The Virgil Van Dijk Stays at Southampton Thread

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mowgli said:
You know we all recognise football has changed but somehow we're refusing to accept it. We complain like hell when people like Mane are allowed to leave (£35m was a steal at the time though he is worth more now) but conveniently forget he actually forced a move to us from his previous club. If memory serves me correctly Tadic forced a move to come here as well. Likewise, it was clear VVD was coming to us from Celtic long before he signed. It was only the timing that was in question. Yet still Celtic did a tribute video when he left. Meanwhile at Southampton, as VVD (or his agent) tried to manipulate a move to Liverpool, most fans are looking for a public execution of both him (for talking to Klopp) and of Les Reed (because he did not prevent it). I think we need to look at ourselves a bit (me included) and start to adapt more to the current state of affairs.

For example, we should see the positive of Saints being a stepping stone. Seeing the likes of Mane, VVD, Schneiderlin and maybe Bertrand (!) even for only a year or two is so much better than it used to be for Saints. We are a real pull for players looking to establish regular football in the Premier league. Similarly, we should look with pride at our academy players such as the Ox, Walcott, Chamberlain and Shaw (I've purposely excluded Lallallallana from the list). All these players (both categories) have helped make Saints a sustainable financial model quite unique in the modern era.

There will still be the occasional 'loyal' player that we can truly describe as legends such as Terry Paine, Frannie Benali, Jason Dodd, Matt Le Tissier, etc. They may not all be world class but they are special to the club. Surman would have been another had our financial position not been so dire. And of todays crop, JWP deserves far more respect than he gets from certain sectors.

I just think there's more to celebrate than to feel down about.
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Spot on. Sums up perfectly the realities of modern football.
 
mowgli said:
You know we all recognise football has changed but somehow we're refusing to accept it. We complain like hell when people like Mane are allowed to leave (£35m was a steal at the time though he is worth more now) but conveniently forget he actually forced a move to us from his previous club. If memory serves me correctly Tadic forced a move to come here as well. Likewise, it was clear VVD was coming to us from Celtic long before he signed. It was only the timing that was in question. Yet still Celtic did a tribute video when he left. Meanwhile at Southampton, as VVD (or his agent) tried to manipulate a move to Liverpool, most fans are looking for a public execution of both him (for talking to Klopp) and of Les Reed (because he did not prevent it). I think we need to look at ourselves a bit (me included) and start to adapt more to the current state of affairs.

For example, we should see the positive of Saints being a stepping stone. Seeing the likes of Mane, VVD, Schneiderlin and maybe Bertrand (!) even for only a year or two is so much better than it used to be for Saints. We are a real pull for players looking to establish regular football in the Premier league. Similarly, we should look with pride at our academy players such as the Ox, Walcott, Chamberlain and Shaw (I've purposely excluded Lallallallana from the list). All these players (both categories) have helped make Saints a sustainable financial model quite unique in the modern era.

There will still be the occasional 'loyal' player that we can truly describe as legends such as Terry Paine, Frannie Benali, Jason Dodd, Matt Le Tissier, etc. They may not all be world class but they are special to the club. Surman would have been another had our financial position not been so dire. And of todays crop, JWP deserves far more respect than he gets from certain sectors.

I just think there's more to celebrate than to feel down about.
Click to expand...

There is a section of our support who see their arse over any player leaving. It's interesting how the OWS responds. Lovely tribute to Morgan, for example, and most are wished well. Rickie was even given his own slot. ****ing us about is another matter! VVD could be the next Lallana. He needs to sort himself out.
 
Clem Fandango said:
Is Bertrand off? If VvD is world class, then RB is strictly average and the kind of player we should be able to hold on to.
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See, I look at it differently. Bertrand isn't a shade on van dijk and therefore if we get offered top dollar (£30/35m imo) we should be more inclined to sell as we will be able to replace him. Players like virgil don't come around often and keep if him could be the difference between relative success and failure next season.

