so, it does or it doesn't? There is an awful lot of luck involved. There is also an awful lot of careful consideration and scouting, but do not think for one minute there is a single guarantee in signing a player. FYI, I am not one of the ones who think we'll break into the top 4 in a year or 2. I predicted 8-12th this year and we will do that; I hope for an improvement again next year, but that will be very tough indeed.
The whole premise that Nicola sold to Markus was that Southampton had the potential to break into the Champions League level without spending megamillions on players, simply because we already had one of the best academies in the country. Katharina has shown, since she took over direct control, that she also buys into that dream. Of course that doesn't mean that we can do it without buying any superstars, but it means that we can be more like Alex Ferguson's Golden Generation than the Chelseas and Man Cities and Blackburns of the Premier League era. Imagine in 3 or 4 years time, when we have a squad, most of whom will literally have grown up together, playing together. That level of understanding and team spirit will be priceless in itself.
If we're descending into pedantry then I didn't say it doesn't matter at all in any transfer, I said it doesn't really come into it in the scenarios you mentioned. As in, it isn't the defining factor. You can't simply say Yoshida not being good enough and Osvaldo being a little crazy is down to bad luck. Similarly, Ramirez was always going to take time to adapt. Injuries may have lengthened the time it has taken but we don't really know that for sure. I know. I was answering a few people at once which is why I didn't quote anyone in particular. I agree with that assessment.
