More market moves to come from Adkins (From Daily Echo)
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More market moves to come from Adkins
10:10am Monday 9th July 2012 in Sport
By Simon Carter, Sports Editor
NIGEL ADKINS
NIGEL Adkins has so far signed two new players for Saints’ Premier League return, with a third expected to arrive soon.
And it’s certainly safe to say he is only halfway through his transfer preparations.
The St Mary’s boss has so far brought in a striker, a central midfielder and a left back.
It could be argued that Saints didn’t need to sign anyone in those three positions.
That is not the case elsewhere.
Adkins is also looking to bring in a goalkeeper, a centre half and a winger.
The goalkeeper we know about as Saints’ interest in Birmingham youngster Jack Butland is no secret.
But what would be fascinating to know is whether Adkins, a former keeper himself lest we forget, is aiming just to bring Butland in as his new No 1 or just to learn from Kelvin Davis, who certainly deserves the chance to start 2012/13 as the first choice keeper.
A central defender has to be a priority as Adkins only has two experienced men to select from.
And neither Jose Fonte or Jos Hooiveld have ever played in the Premier League.
That is also the case for the only other centre half in Adkins’ squad with first team experience – Dan Seaborne.
Of course, there are huge question marks over Seaborne, who hasn’t played a competitive game since suffering a serious head injury away from the football field last August.
At the moment, though, he is the only back-up man to Fonte and Hooiveld with Radhi Jadhi retired and Aaron Martin loaned to Crystal Palace for the season.
Further up the pitch, Adkins is also on the look-out for someone to provide some serious pace out wide and a creative cutting edge.
Pace is more important in the top flight than ever before, and it is something the Saints squad is not that well blessed with, certainly not when it comes to those who should be regular members of the Premier League squad.
Apart from needing to bring some more new faces in, Adkins will soon have to decide who to move on.
There are several players who appear to have little future at the club.
Strikers Lee Barnard and Jonathan Forte are now well down the pecking order after record signing Jay Rodriguez’s arrival, while Jason Puncheon’s strange St Mary’s career must end soon – surely.
And what of Dean Hammond’s future following the signing of Northern Ireland international Steven Davis to bolster an area where the likes of Jack Cork, Morgan Schneiderlin and Richard Chaplow are also battling away for places?
Left backs Ryan Dickson, pictured below, and Dan Harding must also be wondering where their futures lie due to Alexander Buttner’s impending arrival.
Some of those players mentioned must be moved on, certainly if Saints are serious – and they appear to be – about wanting to give their best youngsters a chance to make a good impression.
There is one thing between having a good 25-man squad for the coming season, but there is no point having players around the club who have no chance of getting a game.
Far better to try and cash in on some of them, though Saints must also be realistic with some of their demands – ie, is there much point putting a large price tag around the neck of someone like Puncheon?
A priority needs to be reducing the squad, in order to make space for the signings Adkins believes can play a big part in Saints making an impression in the first season back rubbing shoulders with the elite.
Comments(56)
mbetts
says...
10:33am Mon 9 Jul 12
Confucious
says...
10:33am Mon 9 Jul 12
I would only add that we should not under any circumstances sign any players who have a small black moustache. Strong empirical evidence shows such people can rarely be trusted.
franiow
says...
10:40am Mon 9 Jul 12
Players who have helped us to gain promotion but have no realistic chance of playing next season should be given every chance to make good moves with Saints not being too greedy.
St.Yorkie
says...
10:43am Mon 9 Jul 12
We haven't signed him (or her); he's not good enough; he's too expensive; he's too old; he's not experienced at this level?
Well look all you lot out there in the real world - we are building a squad fit for the Premiership.
We know we need certain players - a right back I think is needed in addition to a keeper and another centre back. On the question of pace - it's all very well having a winger with pace - but he will need a supporting player to score (unless he can score?). Where is that existing player with pace?
As for the squad of 25 possibly only 3-places left for new players...how exciting is that with the pre-season not even started?
miltonarcher
says...
10:45am Mon 9 Jul 12
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
10:47am Mon 9 Jul 12
Red n White wrote:Or Buttner at LB and Fox as a winger as he has shown himself to be excellent going forward but a bit flakey on the back hoof.
Unless we sell one of Fox or Harding, I think Buttner will be used as a left winger, either as cover for Lallana or to start and put Lallana in the middle. Otherwise Shaw will be fourth choice at left-back, which I don't think Adkins will want as he'll want to bring him in at some point next season if possible.
miltonarcher
says...
10:49am Mon 9 Jul 12
Seedhouse the Unrepentant
says...
10:49am Mon 9 Jul 12
Confucious wrote:We have ambitions of a European tour - so don't rule it out.
Excellent analysis which Nigel will no doubt take on board.
