Saints Stuff
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Fan Forum at Staplewood this evening for fans who attended every home and away match last season.
This is the opening tweet from Dan James, he has published a large thread on what was discussed at the forum which included Ralph and all the football board of the club.
I advise you to check out his Twitter...too much for me to summarize.
Some very interesting points in there, especially about Lemina and Austin.
A summary(which I didn’t fancy doing at midnight) - he will be adding more this morning on twitter.
Lemina & Austin are confirmed as not being part of the clubs plans and are not involved in first team activities(training, food) etc
Mr. Gao first came to Southampton 10 years ago to buy a sun seeker and loved the area, would potentially like to retire here
Gao has worked in China for the government, military as well as business sector, SFC is potentially his final business venture.
Ralph pleased with the start of pre-season and a good attitude in the camp.
Confirmation that some players who did not return at the required fitness levels were excluded from the Austrian trip(no one named).
Ralph very happy with getting Che Adams, has trained well and shown a good temperament.
Season expectations for the league by the supporters in attendance was a nice mid-table 9th-14th, Ralph thought this was fair and cup runs would be important, but FA Cup would be easier to go for on the back of a good league standing.
Ross Wilson & Martin Semmens admitted the summer appointment of Mark Hughes was a mistake and a “quick fix” that didn’t fit in keeping with the clubs longer term visions of a coach who wants to work and improve a young squad.
We will be making more signings this summer, but don’t expect any to be for huge amounts. Potential is the buzzword for any new players.
The Transfer market in general is quiet and the players wages are making it difficult for us to sell the players we no longer want.
Player trading is still seen as the best way for the club to compete.
Hoijberg & Redmond are very much in the clubs plans and it was hinted that new contracts have been offered
Planning permission accepted for a fan park on the south side(think that’s chapel) of the stadium, which is hoping to be ready for the Liverpool game.
Ralph in market for Centre back(better than what we have - obvs) Yoshida marked out as model professional over last 7 years, who looks after younger players and gives post match interviews with Japanese media even if he is not playing.
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More updates on last nights events available. Final tweet above and a positive finale.
Other points added:
Ralph was fairly diplomatic, but strongly hinted that he believed poor overall fitness levels were a reason for conceding so many late goals. He expects the team to play in a high energy style with and without the ball and to be tough to play against.
The first team and any younger players wanting to progress into it must show a high standard of professionalism, from fitness, nutrition & recovery to technical and tactical work. Every first teamer has an iPad with individually tabled plans and feedback
Ross Wilson talked about the importance of academy recruitment in the older age groups.
Yan Valery was one of his first recruits as a 16 year old for 100k - the clubs wordwide
reputation for young players gives them an advantage when recruiting at this age group. Ramello Mitchell(recent signing from Birmingham) had many suitors from England & Germany, but we won through. The club announced four academy lads signing pro deals today, they all joined relatively late in their development
Ralph said first year of VAR in Germany was a “total disaster” - expect plenty of stoppage time and don’t plan anything too soon after a match.
Ralph is feeling good and lost some weight over the summer(I thought it might have been a better haircut) - enjoying the south coast and the weather. He doesn’t drink and isn’t keen on fish and chips
"Ralph said first year of VAR in Germany was a “total disaster” - expect plenty of stoppage time and don’t plan anything too soon after a match."
@Libby
@Libby
"Ralph said first year of VAR in Germany was a “total disaster” - expect plenty of stoppage time and don’t plan anything too soon after a match."
@Libby
Ralph knows
I'm getting too old and cynical. Ths all sounds too good to be true, and you know what they say.
After decades of almost relentless ****e, with the occasional spells (late 70's/early 80's; Poch/Koeman era) of being allowed to breathe freely, I am trying to be up beat. We seem to have hooked a good manager, and I like the fact that he seems to be prepared to take tough decisions. I would be delighted if we went back to being a youngsters proving ground. If we sell Che Adams in two years time for zillions after he's scored 20+ goals a season for us then the plan will be seen to be working again.
Pleased too that Maya got a mention. Great pro and role model.
We really hit the jackpot with Ralph.
A very important time for the club....a time for rebuilding. Loads of money helps, but we proved in League 1/Championship that a great team can be built on a relatively small budget. Takes a good and respected leader with a clear plan that the team have bought into. A previous manager (Koeman?) said it was important to be able to play for 100 mins not 90. I can easily imagine that things slacked off a bit under recent managers...never underestimate the effect that lack of belief has on a team. Ralph must have been like a shock to the system, but a welcome one for willing lads who only needed leadership.
I really hope our mental fragility has been eased. VAR adding ten minutes to the end of matches could well be unbearable for us if we're anything like last term. I dread to even imagine that!
Perhaps there will need for special VAR training...how to deal with long delays and maintain concentration. And that's just the fans. 
Ralph knows
Works a treat in Germany now though, almost like it just had some teething problems
We obviously have different definitions of 'works a treat'.
Barnard how we remember him....with a bandage.
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