If we had signed Buttner, Luke Shaw would never have been brought through so quickly and given the chance to shine. Although we didn't like the idea we were being cheated, I bet most of us thought that we could do with a LB early in the season. Can't judge how good Buttner is or could be because he isn't getting the chances he would with us and perhaps we still need another LB, but so pleased to see Shaw getting the opportunity.
From what I have seen Luke certainly looks better defensively, although Buttner is faster and more attack minded. Considering he was meant to be volatile, I think I prefer Shaw. And he's an academy product! Yay for the academy.
I really don't know why some people are still hung up on Buttner. Missing out on Michu is a pain in the helmet but Buttner?
Top class LB for his development costs...bargain. Yes, I know you have to factor in the costs for players who don't make it...still the best way to go as you get players who slot into our style. New players bought in have to be Adkinized.
I haven't been impressed with Buttner from what I've seen of him. He's conceded a few penalties. Shaw is a much better defender than Buttner.
Not fretting about him though we needed defenders at beginning of the season, but sometimes a door opens for another player when things like this happen.
If Shaw continues to progress the way he has been over the last month or two, he'll soon be quicker and more attack-minded on the ball than Buttner (the latter of course depends on who and how well we are playing as a team). Much happier with Shaw thanks to a helping of hindsight.
Defensively I reckon he already is. Attacking wise, I reckon he is being pegged back a bit at the moment by the coaching staff as he always looks to unload early. Showed a glimmer of what is coming when he broke after making a tackle against Reading, he does have explosive pace.
All academy players have tattoos on their left buttock saying Property of SFC...if found please return to St Mary's.
I have told the story before, but a friend saw a young Saints team playing a practice match against a local side and the players were being coached to never take more than a few strides before passing the ball. Pass, pass, pass is the 'Southampton Way'.
When can we start calling them back in? Might be handy to have Bale back for the Sunderland game if Lallana is still out?
Sadly only started by Cortese. It was the sight of the needle that made Oxo panic and jump ship. The nice Mr Wenger promised to use stencils instead.
