We've probably run our course regards people understanding but disagreeing with each other FLT, and that's fine to agree to disagree. It all started in post #458 when I said "Hopefully 4 or 5 key signings to come and quickly". Beefy, who we all accept has inside info from post #462 and onwards reckons there will be only 2-3 signings and two of £10m+. Line that up with some of what Les Reed said yesterday about squad size not needing to be larger even with Europa, and there are some posters (myself/Qwerty/Schad) who are concerned by both lack of squad size and with being outsized financially by clubs who are happy to run at break-even or even loss making year on year. Others including Beefy and yourself seem a lot less concerned with that at present. I'm sure we're all happy to be proven wrong if the club actually does sign 4-5 more quality players at a cost of say £50m with a net transfer spend of £20m+ more than receipts, but very likely the picture above presented makes it look like Transfer Spend will break even with receipts and the wage bill will remain on par or lower than the previous year. If that's the case, fine, but it's probably best to accept we won't (or it'll certainly be very difficult to) maintain a longer term place in the top 8 and European commitments with that business model going forwards. In either set of circumstances, I'll still support Saints wherever and whenever they play. Also, as a side note, I judge the team based on performance rather than results as results can be misleading over small sample sizes due to chance. However, early pre-season performances so far have certainly not been supporting of the fact that we are likely to have many of the U21's from last season able as yet to step up into regular roles in the first team squad for PL or Europa.
Latviandream, you haven't been reading my posts properly at all. In three during these exchanges, I have said we need more players in and the squad wasn't big enough last year. I disagree with Beefy's post where he listed the ins and outs as that takes us to about status quo. I think we need more. I have kept saying the squad needs to be bigger. Archers even questioned me on that by saying he wants quality not numbers. At least he read my view. Your not seeing what I put in writing more than once during the exchanges makes it difficult for me. I don't know what else I can say/write if what I have written is not read. I think that maybe you automatically assumed things about my view without digesting my posts. beefy mentioned the U'21's not me ; I said that's up to Ron. This also makes me think you have just assumed that I agree with Beefy without reading my posts properly. People need to take posts at face value, not with preconceived views on who like who.
Just to clarify again, I have only disagreed with peoples statements about the money we have/will spend this window when there are 6 weeks of it left. I think we have to wait before we judge. I do think we need a deeper squad than we had last year. I do hope we sign quality players.
In the interests of remaining cordial as when replying in post #522 you clearly misinterpreted the 2nd and 3rd paragraphs of my post #521 being entirely related to your comment rather than just backing my own view, I'll summarise below quickly. Relating this time 100% only to your comment: I agree. I agree. Perfectly fine, that's your opinion and the only point we differ on. My opinion on this one, while agreeing regards you are correct that we have to see how it plays out, is this is a forum where people saying for example that they'd be concerned/disappointed if we only got 2-3 signings but happy if we got 4-5 of sufficient quality (and all of the different strands of that we've had regards different posters on points of a - quality, and b - quantity) for example is in my opinion perfectly legitimate conversation. Nobody to my knowledge has said sack the board or anything based on info we don't have. However, it's pretty much run it's course now anyway. Apologies if you feel you were misrepresented previously, it was not my intention. #wemarchon
For anyone who wants to re-watch Gooman, Sane, Gizaaneega and Negredo in action here's the video. FC Southampton matches start at 1:25.30 and 2:30.00
That's cool. If we'd been in a pub and talking, it would have been easier and quicker to clear up And in the words of a long haired rocker, "two out of three ain't bad"
Just to add to Latviandream and others that it can be hard sometimes for both parties to always get first time what has been said or meant. This is why I often keep on a point if I feel either someone hasn't understood my point, or I haven't understood theirs. I'm not be in an awkward got or antagonistic when I do this, but just trying to get to the bottom of something and as in this case we did. After a few posts that showed no aggression or no offence being taken, Latviandream and I got to that point and after all, we agreed on two of the key points. Thanks Latviandram, it is good when a discussion can be had, debated and carried on without someone just giving up or throwing a tantrum. Good discussion.
Two interesting games and valuable too on the basis that sometimes you can learn more from a defeat than a win. I thought both goalkeepers looked good......and thats about it. I know we had 2 half-teams out there but at no point did we get any control in midfield (well, maybe a few minutes in the first game). Poor old Gaston was doing what he does best, giving the ball away, and no-one else showed any real class at all. So, either the players are good enough and we just haven't got close to fitness etc yet , or they aren't in which case midfield would seem to me to be the priority if we are buying anyone. As for Juanmi, I thought he was going to be something of a poacher but he seemed to be trying to play more as a midfielder.
If anyone is interested the Team arrived back at Hurn at 22:50 last night in another Cityjet BAe146 EI-RJC.
I agree, they should have used their "lucky" Boeing 737 VIP aircraft 9H-AHA. Perhaps they will for the next batch of games? I can't believe some people blaming the green shirts for us losing in the second game, who do they think we are, Manure?
I think this tour was all about the u21s and seeing whether any of them have a place in the squad for this season. Not just based on the matches, but the training too. I have no doubts we will sign a starting centre back and a starting central midfielder. Any further signings are unlikely to be nailed on first teamers. If Reed and Stephens have impressed then perhaps we won't sign another midfielder. Perhaps Isgrove will do enough to stop us buying another winger. I'm sure we all have personal opinions on where else we need to strengthen, but I don't think we are that far off number wise
I think you're probably right, though it's only really possible to judge if they're ready by playing within a full first team. The games yesterday were useful I guess from a fitness point of view, but in terms of organisationally and tactically, they were a bit of a dead rubber in all honesty.
Going against all my better judgement and using just yesterday, I though Gape looked like a fish out of water. The others didn't look out of place but didn't shone particularly either. The young left back (Debayo ?) played one particularly good ball in the Salzburg game.
Only watched the first game and overall I don't think we did too badly. Martina looked pretty clueless in that game but it is only pre season so not really fair to judge.
I though both Debayo and Gape looked a bit green, and I'm not talking about the jersey. I remember that pass by Debayo, it was indeed very good, but overall I think it too early for him and Gape to play in the senior squad. Stephens didn't do anything wrong. I was impressed by McCarthy, he's strong physically and composed on the ball. Also I must say I rate Isgrove.
I agree, tough Mane didn't offer him much help on that side. When he and Isgrove switch sides around 30th minute, Valencia stopped exploiting our left side as much.
