|
Post by stealth1039 on Aug 17, 2008 17:03:35 GMT
Out of a bright start Lowe manages to resurrect gloom & despondency. The Hollies song "He's King Midas in Reverse" was just written for him.
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 18, 2008 12:58:46 GMT
Young stars may leave to help balance the books
SAINTS are today set to sell one of the crown jewels in their young squad - and another could soon follow.
Defender Andrew Davies, 23, is expected to join Premier League new boys Stoke for a fee of around £1.2m plus Anthony Pulis, the midfielder son of Potters boss Tony.
And Andrew Surman is attracting growing interest from Reading, whose director of football Nicky Hammond was sat in the front row of the Saints side of the directors' box for the 2-1 loss to Birmingham.
The Royals, in search of a left back after the sale of Nicky Shorey to Aston Villa, are set to stump up around £2.5m to try and tempt cashstrapped Saints into selling.
Saints are believed to need to bring in around £4m in transfer fees for players before the window closes at the end of the montn.
But they have so far struggled to shift what they consider to be the dead wood of their squad.
advertisementDavies, last season's Daily Echo player of the year, was sat in the stands at the Reebok on Saturday watching Stoke's defeat to Bolton.
Afterwards, Pulis senior confirmed he expected the move to go through.
That appeared to be a little more than Jan Poortvliet knew about the deal.
When asked after Saturday's defeat what was happening, the Saints head coach said: "I don't know exactly. I have heard some rumours and maybe he will go.
"It will be a miss but I haven't seen him much. People talk about him from last season saying he was a great player but I haven't seen him so I don't know what I'm missing."
After some Sunday newspapers had reported that, though, the Dutchman was quick to issue a clarification yesterday.
"Some of the reports today have given a slightly misleading impression of this situation," he said. "His agent has been keen for him to complete a deal away from the club and if players and agents feel that way then it doesn't help the rest of the team.
"I have been kept fully up to date with any negotiations that have been happening, but when asked about it after yesterday's match I was simply unaware of the exact stage that any talks had reached between Andrew's representatives and Stoke City.
"Andrew Davies is one of the high earners and we've made no secret of the financial pressures that have been placed on us by the bank."
With Michael Svensson unable to play three games a week yet, Davies' sale would leave Saints either having to call upon Wayne Thomas, Ollie Lancashire, who was on the bench on Saturday, or even using Paul Wotton or Morgan Schneiderlin at centre half in midweek games.
The latter two shared the central defensive role at Exeter in last Tuesday's Carling Cup tie.
Davies only joined Saints in October last year from Middlesbrough, on an initial three month loan that became a £1m permanent deal.
Pulis junior is a 24-year-old midfielder who has made 25 senior appearances in his career which began at Portsmouth before he rejoined his father at Stoke.
poo is Davies goes thats bad,but if Surman goes the fans will go mad..Rupert Lowe dont do it you are a f..king TOSSER..
|
|
|
Post by sunnersaint on Aug 18, 2008 17:23:48 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Wolvensam on Aug 18, 2008 18:11:15 GMT
I'm shocked that we're not interested in Surman or Davies - both would improve our team significantly in areas we are weak in.
Oh well.
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 19, 2008 0:24:51 GMT
|
|
|
Post by sunnersaint on Aug 20, 2008 19:56:16 GMT
I handed over £52 at the st Mary's ticket office today and said 'Two please.' The girl said 'Would you like the goalkeeper and a striker?'
|
|
|
Post by stealth1039 on Aug 20, 2008 22:01:25 GMT
Did you copy Rupert Lowe in on this?
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 21, 2008 13:50:29 GMT
Poortvliet bolsters defence
JAN Poortvliet has moved quickly to bolster his defence following the departure of Andrew Davies by capturing teenage Chelsea defender Jack Cork on-loan.
Saints have reportedly beaten off competition from Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday and SPL outfit Aberdeen to sign the 19 year-old until New Years Day.
England U19 international Cork, the younger son of former Wimbledon player Alan, can play anywhere across the back.
He has also been used as a holding midfielder during loan spells with Scunthorpe and Bournemouth.
He spent the last season on loan at Scunthorpe and played in their 1-0 defeat at St Mary's in January.
Cork, who trained with his new team-mates this morning, will wear the number 30 shirt vacated by Youseff Safri.
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 22, 2008 10:23:44 GMT
Jan confident Surman will stay
JAN Poortvliet is confident Andrew Surman will stay at Saints after Reading pulled the plug on a potential move.
