Also, part of Samuel's point was that Saints were seemingly willing to part with these players as if it was a preferred option. If Southampton FC had their preference, I'm sure every single key player, with the possible exception of Lambert, would still be at the club. The difference between the so-called fire-sale and the so-called exodus, is that the former is led by the club, and the latter is led by the players involved. There eventually came the point where Schneiderlin said that he wanted to leave, simply because even he thought by then that Saints were giving up on their ambitions, but that he wanted to do it with respect and dignity, and that he would not force a move. Lallana, Lovren and Chambers all forced their moves by various means. Shaw went because £31.5M is stupid money for a LB who clearly isn't worth that yet [and SFC aren't idiots], and Lambert went because his star was on the wane. That scenario, even now, seems to be ignored by Samuel and the rest of the newspaper vultures.
The fact that Morgan has said categorically, that he is now fully focussed on playing for Southampton, in what seems to be until Southampton FC and him decide that it's time for a mutual parting [I question whether he'll sign an extension of his contract], appears to be neither here nor there within the media rags. Apparently, Arsenal have to challenge Spurs for his signature in January, we're told [in other articles]. It's still not about him being a Saints player, or if he might possibly leave in the distant future, it's about which London club he will sign for in a few months time. This is gross arrogance beyond belief. It's no wonder Saints supporters get annoyed. The media practically sells Saints players before a ball has been kicked. No doubt Tadic, Pelle and Mane have all been earmarked by the top clubs and that they'll be gone by January also, no doubt with the willing assistance of SFC, where they'll just find some other fabulous unknowns and/or unearth another gem or two from the Academy.
Either Martin Samuel and his colleagues in media have secret insight and information into Southampton FC, that none of the club's supporters are party too, or they haven't been taking a blind bit of notice to what has actually been happening and who the motivators are behind all the moves and ambitions. Regrettably it seems Saints could be hamstrung by FFP, when they actually have an owner who could have decided to buy success if she fancied, but they are doing it the right way instead. No new rules need be written for them [unlike Man City] because there is a way through the mine-field providing a club is clever enough and managed well enough. And some of the media are intelligent enough to realise this.
I think he sees us as playing like his own team.
