Potential DaGrosa Takeover

Never in 135 years have we had a major injection of capital. Yet in the 55 years of following Saints I have constantly heard the ‘we need to spend big to even stay where we are’ argument. It’s never happened yet. Despite that, we’ve spent most of that time in the top flight, half a dozen European adventures and four cup finals. And one brush with administration as a result of over committing financially. As a result, I’m inclined to more readily place my trust in the likes of Semmens who argues the only way a club of our size can compete is to be financially self sustainable. That makes ownership largely irrelevant.

 

Yep, and football hasn't changed a bit on those 55 years eh?

I agree with you that it is better to have someone like Semmens that believes we need to be self sustainable over someone that spends money we don't have (been there!) - but there is also a middle ground.

Semmens pretty much said in the fans forum in December that we do want to find that middle ground, i.e an owner that will invest in the club rather than do nothing like Gao. Now we shouldn't expect someone to come in and pump £50m every year, but even modest investment will be an improvement on what we have now.

We now have a £75m loan to service and eventually repay (start repayments 2025) - until then just servicing the interest is an extra £7m per season we have to pay. Relegation is a matter of when, not if, unless we get new investment within the next few years. We are only mid table now because of Ralph and managers of his calibre don't come around often.

 

I’m sure Ralph will see “this is bloody hard work” without some help. ie investment. So yes Ralph will surely think I can’t keep pulling rabbits out the hat week in week out. We look absolutely fine and great when our first 14,15 players are fit and well,but then beyond that....... does Ralph say to himself,no help,no investment.....I’m off ???

 

Yes but he clearly loves hard work and he sees it as a long term project to move us forward. First step was to shift some of the players who did not fit his style of play and only sign players who he could help develop into better players (to help us move up the table or to finance further investment). His track record here is actually more impressive than many realise. Since he arrived we have shifted over 40 players by sale loan or released (either way reducing wage bill). Most notably (salary wise) these include, Tadic, Gabbiadini, Carrillo, Seager, Boufal, Clasie, Sims, Reed, Davis, Hoedt, Soares, Hesketh, Gardos, Pied, Targett, Gallagher, Austin, Lemina, Long and Yoshida. The rest are made up largely from the B team. In that time we have only made 9 significant signings - but what signing they have been. Ings, Walcott, Danso, KWP, Salisu, Djenepo, Adams, Diallo and Minamino. I would suggest all but Danso have improved the team (though we haven't been able to judge Salisu yet) and Danso was only a loan who has since left anyway .

I think to do that in such a short time as well as take us up to mid table is remarkable and would suggest that is an indication that the club is prepared to 'invest' (in a self sustaining manner).

Ronnie - is that not finding the middle ground?

 

Tadic left before Ralph didn't he?

 

Yes, he left in June 2018, Ralph didn’t arrive until December.

 

Good point Mowgli. You might not have all the ins correct as per the above comments but your basic gist is correct & that does highlight the transformation KR is undertaking, albeit more to do

 

I thought Ings was already on loan. But I get most things wrong, so maybe not.

I do like the sentiment of @mowgli post though, we really do have a manager with a vision, and who is carrying it out.

 

My bad. And as has been said elsewhere, you have to think he would have fitted Ralph's style perfectly and would have been an amazing asset that Ralph wold have rated highly.

 

Out of all the players who have come and gone in the last 10 years Tadič and Mané, and probably Morgan Schneiderlin, would fit perfectly into Ralph’s system.

 

Morgan would have absolutely embraced it and become a sustained top player.

 

One player we've never really replaced. Still lack that creativity now.

 

Add to that Lambert and Lallana!

 

Lallana 100%. Not so sure Lambert had the pace or intensity

 

and Harrison Reed

 

does that mean he’d have become even sexier?

 

I loved the skillset that Lambert brought with him. I saw him terrify West Ham defenders when SFC won 1-0 in oñe of the best nights of football I have ever experienced in front of a then récord attendance at St Mary's.

 

Well with all that said,let’s hope the club keep Ralph interested and satisfied and to bloody help him to want to stay.

 

Blackmore's clearly not keen on him. If there are indeed other interested people out there (with the money), it's a good time to buy now our value has gone down.