Heard that one before though haven't we. I love Ralph, which is why I am so uneasy at this talk, but he is by no means unsackable and if a big club such as Bayern came in for him then he could well be off before. I just think it is odd to freely discuss your managers replacement when we are led to believe he won't be leaving for 2.5 years
Yep, working a charm... https://www.sportinglife.com/footba...next-in-line-for-manchester-united-job/198408 https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/al...Hx7ywcsuVCWOGgyCEG3MHY78XOn2eP8bxCLFYQiICFNhJ
Very interesting listen. Definitely going with Vieira for the manager on our list. Semmens is very articulate and open which is extremely refreshing. Very curious to see how much difference (if any) this takeover makes in the Summer. Could be in for a good couple of years with a bit of luck. Wouldn't surprise me if Ralph left prior to his contract ending though.
Here's a rare chat with club legend Steve Williams about his memories of his time at Saints... https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/and-smith-must-score/id1562713103?i=1000549710134
Like others, after listening to Martin Semmens, I feel my club is being extremely well run. Bodes well for the future.
Just listened to the piece, and apart from the general feel good factor at how well the club is being run, it did raise a couple of queries, notably the manager question. I’m not sure I agree about Ralph leaving early, the only way would be if he is sacked because our form dips to the extent of relegation danger. Even then, a replacement would already have been lined up. Vieira is a good shout but out of reach now. The other question is Broja. From what Semmens was saying it’s unlikely we would match Chelsea’s valuation in the summer, so another loan season is the only way we can keep him here.
There are plus sides to another Broja loan - our funds can be spread around the squad and we have more time to look for a replacement . Or we can hopefully identify that replacement as the person to take Shane Long’s spot in the squad. Given how often he has appeared on the bench “4th striker” doesn’t seem like one we will just cobble through with counting Walcott, Tella and Redmond as strikers. I have seen some people on Saintsweb suggest Chelsea will want to loan him to a “top European club” to round out his experience. To me this is just the overly negative saints fan reaction to this. I would point those people to Lukaku and Werner who tore it up for “top European clubs”. It seems to have no relevance to premier league performance If he does go on loan again then I would expect it to be to the premier league The question is whether we want to do that or whether we are confident in actually being able to identify and permanently sign the next Broja. Loaning him again and being happy to let him develop and then leave - even if it is forced as he isn’t our player will still bolster our reputation about giving those players a chance and encourage them to sign permanently
Yeah it makes no sense for Chelsea to loan him abroad. IF they choose to loan him out again it will be to the PL to give him more experience that will be beneficial to them.
I'm pretty sure it has been said that a loan deal is not an option. Not because that is Chelsea's decision, but that wherever he is playing his football, Chelsea, Saints or elsewhere, he wants to be there permanently.
Well, that was an interesting interview, if a little too revealing. I think if you follow SFC closely enough, you already know what the limitations are and don’t need reminding. As Semmens says, it was an unfortunate set of circumstances that Gao found himself in, and I hope he recovers from it financially. I agree that Ralph is the right coach to attract and develop young talent, and they will want to come here and get a chance like Tino has. On the other hand, it must be the hardest job for any manager to carry out and if anything, it shows that Semmens could have a hard job keeping hold of future managers. Semmens also sounds like he is enjoying life under Dragan, and having a bit of fun teasing us with a new mystery manager with a couple of clues or red herrings thrown in. There aren’t that many managers that will fit the ethos, but it should be fun for the next couple of years pondering on whom that person will be, in my frank opinion.
I know who a lot of people are assuming Semmens was referring to as a manager option but I’m not convinced I have said multiple times on here that I am not a fan of how said manager is spectacularly sticking his head in the sand. Our opponents didn’t create any chances against us. Then how did you concede 4 goals? And things like that. He seems to be starting to crack
Lampard showed he was happy to work with youngsters at Chelsea, and seemed to be the obvious choice before going to Everton. Wouldn’t be surprised if Rooney was in the mix as well. Derby are just 4 points behind Reading, albeit having played an extra game, but Derby have had 21 points deducted from them, this season. Without that they would be 10 points off the play offs.
Yes Badge, "We're gonna need a bigger list,” for sure, between now and in 2.5 years time. My concern with Rooney, Lampard, and Gerrard is by then they will have the experience and could already be managing Everton, Chelsea (again) and Liverpool. Gareth Southgate on the other hand has no ties and would easily fit the Semmens remit.
Saturday 19th February 2022. 15:00 KO. Southampton v Everton. Referee: Andy Madley. Assistants: Darren Cann, Wade Smith. Fourth official: Keith Stroud. VAR: Andre Marriner. Assistant VAR: Derek Eaton.
Southgate would be awful at Saints. You need to be better tactically at club level than international. The main reason he has done so well with England is he is the first manager in a long time to have not just a group of fantastic and world class individuals, but to have managed to get them enjoying playing for England and playing as a team. That isn't a criticism by the way, he was the perfect man for the job and still is. I disagree with a lot of his selections & tactics, but his man management is exceptional.
I know what you mean Ronnie mate. I am trying to fit a manager to what Semmens seems to want, rather than what any of us would ideally want. As I said, I think Semmens enjoyed his little tease of leaving the fans to guess the mystery manager for the next couple of years.
