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Millertime's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Millertime's rumours posts
10 Jul 2022 22:27:59
Am I late to the party on the news that Saints are interested in Moussa Dembele?
Now he is a 20 goal a season forward IMO and along with Aribo we could look quite strong in attack.
At a cut price 10 mil (he's only 26) this could be the sort of quality we're all hoping for.
I just have this horrible feeling that one of you guys are going to bring me down to earth by saying he's off to Newcastle or wherever!
1.) 16 Jul 2022 19:29:42
Biggest worry if we got him is he could turn out to be similar to Osvaldo, great player who believes he is above us.
29 Jun 2022 11:54:23
So. newsflash from Southampton FC to my email account with headline, "You're going to want to see this!"
New player being announced I hoped . no, the new Saints home shirt.
Let's put more effort into getting players wearing the shirt than redesigning a perfectly good red and white striped shirt with a pillar box down the middle.
1.) 29 Jun 2022 20:09:32
What are you moaning about? We’re less than 3 weeks into the transfer window with two players signed, 22 million spent and at least another two who are joining imminently
Literally cannot please Southampton fans
2.) 29 Jun 2022 22:49:26
New shirt is pants!
Signings are pants too - 2 keepers and (another) young centre back. I can hardly contain my excitement! Before you say that the centre back comes from the Bundesliga, I would remind you that that's where Vestergaard came from. We are still not addressing the problem of no proven goal scorer. WE NEED A STRIKER WHO CAN SCORE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE
3.) 29 Jun 2022 22:52:33
But what have we got for 22 million? Goalkeeper (x2) and a young centre back. Not going to keep us up, sorry.
4.) 30 Jun 2022 12:31:28
I think you're going to be very disappointed then Peter, a lot of the players we are linked with are being plucked straight from the big 6's youth academy's. This seems to be our transfer strategy.
I don't think we're going to get a striker "that can score in the Premier League" or at least a striker that's already been there and done that.
Spurs have just spent £50m on Richarilson, an experienced PL striker. But the most goals he's ever scored in a season is 13.
I don't think there aren't actually that many out and out proven PL strikers that will score 15+ goals a season. If there were they wouldn't come to Southampton.
Trust the board, trust the process. We're not a top 10 side, we're not a side that will get consistently get into Europe. We lucked out a few seasons ago under Keoman and I think that's because the quality of the squad was so much better than it is now. Look at what some of the players have gone onto achieve.
Fonte - Captain of Lille, went on to win the French League at 36
VVD - Regarding as the best CB in the world
Alderweireld - consistently helped Spurs finish in the top 4
Davis - Still playing at Rangers who got to the Europa league final
Tadic - He's putting up ridiculous numbers in Holland and he's helped Ajax into the latter stages onto the CL.
Mane - he's won everything with Liverpool and AFCON.
Also, these players weren't household names when we signed them, they became who they are today through what they did and achieved during their time at Southampton. So don't write off the board and new players before they've even kicked a ball because we don't know what they could achieve or accomplish yet. We're not a team that can go out and easily get experienced PL players.
5.) 30 Jun 2022 12:53:19
Sainty - it’s not moaning - it’s stating the obvious and as a fan for 50 years I’m entitled to my opinion as indeed you are. We have look and few of an average championship squad as I’ve said and the £22M we’ve spent will not make much difference to the quality of the squad this year.
As has been expressed by many others who are equally entitled to their opinion - we have little up front - who’s going to score the goals we will need to stay up. Trust the Board - let’s see eh?!
6.) 30 Jun 2022 20:28:11
This is a *new* board, it’s their first summer and so far they’ve been proactive, revamping the coaching staff and buying (so far) two of the most highly rated youth players in Europe with another two lined up. Without btw, selling any of our current players first
Last season the quality of the squad wasn’t the issue - proven by the fact that between December and March we were the most in form team besides city, losing just twice. The issue was squad depth - injuries and fatigue caught up and cost us
Yes it would be lovely to buy a proven 10/15/20 goal a season striker but as saintjay pointed out transfer fee wise that’s not realistic in the current market and as one of the ed’s pointed out before the club are very close to their financial fair play limits so even if they had £50+ million to blow on a striker they couldn’t offer them the wages they’d want anyway
7.) 01 Jul 2022 23:51:01
I see it differently to you Sainty although I accept that your point about the Board being new is valid.
However, I think the lack of quality and depth was a problem - each season our starting eleven gets weaker. We no longer have anyone who is world class like Mane, VVD - we hardly have anyone of true international class ( I wouldn’t count S Armstrong or McAdams as quality internationals). JWP and KWP are fringe internationals.
So I ask you Sainty - how many of our players would get starting places in the top 17 sides last season?
