Really good article on what's gone on this summer, worth a read. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28593032?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Really good!? I see this as outrageous! Seems to be a deliberate attempt to destabilise the club; after a fairly good 24 hours in relative terms this comes out? On the BBC of all places as well, I'd expect this kind of speculation as DM material at best!
Hmm, that is a reasonable article., I have been waiting for one from the Beeb, because it carries a bit of authority with it. But it may be a little too late. I think the worst point of the summer may be over. Interestingly, that staunch non-supporter [to the point of hatred, it seemed] of Cortese, Nick Illingsworth commented, a lot of basic mistakes have been made and I think the current hierarchy have underestimated the fact that they needed a strong leader. You don't say..?
I see it as bullshit!!! Lallana had been the glue which had held the team together. In the dressing room, he was the most popular, a leader who demanded respect and admiration. We know this is untrue from the whispers from within about not putting effort in. The rest is fluff too with a few facts thrown in to make it viable...........IN MY OPINION
It's not that great. Nothing new (maybe the Jos to Germany and the 15 year old kids parents). It's just a little bit of summary from the last few weeks. Ok, but not a lot more. You could still question some of what has been assumed in the article. Stand down; no need to panic.
Why parents of a 15 yr old would see the club selling players for mega bucks(for the club and player) and promoting youth as a bad sign is beyond me
Have to say that I think it's a poor article by BBC standards. At best it's the same old speculation as to what's happened, but it does seem a little over the top in some of the opinions it's reached and the examples it uses. Like Saintly, I imagine that the anonymous parents of the 15 yr old (if they even exist) have a very strange grasp of logic if they're considering pulling out of what's acknowledged to be one of the best academy set-ups in football because they've seen ex-Academy players being snapped up by other clubs for gazillions of pounds and monster wages! Most of all though the article conveniently neglects to mention the FFP rules and the impact that they may well have had on our ability to hold on to the likes of Luke Shaw when clubs like Man U are apparently offering six-figure weekly wages. It's not just us I'd it? Look what happened to Athletico. I've gone through the full range of emotions over the last two months - shock, disappointment, anger and finally some sort of fatalistic acceptance of it all. However, I have to say that I'm feeling a bit more optimistic about it all now. I might be kidding myself of course, but what if there really is a plan? Bring good players in at wages that fall in line with our restrictions and make sure we are at least good enough to at the very least hold our own in the PL whilst we look to develop the commercial revenues of the club. Maybe a world-wide franchise of the Saints Academy might be our way to develop the Saints brand around the globe and find a way to compete with big boys??? Of course we might just crash and burn and get relegated...
had a rethink, and I believe you are right. It is a poor piece by BBC standards. My only defence is that I'd spent most of the evening reading crap from NewsNow, but that really is no excuse. On your, of course we might just crash, burn and get relegated point - I'm sure if that happens, the sporting media will quickly turn away and the most interesting thing after that will be whether Jack Wilshere has returned to smoking or cleared his nose by picking it - so boring the PL will become.
All I've got to say, is one thing. More fool the parents of that kid. He's going to miss out and be let down by their decision.
I agree, poor article. No idea how you thought that was a good read. I knew Fonte wasn't happy by the contract situation, but to say unsettled. His Instagram/twitter pics say otherwise. I'm probably wrong though.
No real problem with this article. It does show that the BBC (and press) are no better informed than the rest of us, which of course does lead to speculation based on ones own bias. I believe that the board has now developed a plan for the way forward based on the action of others, and not their own. This experience has been chastening for them and us, but I hope , that recent events seem to indicate that we are bringing control to our future. Action will always speak louder than words.
An article that almost feels out of date...a summary of the time line and unrefutable facts, padded out with opinion (that to outsiders also appear as facts). Places all the blame on Southampton....yes, they could have said no to all those players...but does not suggest that perhaps the players behaved badly. Even a slight hint that Lallana wouldn't have left if they'd answered a phone call...unlikely. No mention of Lovren's behaviour...in fact he was virtually glossed over. A very negative spin...one 15-yr-old has left the Academy...that will happen occasionally...we took a young player from Chelsea (obviously Chelsea must be in complete meltdown). The positive things are tagged on at the end, as if having a good manager and buying 3 players, were unimportant. Quite a biased piece...thankfully I feel we are getting back on track. Interesting bit was that Koeman was okay about losing Chambers...would explain why we didn't make much of an effort to keep a promising youngster. We sold him for a good price (probably with a sell on clause). Would be interesting to know why Koeman didn't want him...is that a criticism of the player or more about the style that RK wants to play.
I think the article is making a lot of guesses.......Combining known facts with hearsay. I don't really think it needs a BBC reporter to tell the world, information that has been a discussion point since May. Certainly the Saints board made drastic mistakes in the fans view. Kruger in particular comes in for the biggest criticism from me for buggering off abroad for a couple of months while all this crap was happening. From our point of view there was no leadership, very little information. Everything Les Reed did has been amateurish, he should have contacted the lads and said they would only have to wait for the replacements to be brought in (Including a new manager) but keep your mouth shut, then let them go when we were ready. Instead he let a mess turn into a disaster.
I'm willing to bet that, BBC or not, that 15 year old kid was pure invention. It's not like they can be challenged on it.
It is possibly true though...may be connected with Dodd leaving (not mentioned in article, which was strange as it was a negative article). However, you wouldn't take a kid out from an Academy at random...must have been given a good offer from elsewhere. Would possibly have gone anyway. Not many clubs that take as good care of their players as we do, so they may regret it. I do wonder if we want a kid with that type of parent anyway...there are always other good kids around.
