Didn't want to discuss any signings yet but this has really irked me. Richardson has been fantastic all season! Tell me how many games have you been to? He could easily have won player of the season if it wasn't for Lambert, Lallana and Davis. Fantastic player and deserves his chance in the Premiership.
I think the area we need to strengthen most is we need a fast player that would be useful in particular away from home to hit teams on the counter. IMO part of the reason we struggle away is simply because if we are under pressure we don't have the pace to form any sort of decent counter really. Please don't even mention that we have De Ridder he is absolutely horribly bad Other than that I don't think Fox has been good enough. He's often been ripped to shreds but the opposition winger (away from home). The only problem here is we lose our corner taker, something Fox is very good at normally... unless the player that comes in can take them. I'd like back up in midfield as well because right now only Morgan, Guly, Lallana, Hammond, Cork are good enough. Chaplow, De Ridder will be out of their depth and Puncheon is yet to make any sort of impression.
I think we have the core already in place but we do need to significantly improve the squad for the prem. We have been largely lucky with injuries and if we'd lost Jos & Jose, or Rickie & Adam for lengthy periods we'd be stuffed. Also not much cover in centre mid if Jack & / or Spider are out, and definite right side midfield is not prem quality. Finally in the one key game Kelv was out Bart dropped a big clanger. My In's & Out's for the close season would be:- In (8) Ben Foster (GK), Nathan Clyne (RB), Scott Dann (CB), Matt Phillips (RM), Jacob Butterfield (CM), Peter Whittingham (RM/LM), Gary Hooper (CF) or Jay Rodriquez (CF) Out (10) Tommy Forecast (GK), Danny Butterfield (RB), Rahdi Jaidi (CB), Jason Puncheon (RM), Steve De Ridder (RM), David Connolly (CF), Lee Barnard (CF), Jonathan Forte (CF), Ryan Dickson (LB), Lee Holmes (LM)
On BBC site, Adkins says he's already working on bringing in new players who are better than the ones we have because the team has to evolve.
I don't rate Clyne, Phillips, Butterfield or Hooper. Honestly, I think we can aim higher. Scott Dann is great though. I'd like De Ridder to stay, at least as backup. I still feel like he could adapt if given a bit more time. Agree with the rest of the outs.
We may get players we are surprised at or have never heard of, but think we can trust Cortese to get the players we need. And with 7 on the bench a few youngsters will be blooded and, hopefully, a couple will grab their chance to shine without fear. On that note, I see that Sam Hoskins scored again for Rotherham.
Good point Fran! Forgot we get to have 7 subs again! Never thought I'd be excited about that...but I am
Mods please ban this thread. To quote a very talented and bespectacled gentleman, "let's live in the present, in the now" Please give us a week of enjoyment from this magnificent achievement before we go through the inevitable bitching and moaning at the players whose or may not be good enough for the Premier League. All of these players got us there, so can they please be given the plaudits they deserve fo at least a week before they are written off and slung on the scrap heap. WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON, WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!
I second this notion. We have plenty of times to get carried away about the future. But for now, lets pay homage to the players that have worked so hard and deserve a lot of plaudits. No need to get serious yet, lets just celebrate our players and staff and the massive achievements of another amazing year.
Danny Fox has more than enough ability for the Premiership but I agree a RB could be useful addition.
As a famous man said: Together as one. Even fringe players like Forecast help put people through their paces in training. Congratulation to everyone.
About 30. Yes he has been good, but defensively has been caught out on several occasions. We need someone who is defensively sound as premier league wingers would have a field day against him.
I have been thinking over the last couple of days that maybe Fox would be better at LM. He is not great defensively but has a bucketful of assists this season. Then we could move Adam over to the right and the RM problem is solved.
Joe you're a bloke with a brain for goodness sake. Dr Ridder - Pompey can have him for free. If he was half as good on the right as Baker was for Coventry yesterday I'd say keep him he could get better but he isn't and he won't.
Totally agree. All of the players deserve a chance to show what they can do,. No-one gave Norwich or especially Swansea a prayer and they have done well with largely the players that took them up. As FLT rightfully points out enjoy the moment.. It doesn't get much better than this!!!
Fox is often exposed by Lallana's wandering, but he does seem to lack a yard of pace. If we get another good CB in that might help. Dann would be a decent signing. Think realistically we need quality additions all over the park, particularly on the right. Think De Ridder could still be useful, if he learns to get his head up. But he won't be starting. Maybe Puncheon will get more chances. Up front, I don't know if Sharp will flourish at that level but I have a feeling Lee might, he looks quality from the little we saw of him before his injury. Can't wait to see who we are linked with now, will be an exciting summer for transfer rumours!
I just think we've seen glimpses of decent football from him at times, and Adkins has clearly seen something in him in training to have brought him on so many times this season. From what I've seen, all that really lets him down is his final ball, as his touch and positioning seem alright to me. The man's pretty quick as well. I just have the feeling that all he really needs to improve is the mental side of his game. Besides, I follow him on Twitter and he's a really decent guy. We need personalities like him in the team.
I agree with this quote. Yes, we should strengthen in a few areas to give us injury cover, but let's give our lads a chance in the Prem rather than rocking the boat. Also, we've got a superstar factory down the road, shouldn't we look at blooding some of the nippers.
I think there will be a few clubs after Punch, and I'd let him go to be honest. As for the strikers, I think Sharp and Lee will rotate a lot, perhaps with a new guy as well. We'll be relying on Lambert for most of our goals I reckon, but for any other striker to get anywhere near double figures would be great for a team of our standing. I really hope the fans stay behind our strikers and don't panic if they go a few games without scoring.
