Southampton

[Bianchi on Ice]

i think it was the situation that unsettled him, turmoil, all this team mates leaving and the manager stating he didn't think he could take the team any higher just before he jumped ship. I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to stay with Koeman now though. They seem to have a genuine top four chance, and a far more credible chance than Spurs.

Knowing how football goes it wouldnt surprise me if Koeman took an offer to step up at the end of the season and go somewhere else. His management CV before this gig was patchy so he may feel its a chance to make hay while the sun shines. Its a cynical view I suppose but weve seen it so often. Depends on his and the saints long term ambitions...selling as many as they did every season is risky stuff, a couple of flop signings and you are in do-do in this league.

[aaron bond]

I would love Southampton to finish in the top 4 but the 'big' teams usually rise to the top over the course of the season and I expect that to happen again. If more teams actually attacked United and caused their atrocious defence (De Gea aside) some problems, then the race for top 4 genuinely could down to the wire. But the chances of that happening are slim unfortunately.

The other downside for Southampton in the longer term is that the Premier League FFP rules are now in force. They voted against the rules, like us, but are now unable to significantly invest in their squad. Furthermore, they'll be impacted by the UEFA FFP rules should they qualify for any sort of European competition. That's a real shame.

[I Just Blue Myself]

They have come out incredibly well out of a very difficult festive fixture clump. 13 points v EVE, CRY, CHE, ARS & MUN after losing 4 in a row (us, ARS, MUN, BUR). They are solid, only 15 goals conceded and still in 3rd. They have a real chance.

I will hold my hand up and say that I expected them to struggle massively. Fair fucks for proving me wrong so far.

[phips]

The other downside for Southampton in the longer term is that the Premier League FFP rules are now in force. They voted against the rules, like us, but are now unable to significantly invest in their squad. Furthermore, they'll be impacted by the UEFA FFP rules should they qualify for any sort of European competition. That's a real shame.

why would you say that? they made a lot of cash from their summer sales and haven't spent close to that amount yet rebuilding their current squad...

[Mikhail Chigorin]

The other downside for Southampton in the longer term is that the Premier League FFP rules are now in force. They voted against the rules, like us, but are now unable to significantly invest in their squad. Furthermore, they'll be impacted by the UEFA FFP rules should they qualify for any sort of European competition. That's a real shame.

why would you say that? they made a lot of cash from their summer sales and haven't spent close to that amount yet rebuilding their current squad...

This is true, provided that this 'war chest' hasn't 'disappeared' elsewhere, as transfer surpluses are often wont to do.

Given the nature of their current squad, I still think they need to spend quite a bit this January and, if they fail to do this, I'm not sure they can last the course through to May, which would be a great shame.

[Ted Hughes]

Watching Ipswich v Southampton (shat out on our youth cup game due to weather warnings).

Wondered why Ipswich were playing such neanderthal, thick headed, hoof it, shite, 90s football, then saw Mick McCarthy.

Square headed morons like him should not be given jobs in football.

[iwasthere2012]

Watching Ipswich v Southampton (shat out on our youth cup game due to weather warnings).

Wondered why Ipswich were playing such neanderthal, thick headed, hoof it, shite, 90s football, then saw Mick McCarthy.

Square headed morons like him should not be given jobs in football.

He's an ex-blue. Is that not a bit harsh. A good championship manager. I know what you mean though. He instills old style values, like work rate, teamwork, organisation, but they are spending more time hoofing it into the air, tonight. Very little guile.

By the way Wanyama gone off.....hamstring.

[Ted Hughes]

Watching Ipswich v Southampton (shat out on our youth cup game due to weather warnings).

Wondered why Ipswich were playing such neanderthal, thick headed, hoof it, shite, 90s football, then saw Mick McCarthy.

Square headed morons like him should not be given jobs in football.

He's an ex-blue. Is that not a bit harsh. A good championship manager. I know what you mean though. He instills old style values, like work rate, teamwork, organisation, but they are spending more time hoofing it into the air, tonight. Very little guile.

By the way Wanyama gone off.....hamstring.

Nah.

He was a big lump as a player & he's a dinosaur as a manager. The sooner all of these 'good ol boys' are dumped out of football, the better. They are the problem, especially if they win games playing that mechanical shite.

Southampton really unlucky to have Schneiderlin & Wanyama both pick up injuries.

[iwasthere2012]

Watching Ipswich v Southampton (shat out on our youth cup game due to weather warnings).

Wondered why Ipswich were playing such neanderthal, thick headed, hoof it, shite, 90s football, then saw Mick McCarthy.

Square headed morons like him should not be given jobs in football.

He's an ex-blue. Is that not a bit harsh. A good championship manager. I know what you mean though. He instills old style values, like work rate, teamwork, organisation, but they are spending more time hoofing it into the air, tonight. Very little guile.

By the way Wanyama gone off.....hamstring.

Nah.

He was a big lump as a player & he's a dinosaur as a manager. The sooner all of these 'good ol boys' are dumped out of football, the better. They are the problem, especially if they win games playing that mechanical shite.

Southampton really unlucky to have Schneiderlin & Wanyama both pick up injuries.

I went to watch Ipswich over a year ago. My sister lives in Suffolk. Really enjoyed the small ground atmosphere. They were played off the park but robbed a 2-1 victory. Can't remember the opposition. If you think tonight's offering is Neanderthal, you want to see where they were before Mick took over. If they do get promoted though I couldn't see them survive very long in the Prem.

[sheblue]

To be honest Southampton are fuck all better.

[iwasthere2012]

To be honest Southampton are fuck all better.

Very little quality on show all round.

[iwasthere2012]

Another hour and a half of my life I'll never get back. Bad conditions, honest endeavor, but poor quality and Southampton didn't have to get out of third gear.
What's on the other channel?

[Ted Hughes]

I gave up.

[nottsblue]

I had £12 on there being at least 2 goals. Thought it was a certainty after Long scored after 19. Still, can't win them all. Denis Suarez playing for Sevilla looks tasty though

[Wonderwall]

That mings lad looks ok. Composed on the ball and looks a good athlete

[Nigels Tackle]

That mings lad looks ok. Composed on the ball and looks a good athlete

21st century carlton palmer

[iwasthere2012]

That mings lad looks ok. Composed on the ball and looks a good athlete

21st century carlton palmer

I used to watch something like that on Saturday mornings as a kid........
Ming in the 21st Century.
I think Flash Gordon played for them too.

OK I'll log off now.

[Bear60]

Very Scrappy game tonight but Ipswich didn't really have anything to offer

[aaron bond]

The other downside for Southampton in the longer term is that the Premier League FFP rules are now in force. They voted against the rules, like us, but are now unable to significantly invest in their squad. Furthermore, they'll be impacted by the UEFA FFP rules should they qualify for any sort of European competition. That's a real shame.

why would you say that? they made a lot of cash from their summer sales and haven't spent close to that amount yet rebuilding their current squad...

This is true, provided that this 'war chest' hasn't 'disappeared' elsewhere, as transfer surpluses are often wont to do.

Given the nature of their current squad, I still think they need to spend quite a bit this January and, if they fail to do this, I'm not sure they can last the course through to May, which would be a great shame.

Agreed they have money to spend from their transfer sales, but the reality is to mount a serious challenge to the top 4 you require significant investment (unless your revenue is very high, which is not the case for Southampton).

This is exactly what FFP was designed to do - minimise the threat from 'smaller' clubs to the established elite.

I would love Southampton to break into the top 4, and for their fans to experience even a small amount of what we have in recent years, but the chances of that happening are small.

[Slim]

Even if they broke top 4 this year it would be disastrous for them next season.