Regarding the contracts, they do give the club options. They can refuse to sell provided they are long enough. The last year we need to sell, the last 2 years we need to sell if we want the best price. 4 and over, the club has far more clout. We can sell a player if it suits us or let him fester in the reserves if we need to. He's not going anywhere without our agreement. That is what is so great about the recent contracts. VVD signed to the club not the manager. He's not leaving.
Good point well made. I will beat myself with a stick this morning. Mitigation: exasperated at the lack of patience and faith from some fans.
I'm not sure I've seen so many posters have blammed the Board, I for one haven't, but in my opinion they have (rightly so) spinned this a little, as they have with some player exits (which is all fine). My view was then all this RK bashing (which is understandable and also fine) was little more than letting off steam from people but also a little misplaced, regardless to his quotes and apprarent loyalty. No one knew exactly what went on and it shouldn't be an issue for a minority on here to point out that the Board perhaps weren't exactly whiter than white. I think they played a blinder to get £5m compo for him and that I'm really excited to see who will now come in. I just felt as though people get a little bashed for having a slightly different view.
We were hoping to sign others to longer contracts...such players may just be pausing to see what happens next. However, I expected a few more to sign after the initial three....when that didn't happen immediately, I began to think a few were considering leaving or at least letting their contracts run down. I think we should have sympathy for Les....he knew he was in for a busy summer, but he was probably happy about that as he lives and breathes football. Apparently targets were all ready and some had had initial approaches and, as he said, the preseason tours were all set....I presume the Dutch one is off now (unless we sign another Dutch manager). His plans are in complete disarray because once again Saints have been treated with disrespect (and by the last one we would have suspected). Ron did his badge kissing and then did a Lallana....people should get off Les Reed's back...he is one of the most important cogs in the Saints' wheel.
Do you honestly honestly believe this and think footballers have any sort of conscience? Even our beloved MLT was off to Spurs before his wife stepped in.
There was no passive aggression in my post - I apologised openly for being aggressive. It was aggressive When VvD and Forster signed new deals they spoke of the ambition of the club. That's why they signed. Where are VVDs negative comments? I read them as pissed at Koeman for leaving. You clearly read them as losses at the club and the need to leave asap. My point is simple. Just wait. Come and moan as I am sure we all will, if everyone leaves. I don't think VvD will leave this summer. The only player I am sure will leave is Vic and then I have a question over Mane, but only if we receive a massive offer. Why worry about something that hasn't happened yet?
Ian Branfoot? Now that would be a statement of intent by the board. Mostly that they have lost their collective marbles
I think they signed because they were shown a plan which looked good, they probably nodded and thought "how much" and then Les showed them how much and they signed. The point is they signed. I honestly, honestly believe that VvD and Forster will not leave this summer. Honestly.
I didn't post to moan. I wanted to raise the issue of poaching and whether there was anything we could do about it. Maybe I should have kept my thoughts about Virgil to myself as that has clearly distracted from the debate I intended.
Maybe. You did come across like a cat on a hit tin roof, not knowing which way to run. On poaching, I agree it is shocking. Sadly it is what happens in football. Not sure how it can be stopped!!
Perhaps you might like to add.....that all the players and managers are either on their hols or at the Euro's. Nowt is going to be done in my opinion while the Euro's are going on......Think about it.......apart from perhaps youngsters, would we really want to recruit players who are not at least in the Euro squad? Another couple of weeks the player rumours will be coming fast....The manager on the other hand, hmmm another couple of weeks also perhaps?
The Echo said there's not much to be done until the Euros are over, and Saints won't sign anyone without the approval of the new manager. Saints are going to take their time - the Euros helps with that - but likely to be a new boss in the next 14 days. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/sa...e_their_time_replacing_Ronald_Koeman/?ref=rss
Unless a targeted manager happens to be passing unguarded through Southampton, we can assume that appointing a new manager will take time. We need the right one (and Saints have managed that well in the Leihberr era). And if the manager is with another club, it will take even longer. We face an unsettled summer, but I guarantee that Forster and VVD will be told to forget it if they even mention leaving to Les....he will be more concerned about sorting out the manager initially and players on shorter contracts. I hope and expect that Fonte has been on the phone to the main players already.
I highly doubt we lose Virgil this summer. Was suggested there's a release clause in his contract, though...another excellent season and, if that threshold is in remotely rational territory, there's a good chance it gets tested.
It's Low, it's Low.... he's going to bring a hatful of World Cup Winners with him..... . *runs around with arms flailing about like crazy*
