Well, much like a lot of what happened last season, he promised much and delivered less. Can't say he didn't get the opportunity tonight, but he didn't make a mark on a game against probably the worst opposition he'll ever face (unless we get Pompey in the cup). Said it months ago, but think he won't be a Saints player by the end of August.
I could understand (though I disagree) if you want him to be gone by the end of August, but I think you're letting your imagination run away with you if you believe it will actually happen.
I think he will stay but I disagree with you. He's average. If you think he has potential to be good then whatever. But calling him good right now I disagree with.
I have belief in Gaston, but I did hope he would shine at this tournament. I don't think he will be going anywhere in the summer. He said recently that he owes Saints, so hope he knuckles down and proves it this season.
Let's look at some of the evidence and come to a conclusion based upon them.... 1) He's not been a guaranteed starter in the Saints team under two different managers 2) When he signed he was told "we will build a team around you" Not happened. 3) Reportedly his agent waived his fee to make the deal to us happen 4) There continues to be constant Newspaper gossip of him being linked back to Italy (see point 3 for probably source) 5) If he was happy at Saints, would he be dropping quotes here and there raising doubt on his future? 6) If Saints are to cut our losses, then doing it this transfer window would probably see us take the smallest hit loss wise. Leave until January or next summer with a player who continues to be not producing and is grumpy with it and his market value will drop. 7) If we are looking at players in Italy or Spain, then Ramirez could possibly be part of an exchange deal to suit all parties For me, that adds up to why I think there's a greater than 50% chance of him not being at Saints by 31st Aug. Could well be wrong, he may start the season on fire and I hope he does. Just feels to me that we may never see the best of him, not for Saints not trying & giving him a chance, but because Ramirez just lacks that hunger to match his talent.
You may be right about the lack of hunger. He was considered a coup for us, so must have the talent. Now needs to show he has the desire.
I don't doubt gaston's desire or ability he just needs the fitness and oppurtunity to play 90 minutes of football every week. The one time he had a run of games he played his best football which is no coincedence. He makes stupid decisions and his fitness isn't good enough which can be easily improved. If I was managing the team I would give him the whole length of hs contract to prove himself purely because he has more talent in his left foot than anyone in our team.
I agree with Rabbit. He will be desperate to prove himself and I still think he will be a massive player for us this season!
I've purposefully kept out of this thread, however this is probably the best post on the subject, especially that last sentence. CBK is right about the real hunger and if it really is there. The talent is there without question. The more than 50% chance quote is also pretty logical too. I've defended him to the hilt because of his talent and the fact I think he is the most talented player we've had for years; yet not every player has the drive to match the talent and so they can remain unfulfilled; I so hope that Ramirez gets closer to fulfilment than he currently is. Damn, I seem to whole heartedly agree with CBK.
As mentioned previously he has not quite lived up to his price tag (atm) but to suggest he is not good is silly. There were times when he played badly but these were generally when the whole team was gash. Next season will be make or break for him. I personally think he will come good.
IT IS NOT ABOUT THE PRICE TAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If it was, we'd have a team of Chaplows. It's about playing to his ability.
Ramirez looked as commited as our other players to me, I can't think of any occassion when he pulled out of a tackle or gave up on a ball. His lack of fitness could be attributed to a lack of commitment to his training, but he didn't have a proper preseason and had a very serious injury. I would have ramirez over lallana any day not only does he have more ability but he showed a much better attitude. Lallana who was meant to be our captain dropped his head, something ramirez never did even after he overhit about 10 freekicks. You saw with Rodriguez how quickly a bit of faith and intelligent management can turn a players performances around. Rodriguez went from being abject to threatening everytime he got on the ball.
Unfortunately, like it or not, this IS about the price tag. If he had come in cheap, we would not be having these debates. We would simply accept that he wasn't up to it and move on. But we all want to believe that if we spent so much money on him then he must be good hence the disappointment that he has not lived up to our expectations.........yet. Oh, and by the way, saying he is better than Lallana. Interesting! You mention Ramirez' injury but don't forget that Lallana also had major injury problems. I thought he played well before his injury but I would agree that he wasn't the same afterwards.
I take it the bottom part is not aimed at me, but someone else? People are making about the fee, but it shouldn't be. The fee is the fee. The only issue for me is that he has immense ability and could be giving us more.
