I'm still to be totally convinced by Ruben, the defending at set-pieces is still poor and we don't show nearly enough invention going forward.
Get rid of: KWP* Salisu* Lyanco DCC JWP* Lavia* Elyounoussi (contract up) Maitland-Niles (loanee) Djenepo Walcott (contract up) Then rebuild. Those with a * only because either they will push for a move or will leave for free in 2024.
We sell JWP, Lavia, KWP, and Salisu and that's 150m right there. Absolutely no need to sell any one else. Unless the likes of Alcaraz and Sulemana have relegation clauses, we won't need to sell. Squad looks very healthy going into Championship. Expect Adams, DCC, Perraud and a couple others to leave too, but not bothered. Half our players don't even need replacing because the squad is too big already. Just need to get a couple of decent DMs in.
He picked the starting XI which I feel was not the most enterprising but I guess that he maybe wanted to keep the game tight and maybe nick a 1-0. I feel that we have to try our new players extensively instead of the ones that have largely failed over the last 18 months.
I am disappointed to see people turning against Selles and I think that the wrath really needs to be directed towards Sports Republic. Back in August it felt like Ralph had a decent squad that only lacked a decent striker. The club has invested heavily in new players and then has a second attempt at investing in January. Too many fringe player have signed that are not going to get anywhere near the first eleven and , when they do, as has been the case with Big Paul and Edosie, they do not get a run of games. For me, we were down as soon as we appointed Nathan Jones. It just reinforced my impression that Sports Republic are inept. The departure of so many members of the non-playing staff just reinforced that impression. It was a shame that Gao never put his hands in his pockets during his tenure yet the SR debacle just shows you that spending money is no guarantee of success. As owners, they have been proved to be incompetent and for all their proposed use of statistics and science, they are clearly not as smart as the imagine. They should have spent the money more wisely. SR consistantly get the big decisions wrong. I cannot see any improvement whilst they are the owners.
That leaves a first team of; Bazunu Bree Bednarek ABK Perraud Smallbone/Diallo Alcaraz Sulemana Tella Edozie Tall Paul/Mara That's top 6 Championship already even without any additions. Probably top 3.
What says it all - We were **** up to January We spend, what was it? £60m in January on 5 players We play a very important game against a team there for the taking None of those 5 players start
I'm pissed at Selles but that doesn't mean I want him gone, I just want him to stop picking the rancid players that let us down time and again and not start players like Alcarez and Sulemana for seemingly no reason. Ely wasn't complete **** today but he absolutely should not be starting, same for Mara. Nothing about their last few months have warranted a start and then they start one of our biggest games? It makes no sense and I want to see these selections happen less often. We haven't played for two weeks so there is no question of fitness here, our best players should have started yet questionable starters still get picked.
We were screwed up until Jan, spent £60m, BUT unfortunately Nathan Superman Jones was manger then. It is on SR, but take out NJ (imagine we kept Ralph until Selles came in), 100% we’d be down there still, but 3-4 points minimum higher. Relegation on NJ IMO.
And moreover, it gives Mara, Edozie, Sulemana, Alcaraz, Diallo, Bazunu a year of exactly the type of football they *should* have all been playing this year to learn their craft (like Tella has), which will mean they’re far better prepared for PL football next time around.
I know this will probably sound weird, but I'm be open to keeping Theo for one more season - assuming that he's willing to take a pay-cut. My rationale is that we don't want to be signing Championship standard players on long contracts. Because if it all works out and we come straight back up, it means we're left with deadwood that we no longer need. So by keeping Theo for an extra year, we get him as a Championship squad player without worrying about trying to offload him at the end of that year. It's not nothing to do with me thinking that he's good enough or wanting him to be part of our first XI. Just that he can be a one-year squad player. With regards to all the CBs. I think Salisu, ABK and DCC will all have interest (maybe less so Bednarek, Stephens and Lyanco), but I think we'll be reluctant to sell all three. I can see us selling two, and keeping the other - thereby potentially leaving us with four CBs, all of whom should be good enough for the Championship. I'd imagine Orsic will return back to Croatia. I can see someone signing Adams (they'd be crazy, but I can see it). I'd be open to letting Stu go, but I think we might struggle to find a decent enough offer. He just isn't the same player anymore, and I think is out of contract next summer (when I doubt I'd be looking to give him a new one). If he did stay, then I'd be looking at Aribo instead. Bazunu McCarthy (or Lis) Bree Tino DCC/Salisu/ABK Stephens Bednarek Lyanco Perraud Larios Diallo Smallbone New signing (maybe two) Alcarez Sulemana Stu Armstrong/Aribo Walcott (if willing to take a pay cut) Edozie Adam Armstrong Tella (unless Burnley are willing to blow their budget) Onuachu Mara If we can find the right manager, and recruit a decent CM, I'd be very hopeful about that side bringing us straight back up. Staying up thereafter though would be a different issue.
A terrible line up. A terrible football match. A terrible performance. A terrible stadium. A terrible atmosphere. A terrible sport (VAR). Good day out other than that. Roll on the championship. UTFS.
I’m just so sad. I ****ing love this club. It’s sickening to see these mercenary pricks ponce about. Thought the new signings were good, and can mostly be excused. But most of the team today are nowhere near fit to wear the shirt. I can’t remember a worse Southampton team than this. I don’t think there has been one in my lifetime.
Bloody hell I totally forgot about Livramento! Damn we could be good. And yeah, the likes of Adarma, Stuie, Aribo, who despite looking crap in a struggling Prem team, would probably be very good players again in the Champ.