Probably three if you count Livramento who is potentially a top player.
The trouble is, if we are to compete we MUST invest in goals, one way or the other. It may mean making some difficult choices but we need to get rid of the likes of Walcott and one or two others to reduce the wage bill so we can attract players.
We have plenty of excuses/reasons as to why we are going to struggle but if we don’t change things we will start the new season as we finished the last. In our last 7 or 8 games we picked up just 5 points wasn’t it?
8.) 03 Jul 2022 07:04:52
SURPRISE- The Season may potentially be shaping up With Light At The End Of The Tunnel.A couple of promising class young players signed with a few more in the pipeline and especially the recruitment of much needed speciality Coaching Staff.We will probably be the Youngest Team In The League - but that’s all good (when bedded in)I would prefer to see talented Young Players (win,lose or draw) with ambition giving 100%each time rather than a few ‘Prima-Donnas’ skilled at “Disappearing”for long periods during a game-Plus Purchase Prices and wages expenditure would be considerably less.Conquer the previous history of selection problems (which now look promising)and we could set a prescedent and become the Envy of the League with future Player windfalls almost guarenteed.We need to include 2/3 Sharp Shooters!Please note I haven’t criticised Ralph Once!
9.) 03 Jul 2022 11:05:32
In the words of Alan Hanson, “you win nothing with youngsters” so let’s hope lightning strikes twice!
Love your optimism Johnnyst - here’s to the class of 22!
And well done for not knocking Ralph - he hasn’t put a foot wrong all week!
10.) 04 Jul 2022 03:18:32
Heh Millertime-appreciate your observation.Perhaps he’s taken a short holiday!
30 Apr 2022 20:31:27
Finally the penny's dropped - I actually get it now. simply put, we are just not good enough at this level to be anything other than predictably inconsistent and more often than not, mediocre to middling. It's as simple as that.
Having endured another underwhelming 90+ minutes we were shown up by a Palace side who were more hungry, quicker to the ball and quicker in their heads.
Technically speaking, most of our players lack a killer first touch. Rarely do they receive the ball and spin in an instant beating their player. All too often, and I include JWP in this, they play the ball they way they are facing - safety first giving up any chance to break with pace and purpose.
We are what we are - a Championship squad with a lack of quality and depth.
In what is a pretty meaningless match, why on God's earth would you start with Shane Long (bless him) and Redmond (who I don't bless).
The good news is that we didn't turn them over by 3 or 4 goals and then get carried away by delusions that we are going to be my thing other than relegation candidates.
We need a massive overhaul.
1.) 01 May 2022 00:02:23
Poor sub-standardspectacle.The game swung in Crystal Palace’s favour in the second half following their astute substitutions which lifted their game.Patrick Viera was obviously aware that.Bednarek was having another nightmare game and sent on Zaha to capitalise on this weakness - AND HE DID. That is TWO ROOKIE COACHES who have DESTROYED US within TWO WEEKS of one another BOTH from teams BELOW us in the League at the time So where do we lay the blame next to deflect criticism? SAY NO MORE!
2.) 01 May 2022 00:56:31
Millertime and johnyst . two posters who I have enjoyed, two posters who, like me, love the club, try and post positive posts…and have finally had enough .
Today, there was no game plan, there was no structure, no tactics.
In PV we had a very clever manager, an outstanding ex player, a player that could read a game . versus Ralph . Ralph, the book! Ralph that fails to spot the basic
Of tweeks, the opponent substitutions,
Ralph ‘it was hard to accept the loss’ . why?
You were tactically inept…
It’s time that Southampton FC and RH parted company!
He has an overinflated opinion of himself… It’s a shame he’s not honest and accepts that he’s just not good enough for the Premier League
3.) 01 May 2022 03:32:11
Thanks for your support Rich and I’m sure Millertime will feel the same-it’s just a pity that all three of us have extended our hope and belief for some three years before finally succumbing to reality,
4.) 01 May 2022 05:38:01
Whilst mentioning the calibre of Patrick Viera - I for one would be very happy if he was considered by SFC for the top job at ST.MARY’S for next season. ( HERE’S HOPING)!
5.) 01 May 2022 09:34:22
The only time under Ralph the team has played well as a team, was the run of good results this season.
He pushed the wing backs up and combined each wing back with Stu and Moi. They played as a pair and combined to provide crosses, through balls and also switching play to the opposite wing.
The team yesterday was totally disjointed. The wing backs pushed up but just like the Burnley game, there was no support, or any options for them was random based on who might have wandered into that area. Tella, nice lad, but him and Redmond slow the play down.
Anyway, awful football, very poor game plan, poor player management, poor substitutions.
