Saints are 'increasingly hopeful' on Victor Wanyama signing a new deal at St. Mary's

This. That's why I'm not actually that fussed about the prospect of losing Wanyama. We often read here that it would be great if we can buy a player who would be an improvement on Steven Davis. But at the moment, I'm would rather that we find a player who'd be an improvement on Wanyama. Don't get me wrong, I like him and what he brings to the team, but I also think that clear deficiencies in some aspects of his game can, in various degrees, limit the performance of our team. Wanyama is great in breaking down attacks, but very poor in building them, and he plays in the position where he's the one to start an attacking move. If there's a player who has strong defensive capabilities, but can also launch attacks, I think it could really improve us. Someone like Morgan, basically.

 

An improving Clasie?

I actually think Vic and Clasie are a good combo, so long as Clasie gets on the ball when we get it back and not Vic.

 

Of course. If it was your average journo with no historical access to Saints I'd treat the news as the other imposter - good news and bad, success or failure.

But I've had personal experience of Jeremy Wilson. We corresponded quite a bit during my involvement as secretary of the Give It To Ron campaign and his writing of the book Southampton FC Cult Heroes. Although I was initially suspicious, Wilson showed me then that he was an honourable person and he has had lots of access to Saints in the past when he worked on the Daily Echo and there was no barrier to Saints news. So, for me, Wilson is about as trusted as a journo gets for unofficial Southampton FC news. He may be right or wrong but his intentions are truthful. He is not sensationalist for the sake of it.

 

If we can sign Wanyama at a cheap price, I'm happy to keep him. But I'm also okay if he goes as I think between Romeu, Clasie, and Reed we are covered and I would like to see Reed get a shot.

Like Wanyama quite a bit, but we have a strong hand here and should try to leverage it to best advantage.

 

My reason for feet on the ground has nothing to do with the journo, purely the fact Vic has a twat of an agent. I'm sure the feeling in the club is as said, but I wouldn't put anything passed the agent, if even Saints were unaware.

 

Once Man U have bored of Morgan, we should be able to get him back half price.

Vin

 

Why was my post deleted?

 

Feet on ground! - I am not expecting it to happen at all. To say I haven't got my hopes up is an understatement (or is that overstatement)

 

Yeah, I'll give you that.

 

I can't get too excited because we've been let down too often but it's nice to know there is a chance. It's not the end of the world if he does decide to leave as I'm sure we will find a replacement. See Reed more as a Clasie backup but that may just be a size thing.

 

You've limited yourself to a month?!

It's an interesting article, but leaves me with some questions. Do we really want Pelle* gone? More significantly for me, just as we are starting to see the real quality of Shane Long there is a whisper of his going. On another post, someone questioned my view of Long (as is anyone's right, of course) but I do wonder which match they watched on Saturday. The ball he played to Targett for the penalty; the set up of Davis for the run that led to the third goal; his pass to release Mane when he should have scored and his general all round terrifying of the Albion defence convinced me. He's quality and I hope he stays.

I'd love to see Big Vic stay. A couple more contract extensions (including RK of course) would really send out a message of intent.

*EDIT Is it me, but anyone else think young Graziano doesn't look too happy to be having Charlie join the party on the gallery pics?

 

This time last year, we were confident on Clyne signing a new deal, so until it's confirmed, nothing changes for me. Don't feel anything either way without confirmation!.

 

You asked us to.

 

Yes. I want to get rid of Pelle.

He is 30. He is no longer our primary striker. He has one year left on his deal and then he leaves for nothing. In the meantime, we have Juanmi and Seager who need playing time. Rodriguez too, when he gets healthy. Plus it might be nice to take a stab at keeping Mane around. And we have just made a significant comitment to Austin. That is a lot of strikers to keep on the books and find playing time for.

Pelle himself would probably prefer to sign a new deal now while his value is high, he can get a chance to start, and perhaps play for Italy.

Alternatively, we could sell Long , depending upon what someone might offer and what RK thinks. But it seems like Pelle going makes more sense.

I would wish him the best. I have been one his more vocal defenders while he has been here, but the club has committed to Austin now.

If Pelle wants to stay, he has earned that right. I would not be shoving him out the door, but yes, I would prefer to sell him.

 

Ideally I would keep all our strikers. How many time did the lack of options up front cost us points? With all our strikers on board, we wouldn't have to depend on one player and we would finally have some very strong options from the bench. The season is long and arduous, everyone would get plenty of chances to feature.

Also, I like Pelle very much. He's not a world class striker, but he's been very good for us and has great passion for the team. I for one am very happy he's been a part of our team for the last two years I would be happy if he stays. But ultimately, if the club decides it's better to recoup some money on him in the summer, I'm ok with that also. They have to keep an eye on business side of football, we fans don't.

 

A loan to Chelsea might be a good option, except that Pelle would probably keep them up.

 

Agreed, If we're still to achieve anything in the league of note(5th could be at worst 5 points away with a win at Old Trafford) then we'll need all the attacking options we can get and the variety they all bring.

Prior to this injury spell for Graziano. I think Koemans over reliance on Pelle was a little damaging. He seemed to play no matter what and was hardly ever subbed. Even if the spell with Long upfront has been a little hit and miss, it should have shown Koeman that Pelle is not crucial to our attack to be successful. Throw Austin into the mix now and no Southampton manager has had a better squad.

 

if the player wants away, he won't sign a new contract. I can't see him signing. The only thing is that if he does we will be able to charge more when he goes, at the expense of increased wages in the meantime. It's possible that he could be persuaded to sign a new deal on this basis I suppose, but I doubt it.

 

I don't need to - that's what gravity's for.

 

I'm in the 'let him go if the price is right camp'. Solid muscular presence but not consistently good enough with the ball and distribution to be a must keep for me. I'd rather have Reed getting some game time. We are well covered for his role. Spend the money on a dynamic attacking mid.