The Royals were expected to make a £2.5m swoop for the 21-year-old but it appears the move was part of a chain of transfers which has collapsed.
Poortvliet is delighted that he looks like hanging on to Surman having already had to sell Andrew Davies this week.
He said: "It's very quiet at the moment. Andrew was involved with Reading and there were more players involved with that - it was a good thing for Andrew himself because people have seen him and I myself think Andrew can play higher, in the Premier League.
"For us we want Andrew here and for him to stay here - for our future that is the best.
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 22, 2008 10:25:24 GMT
Signing looks like a Cork-er
JACK Cork joined Saints on loan with glowing references that even called him the new Alan Hansen.' The 19-year-old who can play at centre half, right back or in central midfield has moved to St Mary's on loan from Chelsea until December 31.
Cork, son of former Wimbledon footballer Alan Cork, will bolster a Saints squad depleted by the departure of Andrew Davies.
Jan Poortvliet was delighted with his new recruit and revealed he had heard great things about the England youth international from a variety of sources.
He said: "I think Jack is a good player.
"All the information about him is good coming out from Chelsea, our own players, Scunthorpe where he was player of the year, and that is all good news.
|
|
|
Post by stealth1039 on Aug 22, 2008 10:39:18 GMT
Good news about Surman Tim & Cork should be a good signing as long as he's got the bottle for it.
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 25, 2008 14:24:37 GMT
Timing good for Poortvliet
Jan Poortvliet revealed part of his half-time team talk at Derby was to tell his side it might have been a good thing they hadn't taken the lead their dominance deserved.
Saints went ahead just before the break against Birmingham the previous week and went on to lose the game.
With that in mind Poortvliet admitted almost being pleased that his side went in at 0-0 and it proved to be correct as Saints ran out 1-0 winners.
He said: "The only thing said at half-time apart from some instructions was that I thought it was an advantage that we didn't make the goal.
"Against Birmingham we made the goal before half-time and we thought the game was over and this time we had to make the goal after half-time and go on.
Sometimes it's good to make the goal after half-time."
David McGoldrick initially claimed the Saints winner but it was clearly Adam Lallana's.
However, Poortvliet felt they deserved a goal each.
"I think they both deserved it - Dave could have scored three goals and Adam was outstanding in the way he played and I thought Lee also," said Poortvliet.
"It's a pity for Dave but Adam made it and he deserved it."
Poortvliet will today check on injury victims Lloyd James and Lee Holmes who went off with ankle and hamstring problems respectively before Saints take on Birmingham again in the second round of the Carling Cup at St Mary's tomorrow night.
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 25, 2008 14:25:50 GMT
Lallana and team prove critics wrong
Adam Lallana believes Saints' scintillating performance against Derby has "proven a few critics wrong".
The midfielder grabbed the only goal of the game as Saints picked up their first win of the season at Pride Park with a terrific footballing display.
After two defeats in their opening two league matches questions were being asked by sections of the fans as to whether Jan Poortvliet's belief in a young team and total football ethos was the right way ahead.
Lallana thinks the players have shown it is.
He said: "We've proved a few critics wrong.
"They've said that we're a young team and we couldn't hack it in the Championship, but we've proved them wrong.
"We're a bunch of kids who just want to play football. We enjoy it and we just want to get on with it.
"At Derby we did that and we're thoroughly proud of ourselves.
"Our philosophy is to get on the ball and play and just let it go.
|
|
|
Post by sunnersaint on Aug 26, 2008 17:16:19 GMT
Saints land Spurs striker
Southampton have landed Tottenham's highly-rated young Czech striker Tomas Pekhart.
The 19-year-old, who joined Spurs in 2006 from Slavia Prague, is yet to make his first-team debut for the North London outfit.
He will now spend the rest of the season on loan at Southampton, where he will make his debut in English football.
Pekhart, a Czech Under-21 international, is looking forward to his move to St Mary's.
"I am happy about this move to Southampton. They wanted me and will certainly give me chance to play and I hope I can get some real attention there," Pekhart told CTK.
"They have big ambition and that is what lures me and every game their matches are attended by 30,000 fans."
Pekhart is eager for his first taste of first-team football since making the move to England.
"Now it will be better for me to gain experience at the senior level. The Championship is a very demanding league and it will be a big lesson during which I can improve a lot," he adde
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 26, 2008 19:07:36 GMT
Lets hope he bangs in the goals for us
|
|
|
Post by stealth1039 on Aug 27, 2008 9:52:49 GMT
He's certainly been doing it at reserve level Tim. 19 in 20 games.