Why keep Redmond on and take Che off?
Ralph will be gone in the summer .
6.) 21 May 2022 17:22:37
What about these for transfers. Joe aribo and Calvin bassey rangers. Nick pope James tarkowski Burnley
08 Jan 2022 20:14:42
We never make it easy for ourselves do we!
Good result - always good to be in the hat and hopefully we can take the momentum into Tuesday's game against Brentford.
05 Jan 2022 09:15:15
Quite a bombshell to start the NY with - new owners and with that, raised expectations. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure how this will affect the club. Early statements suggest "no revolution" and business as usual because we are a "well run club".
I am cautiously optimistic that we can expect more demands for on field performance from the hierarchy as this will affect their stated ambitions for company growth - they need Saints to be successful to enhance business profile elsewhere.
I just don't know - maybe we can become less of a selling club and hang on to our prized assets. Or maybe there will be little appreciable difference from the fans' perspective.
I would be interested to hear what people think.
1.) 05 Jan 2022 21:39:51
I’d hope this will lead to something of a second black box revolution, being sensible in the market and no more Osvaldo or Ramirez buys. We do seem to be leaning into a method we experimented with a while back, buying fringe players off the bigger clubs, but unlike Lemina and Hojbjerg we now are looking at Chelsea and City having pinched KWP from Spurs as well.
I can’t see us hammering away at our transfer fee record, however unlike Gao, who unfortunately seemed to have his hands tied by the Chinese government once he bought us, we will hopefully now get investment, even if it is ‘just’ a few £10m each window, as opposed to having to always sell to buy. Small, sensible acquisitions, maybe £20m for the odd player who will become a future star.
The squad is in a decent place, we have a loan to pay off but given Gao bought us for £200m a few years ago and we are now worth £100m + £78m in debts, and the owners have the money, we should be looking up as there is in effect money spare to invest into the club.
Hopefully one or two buys this window, and kick on in the summer. For now we look ok - given Burnley, Newcastle and Norwich have won 4 times between them this season I think 34 is probably the mark, so a few more wins and we’ll be okay, then from summer onwards hopefully a better outlook for the club and city as a whole.
I’m glad we haven’t been Newcastled, I’d rather someone who would like to grow the club organically rather than sportswashing it.
2.) 06 Jan 2022 12:01:03
I'm very excited by the takeover, it has to be said. To be the staple in a football club investment strategy that looks to echo what Red Bull has done is a very exciting prospect. It'll take some time to implement and a lot could change by the time the project gets to where the owners want it to be.
That being said, in the short term, I think we'll be more stable as a club. Having investors that will want to invest in the club and the first team, to ensure its success and PL status will put us in a better position. For example, I don't think these guys will go down the route of what we make in the transfer market will dictate what we can spend in the transfer market. If they feel like that club needs the investment of new players to improve year on year, I'm sure they will help us out.
As you mentioned, I think we'll still look to be a "selling" club. Whereby we'll use our black-box method to look to unearth gems, who we can buy and sell for a substantial profit. However, with the direction of modern football and the inflation of transfer prices, I do think that if the club feels like they could buy the next big thing for a hirer price than what we're used to paying, then they might well pay that. So we might just see our transfer record broken.
3.) 07 Jan 2022 07:35:25
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE. What a fabulous result with the Club’s takeover and future prospects therein.As per SaintGGsy recent post I tend to absolve GAO for lack of investment as the Chinese Communist Government imposed severe restrictions on any funds leaving China.However it appears the SFC now has a much brighter future and with Ramus Andersen involved at the helm which may result iin Ralph’s overall responsibilities being diluted but allowing him more time to concentrate on fine tuning the Team to achieve better results.Failure in this respect and Ralph may well be looking over his shoulder in the direction of Brentford FC.!
Millertime's banter posts with other poster's replies to Millertime's banter posts
27 May 2025 23:02:25
He talks a good job. It was great to hear Will saying that he doesn't like 'boring football' and aims to entertain the fans through front foot, high pressing proactive football.
That's music to my ears if that translates into getting crosses into the box, early balls over the top and taking the odd risk.
I was at a do recently, where Pat Jennings and Liam Brady were guest speakers. They both said how much they loath the current fad of playing out from the back. Different era but they know their stuff.
23 May 2025 18:50:13
Pure agony having to watch Spuds parade the pot they won. All around this patch of North London they have closed schools and roads to see the 17th placed team.
We didn't do that when we won the Johnson Paint Trophy which is basically the same thing.
I tell them how fortunate they are to have escaped relegation - if we'd won 9 more games they would have gone down!
Oh well, off to the pub now to drown my sorrows amidst the deluded Spurs fans.
