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12:24pm Monday 18th August 2008
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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.
Davies, 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.
Full story in today's Daily Echo
Mike, Soton says...
6:58am Mon 18 Aug 08
Last Man Out Close The Door, says...
7:01am Mon 18 Aug 08
Wearing thin Bill, winchester says...
7:06am Mon 18 Aug 08
Condor Man, Southampton says...
7:16am Mon 18 Aug 08
SaintsFanCryingInMal
ta, Qawra, Malta says...
7:21am Mon 18 Aug 08
Priory Shrink, says...
7:21am Mon 18 Aug 08
Insider, From up north says...
7:27am Mon 18 Aug 08
We Are Being Conned, says...
7:27am Mon 18 Aug 08
Graham, Herts says...
7:30am Mon 18 Aug 08
New Owner Wanted, says...
7:30am Mon 18 Aug 08
Super Leon, says...
7:34am Mon 18 Aug 08
TRUE SAINT, CRYING IN MY CORNFLAKES says...
7:35am Mon 18 Aug 08
Stinks, says...
7:45am Mon 18 Aug 08
Titanic, Atlantic Ocean says...
7:46am Mon 18 Aug 08
Rupert Lowe, says...
7:53am Mon 18 Aug 08
sailor sam, portsmouth says...
8:02am Mon 18 Aug 08
Reclaim SFC, says...
8:05am Mon 18 Aug 08
Artful Dodger, Millbrook says...
8:11am Mon 18 Aug 08
Last Man Out Close The Door wrote:That's what I like to see.
All i can say is last man out close the door. I decided not to renew my season ticket due to the return of two failed incompetent chairman and now im glad i did that. No doubt there will be more \'Spin\' rolled out and i wonder if Poortvliet knows anything about Surman going !!!!!!!!!!!
True Blue, Fareham says...
8:15am Mon 18 Aug 08
Reclaim SFC wrote:It seems as if you boycotted the Birmingham match - first home match of the season, that is usually guaranteed to be a sell-out - so what do you think another empty stadium will prove?
We have to force Lowe & Wilde out of the club. Boycott the Blackpool game.
Reclaim SFC, says...
8:18am Mon 18 Aug 08
Andy, Locks Heath says...
8:21am Mon 18 Aug 08
Bitterne Park Tim, says...
8:26am Mon 18 Aug 08
Another Dutch Defeat, says...
8:32am Mon 18 Aug 08
Paul TS, swanwick says...
8:41am Mon 18 Aug 08
Artful Dodger wrote:AD - You obviously do not know that much about the professional game. Unfortunately players have no control if a club decides to sell them. I know Andy and he is a TRUE Saint Fan. Reading is only up the road, therefore if he has to move (For finances sake) then at least he does not have to leave his home and family in Southampton!
Last Man Out Close The Door wrote: All i can say is last man out close the door. I decided not to renew my season ticket due to the return of two failed incompetent chairman and now im glad i did that. No doubt there will be more \'Spin\' rolled out and i wonder if Poortvliet knows anything about Surman going !!!!!!!!!!!That's what I like to see. Another 'Dedicated', 'Saints in the blood', 'Red and White Army', 'Southampton til I die', 'True Red' supporter, instead of rallying round when the club needs him most, like the rat he is, decides to 'desert the sinking ship'. My guess is that when Saints fortunes change - and they will at some time - he will be one of the first to buy the shirt, wear the scarf and loudly proclaim about how many years, man and boy, that he has given undying support to the club. Pass the bucket, I want to be sick.
Kate, Andover says...
8:54am Mon 18 Aug 08
Adrian Smith, says...
8:56am Mon 18 Aug 08
Kate wrote:Cutting his wages isn't going to save the club the £2.5m Reading are offering.
If Surman is as big a Saints fan as he says, would he consider a paycut until times are financially better??
What could be better than pulling on the shirt for the team you love?
We'll see if it's really all about money......
Tony Millbrook, says...
9:00am Mon 18 Aug 08
Kate wrote:But it's Lowe touting Surman around as being available for transfer, not Drew asking for more money or a move.
If Surman is as big a Saints fan as he says, would he consider a paycut until times are financially better?? What could be better than pulling on the shirt for the team you love? We'll see if it's really all about money......
Artful Dodger, Millbrook says...
9:06am Mon 18 Aug 08
Reclaim SFC wrote:Southampton FC were around before Lowe, Wilde&Co were born.
I know what makes me sick, all these Rupert Lowe apologists who watch their club being ripped apart and just tug their forelock and go "yes Mr Lowe, anything you say Mr Lowe" under the belief that they are "the real fans" Pass the bucket, I am being sick.
Finish Lowe for good, administration NOW says...
9:15am Mon 18 Aug 08
Artful Dodger, Millbrook says...
9:19am Mon 18 Aug 08
Paul TS wrote:Well, if I 'obviously do not know much about the professional football game,' it would appear to be a greater knowledge than yours.