Edit - I should have added that I would keep Bertrand for another season at least anyway. Just that I'd be more likely to sell him than VVD. I think keeping our players sends a message and also will no doubt help with continuity.
 
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MLsfc said:
See, I look at it differently. Bertrand isn't a shade on van dijk and therefore if we get offered top dollar (£30/35m imo) we should be more inclined to sell as we will be able to replace him. Players like virgil don't come around often and keep if him could be the difference between relative success and failure next season.

Edit - I should have added that I would keep Bertrand for another season at least anyway. Just that I'd be more likely to sell him than VVD. I think keeping our players sends a message and also will no doubt help with continuity.
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Agree with you, only I'm not sure there is any real message other than we will sell for good money, everyone is for sale, regardless to contract length.

Virgils situation is a little like Fonte last summer, I'd be more tempted for him to go now and get £60m plus, prmote Stephens and get another starter in place of Yoshida
 
Saintjoey said:
The new way in business is that traffic to website and social media exposure is king in terms of driving the brand forward. It makes sense to drip feed so the interest continues over a more prolonged period building up to the formal announcement of signature.
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Good point, but it might also be that they fear being gazzumped. If they show their hand too soon, someone might come in with more dosh, so we have to pay more to secure that player
 
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The thing is, Liverpool issued the apology to try and avoid a punishment. If we are still going ahead with the complaint against Liverpool, then they may as well say bollocks to it, we might as well sign him after all.

The only thing that could then stop it happening other than us not being happy with the fee, would be a transfer ban which I would absolutely love, then we can sell him to Come and we can all enjoy Klopp and co struggling this season!
 
mowgli said:
You know we all recognise football has changed but somehow we're refusing to accept it. We complain like hell when people like Mane are allowed to leave (£35m was a steal at the time though he is worth more now) but conveniently forget he actually forced a move to us from his previous club. If memory serves me correctly Tadic forced a move to come here as well. Likewise, it was clear VVD was coming to us from Celtic long before he signed. It was only the timing that was in question. Yet still Celtic did a tribute video when he left. Meanwhile at Southampton, as VVD (or his agent) tried to manipulate a move to Liverpool, most fans are looking for a public execution of both him (for talking to Klopp) and of Les Reed (because he did not prevent it). I think we need to look at ourselves a bit (me included) and start to adapt more to the current state of affairs.

For example, we should see the positive of Saints being a stepping stone. Seeing the likes of Mane, VVD, Schneiderlin and maybe Bertrand (!) even for only a year or two is so much better than it used to be for Saints. We are a real pull for players looking to establish regular football in the Premier league. Similarly, we should look with pride at our academy players such as the Ox, Walcott, Chamberlain and Shaw (I've purposely excluded Lallallallana from the list). All these players (both categories) have helped make Saints a sustainable financial model quite unique in the modern era.

There will still be the occasional 'loyal' player that we can truly describe as legends such as Terry Paine, Frannie Benali, Jason Dodd, Matt Le Tissier, etc. They may not all be world class but they are special to the club. Surman would have been another had our financial position not been so dire. And of todays crop, JWP deserves far more respect than he gets from certain sectors.

I just think there's more to celebrate than to feel down about.
Click to expand...
I think fans of other clubs accept the lure of the Premier League is irresistible. It's harder for us because we flog our players to clubs we're then going to be playing at least twice a season... Also beating/ finishing above these clubs. It becomes very apparent it's about money and not ambition.
 
Archers Road said:
I wouldn't call Bertrand average - disinterested perhaps, but LBs of his ability aren't easily come by.

That said, I wouldn't have any qualms about McQueen starting ahead of him.
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Bertrand is a quality left back. Some people seem to forget that. Even at 60% for parts of last season, he still did a job. It will be a shame if he becomes another of the departed.
 
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fatletiss said:
Bertrand is a quality left back. Some people seem to forget that. Even at 60% for parts of last season, he still did a job. It will be a shame if he becomes another of the departed.
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Couldn't agree more. he's about as good as there is in the league. Anyone who thinks McQueen is at his level,or anywhere near, is deluded.
 
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