Except quality in this window is £40m upwards, which we're not prepared to spend, particularly when our owner is looking to sell. Catch 22.
Therein lies the problem imo. Kat doesn't want to fork out loads of cash as she's looking to sell, perfectly understandable. Problem being that even a small slip in a league as competitive as this can result in a huge drop off, which in turn could effect the value of her asset. Like you say, a real catch 22.
Everton needed to get their business done early because they've pretty much got a new team. Our biggest change is the coach and he has had all pre season with the players. As long as we sign fully fit players, then new signings bedding in shouldn't be a huge issue
We'll never really know, but I doubt things have changed too dramatically for the types of players we target. Yes there have been some ridiculous fees going about, but generally for bigger name/proven players going to a select few clubs that are splashing the cash. The PL has been awash with cash compared to most other leagues and clubs for a long time. I'm just saying that I don't think it affects things too dramatically for the type of players we typically go for. I don't think all of our targets prices are rising to £20/30/40m.
Oh I don't know. Anyone we're targeting in one sense will be the "smaller" clubs best player, and any club worth their salt will be tacking on the '2017 tax' to a price tag. I don't think we see starting quality players with much change from £20m in those circumstances. The only other option is players that have been lost at bigger clubs (as per Gabbi), perhaps like a Vietto. Let's see. Still a month to go (though in an ideal world I'd like to have seen business concluded earlier). VVD/this silly window/sale - it's a perfect storm.
I gave up at half time and watched a YouTube video on linear mathematics. Very good it was too. For Saturday night I have a video on calculus lined up explaining integration by backward substitution just in case things get boring. I struggled with the concept as a student years ago so I thought I would give it another shot especially as the video uses Leibniz notation and his integral rule is a favourite of mine.
Never mind the friendly last night we are a very ordinary side that needs an injection of new blood with some talent if we are to maintain our position as a top ten side.
I accept losing a preseason friendly....as long as we play well, but concerned that we look a bit behind in preparation with the new season looming. The players trailed back into preseason over a period of time, but that is the future when you have internationals playing for you. On Saturday I want to see the likely starting eleven for the Swansea game play most of the match and I want someone to start a fire under their tail...perhaps this result will do that. I know its only a friendly and we mustn't read too much into it....but we'd be reading a lot into it if it was a 4-0 win, wouldn't we?
https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-08-02/mauricio-pellegrino-post-southampton-fc-augsburg Even the manager found it hard to find positives from that game....saying that the only good thing was that it was a friendly and Augsberg was better than us in every area. May be a language thing but he seemed to be saying that it was JWP's first game...you know the guy who scored a goal and set up a goal in the last match. I hope he makes them watch the whole game again and use it as a powerful learning tool. The fun's over lads and the league is about to start...need a better performance v Seville.
Personally, I'm looking forward to my first season at Eastleigh. Meanwhile, everyone else does seem to be spending money. That doesn't always mean improvement of course but it does show some sort of intent. I think we'll manage mid-table but the VVD thing has to be resolved. If there were no money involved I'd have him rotting in the reserves or even better, no play no pay. Reality though, we surely need to take the money and invest wisely.
Agree with this fats. I think the club may have a longer term plan than just this season. The trouble is that it's always difficult getting the best players to buy into a longer term plan when there's way more money available somewhere else, thus the danger the the longer term plan never truly sticks well enough to come to fruition. Just out of interest though, what are your expectations for the season? What do you think you'd be happy enough to call a good season (position/pts)?
Maybe £20m, but that's not really much of a jump from what we were paying anyway. Relative to the jump in tv money its hardly going to stretch us to bring in a couple of £20m players, though obviously I know it's not as simple as I've made it sound. I just think it's too easy to blame us not getting anyone in yet on the 2017 tax, I'm sure theres been some of it, but I think its got more to do with the neverending takeover. Like you and probably everyone else I'd have liked us to have all/most of our business done by now, but I won't be saying it's been another poor transfer window until the window shuts and we are as is.
Regarding the ridiculous amounts of money being spent on players, I hope we don't get involved in the stupidity. Only big clubs with serious financial backing can compete, those who try to tag along will get caught out in the end, no matter who they are. The sooner a European super league comes about and the national leagues become more competitive the better, in my opinion. Players are not worth the money being thrown about at the moment and they are certainly not worth their weekly wage. It is about time sense was brought back into the world of football. I am sick to death of hearing weekly wages of £50k, £60k....... etc we have become so immune to it, which is appalling. The only reason West Ham can throw money about is because they have been bankrolled by the tax payer via the Olympic stadium. If we cannot compete financially in the prem without jeopardising the future of the club, including its self sustaining target model, then so be it. Don't pretend football clubs are community clubs when they are so far removed from the reality of the real world. Let's get real.
If we take the club's statements at face value then this summer window should not have been hampered in any respect by the Chinese flopover. As we will never know if we made enquiries about players who have moved or will move elsewhere, refusing to meet fees or inflated wage demands then everything is pure speculation and as such, the board have surely done enough to earn and retain our trust. That said, human nature would clearly demonstrate that someone who has reached a decision to sell something is significantly less likely to spend more on it first. Just like the heap of junk Meriva that my Mrs insisted I buy her that has been the bane of my fiscal life ever since. Just as it has hobbled me, the flopover has surely hobbled us to some extent. Or maybe that's rubbish and the transfer commitee are simply waiting for MP to make a few selections from players who are all but lined up. Only time will tell but last night's performance only served to highlight the need for both departures and signings. Who'd be the owner of a club eh?
I have no expectations for this season. Genuinely. What will be, will be. I'll be very, very disappointed if we went down, but I don't think that'll happen. I just want the manager to be given sufficient time by the club and the fans to find his way with the squad and decide over the rest of this window, January and next summer what he wants in his squad. He is new and needs to get used to our league and the games. No pressure on him from me at all. If he starts well, then excellent, I'll take that thanks. If he starts poorly then I'm prepared to give him time I'm also aware that our better performing players over the coming 12 months this may well end up moving on. So be it. Last season with an alleged poor manager and a poor side, we did ok. I believe we need a couple of additions to the squad (players one would consider first 11 or guaranteed first 16) and I expect the club want the same. However if for whatever self imposed financial reasons that doesn't happen, I won't lose my **** about it, I'll watch how we do and keep supporting them. I don't get why so many fans kick off and demand/expect (or other words if people are offended by these) action now. Let's see what MP2 is about. I'll go find my June post in a while about the summer postings in the forum
can saints win the premier league this season? That's the big question for me. Once we offload VanDick I think we have a tidy looking 1st 11
I would be happy with a repeat of last season....8th and a cup final, but I also want entertainment and have people talking about what a good footballing side we are.