Artful Dodger wrote:AD - You obviously do not know that much about the professional game. Unfortunately players have no control if a club decides to sell them. I know Andy and he is a TRUE Saint Fan. Reading is only up the road, therefore if he has to move (For finances sake) then at least he does not have to leave his home and family in Southampton! I think the policy of selling our best players just yet again shows no ambition from RL yet again! Role on with hope that we find someone who can buy our club, bring investment and get rid of Lowe and Co for good next time!Last Man Out Close The Door wrote: All i can say is last man out close the door. I decided not to renew my season ticket due to the return of two failed incompetent chairman and now im glad i did that. No doubt there will be more \'Spin\' rolled out and i wonder if Poortvliet knows anything about Surman going !!!!!!!!!!!That's what I like to see. Another 'Dedicated', 'Saints in the blood', 'Red and White Army', 'Southampton til I die', 'True Red' supporter, instead of rallying round when the club needs him most, like the rat he is, decides to 'desert the sinking ship'. My guess is that when Saints fortunes change - and they will at some time - he will be one of the first to buy the shirt, wear the scarf and loudly proclaim about how many years, man and boy, that he has given undying support to the club. Pass the bucket, I want to be sick.
Reclaim SFC, says...
9:20am Mon 18 Aug 08
Artful Dodger wrote:So a supporter is only a supporter if he fits your description? Glad we've cleared that up.
Reclaim SFC wrote: I know what makes me sick, all these Rupert Lowe apologists who watch their club being ripped apart and just tug their forelock and go "yes Mr Lowe, anything you say Mr Lowe" under the belief that they are "the real fans" Pass the bucket, I am being sick.Southampton FC were around before Lowe, Wilde&Co were born. If the fans do not support the club now, in its time of need, there is every possibility that there will not be a Southampton FC when they are gone. A Saints fan supports Southampton FC. A 'fair-weather' fan uses these tough times in general and Lowe in particular, as an excuse not to support the club because it is not winning. If you don't go to St Mary's, don't pay the admission, buy the programme etc etc, how in heavens name can anyone call themselves a SUPPORTER?
Martin Wild, Lymington says...
9:22am Mon 18 Aug 08
SFC4EVA, Soton says...
9:25am Mon 18 Aug 08
Saint Ash, Redbridge says...
9:51am Mon 18 Aug 08
S_F_C, Lordswood says...
9:58am Mon 18 Aug 08
Fed up with the moaners, Soton says...
9:59am Mon 18 Aug 08
Graham wrote:Couldnt have said it better myself. Sadly too many 'fans' seem content to watch the results come in at the end of the day and then continue to moan and whinge about the demise of a club they are helping to oversee by staying away. Its a shame that more arent prepared to stump up some cash but instead seem happier to simply watch from their armchair and spend all their efforts sl*gging off Lowe et al. Very constructive!!!
To all the above posters.
Here is the tragedy of SFC fully revealed.
Once you're in a decline the fall from grace becomes quicker and quicker.
The Club is broke and needs to increase income or sell off its players to keep going on a season by season basis.
Each sale reduces the Club's team strength as the best ones will be sold off first.
As the Club's performance worsens so the fan base drifts away. As the fan base drifts away so the Club's income declines and the process is repeated until there is nothing left to sell.
The decline can be slowed down and maybe halted if the experiment with the younger players works.
There is a strong body of opinion (me and a few others) that sees something exciting in what has been happening but it needs more supporters to make a difficult decision and decide that they want to help the Club through this most difficult of times and pay to support their Team.
We are where we are and it's not a good position. Apportion as much blame as you want, it gets the Club nowhere.
I would rather see a concerted effort, both on and off the pitch, to appreciate that the Club is probably in it's most serious position ever and carry on supporting rather than "I told you so'ing" from the sidelines.
Please keep the faith and look forward, not back.
Harry Fox, New Forest says...
10:42am Mon 18 Aug 08
Jesus_02, Kingsland says...
10:45am Mon 18 Aug 08
Insider wrote:How do you know this?
Davies was never going to stay so get used to the fact that he is moving on. He was signed and was given a contract for £10k per week. Within weeks, after Crouch took over as Chairman, he was asked to take a pay cut to £5k per week which he refused to accept so it was always on the cards he would leave. At Middlesborough he was never considered 'top drawer' but would cope in the Championship and therefore ended up at Saints. His 'style' suited the fans, who were looking for a hero, but will never be a clas act and will continue to be a journeyman.
leesaint, behindbluelines says...
10:48am Mon 18 Aug 08
diretimes, southampton says...
10:54am Mon 18 Aug 08
SAINTS FAN, SOUTHAMPTON says...
