The Virgil Van Dijk Stays at Southampton Thread

Thanks I'll take that as a compliment.

On another note he seems like a snappy get stuck in type of player, exactly what we need tbh.

 

Just wait 12 months.

 

LOL ................ on me way to Specsavers !!!

 

One of your posters claimed that my opinion had no foundation, then went on to mention 9 /10 first team players that have gone in the last in the last 3/4 seasons, so I await eagerly you explaining how that can't be considered as selling club mentality.

 

The solution is simple really, many clubs have already worked it out. Buy worse players, pay them too much and don't develop them while they are yours.

 

Ssssh....I thought it was a humorous play on words.

 

I think pie that you missed the feeling. We're Saints fans and we are fully aware that we sell players on. It is our model. From what I've read here, it's the way you appear to have come on to the board and told us this is what we do... it's not news fella. We know. Not having a go at you, just saying what it may look like. Some Saints fans don't like it but deep down people know it is what we do and it seems to have worked well for 5 years or so.

One fan may have taken the hump about it with you, but it ain't the end of the world and as said before, it isn't news!

 

I think it is the media that annoys us....you would think no one else ever sold players. We know that we turn over players as a business model....though we would prefer to do it on our terms. This is where VVD has come unstuck....he disrespected us at a time that we felt able to play hardball. And just after signing a long contract and coming back from an injury. Perfect storm....please let him rot, Les.

 

Can you explain what you think a 'selling club mentality' is, exactly?

Because selling a player is not necessarily a bad thing mate, if you re-invest the money wisely, into cheaper, younger players, improve them, and then later rip-off some some rich club that has a **** academy/scouting system.

For example, we got 50 million for Calum Chambers and Luke Shaw, three summers ago (!), before all these crazy transfer fees. Back then a lot of us were actually disappointed to lose them, but the club obviously knew they were getting a good deal from it, and that we could easily cover their loss. Now, in place of Shaw at left-back, we have an England international, and two excellent academy products, with a combined value probably close to 80m.

Another example, the money we got from Dejan Lovren, was enough to bring in, say, Van Dijk and Forster. Not a bad bit of business really.

Selling is only bad, if you waste the money away afterwards. We don't. We use it to improve.

 

If I came across like that then I apologise, it wasn't my intention. I can't be bothered to go over my posts again, but my original comment was in response to how fans seem to bury there heads when it comes to transfers. The typical response is "the player is an ungrateful so and so, the buying club somehow at fault for wanting a said player, he signed an x year contract, he kissed the badge, a spokesman (in your case Les) has said we won't sell etc.etc.", only for the club to eventually sell. That's why I said you need to look closer to home. If Liverpool hadn't of messed up with the meeting would VDV still be there?
In this instance, I believe the way VDV is behaving is disgraceful. I would love it if the Saints said you will honour your 6 year contract, even if you choose not to play. The sad reality is, he is likely to be gone by the end of the transfer window.

 

My first choice (after horse whipping him behind a cart around the city...apparently frowned upon) Is to say sod the money (after all we will get something, sometime) and sit it out till the window closes. However, I don't see him folding even then and I don't really want him to sully our shirt again. For me to change my mind, he'd have to do a hell of a turnaround...and I don't see that happening. My second choice is to sell him to anyone but Liverpool....he saves face by orchestrating a move and we save face by preventing him from totally dictating terms. Sell to Liverpool!!....not even a choice. Just no!

 

Agreed. I hope we don't sell him this window and at the very least, if we do, not to Liverpool. If he goes to Liverpool this window, football loses.

 

Its too late in the window for him to move.

 

And fans will lose their teeth...with all the gnashing and grinding.

 

Just to put you straight a bit..........While it is true Saints over the last 5 years have sold the best part of a team. However in most cases they only had one or two years left on their contracts and so a good profit for Saints. To try and stop the rot they managed to increase the current cor of the team with much longer contracts and an increase in money. That is why the management and fans are so upset with VVD as he signed a 5 year extension only a few months ago. Saints are going to have to put their foot down in my opinion and not let him go to his chosen club.
Mind you having a disruptive player on your books is not good either. So he may have to be let go but it won't be to Liverpool.......also he won't go if anyone else does not meet Saints valuation...........
So there is more to come yet in my opinion and a lot of debate no doubt..............

 

I don't think he is particularly disruptive....MP2 has separated him from the team...at least during official work time. And the team look pretty happy to me.

 

That was me and that was not what I said at all was it? You suggested that NO other club had let as many players go as us. I simply corrected you.

 

So which bit is incorrect. The fact that you contradicted yourself by saying my previous comment had no foundation and then mentioning the 9/10 first team players or me saying no other premier club has let as many first team players go over a short period of time. If that's not true, perhaps you could share with me the other clubs?

 

It would seem the second part

The point being made is the first team players sold were almost all very high quality and other clubs have sold many first team players but in their cases they were rubbish

Without digging deep I would point to Sunderland who over the past 5 or more years seem to have an almost complete squad turnover whenever they change manager (which was often). I am pretty sure Villa were the same when they ditched loads of players for youngsters

 

So you claim the second part and then go on to say how all the players sold are very high quality, so you like Bovril are contradicting yourself.
Sunderland and Villa, is that the best you can come up with