Summer Transfer Rumour Thread.

Was expecting these players to leave. Barnard has done well for Saints but unfortunately I think when he was charged for assault and the complete farce that took place arranging his trial confirmed the end of his Saints career.

 

Also he's just not that good.

 

That's harsh, and I think, slightly unfair too.

 

Good luck to them!

 

He is so far off Premier League standard.

 

With Harding sold and Dickson told he can leave, NA Deffo will want to bring in LB.

 

How come? His goal record in League 1 was excellent and I don't remember him having many bad games, then he barely got a Championship chance because of injury. I'm sure he'll get snapped up by a good side, and the other two attracted good loan interest last season so they will be ok too. Good luck to all of them.

 

Yes, I think we are all aware of that otherwise he'd be staying, but to say he's just not that good, when he was a big player in lifting Saints out of Lge One is harsh. I also think he would have been much more involved in the Championship if he hadn't had his very bad ankle injury and his distracting court case hanging over him. You never know, he may been able to progress with the other squad members. I think you're being overly quick to judge, Joe.

 

He has his own opinion.. NA knows more than you do.

Not to mention, Adkins wants to WIN the premier league, That is the ambition of Saints. These 3 players, Especially the latter to go Deffo will not be good enough for the challange.. Barnard or Defoe.. Hmmm

 

Overly quick? He's been with us for two years...

 

Barnard missed a lot with injury and his card was marked when we signed Tadanari, Sharp and JRod. Nigel had already decided that Barnard wasn't good enough. Our rapid rise means that we've moved away from some of our League1/Championship standard players...sad but a fact of life in football.

 

Yes thats the bottom line. If we are to continue to progress we need more quality and some players won't make the grade.

 

What are you writing that rubbish for..?

 

You know very well what I mean.

 

Harsh reality is that you're probably right. Shame his injuries and court case came at a bad time. Think he could be a fairly decent Championship player with some games under his belt. Good luck to him.

 

I'd like to see Huddersfield Sign him.. Very good team they are constructing.

 

I really don't. Even when he was playing well for us in League One, I think it was evident that it was his limit. He's a well-rounded player, but he doesn't excel in technical ability, pace or physique. Even if he'd been available all of last season, he'd have been left behind by the other strikers, including even Connolly in the opening stages. He has a level, and it's a couple below this one.

 

There will be a number of Championship teams after him. He needs a fresh start.

 

Well you're not as perceptive as I took you for then.

With a few exceptions, all of the players were playing at their limit in Lge One, yet they all progressed. Their's was a continuous path of progression, whereas Barnard's was hugely interrupted by injury and to a lesser extent, his legal distraction. I have said, I agree that he wasn't upto PL standard, but I think he could have made a fine Championship striker, and may yet still do. Your one line - he isn't/wasn't that good - summary of his Saints career is a trifle harsh, IMO.

And to the other poster, who suggested Nigel Adkins knows more than I do [legod knows how that person interpreted that obvious fact from the posts] I totally agree. However, that wasn't being debated.

Back to the subject of Barnard, Forte and Dickson - I wish them all the best in their future careers. Hopefully, they'll speak well of Southampton FC.

 

Good luck to them all, some key goals and performances from all. Cheers, and hopoe you get good moves.

Lets look to the future now.