10:55am Mon 18 Aug 08
Fed up with the moaners wrote:how can you keep faith in the club when we are being run by bunch of two faced tw*ts that are full of bullsh*t!! They said in the past we are going to build a squad and use the youth, well if you sell two of the best youth players in the team davies and surman then what message are they sending out!! At the end of the day a certain person put us in this position along time ago a certain person who has four managers in one season, a certain person who sold a lot of good players and the club has never seen much of it spent on buy new players!! At the end of the day we need investment not people like lowe and wilde who are only interested in making money for themselfs and their goons in the boardroom!! lowe and wilde havent really got a pot to pi*s in to be honest when have they ever stuck their own hands in their own pockets let me think never, well except when cash goes in to the pocket!! to me it looks like the club should be making money soon as all the players will be on yts contracts probably earning no more than £500 a week. If investment did come in would lowe and wilde accept the bid?! I think possibly not cause if any bid did come in they wont pay what lowe and wilde probably expect to sell the club for! Any other chairman who has love for the club which is sinking fast would accept a bid from someone whos got alot of money to invest in the team, where as lowe and wilde are to big headed and only worried about their own pocket to sell for a lower price!! Lets just say see how much you get back lowe and wilde when our club sinks and goes into administration cause you won't see a penny back!! Don't be fooled people because if the fiances are as they say they are, it wont be long till it happens and i pray it doesnt and we sell and get rid of those two clowns who no one wanted to see back here, apart from the lowe lovers who really need a reality check fast!! I love the club but if more big players leave why should i pay to watch a youth team play, i could of done that last season for free watch the youth at saints training ground!! SOMEONE SAVE OUR CLUB!!!
Graham wrote: To all the above posters. Here is the tragedy of SFC fully revealed. Once you're in a decline the fall from grace becomes quicker and quicker. The Club is broke and needs to increase income or sell off its players to keep going on a season by season basis. Each sale reduces the Club's team strength as the best ones will be sold off first. As the Club's performance worsens so the fan base drifts away. As the fan base drifts away so the Club's income declines and the process is repeated until there is nothing left to sell. The decline can be slowed down and maybe halted if the experiment with the younger players works. There is a strong body of opinion (me and a few others) that sees something exciting in what has been happening but it needs more supporters to make a difficult decision and decide that they want to help the Club through this most difficult of times and pay to support their Team. We are where we are and it's not a good position. Apportion as much blame as you want, it gets the Club nowhere. I would rather see a concerted effort, both on and off the pitch, to appreciate that the Club is probably in it's most serious position ever and carry on supporting rather than "I told you so'ing" from the sidelines. Please keep the faith and look forward, not back.Couldnt have said it better myself. Sadly too many 'fans' seem content to watch the results come in at the end of the day and then continue to moan and whinge about the demise of a club they are helping to oversee by staying away. Its a shame that more arent prepared to stump up some cash but instead seem happier to simply watch from their armchair and spend all their efforts sl*gging off Lowe et al. Very constructive!!! ps Davies signalled his intentions by watching the Stoke game on Saturday rather than being at SMS!!
Jesus_02, Kingsland says...
11:10am Mon 18 Aug 08
Fed up with the moaners wrote:Why do you assume that if someone moans that they dont pay to see Saints?
Graham wrote: To all the above posters. Here is the tragedy of SFC fully revealed. Once you're in a decline the fall from grace becomes quicker and quicker. The Club is broke and needs to increase income or sell off its players to keep going on a season by season basis. Each sale reduces the Club's team strength as the best ones will be sold off first. As the Club's performance worsens so the fan base drifts away. As the fan base drifts away so the Club's income declines and the process is repeated until there is nothing left to sell. The decline can be slowed down and maybe halted if the experiment with the younger players works. There is a strong body of opinion (me and a few others) that sees something exciting in what has been happening but it needs more supporters to make a difficult decision and decide that they want to help the Club through this most difficult of times and pay to support their Team. We are where we are and it's not a good position. Apportion as much blame as you want, it gets the Club nowhere. I would rather see a concerted effort, both on and off the pitch, to appreciate that the Club is probably in it's most serious position ever and carry on supporting rather than "I told you so'ing" from the sidelines. Please keep the faith and look forward, not back.Couldnt have said it better myself. Sadly too many 'fans' seem content to watch the results come in at the end of the day and then continue to moan and whinge about the demise of a club they are helping to oversee by staying away. Its a shame that more arent prepared to stump up some cash but instead seem happier to simply watch from their armchair and spend all their efforts sl*gging off Lowe et al. Very constructive!!! ps Davies signalled his intentions by watching the Stoke game on Saturday rather than being at SMS!!
LOWE & WILDE OUT, says...
6:52am Mon 18 Aug 08
Lets see what the fans think and print their views for a change rather than sucking up to Wilde.
How do you know that the club need £4m ? Being told boardroom discussion via Wilde eh ?
We are a sinking ship and Lowe/Wilde are desperate to salvage their share value.
If Surman goes as well there will be a riot at SFC and i can see protests and 'boycotts'