03 Aug 2014 09:27:52
It makes me laugh how most people on here wanted holtby to leave! He has been arguably the best player in pre-season, maybe along with lamela. Give everyone a chance!
On a more exciting note: question to the eds, is it true we are close to signing mateo mussacheo from villareal?
Thanks.
{Ed001's Note - you are certainly in talks regarding him. I just realised I typed Southampton on the Arsenal site, when I meant Spurs regarding him, doh. Still getting used to Poch being at Spurs not Southampton! He is Poch's target, he has been following him since before he took over at Southampton, and was keen to take him there too.}
03 Aug 2014 13:33:57
Spoke to a big Southampton fan and follower last week and he said that targets we've been mentioned with or secured have been on Poch's radar before; Davies and Musacchio for two. Also, he said Poch's Bentaleb is definitely Rodriguez, he can do no wrong in his eyes. Apparently it was quite common knowledge behind the scenes from March-ish that we were approaching Poch and the S'oton board are considered to have been quite naive with his new contract situation, not getting one signed earlier to bump up the pay-off.
Most worrying of all is that 'no plan-b' was mentioned several times. A few Saints fans are actually pleased he won't get a chance at his 3rd year as with Espanyol he joined when they were low, got them to a solid position the year after then struggled at the bottom and got the sack. S'oton had the same first two years with him and hope we get the 3rd! Haha
Hmmm sounds a bit bitter from saints fans there Simmo.
Cause they don't rate him now. Had he stayed he would have been a great manager it's the way it is.
I like the signings we are making. Lb position done finally, 2 centre backs. Hopefully sorted by at the end of this week. sniederlin possibly and maybe jay rod who was unplayable until his injury
For once we sent just buying every midfielder available and making buys in areas we need them. To me that shows a manager who identifies the positions he needs and isn't just happy playing people out of position
03 Aug 2014 18:10:20
NorthernSpur, can you elaborate on Rodriguez being 'unplayable' because when I've seen him play he was just ok, far from unplayable.
03 Aug 2014 18:13:21
J Rod was unplayable is as much an exagaration as the prices being quoted for him. he's had a decent season under little pressure. To spend that sort of money on an average player with that injury would be very bad business.
Agree Lucas not worth the money quoted and a risk after his injury.
But in the run up to his injury he was great scoring and creating chances for fun. fast powerful and an eye for goal. that is why there was a lot of hype of him going to brazil.
Its a big gamble and to do it at a big club consistently is a different thing but who else is there we will realistically get.
I hate to say it but Kane keeps on knocking in the goals. if he can take that into the premier league I see him getting quite a bit of game time
Northernspur its a fair point he had a good spell last season and he can finish, but he is to dear. What a situation we find ourselves in. Spend 25mil on J Rod or stick with Harry Kane.
Haha that's a predicament. think i'd take bony but may be worth giving soldado a chance
04 Aug 2014 07:54:57
Hi,
They're bitter about Lallana and Lovren but wish Shaw, Lambert, Chambers and even Poch well.
Jury is out on Schneiderlin, highly rated as a player and they can see why he would want to go given the exodus but, what happens from now will decide his future reception there i.e. what further strops or strike there may be.
04 Aug 2014 07:56:11
The 3rd year blip thing was tongue in cheek, the no plan-b comment wasn't.
Morning NorthernSpur,
Do you honestly think Jay Rodriguez is worth that sort of money, OK last season he did well. Before last season hardly anyone had heard of him, the season prior he scored 6 goals. Not worth £25m in my opinion. Like Lucas said he's an average player which I agree with. But we really need to sign another CF, I'd personally look at Negredo if he's available
I'd also prefer Bony over Rodriguez.
04 Aug 2014 13:47:39
Hi Dr-THFC
No as per my previous post he is not worth anywhere near that sort of money - I would say £8m max. I was just saying that he was looking a really good prospect before his injury. much better than townsend, lennon, kane or adebeyor . as he could play all 3 positions