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 28, 2008 2:20:17 GMT
He's certainly been doing it at reserve level Tim. 19 in 20 games. Not bad is it im surprised spurs didn't give him a run out... Hope he gets a chance with us to see if he is any good.
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 28, 2008 2:21:15 GMT
Cork impressed by Saints football
Southampton's on loan defender Jack Cork has been impressed by the standard of football the team has been playing.
The 19-year-old, who arrived from Chelsea last week, has been part of the teams that have beaten Derby and Birmingham in the space of four days.
"Some of the football has been excellent, I'm enjoying being part of the one-and-two touch stuff," he told BBC Radio Solent.
"It helps me a lot as it's the way I've been brought up to play."
Cork came on as a 70th-minute substitute in last weekend's win at Derby in the Championship.
He then played the full 90 minutes in Tuesday night's second round Carling Cup win against Birmingham City.
"From what I've seen this team can play some really good football.
"I'm not surprised because I knew the young lads here could do it and it really suits the team."
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 28, 2008 10:03:32 GMT
Coach Jan wants more goalscorers
SAINTS head coach Jan Poortvliet has challenged all of his players to get in on the goal-scoring act.
The Dutchman wants to see the responsibility for scoring shared around his team and not left just to his strikers. With that in mind, Poortvliet has been delighted to see Lee Holmes and Adam Lallana score twice each in the opening weeks of the season, while playing in deeper roles behind the main striker.
The duo got a goal each in the 2-0 second round Carling Cup win against Birmingham on Tuesday.
Defender Chris Perry has also got his name on the score-sheet this term by heading in the opener in the league game against Birmingham, while striker David McGoldrick has netted Saints' three other league and cup goals this season.
Poortvliet believes that all of his players are more than capable of finding the net and is looking forward to seeing it happen as the season progresses.
"I want all the players to make goals because they are able to score goals," he said.
"When you create the chances we are creating at the moment then everyone has to score goals and everyone is able to.
"Even Lloyd James and Andrew Surman - they are capable of scoring goals and I expect that from all the boys.
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 28, 2008 10:05:33 GMT
Poortvliet happy - even if he can't add to Saints' squad
JAN Poortvliet has spoken of his delight about the strength in depth he now possesses in his Saints squad.
The Dutchman revealed last week that he felt his side was one central defender and one striker short of having the required back-up and competition that he wanted.
And he moved quickly to fill those gaps by capturing defender Jack Cork and striker Tomas Pekhart on loan until January 2009 from Premier League duo Chelsea and Spurs respectively.
With the transfer deadline looming on Monday, Poortvliet said that - if he can - he hopes to sign a player who can bring more versatility to his squad.
However he admitted that, with the club's continuing need to trim the wage bill, his hopes of adding to his squad may be restricted.
So, if he can't, he says he is more than happy to continue with what he has.
"I am totally happy, because we have everything we need and even more than that," Poortvliet said.
|
|
|
Post by stealth1039 on Aug 28, 2008 12:14:38 GMT
He's certainly been doing it at reserve level Tim. 19 in 20 games. Not bad is it im surprised spurs didn't give him a run out... Hope he gets a chance with us to see if he is any good. I hope he does too as the Championship will be a good test for him at this stage of his career. Have to say that things are really looking quite bright for Saints. Certainly sounds as if they are playing some good football & Poortvliet could turn out to be your best signing in the transfer window. Maybe Lowe learned something while he was away?
|
|
|
Post by sunnersaint on Aug 28, 2008 19:58:04 GMT
Ex-England footballer badly hurt in car crash
Saints all-time leading goalscorer and 1976 FA Cup winner Mick Channon has been injured in a car accident, whilst driving on the M1 in Leicestershire.
The 59-year old former England star, who is now also a renowned racehorse trainer, was travelling with his 15-year-old son Jack and his racing agent friend Tim Corby, 63, when the incident occurred on Wednesday night.
Channon suffered several broken bones and a punctured lung during the crash, in which Mr Corby was tragically killed. Jack Channon was not seriously hurt.
Both men were flown to the Nottingham-based Queen's Medical Centre by air ambulance to receive treatment.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Thursday evening, Mick's son Michael, who was not involved in the incident was able to give an update on his father's situation.
"Obviously Mick's name will take all the headlines in this," he said, "but all our thoughts are very much with the Corby family.
