SKD said a while ago that Cortese isn't a hard man and is misunderstood. Think only the real fringe players will leave, but most who have contributed this year will be kept on with a few additions. NC is a businessman who will make the hard decisions if need be, but he isn't a hatchet man if he thinks you've done what is required of you.
We are Southampton We're Premier League And if that don't do it, how about "pompey's goin down with no money in the bank"?
With the current squad this would be the players who would have to be named in the 25 1. Davis 2. Richardson 3. Harding 4. Schneiderlin 5. Fonte 6. Lambert 7. Cork 8. Barnard 9. Guly 10. Sharp 11. Butterfield 12. Fox 13. Hammond 14. Martin 15. Chaplow 16. Lee 17. Lallana 18. Bart 19. Connolly 20. Seaborne 21. Hooiveld 22. De Ridder 23. Puncheon 24. Forecast 25. Forte Only player in the squad I've missed out (I think), is Jaidi as he is retiring. If the players above are with us next season and play in the Prem they will have to be registered, leaving us no free spaces for over 21 players
FYI Jake - Chaplow did play against Leeds on the opening day and hit the post with a great drive from outside the box
Up until the point that Chaplow got injured at Bristol late November last year, we had won 69% of our games with him (16 in total). At that point we had also won 50% without him (four in total). Following his injury, it is no coincidence that without Chaplow we had a bad run from December through to mid-Feb winning only 30% of our games (10 games in total). Once Chaplow returned, we won 64% of our games through to the end of the season and 40% without him. Throughout the whole season; with Chaplow our win ratio was 67% (27 games in total) and without, 42% (26 games in total). During some of our best performances, notably 3-0 against 'Boro and 4-0 v Derby, Chaplow was present. Chaplow drives the play forward and takes players on unlike Cork, Hammond and Schneiderlin. His tenacity supplements Scheiderlin's creativity and Cork's passing well. He is a CM and in some ways it is a shame that he's played out on the wing where IMO he is less effective but still a better bet than Guly and De Ridder. He scored more goals than Hammond, Schneiderlin and Cork this season, passes and tackles well and has an adventurous box-to-box style. If Chaplow is not good enough for the Prem, then that's the same said for a lot of the rest of the squad and that's just not true. I'd hate to lose Chaplow next season.
As Saintmagic's 25-man squad shows, we will need to let some players go to free up space for new ones. From that list I think Bialkowski, Connolly, Barnard, Forte, and Holmes will all probably go. Dickson wasn't included in the list, but he's actually still a southampton player so I'll add him to those I've already mentioned. Forecast won't be registered, but he won't leave because nobody wants him and he seems happy to take his money and see out his contract. De Ridder and Puncheon might go. Personally I'd be happy to keep them but I wouldn't be particularly bothered if they went. I'd be surprised to see any of the others leave. Assuming De Ridder and Puncheon both stay that leaves us 6 spaces on the register for new players.
If it was me: 1. Davis 2. Richardson 3. Harding 4. Schneiderlin 5. Fonte 6. Lambert 7. Cork 8. Barnard 9. Guly 10. Sharp 11. Butterfield - Leave out. 12. Fox 13. Hammond 14. Martin - Unsure, Might loan him out to a championship side to get some First team experience. 15. Chaplow 16. Lee 17. Lallana 18. Bart 19. Connolly - Leave out. 20. Seaborne - Not sure how well he has recovered, can remember what he was like either.... 21. Hooiveld 22. De Ridder 23. Puncheon 24. Forecast - Leave out. 25. Forte - Leave out.
Well done St Magic. Just goes to show that there really is little room for sentiment towards players especially those who have only been bit parts over the last season. Out of the 25 listed (Safe to say it's goodbye for Dickson & Holmes) I would say Forte and Forecast are definitely out. What happened to Seaborne was unfortunate but I think a central defender is one of the top priorities in the transfer window. Age and injury will say goodbye to Connolly and that leaves 4 spaces for new signings. So we may well be looking at players under 21 like Nick Powell of Crewe for the forthcoming window. Are Reeves, Doble and Hoskins all under 21? It's touch and go whether all three have a future with us anyway but this would be the kiss of death for there Southampton careers
Dickson Forte Seaborne Connolly Barnard Puncheon Forecast Jaidi All to leave, to replaced by some of the youngsters and brought in players.
And Kelvin Davis' previous stint in the prem would suggest he is not a prem quality keeper, however he has earned it and should be given a chance by being one of our best players this season, so has Chaplow. I also believe Chaplow brings a lot to the dressing room, seems like a real character.
Think this could be the movement we are likely to see at the club: Forte Leave or loan club Seaborne Keep Connolly Leave ( I personally would keep but think he will go ) Barnard May be loan depends who we secure striker wise Puncheon Depends who we bring in Forecast Leave or Loan Jaidi Retire or coaching role Add to that List Martin Loan defo out on season long loan. The lad needs the experience. Holmes Leave Dickson Loan season long or leave
Forgot about Holmes he will join Swindon on a perm, Jaidi will retire. He's doing his badges to become a manager.
Knew I forgot some players Yeah didn't include Dickson or Holmes as they weren't on the current squad bit on Saints wiki page. I personally think that: Bart Forte Seaborne Dickson Holmes Barnard Forecast Connolly Butterfield Harding won't be here next year, and maybe one of the CM's if we sign someone to play there
