I'm an advocate of the less-is-more recruitment policy for this summer (i.e. a few key acquisitions but mostly just allowing our current crop to grow and continuing to give chances to youth players), so in that scenario I'd be happy to keep Guly, Hammond, Richardson and Sharp at the club because I believe they have the right quality and character to be able to provide small but important impacts on and off the pitch. But realistically they would have minimal opportunities so it would probably be in both parties interest for them to ply their trade elsewhere, and Poche and Nicola are unlikely to share my view, certainly Richardson seems to have fallen off the radar since his injuries even though I thought he was more than capable in his performances against Villa and Everton way back in September. Sharp and Hammond are both committed players with strong qualities but unfortunately also specific weaknesses that serves as the major speedbump between them and PL football. Guly is probably the most likely to stay and has put in some good performances this season, the problem with Guly is that I think he offers more starting games than he does as a sub, but the latter is how he is most likely to be utilised. Contracts these days are frequently about as legally binding as calling bagsy on the last cola bottle in a bag of Haribo, but I wouldn't be surprised if a few players end up still at the club because we are unable to move them on, but I'd guess probably 1/2 of those players will still be in the squad at the start of next season and 3/4 will be out on loan.
Mauricio declared himself happy with the squad when he arrived as he felt they would suit his style. This was proved to be true as some performances were fantastic. However, to play in that style, you need real quality in depth to allow players to be rested or, at the least, subbed off when fresh legs are needed. He never had the chance to be ruthless at Espanyol as all his best players were sold from under him, but it will be interesting to see what happens in the summer when he can keep or sell his players and has money to spend. As for players out on loan, we should remember that he has never managed them and, therefore, owes them no loyalty. Nicola, strangely for someone with a hair trigger for managers, is reportedly loyal and supportive to players who have done well for him. I suspect he will do his best to help move on those players for their and Saints' sake.
Are there any players that are near the end of their contract (say one year) who have not received an extension and the weighty watch that you think should be kept? Are there any that you are surprised haven't been given an extension?
Of those mentioned I'd like Guly, Richardson, Reeves and Lee to stay. With Guly I feel that he's very versatile and having someone like him as a squad player could be very useful. Just having him on the bench will give Poch more options. I thought Richardson impressed when he did play earlier in the season, I wonder how fit he was though as the club are very quiet on injury information. Has he played many U21 matches at all? I wonder if a lack of match time meant he wasn't fit enough to play more. Plus, if he goes we need to have a replacement to cover for Clyne. I can't see us getting a better right back who would be willing to be a reserve to a youngster. I think Reeves should be offered another year, he's done well out on loan and when he played in the cup this year. With Tadanari, I could see him suiting our current style. He's quick and hard-working from what I've seen, so would definitely suit our pressing game. I think he's been unlucky with injuries whilst here, but he went on loan and according to Wiki scored 3 in 6 games. If he can stay fit I think we'll see more of him. He was keeping Sharp out the side before injuries as well. I could see Butterfield staying as a player/coach as well, but that depends on whether he feels he wants to continue playing regularly at a lower level or to get in at a good club as a coach where he'll be given time to learn.
Could see Nigel coming in for at least a couple. He clearly had a lot of regard for Reeves especially!
You have laid the case for Richardson and Lee staying and it is the same case for them going: injuries. When we signed Fraser my concern was how many games he'd play, not his ability. Lee is striking me as a little bit frail. One injury is a shame, two is unlucky, but he seems to break things getting up in the morning. He looked good when he played those few games, but I'm not convinced.
Lee's goal scoring record for us in the Championship wasn't too good either and when you consider Lallana scored quite a few at that level and has struggled this year it doesn't bode well. Getting done for speeding 3 times in 3 months probably doesn't help his case either. I also agree with Mikey that some of the players listed will probably end up staying if only because they/we can't find anywhere for them to go.
Didn't Morgan say that Butterfield was very funny? He might not contribute so much on the pitch, due to our Premier League but keeping morale high in dressing room is important too. Might be kept around in a coaching role.
I like Richardson and feel he is a good rb, but his age and fitness is against him. Lee hasn't done anything bar one good goal, he is seriously over hyped by some people.
Didn't Butterfield get an unexpected one year extension to his contract a while ago? Couldn't be for his playing ability as he never got on the pitch.
I think that from most of the responses on here we're all agreed that all of these players have played at least a minor part in the success we have had in the last few years. For those who do go I echo others thoughts that we wish them the best of luck and thank them for what they have done for us. I personally will be very sad to see many of them go - Sharps goals and the way he has bonded with the fans over the situation with Louey; Hammond may not have been a fans favourite, but he did captain the side for a long while; Chaplow always got stuck in and I think there's some really good squad players who have flittered in and out but played a very important role in ensuring that we had a strong squad in our promotions. I would say however that Aaron Martin and Ben Reeves are certainly worth another year each as they have both shown good potential and whilst the step up is huge, it's one that we have seen several players make. I'd give them another year and loan them out or perhaps give them some cup games personally. Think both of those could go on to be future stars elsewhere if we're not careful...
Good points nick_obee, I do wonder whether we might have picked up more points at the start of the season if we'd had Hammond able to fill in for Cork whilst he was injured. It's easy to forget that it was only three seasons ago that Martin was playing non-league for Eastleigh, so he's risen through the leagues very quickly. Another season loan at League 1 or Championship level will do him good. I was impressed when I saw him partner Jaidi during a previous Liebherr tournament (the Bilbao one), especially as he had to cover for Jaidi's lack of pace! I presume the club are the only ones who can say whether certain players appear to be injury prone or not and whether they may be over past ones. Will we be releasing a released/retained list at any point? I see Norwich have announced that certain players are leaving already.
Talking about the Leihberr tournament...any news on friendlies? You can see I am drowning here....need Saints news (i.v. if necessary).
Nope, nothing yet. Not even an inkling. I saw someone on SaintsWeb say Valencia are coming over but nothing more. When does this normally come out? Mid-June?
Guly's said before that he wants to end his career at his club in Brazil, he may want to go before it's too late or hand around a little longer - he's only got a year left on his contract. Fox, I'm afraid, will be staying as I've heard that MP rates him (in some way or another!). Agree with everyone else though. If Cork can cover RB then we don't need any replacements, plus Cork is unlikely to start CM in most games if we bring in another centre midfielder. Sharp and Lee will leave, allowing for a new striker to come in.
This is a very sore subject for me, I have never really rated GULY at southampton, give him his due he done ok in league 1 but his work rate and his non ability to jump for the ball let him down. Championship he didn't do much aperture from losing possession he didn't really contribute much to the team ( there were times saints would have been better playing with 10 men then bring GULY on the pitch. Prem, I thought GULY would do well in the premier league but he hasn't really been given the chance so I'm not going to criticise him but I do believe he is better off back in the lower divisions. Sorry to annoy any GULY lovers out there.
1. GULY had a good work rate in the Championship and performed well there. He also contributed 11 goals and numerous assists. 2. Saying we would be better with 10 men, than with GULY, is quite absurd. 3. Guly has shown good work rate in the Premier League too. EG. Spurs - he ran the show 4. Why if you didn't rate GULY at lower levels did you think GULY would cut it in the Prem? 5. Why do you keep presenting GULY as GULY, in block capitals? Guly will suffice. 6. You're talking utter twaddle.