"Dad's jaw is pretty busted up from the airbag and he has broken an arm, but we've been told he's going to be o.k.
"The doctors initially thought there might have been some damage to his spine, but we've now been told that that is not the case. He's gone down to have an operation on his broken ribs, but we all expect him to make a full recovery.
"We would also like to thank everyone for their kind messages of support"
Football Club Chairman Michael Wilde said, "Mick is a legend at Southampton Football Club. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Corby family and everyone at the Club wishes Mick and his son a speedy recovery."
Head coach Jan Poortvliet added: "We wish him and his family all the best because they need our support now and I hope everything will be o.k. for them."
|
|
|
Post by sunnersaint on Aug 28, 2008 20:46:18 GMT
Shoulder injury rules Rasiak out Grzegorz Rasiak Rasiak joined on loan from Southampton earlier this month
Watford's on-loan Polish forward Grzegorz Rasiak will be out of action for between four and six weeks after breaking a bone in his shoulder.
Rasiak suffered the injury during his debut against Charlton on 16 August, yet played during Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
The 29-year-old, on-loan from Southampton, will be rested on the advice of the club's medical staff.
Watford are already missing forward Theo Robinson with a fractured arm.
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 28, 2008 22:04:50 GMT
poo sounds like one nasty accident the Mick Channon was in,my heart goes out to the Corby family as this is tragic news for them & get well soon Mick..
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 29, 2008 7:25:12 GMT
Record with young players sold Saints to Pekhart
TOMAS Pekhart says he was attracted to Saints by their recent record in bringing through young players.
Saints have long been known for their development of young talent but 19-year-old Pekhart became aware of their reputation after the success and big money moves of Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott.
Pekhart, who is a Tottenham player along with Bale, has joined Saints on loan until the new year.
The tall striker has a phenomenal goalscoring record since moving to White Hart Lane from Slavia Prague and he is hoping to bring that to Saints.
He said: "I had a few options but I think of Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott - a lot of good players have come from Southampton and played when they are 16 or 17.
"That means I know this club is good for young players and I have this opportunity and am here to take it."
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 29, 2008 7:38:03 GMT
Saints asked to play like Arsenal
JAN Poortvliet is using Arsenal as a template for his young side.
The Saints head coach has seen his team play some incredible football very much in the mould of the Gunners over the last two games and is hoping for more of the same when they host Blackpool in a lunchtime kick-off tomorrow.
Poortvliet's biggest concern is that when his side comes up against more physical teams, possibly like Blackpool, they continue to pass the ball and play the game they want to play it - in the same way as Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side always do.
He said: "I think Arsenal are a template because you always have to look at the way you want to do things."
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 30, 2008 0:22:25 GMT
Saints complete Pulis signing
SAINTS have signed Stoke midfielder Anthony Pulis on a two-year contract after leaving the Britannia Stadium on a free transfer.
The 24-year-old had been with the Potters for three-and-a-half years since signing from Portsmouth in December 2004, but his first-team chances have been limited and he was sent out on loan to a number of clubs.
Pulis did not start a league game for the newly-promoted Barclays Premier League side and spent spells with Torquay, Plymouth, Grimsby and Bristol Rovers.
Now Pulis - the son of Stoke manager Tony - has agreed a two-year deal with the Saints with the option of a third.
He becomes the second player involved in a transaction between the two clubs this summer following Andrew Davies' decision to join the Potters for £1.3m last week.
"Anthony is a good footballing player and he's young. That's good for us and he wants to prove himself. Maybe that will be easier at a club where his dad is not the boss!" said Saints head coach Jan Poortvliet.
Stoke assistant manager Dave Kemp believes the move is a fresh start for the player.
He said: "He's a great lad, he's been very popular here, but obviously it's difficult when your father is the manager.
"It is a great opportunity for him to push on with his own career and everyone at the club wishes him all the best as he embarks on an exciting new challenge with Southampton."
Pulis is currently injured but should be back in training next week.
Does anyone know if he is any good ? as all i have read so far isnt very positive,but i will reserve judgment until he has played a few games..
|
|
|
Post by sunnersaint on Aug 30, 2008 0:22:30 GMT
why the hell have we signed Anthony Pulis jnr from Stoke City answers on a post card to Rupert Lowe
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 30, 2008 0:48:04 GMT
Pulis signs, but Gasmi waits in the wings
Saints have finally announced the signing Anthony Pulis after his father let the cat out of the bag last week, but may yet bring in Frenchman Romain Gasmi from Strasbourg.
