Why does Adam ask if Koeman was the draw coming here when Toby had already said that twice? Sounds 50:50 or lower that Alderweireld will stay. He mentions playing well which will give him options...don't think I will hold my breath. I like him very much...mainly for his talent, but also for his character. An honest type.
As much as I'd love him to say that he wants to retire here, I can't help but think fair enough. He's got his head screwed on properly
Sounds like he will stay the full season to give some thing back. Good to hear. One thing I did hear was that when he was talking about the club, he was talking about us like he was not completely a part of the club ie they are professional. I would like him to say that we are professional. I would like him to sound more included
As he said, he has come within a minute of winning the Champions League. He will go somewhere he's got the chance to actually win it, unless Koeman can convince him that is at Southampton.
Ron said when Toby arrived that he was a sensible man with a planned career (not quite those words, but what I inferred). The good thing for us was that he felt a season in the PL with Southampton made sense to him. We have benefited from this in what was supposed to be a difficult season and hopefully Gardos can step in if Alderweireld leaves. Unlike some players, Toby has the sense not to close doors and not to offend anyone, but, if he carries on as he has, I can see him receiving some excellent offers. In my opinion (and don't leap on me for an opinion) he won't be here after this season.
He wont be here next season thats for sure.i was pretty surprised we landed him in the first place to be honest.just going to enjoy having him in the team while it last. Having said that,from what i have seen of gardos he looks like a very capable cb
Wouldn't it be better to start introducing Gardos into the team to build a partnership as soon as Toby makes it obvious that he doesn't want to stay. Seems a gamble to wait all the way until next year to see if it works
Or, y'know - we could play our best team and finish as high as possible. Then try and keep Toby. If not, our higher league position gets us a better replacement?
Got to play your best team every time...can't afford to be cute. Every 3 points is worth the same. Gardos will get a few games this season anyway.
I agree, but there is a problem with this approach. Gardos made a couple of mistakes in the second half against Stoke in the Cup that I believe were down to him not being completely match fit. The other rotating players, Long/Mané, and Cork/Wanyama/Davis all get enough game time to keep them sharp. Ron has to find a way to play Gardos regularly, be it in the U21's or in the first team, so that when we need him, he can play for 90 minutes.
We have a game every 3.5 days for 42 days...Gardos will have to be on the bench, so he probably can't be used in an u21 match. He'll probably play against Sheffield United anyway.
He was superb against Arsenal in the League Cup, so we know what he's capable of. I agree, he needs to play regularly, but I think he'll be fine if he's required to play week in, week out, next season.
Nah....just hope he doesn't get plucked away by the usual suspects in this league.....there is not a team in this league he wouldn't get a start with atm besides Chelsea.
