Transfer Rumours Summer 2021 Transfer Rumours

Yep. I never once held that against Ron. He would have seen our youngsters at the time far more often than I'd have seen them. So if he didn't judge them to be good enough for the first team, I was always happy to accept that.

 

It’s an unpopular opinion, but I agree about Bertrand… I think some look at him with slightly rose tinted glasses, that it was still a relative coup that we had him here after winning a UCL medal, etc and he will go down in Saints history being a very dependable player at a time when we needed stability on the pitch because largely everything off the pitch was very unsettled for so long.

I have no idea if they were true, but under Ralph there were a couple of occasions for slightly prolonged absence from the team (between 3-6 games) and the rumours were of some kind of difference of opinion with RH. If his form had constantly been JWP-esque at his best, I could see the argument that he took a stance against RH, but I think the lack of serious competition left the position open for accepting some pretty mediocre form from him too.

On his day, he was imperious, but those days were only really when the rest of the team were playing well.

Preparing to be shot down… I just think we carried him a lot in recent seasons due to lack of realistic options on that part. In hindsight, I would’ve preferred to take a chance with Targett and suffer the games him playing poorly so that now, he would be a good balance with KWP.

 

How can he have formed a judgement on a group of players, when he didn't even watch the u23s enough to be able to form a judgement? He didn't give a **** what went on outside the first team. He didn't even know who Josh Sims was, let alone know enough about him to write him off.

The pathway was completely closed off, players knew they had no chance regardless of how well they performed.

 

The pathway was completely closed off, except for Targett who he gave his debut and integrated into the first team squad, playing over 30% of league matches in 15/16.

As mentioned last night he also gave Reed more than half of his PL appearances for us.

So I'm not sure that narrative rings true as the above clearly shows he gave those a chance who he deemed good enough.

In fact, I'm almost certain that this was deliberately put out by the club as a reason to justify them for not backing a second successful manager in a row (and also our most successful in 3 decades).

 

Targett & Reed never really got a chance unless there was no-one else, though. I'll never forget Reeds MOTM display against Everton, yet was dropped next match & he only made a couple more starts that season. (Or indeed, under Koeman full stop)

You've only got to see Koemans reaction to Sims assisting the winner (koemans first return for Everton) to see it was more than a club-peddling rumour.

"I wasn’t aware of Josh Sims when I was here and he is not my problem".

 

Fair enough. I understand you've always rated Sims whereas I never have so we'll probably never see eye to eye on this one.

Agree to disagree I think mate.

 

Oh dear: https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...outhamptons-james-ward-prowse-transfer-window

 

Even if he did want to move on, you'd be looking at north of £45 million for him, and moving somewhere he wouldn't be Captain. Can't see it myself.

 

Captain, 26, contract until 2025, English tax, it would have to be **** off money I’d imagine. Villa probably have it tho.

 

They were talking about that possibility on one of their forums. Along the lines of him taking the free kicks that Grealish wins.

 

l've never rated Sims either, but I would expect the manager who was at the club the previous season to know who he was.

I mean Koeman could have been conspiciously aloof from the youth set-up and have been correct about there not being much talent, probably via Erwin's assessment.

 

Scores two set pieces past them, We need to stop that... let's buy him.

 

Yep, they have very generous owners. Two seasons back in the PL - one with no crowds - and they're looking at our best players now.

 

Aston Villa???

 

If Crooks past track record is anything to go by, JWP is off

 

FFS, the Crooks kiss of death.

 

Just even this thought of a bid from Villa...shows what other teams think of us ..it's sad
I wish we could prove them all wrong☹️!

 

Non runner for me, JWP is staying put.

 

Would take an offer far bigger than his actual worth for us to even consider selling him. Not to mention I really don’t see him wanting to leave, and if he did, not to Villa. Non starter.

 

Who in their right mind would want to leave lovely Hampshire for Birmingham?