I'm not meaning this because of the 3 quality promising additions to the squad with potentially more to come but from a point of how refreshing it has been that Southampton Football Club of the English Premier League look like keeping their best players. Most days in the papers or online we are being linked with signing someone and never with the odd exception of a Puncheon story do we look to be under threat from losing one of our 1st teamers. How great is this compared to the old days under Lowe where our assets were stripped from the club or more recently players were moving on to play in higher divisions- with Oxo last year. Its testament to Cortese, Adkins and everyone else at Southampton Football Club who have got us into the position we are today - a team with ambition, great structure, the right people in the right places, a feel good factor and determination. A round of applause to us supporters too who have stood by the club and our support must play a factor in attracting players. My question tonight is - if a story broke that one of our top players was being linked with a transfer out, which one player would you definately not want it to be - Lambert, Lallana, Schneiderlin, olympian Jack Cork, Fonte or Hooiveld, any Guly fans or do you not want to see any of our youngsters just breaking through go - Shaw, Warde-Prowse,Chambers, Sinclair. one of our more recent signings -Fox, Lee, Sharp? Is there anyone else who you see as really important to us
I wouldn't want to see any first teamers go with the exception of Seaborne, Dickson & Forte (Playing ability anyway) - the rest are irreplaceable in this side, and not just because of their playing ability but their team spirit and unity and how close they all are together, it's a big part of our success
It's the first time in a LONG time where we've not gone into a window with me thinking "Oh god, wonder how much we'll get for X" or "Please don't sell Y". Feels good.
If Lallana went, I would cry. We've proved we can win without Lambert, but without Lallana it's much more difficult.
Great thread ! My biggest worry would be Cortese leaving. He is the foundation of our club and his drive and ambition (and money) is what is moving us forward. If we did lose a key player for whatever reason (i.e falling out etc) I have every faith that we would replace them with equal quality. Edit: Thank you Markus !
You're right. Cortese is the person that I would be frightened to lose, followed by Adkins. Glad we can keep our best players (though part of me knows that we have no players that the top four would want, apart from some youngsters as investment for the future).
Well, Mr NC has been tapped up by a massive club before, & he declined, so I think we're safe...............until we win the Champions League that is, then he may just look for a different path to follow. (like building a colony on Titan and rebuilding the human race into a more efficient race)
Too much of a feel good article for me. It's been a good window and one to enjoy because come January and teams seeing our boys perform in the top flight the vultures will be circling
