Saints Stuff
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I have a fair bit of confidence in Crocker, and that reinforces it. It took years to build our Academy, and it took years to wreck it, and Crocker's under no illusions about its current state. Good.
Interesting that Semmens thinks that not only will Ings sign a new contract, he thinks he will be at Saints until he retires.
Can someone do a TL/DR on the main points? I have a horror of a day ahead and don't have time to watch!
From SaintsWeb:
Performance this season (missed most of this part after joining late)
Performance this season (missed most of this part after joining late)
- All: Injuries massively affected momentum but all who were asked were confident that we can turn it around and form can return to being more like it was in 2020
- Ralph: Hopeful last 5 games will see an uptick in performances and form that we can take in to new season
- Ralph: Concentrated on cups which probably led to some dropped points in league
- Ralph: Lack of depth has been tough so had to call upon Academy players at times when not ready
- MS: Went from Leicester 9-0 to top of the league in a year so need to have a level of perspective
- MS: Need to 'stick to the plan'
- Martin Semmens: (why Gao bought the club) - He was asked by Chinese gov. to grow football in the country but not long after he bought the club the gov. position on this changed so not an ideal situation
- MS: Gao doesn't speak English so comms comes direct from club, that's why we haven't heard from him
- MS: A different investment structure is coming [he didn't say takeover explicitly but it seemed to suggest that]. More to come on that "soon" and they were hoping it would be done by now. [I asked David Thomas (Director of Commercial) in the breakout session directly if this meant a takeover. He said "not necessarily" but he said he couldn't say much. His smile suggested a takeover I would say, just reading body language]
- MS: We spend every penny we get in
- MS: We have no less money than likes of Palace, Burnley etc. Said 'watch how Burnley will spend in next few years' (referencing their recent takeover I guess)
- MS: Trying to compete with likes of Everton, Leeds and Villa with a smaller budget is tough but is the aim
- Matt Crocker: Academy recruitment staff was seen as poor when he arrived so new people have come in to that department
- MC: Recognises that the B Team/U18 results have been poor recently. Results aren't 'be all and end all' at that level but puts it down to much of the B team squad training with the first team and therefore players further down the pyramid having to step up to fill the voids which realistically means they aren't ready as they're too young
- MC: Club have invested £1m in youth facilities since pandemic
- MC: Defended use of playing style throughout academy teams too. "Gets them ready for the first team as much as possible"
- MS: Referenced Liverpool win this season when we had so many academy grads in the squad/on the pitch which shows it can work
- MS: Noted that much of the academy lads were not allowed to even come in and train for much of 2020 due to COVID
- MC: Club have employed 'Game Coaches' to put across the overall pressing philosophy and getting them ready for matches
- MC: Trying to do things differently ("The extra 1%) to other clubs rather than just relying on our reputation to attract the best young talent
- MC: Some youngsters have been part of the first team because of circumstances rather than being deserved opportunities ("they have come too easy for them")
- MS/MC: Want to get more Women's team matches played at St Mary's in the future, pleased with development of the side
- MS: We will spend in the summer
- Ralph: Need more cover for full-back which is obvious
- Ralph: Not happy with Valery's development which is why he went out on loan
- Ralph: Number 6 position not so concerning now that Armstrong has proven he can play there too if needed
- MC: Regulations changing (Brexit etc.) opens up more markets for us such as South America to scout/buy talent
- MC: Character of player we are signing is always key
- MC: Signing of Theo didn't fit in with the typical strategy but we knew he would add experience and give 110% having been at the club before
- MS: Club wants to be competing in 7th to 12th positions and pushing for Europe if possible
- MC: Pitch 2 at Staplewood being converted into a replica of St Mary's
- MC: New 'Player Insight' team has been brought it to help with recruitment
- MC: We have 5 full-time UK Scouts and 4 in Europe
- Ralph: (Next season) Wants us to be clear of the relegation pack so we can have another good cup run. Might be best chance of getting into Europe
- Ralph: Was a fan of VAR in Germany but has not liked it this season. "The people using it have been very poor"
- Ralph: 2 horrible decisions have shown this (JV and JB red cards)
- Ralph: Offside is too subjective
- Ralph: Just too many mistakes from officials
- MS: "Jon Moss ruined some games for us"
- MS: Doesn't feel that 'big six' teams should be punished as it's not fair on the players who have "lost a year of their careers without fans and didn't deserve the sh*t that was put on them"
- MS: Punishment should be for the owners only as they orchestrated it
- MS: Saints very much against it and hoping that upcoming PL discussions will mean the ESL will never be mentioned ever again
- MS: Expecting him to sign the deal on the table
- MS: Thinks he will be with us for the rest of his career
- MS: Nobody works harder to keep fit and is more committed than him
- Club looking to reach out more to supporter groups abroad
- Club looking to put some form of loyalty scheme in place for season ticket holders to recognise those that put up with League One etc.
