I take all your points and agree some what with what you are saying, I just have this feeling that if as Hughes has said we have run out of money and squad space and need to sell before we buy then the £13 million transfer fee and the I'm guessing £30k-£40k wages on an extra keeper to replace the keeper who is on a long term contract and on £60k per week and to be back up to a keeper who has just had a new contract and pay rise seems a bit strange. If we go out and sign a striker which is an area we have struggled in for the last couple of seasons then none of this will matter if however we start the season with one of the most costly goalkeeping depts in the league and Long up front I will be concerned.
Just shows how tough it is. Gunn had a very successful loan spell at Norwich and the press reported lots of interest in his signature. If we had waited before we offloaded Forster then we might of missed out on a player the club thinks has huge potential
What l have heard on Bein is a quote from Andy Gray (maybe not the best source, but someone who, whether you like him or not) had a discussion with Ray Clemence, then England GK head coach, and RC had said to AG that he had concerns about FF when he came into the England Squad that FF was too tall and cumbersome to be able to make it as a Tier 1 GK. AG said this in an interview some 2-3 years ago. This was soon after FF had started his downward slide and was not part of a usual AG rant, to put some context behind it. For me, Watson is quality. Possibly the best backroom coach we have.
Forster looked relatively decent behind a great defence. Even when our defence was at it's best, and tightest, however I did always worry about Forster's lack of ability to command the box. He has always struggled to come for crosses and be commanding. He has always hesitated coming off his line too. I think with our defence weakening and Forster coming back from injury (he was struggling form wise before the injury) everything got compounded. He is arguably not good enough for Premier League level anymore and really struggled last season in every sense. It's worth noting that McCarthy, despite being an improvement, did struggle slightly himself in terms of saving percentage (compared to the league's other keepers, although it was comfortably superior to Forster's). The eye test obviously shows McCarthy to have been better individually, and better for the team, last season regardless of any stats . The good thing is we know McCarthy is happy to vie for the number one shirt. Angus Gunn gives good competition. We don't need three keepers on the books of this standard. The worry is Forster is possibly the 3rd choice now and he's on a big wage. I would be looking to off-load him asap personally. He's probably only getting pre-season game time to make him more attractive to other clubs. Forster or McCarthy look to be on the move with Angus Gunn coming in. Surely the more likely is Forster? Even if we have to contribute to the wage and potentially have a knock down fee I'm not bothered. Forster right now it's worth much at all and his wages will be a big worry for any suitors. I would be very surprised if McCarthy wanted to move (or if Hughes was looking for him to go). I would have hoped we could make some sort of agreement with possibly Burnley considering Pope just got injured for 6 months.
Forster never looked the same since his cock up Vs Villa away. I think Agbonlahor beat hin to the ball after coming off his line. Ever since then for me he seemed to lose some confidence.
Can’t make the game, but will be interested in how they line up and who plays where, now a near full compliment has returned. 3-4-3 seems to be the system that Hughes is going with and he has played it with one striker or two strikers so far, which will be a good subtle tactical tweak to have up our sleeve. Targett has been wide left for most of pre-season with Bertie part of the three, but with 5 center backs on the books and Bertie strong going forward I will be surprised if he continues down that route. JWP & Reed have had stints wide right and this game is prob too early for Cedric. Although Cedric offers enthusiasm going forward I’m not sure if the wing back role suits him. He seems far more comfortable in a traditional four. For better or worse for the team, their aren’t too many nailed on starters for the Burnley game as yet.
Love Maya Did people notice his warrior cry at the end of the media video. He just loves life and loves Saints. I want him to become Joint Mayor of Southampton and Nagoya, Japan when he finishes playing.
It’s simple really, just like having 6 CBs. We’re going to play two keepers and 3 CBs every game. Credit to Hughes, because that’s radicle thinking.
I understand where you’re coming from Kitch, but maybe this is a case where the Board are being strong, realising they have a problem with Fraser and dealing with it rather than ignoring it. If the club feel Fraser isn’t right, then it was essential we signed a keeper. If Gunn was available to us, probably right we brought him while he was available rather than wait. That might mean we have a highly paid keeper who won’t play if we can’t shift him, but for me the club have taken a positive move. Yes, it’s a chunk of money that if he doesn’t go could be invested elsewhere, but let’s not forget this is real life and not everything goes smoothly or as people/the club want. Imagine if we went into the season with Fraser as back up keeper with the way a large number of fans feel about him? It is not a perfect situation, but I feel the club have made the right move here. Even better if they do manage to find Fraser a home.
Play Shlong as a RWB? Good in the air, quick not sure about tackling but then Ashley Young gets away with it.
https://southamptonfc.com/news/2018...iew-interview-southampton-celta-vigo-friendly Hughes previewing match....thinks Celta Vigo will be a couple of weeks behind us in preparation. Let's hope after he's said that that we actually look sharper He says it will help him see who is fully match fit....says players vary in how long it takes them to regain fitness. Elsewhere reported that Boufal is still out injured so will not play. Celta Vigo apparently have a couple of other players out as well.
Anyone going tonight? I am As an aside, even though my daughter said she would buy me the new shirt, it seems she didn't specify what season she would buy it, so it seems I'll wait until next year from her. However, I was going to get one from the shop tonight before the game, but how do we get the season ticket discount if we haven't got our season tickets yet?