1.) 24 May 2025 17:12:45
It's either spurs or yanited I'd rather have spurs tbh.
2.) 24 May 2025 19:10:27
Not if you live in my part of London you don’t! The most entitled fans in England, and why, I have no clue!
22 May 2025 20:06:23
Can someone please explain why the club are sending fans messages not to run on the pitch at the end of the game on Sunday?
Have I missed something?
18 May 2025 11:40:31
Party pooper potential today - I'm feeling a draw because that's how football works, right?
Fair play to Everton - the nostalgia is overwhelming (well, for the blue Scousers that is).
1.) 18 May 2025 12:55:15
What I didn’t factor in was how shocking our attitude is. Not one ounce of pride in the first half - at the very least they should be playing for their shirts. They are a disgrace to the club. No words.
15 May 2025 15:37:23
'Welcome to Wrexham' well worth a watch on Paramount.
Unbelievable that we are playing them next season given they were a 'Conference' club three years ago.
1.) 15 May 2025 23:49:11
They will be promoted or at the very least up there with the runners next season.
They're not an global team but they've gone global because of Ryan and Rob. Combine that with the drive and passion they're chairman have and it's a no brainer.
Any quality fringe players from better teams around/above them are more like to choose wrexham to sign for loan/transfer because they get to run shoulders with Hollywood and be part of the story.
Wrexham are being steamrolled by an unstoppable force and fair play to them. It's the type of determination every club needs/deserves from their board.
2.) 16 May 2025 10:21:52
Heh Lesleee, it’s been a while!
If we are to emulate Wrexham, I was thinking more Denzel and John Travolta.
3.) 16 May 2025 19:19:26
As far as emulating Hollywood I think we failed on the Great Escape, don't think we even got the script on that one, instead we ended up with a squad of Lost Boys.
Hopefully next year won't be the year of the Hurtlocker/The Crying Game and or our transfer policy won't become Lost in Translation.
Maybe we're find someone who can Bend it like Beckham or some other Goodfellas. Hopefully (Danny Rohl) comes to us or someone similar and they can be The Rock we need to guide us forward. However for that the board/background staff will need to prove their not the Usual Suspects they've shown to be with all their Risky Business so far though.
Alas, at least for the foreseeable future I fear the championship is for us As good as it Gets . possibly Falling Down further into obscurity.
Yet if by some miracle though we do find ourselves promoted at the end of the season, let's hope the final emulation isn't Ground hog Day.
4.) 18 May 2025 19:49:43
I didn’t reply to your earlier post Lesleee - we have zero chance of being promoted next season. We are far more likely to go straight back down again. It’s not that we are just lacking quality, I’ve never seen a Saints team with such a losing mentality. Awful.
5.) 18 May 2025 22:13:25
I was just using a narrative to see how many movie/film names I could work into it.
I.e the emphasis on Hollywood ?
6.) 19 May 2025 19:22:03
Yes I got it Lesleee and I think you nailed it!
19 May 2025 19:20:03
Targett - seriously? We will all go to hell in a handcart.
18 May 2025 19:39:02
This would just be another punt - and the others didn’t work out well.
We need someone who can rebuild a totally broken spirit - our team are damaged beyond repair. As I have said previously, it will be a good 3 years before we are able to compete for PL status. Once our squad has been asset stripped we will be on the same level as Norwich, Blackburn, Millwall and QPR.
06 May 2025 21:57:58
A root and branch culling is certainly required. We need a cultural reset - we are devoid of ambition in the Board Room and that translates into low expectation through the club and onto the pitch.
A couple of seasons in the Championship may well be the answer - I don’t know?
05 May 2025 22:59:24
With that bunch of underachievers we’re all going to Hell in a handcart. Seriously, where are the winners amongst that lot?
We are also making assumptions that clubs will want to pay serious money for players who have proved they cannot compete.
Guys, please get real - we are where we are for many reasons and not least because they are simply not good enough
13 Apr 2025 08:36:25
Well that would please at least one fan. Good morning Lesleee!
29 May 2025 16:40:34
In other words - a vanity project from a wealthy Saudi because he can.
27 May 2025 22:55:57
I’m not sure what PL ready strikers we could have a realistic chance of acquiring unless Will Still radically changes our playing style.
27 May 2025 22:53:51
Fernandes
Sulemana
Archer
Keep the above and sell the others would be my choice. THB would be my 4th choice to retain.
Dibling amd Downes - shame to see them go.
If we manage to keep Sulemana and Fernandes we will have a shout at top 10 - without them, no chance IMO.
26 May 2025 21:49:08
Fair point - but I think Archer may come alive in the Champiomship.
25 May 2025 20:18:00
Not a bad shout that!