- Club wants to do more events like tonight to allow supporters from all locations to join and ask questions of people in different positions at SFC
- David Thomas: Mentioned himself bizarrely that club are looking to offload Lemina, Hoedt etc. to free up funds
Overall its positive. Just cements that we have a good team in charge and a good manager...but working with your arms tied behind your back is almost impossible no matter how good you are. Also makes me feel a little sorry for Gao. I've never been one to hurl abuse at him, but of course want him out because we're going no where but backwards under his ownership.
One thing I'm not a fan of there is saying that defensive midfield is not so concerning now as Armstrong can play there. Sure he can, but it's not ideal, it's not his game to sit in even if he can play it. And lets face it, we need his attacking game to not be restricted. But I doubt they would be considering that if it wasn't for the arms being tied thing so it is what it is, even if what it is is frustrating. Different investment structure doesn't sound too promising to me, doesn't sound like the term you would choose if you were expecting a significant change in our current circumstances, but will wait to see what happens with that one.
One thing I'm not a fan of there is saying that defensive midfield is not so concerning now as Armstrong can play there. Sure he can, but it's not ideal, it's not his game to sit in even if he can play it. And lets face it, we need his attacking game to not be restricted. But I doubt they would be considering that if it wasn't for the arms being tied thing so it is what it is, even if what it is is frustrating. Different investment structure doesn't sound too promising to me, doesn't sound like the term you would choose if you were expecting a significant change in our current circumstances, but will wait to see what happens with that one.
Not directly relevant to preceding posts, but I think I saw positive info (from Ralph?) that both Ings and Romeu will be back by Palace game. Am I dreaming this, or is there any hard "horse's mouth" information about either Ings or Romeu? Please?
Yes, I'd agree that 6 isn't a priority position for recruitment with the players we have there. Plus if Weird Al fulfils his promise, we're pretty well covered.
There is a chance, Ralph confirmed that they could both be back. But I wouldn't be surprised if Ralph played it safe with both of them. Vital we have them fully fit for pre-season.
Especially as it looks like we'll need to bring in 3 full backs.
Think Jankewitz is gone this summer. Only a year left on his deal and sounds like he is unsettled
I'd be surprised if Jankewitz is here next season. Ralph clearly isn't keen on him anymore, and we all know about his transfer request etc.
Shame, as he's looked good in the youth sides, and he came with a lot of hype.
If he goes, will he be a candidate for the Saints player who played the least amount of time in the first team? Ignoring all those players who have never even appeared for the first team, the only other very short-lived player I can think of is Ali Dia. Are there any substitutes that made a brief appearance, never to be seen again?
Can think of a few youngsters who came on for like a minute at the end of a match.
Dom Gape springs to mind from Koemans days. One sub appearance in the 90th minute was it for him. Now at Wycombe.
Probably a few others from over the years.
Always liked Deano.
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Wahoo I'm eligible for a Leeds ticket.
Everyone is aren't they? Just some people have a higher priority over others.
Yeah I just read the email when I posted that. Then I looked at the website and I'm last in the queue.
Yeah I just read the email when I posted that. Then I looked at the website and I'm last in the queue.
Same ... bloody December games, I guess its fair and the right thing to do but still disappointing!
I'd be amazed if it got to our sales window, but I guess you never know what might happen.