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Saints appoint Johannes Spors as Group Technical Director

Discussion in 'Southampton' started by tomw24, Feb 7, 2025.

  1. Le Tissier's Laces

    Le Tissier's Laces Well-Known Member

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    Yep, that's fair too. But as things stand, am undecided on that one still!
     
    #261
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  2. doritoharv

    doritoharv Well-Known Member

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    To be fair, if you look at the signings and the returning/promoted players, size isn't necessarily the issue ... more the ability/experience of knowing how to put it about properly ... plus staying fit or having some ability to actually play football (in some cases). Of 15 or so players that are involved now (that weren't really last year), 9 of them are 6ft or over ...

    Roerslev (6ft)
    Stewart (6ft 2")
    Wood (6ft 2")
    Quarshie (6ft 5")
    Jander (6ft)
    Charles (6ft 2")
    Downs (6ft 2")
    Azaz (6ft 1")
    Fellows (6ft)

    Interestingly, Jay Robinson is one that appears to look strong and solid on the field and yet is only 5ft 9" according to Wikipedia. On the attacking front, yes ... shouldn't have relied on Stewart (+ Downs) as the only two with any strength.
     
    #262
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  3. Le Tissier's Laces

    Le Tissier's Laces Well-Known Member

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    Is Jander 6ft? That surprises me if so!
     
    #263
  4. Libby

    Libby Derby County, we're coming for you

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    I wonder if this interest from Juve might be why the club are blocking the Alfie House interview.
     
    #264
  5. Saintmagic

    Saintmagic Well-Known Member

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    Agree, but it’s the classic Saints scenario of “what can you do if a bigger club/better job comes along?”

    I assume it’s much easier for a DoF to leave than a player as well, much more similar to someone like you or I changing job than a player transfer
     
    #265
  6. SaintElliot

    SaintElliot Well-Known Member

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    Spors being poached by one of the biggest clubs in football? I thought he was the sole reason for our slow start though? :angry:
     
    #266
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  7. SaintElliot

    SaintElliot Well-Known Member

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    Yeah I'd imagine he was the one who ultimately wanted Still. On paper, signing Still made sense in terms of what he achieved so far, and the upside of him developing in a lower league with us.

    Another new DoF would almost certainly want their own manager brought in though...
     
    #267
  8. Le Tissier's Laces

    Le Tissier's Laces Well-Known Member

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    Röhl was first choice, but we were Chansiried. Still was plan B.
     
    #268
  9. oldstocktonsaint

    oldstocktonsaint Well-Known Member

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    I might be wrong(again) but in the last few games, AA is one who definitely puts in a real tackle. It’s not his size that matters but his attitude and desire to win the ball.
     
    #269
  10. Che’s Godlike Thighs

    Che’s Godlike Thighs Well-Known Member

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    You're not wrong at all. He's one of the few players who actually plays with passion and commitment.
     
    #270
  11. LincolnSaint

    LincolnSaint Well-Known Member

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    I'll drive him to Italy myself. No one has ever had so much time to prepare for a season and he has totally, royally ****ed us.

    Damion ****ing Downs
    Will Still
    Azaz

    Apart from Leo he's managed to make us worse in every single ****ing way.

    If he was given the mission to condemn us to the Championship forever he couldn't have done a better job.

    **** SR
     
    #271
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  12. Saints Fan4Life

    Saints Fan4Life Well-Known Member

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    Blackmore: "But I do want to say, if Spors is trying to leave for Juventus you have to ask yourself why. And it may be because Saints are in the Championship and he doesn't see them getting out this season, so he wants to be back at the top table. It may be he's not enjoying working at the club, he might feel he's got too many people around him like Ankersen or anyone else, who he might think are stopping him doing his job or interfering with him and making decisions that he's not in charge of and you won't want to be a technical director responsible if you're not making all the decisions. So, we don't know those things but I can definitely supposition say that's a possibility based on the past..."

    Blackmore on Solent ... interesting he is hinting at ****ersen still interfering. Long suspected it, to be honest.

    Probably him forcing the 3 at the back nonsense. Wonder what Goztepe play? Oh yeah, 3atb :bandit:
     
    #272
  13. Libby

    Libby Derby County, we're coming for you

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    Blackmore is usually quite reserved when talking about these sorts of things so that suggests to me he actually knows something rather than just 'supposition'.

    I assume Alfie will be asked about this on TSP.
     
    #273
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  14. Paddy Podped

    Paddy Podped Well-Known Member

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    Yes he is very conscious of keeping positive relationships with those in the club.


    The only one he’s ever spoken out really publicly about was Jones who he must have been really sure was leaving
     
    #274
  15. Saintmagic

    Saintmagic Well-Known Member

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    “If Spors wants to go to Juventus you have to ask yourself why”

    Only if you know nothing about football, nobody is picking Saints over Juve for footballing reasons. Only reason he would stay is if he cba with moving his family again so soon
     
    #275
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  16. Saints Fan4Life

    Saints Fan4Life Well-Known Member

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    He hasn't moved his family over here.
     
    #276
  17. Saintmagic

    Saintmagic Well-Known Member

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    Oh so there is literally no reason to stay then, just a question of if Juve offer him the job.

    We’ll wait until the summer to replace him and hope it all works out this season
     
    #277
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  18. Libby

    Libby Derby County, we're coming for you

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    Was about to say this. Was always a bit of a red flag to me.
     
    #278
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  19. SaintElliot

    SaintElliot Well-Known Member

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    Unless it's a very appealing offer, trying to get a DoF to leave and join us now won't be easy.
     
    #279
  20. Saintmagic

    Saintmagic Well-Known Member

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    Yeah appreciate it’s hard to get someone mid season for a club like us. Thankfully we should have enough to survive this year so the Jan window isn’t that important so doesn’t matter if we don’t have a DoF until the summer
     
    #280

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