If Claude goes to Watford and they stay up, we'll probably get £8 - £10m for him. Big fan of him, but I'd take that.
I wouldn’t.[/QUOTE] I think FLT said it correct about being a squad game, think it could work out ok.
Whilst the goal tally makes Ings the shoo -in for Player of the Season, I would have to argue that Armstrong's regular appearances in the side have been instrumental in the turn around in our fortunes. Surely he must be one of the first names on the team sheet along with Ings and the ever-improving JWP. If anyone will leave I have to say that I think it will be JWP. It cannot be long, now that he has achieved his full attention, the one of the big clubs come in for him. Personally, i think that these three players will be crucial when we push on next season. Strengthen the defence and then I really believe we can start talking about a challenge for the Uefa places. Saints will be next season's Wolves.
I’d add to these valid points Ian, by saying we lack depth in our squad. We’ve done well on a ten game season (I’m sure partly down to Ralph’s preparation) but we need a stronger squad for a 38 game season and Cups. That will mean selling some dross (or worse, good players) and bringing in the right number and quality. Not sure we can do that part. I’m excited about next season but only because of the phenomenal coach we have and his ability to develop the team and players. Our weaknesses are all too obvious and to correct those we need a Board ready to invest.... there the wheels start to wobble
Like others, I've used lockdown to clear out stuff. Came across Lawrie McMenemy's "Diary of a Season". He complained about the poor local news coverage and lack of ambition from the Board in 1979 when we'd just beaten Leeds to get to Wembley. As a Saints fan of some years, I do wonder whether things ever change?
We could be. The primary difference for me is strength in depth. Wolves have a really quality squad. This season has proven that - having played so many more games than anyone else in the UK and still picking up results. I think we'd more than struggle were Ings to get injured or suspended. The same is becoming true of JWP (especially as PEH leaves) and could be argued of Bertrand too. It's absolutely no coincidence that our best run as come with a very settled starting 11. Keep hold of the best of what we have, add 2 or 3 'starters' and bring in another 2 who are ready to push those in the first 11 all the way and we have a chance of doing something special. That's not going to be cheap/easy mind!
We don't bring in the type of players we need to be a top six team. Saints just don't seem to have the ambition or the money. I have always said we lost that kind of ambition. Saints have always had a good steady following as has proved since the early 21st century. They had the same opportunity back in the 60s which they declined.............(Charlie Knott and co) had we taken up his offer we could easily been by now a top 6 side. After our rescuer took over the club I really thought we might be going places at last as he seemed to have the ambition. Yes a bit over ambitious perhaps as it turned out. A pity he wasn't able to see out his legacy. His daughter was/is useless...........at best with the current Boardroom the best we can hope for is a top ten place. There is obviously no money to speculate to accumulate..........Saints will not move on until we have someone with that kind of mentality........... Certainly not all the time we sell our best players to finance a mediocre team.......... Edit........Just a nasty bit of info just come in while typing, don't be surprised to see Ings gone at the end of the season.............
Oh come on Beddy. It’s bad enough the pundits trying to sell/unsettle players and managers whether fact or boredom!!
Let’s speculate that someone did actually offer something like £60m for Ings, would anyone be tempted?
Not in the slightest. Although it could help my dream of Championship football it's wonderful having a local lad banging the goals in. No chance we could replace him. Reckon there'd be hell on for Gao if we sold Danny.
I'm torn tbh. On the one hand every reason why we wouldn't receive such a bid is exactly the reason why we should accept one if it does come. He is 28 at the start of next year, has had one prolific year in the PL and with a history of serious knee issues. If the £60m was invested back into the side on a few players it could improve us overall, though we most likely wouldn't have a 20 goal a season striker next year (no guarantee we would even if we kept Ings). We all know we have deficiencies in multiple areas and having that money could help address them all. On the other hand our recruitment in the last few seasons has been utter dog, so there is every chance that even if we spent that £60m we end up with a load of trash. We all know Gao is skint so there is a real possibility that only a fraction of the £60m gets reinvested. Without Ings' goals this year we would be far closer to relegation, if not relegated which would cost the club far more than £60m. As you say he is a local boy and the fans love him so the PR the already shaky owners have would plummet even further. I guess the ultimate question is: is having 1 x Danny Ings better than having 3 x mystery players at say ST, RB and CB. And that is basically whether or not you think our recruitment has been/will be better under Matt Crocker
Mate I was as surprised as you to hear this.........I have known for a while that a couple of offers have come in and refused...........I honestly cant tell you anymore as I just don't know.............My understanding is an offer has come in that they are considering...No more than that, as to Ings views on that I don't know. I have been told he has just bought 3 houses in Romsey for his family!!. So one would presume he won't but you never know. Sorry I cannot be more specific. If I hear more I will tell you..........
Trouble is, we all fear this deep down is that Gao hasn’t got the finances to say no. As Saints fans, we have almost become genetically accustomed to things going pear shaped very soon after they start going well.... at the back of my mind, I have this mindset with Ings, JWP, etc. If (as many suspect) Gao is pretty much broke, he would sell anything we have to turn a profit, living in China, he wouldn’t care about his reputation or how the fans would feel.
Presumably though the funds are already earmarked for a CB and a RB as we are rumoured to have agreed on Salisu and are negotiating for KWP. Perhaps the board anticipate the funds for those two would come from the PEH sale, and that's assuming there is £0 in the transfer kitty and any signings come from sales. So the question in my opinion should change to: is having 1 x Danny Ings better than having 1 x mystery replacement ST (at say £20m) with £40m going to Gao. I think the worst possible thing Saints could do is sell Ings. I don't think he'll get as many goals next season, but he is key to our play and leads from the front with his pressing and energy. The other players feed off it. You could always sell Ings and try to pick up someone like Calum Wilson (or maybe Troy Deeney if Watford go down), but it's a much riskier plan, even if the money is tempting.
If we sell Ings then we may as well say good bye to Ralph as well. Also, I very much doubt any bids have come in at all otherwise there would be leaks and the papers would be all over it. Sorry but I don't believe a word of it
Rumours were a while back that Leicester and Everton were interested,but they would never pay what he’s worth. For me the only team likely to pay his valuation would be Arsenal, but with their front line they presently have......I just can’t see it.
Spurs could afford it but it would be a hell of a lot to spend on a sub striker and Ings won't want to sit on the bench again - especially with him in line for a England call.
