Trying to not get too excited by this by tempering my expectations based on Walcott and Lallans returns not exactly relighting our fire. But Oriol is a different beast. Can’t wait to see him in a Saints shirt again. What a guy Didnt he come meet up with ‘us’ on our pre-season tour?
Think about Saturday, Oriol walking out pre game. Ahhh, he doesn’t have to play. The uplift will be massive.
Oriol is a legend and some love and passion for the club is much needed. But don’t kid yourselves, it’s another SR signing an old former player to try and shift the culture. Didn’t work before, probably won’t work again. Leaderless and rudderless but at least there’s a talisman in the squad. I thinks he’s done a good thing coming back but i don’t expect him to be the player he was 6seasons ago.
Agreed but I just think his mental approach will infect a few key players and maybe more. That’s worth his place in the setup.
A saint, a player and a gent. Took my Liverpool supporting nephew to a Saints/Liverpool match a few years back. We waited for the Liverpool players to sign his program. All the ****ers just got on the bus without even acknowledging their supporters. Over comes Oriol, with Forster and Maya and signs his program. Made his day. Love it that he has come back, just what we need right now. What's Morgan or Victor up to these days
Reckon this was planned before or after they knew they were getting rid of Will? Mixed feelings about this; it's great to have an experienced leader who clearly cares for the club, definitely needed. Even if it's just to show players what it means to play for Southampton but on that note, will our cry baby squad listen? I hope so, I hope it once and for all assists in getting rid of the players who don't deserve to be here. I would love it if he came back and was the reason the squad mentality changed. He knows our dire position and with rose tinted glasses on I like to think he's coming here because he wants to help turn things around... He could be relaxing in sunny Spain after all. I just hope if it all goes tits up, because one player can't get his point across that it doesn't sour the fans opinion of him. He was always a very hard worker and was part of a squad who provided us with lots of joy. Wasn't it him who never got a red card but would get lots of yellows? He's a very clever player, I just wish he was coming in to an already good team. If Sport Republic are using this for pr, well, it's working but they're not off the hook; get an experienced manager in who doesn't care about falling out with players if it overall improves things.
Was very pleasantly surprised when I read this earlier, exactly what we need. Never mind if he can do it again on the pitch(I have faith that he can and will), just having him around to ensure everyone gives it their all is worth the wages! What a guy, one of my all time favourite players, just loved the stories of him walking around the city taking in the culture, exactly what you want from a player, then when he stepped on the pitch, one of the most accomplished players we have ever had. When Ori was with us before, Pep said he was one of his favourite midfielders, I'm sure we can all agree he was one of our favourite midfielders too. Others are right to say, the moment he left is when things started to go south. Interested to see which manager comes in now.
I could be wrong, but I think this one is astute. Hes never been a pace merchant. He’s always been pretty slow and just reads the game well and creates space with his touch. The championship is pretty low quality this year really, based on all the teams we’ve played so far. I think he’ll do OK, but just having a player that’s done it all, played with some of the best players in the world will be so good for the whole club. He doesn’t need to play much, he just needs to be a calm senior head and show the prima Donna’s what a professional player looks like.
I have so much love for Rickie; in my top two Saints players of all time, but i’m unsure as to whether i would let him fill my gaping hole
Just watched this which actually dropped 4 days ago, brilliant watch, love how much Ori loves Southampton!