yep, I was saying essentially this. It’s not the fault of the players so I wasn’t singling anyone out just pointing to a structural issue. We are a stepping stone club by our own definition which is now the crux of the problem for me. Not saying everyone is moving on but when we call ourselves such, who is here for any reason other than to get put in the window and flutter eyelashes at the next big thing? It has got us basically relegated now so we really will have to find a new model.
There’s one single reason we’re getting relegated. One. And it’s not Jones, Selles or even Ralph. Step forward, Rasmus Ankersen. In his desperation to tech-bro his way in football, and show everyone how extraordinarily clever he is (much cleverer than you, and anyone that preceded him in all football history), he’s the driving force behind the mad recruitment decisions. He’s the guy that left Ralph knowing for two months that he was a gonner, then replacing him, because he knows best and is so brilliant, he made a choice nobody would ever have thought of. The reason nobody thought of him, was because he’s nowhere near a premier league manager. Still, there was time to get someone in after that, someone with experience, a steady hand on the tillers. But no, Rasmus is a disruptor, he’s a TED-talk genius, what does the whole of football history know that Rasmus doesn’t…so he dropped a fish into the shark pond. It’s Rasmus that’s behind all the decisions that have relegated us. Not Solak. Not SR as a whole. It’s the ego of Rasmus. As I’ve said before, as long as he *does* have control, Jason Wilcox can’t get here quick enough.
Just seen this suggestion for the rebuild process next season in the championship. Kjetil Knutsen - Attack minded, possession-based 433. - Calm, process-driven coach with a clear identity. - Transformed Bodø/Glimt on a small budget & using the academy.
I'm absolutely with you when it comes to Rasmus. And the thought of his control over footballing matters being reduced is indeed something to look forward to. But I won't be jumping on the Jason Wilcox bandwagon just yet. As far I can tell, Wilcox has never been a DOF before. Indeed, his entire post-playing career (whether as a coach or an administrator) appears to have been exclusively with Man City. And on the youth side of Man City. I'm somewhat suspect as to how that equips someone to be a DOF in the Championship. Even his playing career (which finished a long while ago now) was barely spent outside of the PL. I'm not saying that I'm against his appointment - it might turn out great. But I'm reserving judgement.
Think we should try to pinch Michael Carrick from Middlesbrough (if they don't go up). Taken them from 21st to 3rd since joining in October. Played 25: Won 16 Drew 3 Lost 6 Turned Chuba Akpom into a beast, 23 goals in those 25 games.
Cooper is my Plan A (partly on the assumption that Rodgers and Potter won't be attracted down to the Championship). But if we can't/don't get him, Carrick would be high on my list of Plan B options.
I think this is a really good point. For me, the only players likely to attract decent sums of money will be KWP, JWP, Bella-Kotchap, Lavia, Livramento , Che Adams, Sulemana and Alcaraz. I do not expect any of these players to feature for Saints next season. As for £40 million being offered for JWP, I think we would be lucky to get £15 mill for him. I think he is past his best and has not been effective the last two seasons. We should have cashed him in when the money as offered by Villa. Salisu has probably also earmarked a move away. As far as the remainder of the squad, I would expect Celeta -Car to be sold and Lyanco to move on too. I would imagine than Orsic has porbably already found himself a new club and I can see no logic retaining Lyanco. Walcott and Elynoussi will be gone due to their contracts having expired although I would personally try to retain the latter. I remain to be convinced that amongst the "old guard" Stephens Benarek and Stuart Armstrong will have a role in the Championship. In addition, I can see both Djneppo and Diallo being shifted as well. AMN will also be likely to return to Arsenal - again, I would be inclined to retain him for the Championsip. Tella will certainly be snapped up by Burnley and there is no insentive for him to return to Saints. This leaves next season's squad including the likes of Adam Armstrong, Sam Edosie, Paul Onachu, Romain Perraud, Joe Aribo , James Bree, Seckou Mara ( assuming he does not return to Europe) and the midget full back who makes you think fondly of Lee Todd. I do not think Larius has the stature to perform at a professional level in the UK. In addition, we have the goalkeeper's Alex McCarthy and Gavin Bazunu. I would not object to Bazunu being sold and he has seriously under-whelmed this season. I have to say that I think Bazunu, Onachu , Mara and Armstrong would all be on my list to be moved on. I think Will Smallbone will be brought back and will have a big part to play. As for the players being brought in, I would again expect us to be in the market for fringe players from clubs like Chelsea and Man City. If you look at the squad with this perspective, I feel we will be starting the 23/24 season with a line up that will be hugely unrecognisable. I would also add that the fees quoted for transfer sales all seem optimistic - my gut feel would be around £80 mill max with the lion's share coming from the sale of Lavia. Some of the comments in here seem way too optimistic.
I agree to an extent but there was absolutely nothing the club could do to keep the good players. Most were sold with 1 or 2 years left on their deals when they wouldn’t sign new ones. This is the reality of the PL and nothing changes it except a Newcastle type takeover. Leicester lost most of their key players within a season of winning the PL, and they are now the same as us. If players won’t stay even if you win the league then what hope is there for keeping players when the big teams come along?
Yep. Accepting that we are a stepping stone club and acknowledging that to prospective players is how we landed the likes of Mané, VVD and Tadic. We've simply lost the plot on target selection rather than been sunk by accepting basic football economics.
The reality of the PL is that there are 6 teams in it. The rest of us are there (still!!) because they can't have a league with 6 teams to play each to death. But it's nice when we deliver a surprise blow to any of those 6, that's what keeps us interested!!
Pretty dangerous assumption. Based on the recent decision making it’s likely he will be another atrocious appointment
All moaning about SR, Rasmus and Selles aside. I just really want my football club back I want to be excited going to St Mary’s. I don't want it to feel like a chore. I want to actually like our players again, I want to feel they care. I want a manager who wants to play winning, attacking football instead of setting up with the aim of not losing (and failing anyway) I honestly don't care who leaves in the summer anymore but for the love of God can we please buy some players with a bit of grit and work ethic? What a sorry, sorry season.
So who do we want in? I don’t think we will be bringing many as the squad is huge and I think it will still be pretty full even when we have completed our outs. However we will definitely need to rebuild central midfield. The male Alex Scott at Bristol City is only 19, but has a couple of Championship seasons under his belt already so the experience is there. If Adams leaves we really need to target Gyokeres at Coventry as well. There may well be PL interest in Scott and Gyokeres, but those would be ideal targets if we want to come straight back.
I suspect Tommy Doyle is one that’s worth keeping an eye out for. Knows Wilcox, right age profile, contract at City up in 2024/25 - current club can’t afford him.
Scott would be a very good signing I think. Lots of PL interest supposedly so probably unlikely, maybe he might come if we look to be trying to make an immediate comeback rather than go straight to a PL team to be a fringe player. Don’t know much about Gyokores As for manager I’d take Vieira, no idea how realistic that is.