Both transfers have been puzzling. Jan Poortvliet indicated that he would like to bring in one more signing to add depth and versatility to his squad, but the deal of Gasmi, 21, also seems well advanced.
Pulis has of course to date only been signed by his father, Stoke Boss Tony Pulis, who has shown little indication of actually playing him - hardly a ringing endorsement of the player.
It is a concern that he is still to make his mark at 24 after a string of anonymous loan spells throughout his career at Bristol Rovers, Grimsby, Plymouth and Torquay. Indeed with Saints' current youth policy 24 makes him a comparative veteran.
It seems an odd signing with Saints well stocked in central midfield, but we will all need to reserve judgement until he has actually taken to the pitch and trust the manager who has hardly put a foot wrong since joining the club.
The link with Gasmi is also well advanced according to the French press who claim that the player was at St Mary's having a look at the facilities. A loan deal is said to be on the table with an option to buy at 1m Euros.
There is even a quote from the player on a Strasbourg forum (our translation): "I've talked with the Chairman and the Manager. They want to sign me. But I don't want to get carried away and say I'm already a Southampton player.
I'm waiting for the two clubs to reach agreement. I'm staying in Southampton until Thursday afternoon. Afterwards I'm returning to Strasbourg. I won't sign anything until the end of the week because I'm in England without my agent. I admit I was surprised by Southampton's interest given I'm injured, but I'm delighted."
Gasmi is currently injured with that most fashionable of injuries a broken metatarsal and is a few weeks away from full training. He is currently out of favour at Strasbourg, the club which sold us the talented Morgan Scheiderlin.
An attacking midfielder with more than a few tricks in his locker, he has enjoyed a mixed start to his career making just 15 appearances to date scoring a solitary goal. Indeed some Strasbourg fans claim he laboured under the burden of being labelled the next Zidane as so many young Frenchmen have before him (Le Tallec, Cheyrou, Nasri...).
So what is the truth - will Poortvliet stop at Pulis? After the success of unearthing Scheiderlin, Saints may be waiting until another high earner is off the books to make room for the potential of Gasmi. If he signs on loan Saints are not bound by the end of the permanent transfer window at the end of the month and can add an exciting addition to their midfield when fit again.
|
|
|
Post by SaintTim on Aug 30, 2008 9:12:19 GMT
Lallana signs new Saints contract
Adam Lallana believes the current performances from Saints' young guns is the fruition of years of hard work.
Lallana is one of several players who have been with the club for some time to break into the first team under Jan Poortvliet.
The youngsters have grown up playing alongside each other in successful academy and reserve sides under the guidance of Georges Prost and Stewart Henderson.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has signed a new contract, which keeps at St Mary's until 2011, and he is delighted with the way things are panning out for him.
He said: "I'm happy it's all sorted now and I can just concentrate on my football.
"It didn't really take too long because I knew I wanted to stay here and more importantly I've been playing.
"Hopefully that will continue and I can help Saints get promoted.
"Since Rupert (Lowe) and the new manager have come in they made no secret of the fact that they want to feature a lot of youngsters.
"So far this season I've been involved a lot more.
"I'm enjoying my football.
"We're playing the way that we played growing up under Georges Prost at under-18 level.
"We played the same formation then, so it's not new for us and we're really enjoying it.
"We look back now and see that all Georges' training methods and tactical sessions are coming through now because the way that Jan Poortvliet wants us to play is the way he wanted us to at that level."
Lallana is a local lad, having been brought up just down the road in Bournemouth.
He has already got off the mark for the season with the winner at Derby last weekend and another against Birmingham in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.
Now he is targeting another against Blackpool in today's Sky-televised lunchtime kick-off to round off an exciting week.
"It's been a really good week, with the win at Derby and getting through to the next round of the Cup," he said.
"Now to be here for another three years is brilliant. I'm just thrilled really.
"It means a lot to me coming from the local area and always watching Saints growing up.
"To be here now and to hopefully get the chance to play in the first team is fantastic.
"As a team we've got to play each game as it comes.
"Individually I just want to keep playing well and getting on the scoresheet.
"Another goal against Blackpool would really be the icing on the cake this week, but I'd take a team victory over scoring.
"All the lads are up for it and we're definitely looking for the three points.
"It's also great to get a game on TV and to show the rest of the world the way we play.
"We think we're playing a good style of football, so we hope people enjoy watching us."
|
|