a compact back four. How his talent was allowed to be utilised frivolously before I don't know. Supporters may not have seen it, but surely coaches did.
... and one of a 18 year old, another like a 25 year old and one more like a 35 year old. They are all pulled back with my other hand behind my neck. Took 15 minutes of practice
Spot on, SS. It beggars belief. It's also a question of remembering that players are human beings, and quite like being liked/valued. He can't dislike the fact that he is highly valued by the manager and liked by the fans. After all the crap he has put up with it must feel pretty good. And the club is in Hampshire, which I'm assured is not a bad place to live. This follows on Charlie talking about being happy to be near his parents and having a settled place for his little girl. He might also find that he becomes a Saints Legend.
Yes agreed. I suppose there is still a wee problem with his fitness, but that's being a bit picky. He's shown signs already of being a very, very good player indeed and he's going to improve. Against ManU, where we didn't miss Morgan a jot, and he was playing against us too, was a yardstick for both the team and new players like Clasie. He passed the exam. And incidentally, I realise I'm liking Romeu a lot more too. He's starting to find his place.
And if Vic can continue to put in performances like he did against Arsenal and Man U, up there with his best ever for us imo, we are pretty blessed in the CM role, looks like Reed is going to find appearances hard to come by.
Agreed, I didn't realise Romeu is only 24 as well. I do like the way 5 at the back(ish) seems to give more players a chance of contributing, strange as you're still only allowed 11 men on the pitch.
