There's three more current players - Morgan De Sanctis, Davide Santon and Stephan El Sharaawy. Fair to say there are probably loads of them!
Theres no fall back at all, would prefer to know who buys the players, who wants the players, who releases the money for players. Wheter we buy donkeys or Messi's is irrelevant as it either makes our chairman the manager but also a footballing genius or Adkins who has just become an Italian footballing expert, if its one we should sack Adkins or if its two we should praise Nigel for getting to know such a complex League quickly.
You do realise there is a thing called scouts?, these people are trusted by the manager to find players that will improve the team. These scouts then give the info on a player to the manager and it is his choice whether to look into the player more/ make a bid or turn the player down. The way you go on makes out it's only Cortese and Adkins running around doing everything.
As long as they are looking at players of the quality of Ramirez then I could not give a rats arse who goes after them. NA, NC or the frigging tea lady. Most managers do not initially find the player, they tell the chairman what type of player they need, the SCOUTS then look for maybe 5 posibilities and sent back video and a view after watching them a few times, the manager then picks which would suit his team and then the club approach the selling club and agent of the player. Because its in Italy it makes sense that NC would be involved.
In most clubs the chairman (i.e. the man who signs the cheques) has a significant input into the transfer decisions. The other people involved will be the director of football, and the manager. I can't see why you have such a problem with this at Southampton when it's the norm in practically every club. In the scenario you have raised, of course Nicola Cortese will make use of the contacts he has in Italy, why wouldn't he? And I bet by the end of this window we will have signed at least one player who isn't currently playing in Italy.
.... yeah was gonna saints will have several scouts who go and watch and study potential targets. You dont hear about there movements as its a secretive business.
So what's the problem? Scout identifies good quality player in position we need at club willing to sell, Saints make offer. We know you are not a fan of those players which is fine, maybe you think we should move for someone other than Astori which is fine as well, just let us know who you have in mind. It's really tough to follow what you are trying to say, other than you don't like Nigel Adkins.
What evidence does gomarchingin (or anyone else for that matter) have that Adkins is not involved in signing players?
The reason that this guy continues to post in such as antagonistic way is because he does not want a discussion but an arguement. You can see it in every thread he has ever written or posted. Is it not boring now? As usual he raises a point that is actually quite interesting to discuss e.g. transfer policy, but raises it in such a way that everyone reacts angrily and starts giving him the attention that he craves. I dont know why people are surprised at what he has said about Adkins. I most certainly am not. I suggest when he posts in future we all either ignore the attempted wind up or if the discussion is worthy create a different thread where we can discuss it as usual. Don't let this pathetic little wind up merchant get the attention he deserves. Roll on Saturday for a big 3 points!!! COYS
Ever since i've been supporting The Saints i've dreamed of the day when we could compete with top clubs like Liverpool to sign International players from Serie A, so I really couldn't give a flying **** who is behind the signings...It could be the ACTUAL teaboy for all I care!
It's almost like he's been on saintsweb, taken what one person has said in a thread about transfers falling through and made a whole thread on it. But nobody would do that would they?! I don't see why dipping into the Italian league is a bad thing, even if it is influenced by cortese. As mentioned hundreds of times before foreign markets offer better value than English.
And do you really expect Adkins to be behind all the signings? He is the first team coach after all, do you think he has time to scout and negotiate deals while trying to keep us in the prem?