Article: Thank You Billy Sharp... | Football Southampton

... You are a man amongst mere mortals.

Just wanted to post a little tribute to a player that I really enjoyed during his short stint with Saints. A real goal poacher who I took to my Saints heart. He scored some of the goals that took us to the Premier League.

I still recall the evening I read the interview he gave about his son and feeling that last heart beat while he held him on his chest. Nothing anyone says will ever change my opinion of that man; and a real man too. I remember watching that video of him scoring the goal the week after his son passed away and he lifted his shirt. I had a tear in my eye.

Thank you Billy. I wish you all the best and I sincerely hope you have a great season and come back next year to score for us in Europe.

Top man.

 

It's a season long loan, so it's not as if he's gone forever.

 

Great tribute, I couldn't agree more.
I hope he's back with us next season

 

seemed one of our better players pre-season

 

Hi SS, did you read my last line?

 

Don't agree with Sharp being shipped out but Adkins knows what he's doing. On a positive note, this will end the nonsense rumours of Rickie leaving.

 

I don't think he should have gone. In our 4-3-3, we play an out and out striker and two wingers. Lee and Mayuka will play on the wings, and so will Rodriguez by the looks of things. This means that Sharp's our only cover for Lambert, unless Adkins has noticed Rodriguez is ineffective on the wing and we're moving Rodriguez into the middle to be Lambert's back up. Even if this is the case, an injury to Lambert and Sharp will be needed to come off of the bench to make an impact.

 

I did, but your tribute did read as if Sharp won't be returning, even though the last line acknowledges he will. I see Billy as very much a Saints player until he finally isn't. There's no need to say goodbye. Maybe a See you later, Billy.

I know we have enough forwards for two Saints teams, but he could be back sooner if they all go down with food poisoning.

 

I read he has a £2.5m buyout in the loan.

 

I'll get cooking!

 

Loan with a view to a perm deal he is more or less gone.

 

Agree with B-D; I would think he has been told that there are others that have been brought in and if he wants first team football; it would have to be somewhere else and Forest, presumeably, could not tempt him hard enough to give up his dream of Premiership Football just yet. Hence the buy-out clause. Good servant for such a short time - I wish him well.

 

With the ambition of the club our squad is only going to improve, so if Adkins thinks Sharp is not needed/good enough now then why would that change after a year of him playing in the championship?

 

Better player than guly imo if anyone should have gone it shouldve been him.

 

Top player, real shame he won't get a chance with us in the prem. thanks for your goals Billy, especially Pompey!

 

Aww, poor Guly. Sharp's a better striker, but Guly can play on the wing too and there's less competition there.

 

Just seem this tweet from Billy Sharp off BBC:

"Right then, I'm really sorry Saints fans - I'm off to Forest for the season. You've been amazing to me, love you all. Massive thanks and gutted to be leaving.

"But at the same time I'm wanted by a massive club in Forest so I'm buzzing for that chance. Can't wait to get going, hope to build."

 

I agree about Guly and really dont feel good about Billy going.Would like to hear Nigel's reasoning.
First post.....get in!

 

I`m really surprised - he`s a penalty box poacher we don`t otherwise have. He seemed to love playing for Saints. All the best Billy - Saints v Pompey 07 April 2012, what a day out that was.

 

From that what I had been thinking is knocked asunder. Thought he may have wanted a move back closer to home.

Always thought he was a great option and am sad he has been allowed to go so soon.

Good luck Billy.