I would only add that we should not under any circumstances sign any players who have a small black moustache. Strong empirical evidence shows such people can rarely be trusted.
Saints+Wigan fan
says...
10:52am Mon 9 Jul 12
Looking forward to the bright future ahead. I'm sure your going to make many Southampton Superstars.
NA Red and White Army!
St Retford
says...
10:55am Mon 9 Jul 12
St.Yorkie wrote:People will literally moan about anything. On another thread people are complaining about women raising money to fight cancer. It takes a special kind of determination to be upset about that.
Whatever happened to the moaners on here?
We haven't signed him (or her); he's not good enough; he's too expensive; he's too old; he's not experienced at this level?
Well look all you lot out there in the real world - we are building a squad fit for the Premiership.
We know we need certain players - a right back I think is needed in addition to a keeper and another centre back. On the question of pace - it's all very well having a winger with pace - but he will need a supporting player to score (unless he can score?). Where is that existing player with pace?
As for the squad of 25 possibly only 3-places left for new players...how exciting is that with the pre-season not even started?
george chivers
says...
10:57am Mon 9 Jul 12
Confucious wrote:What about Don Goodman? A man with a small black moustache and potentially a contradictory name.
Excellent analysis which Nigel will no doubt take on board.
I would only add that we should not under any circumstances sign any players who have a small black moustache. Strong empirical evidence shows such people can rarely be trusted.
Was he a Goodman and a good man as well, or a bad man? Or simply a black man with a small black moustache who played for a black country team?
angiemill
says...
11:03am Mon 9 Jul 12
Southampton boy
says...
11:05am Mon 9 Jul 12
St Retford
says...
11:09am Mon 9 Jul 12
george chivers wrote:Excuse me?
Confucious wrote:What about Don Goodman? A man with a small black moustache and potentially a contradictory name.
Excellent analysis which Nigel will no doubt take on board.
I would only add that we should not under any circumstances sign any players who have a small black moustache. Strong empirical evidence shows such people can rarely be trusted.
Was he a Goodman and a good man as well, or a bad man? Or simply a black man with a small black moustache who played for a black country team?
HarrytheHorse33
says...
11:09am Mon 9 Jul 12
r still to be sorted. Just love being a Saints fan!!
Bigrich1980
says...
11:19am Mon 9 Jul 12
Not sure what i want on the GK and CB options but i would rather buy someone that is better than what we have in both of them make kelvin and Jos understudy's once again just my oppinion
BlandfordSaint
says...
11:20am Mon 9 Jul 12
Davis + (Gordon)
Richardson Butterfield (Simpson)
Fox Buttner Harding
Hoover Fonte Seabourne (Dann)
Spider Davis Cork Chaplow
De Ridder (De Breuyn) (Phillips)
Lallana Guly
Lambert JayRod Lee Sharp
With Ward-Prowse Shaw Stephens and Chambers as young back up
Let go Forecast Dickson Forte hammond Puncheon and Barnard as each piece of the jigsaw fits in
Your thoughts COYR
Ashley Charles Pragnell
says...
11:22am Mon 9 Jul 12
I believe there could be some truth in this story. I see that we are looking at Zaha, there could some truth in this as well. Palace have already taken Martin on loan. I wonder whether we might offer one of our players who is suplus to requirements, to make it an actractive deal for Palace. Cash plus players. Buttner should be in this week. I suspect we will not go for Butland, but will either go for Macgregor from Rangers to link up with his mate Steven Davis, or Craig Gordon. A while back we wetre interested in a Dutch keeper. Watch this space. I agree we still need a centre back , it will not be Curtis Davies he is going to Norwich in exchange for Vaughan ( according to Sky). I think we might go for the under 21 year old centre back from Watford.It beginning to hot up at St Mary,s. I think Nigel will and Nicola will want more deals done this week before leaving for Switzerland.
GX Saint
says...
11:27am Mon 9 Jul 12
Hobson82
says...
11:35am Mon 9 Jul 12
I am feeling more optimistic the more signings we make and surely there will be another 3 at least.
What I am wondering though is who will be leading us out at the Etihad Arena come kick off?? I think it's fair to say it won't be Hammond, I'm thinking Fonte or maybe the new guy Steve Davis.
Strasbourg Saint
says...
11:38am Mon 9 Jul 12
BlandfordSaint wrote:Yes, about right, although I would add four things.
Squad of 25 from me:
Davis + (Gordon)
Richardson Butterfield (Simpson)
Fox Buttner Harding
Hoover Fonte Seabourne (Dann)
Spider Davis Cork Chaplow
De Ridder (De Breuyn) (Phillips)
Lallana Guly
Lambert JayRod Lee Sharp
With Ward-Prowse Shaw Stephens and Chambers as young back up
Let go Forecast Dickson Forte hammond Puncheon and Barnard as each piece of the jigsaw fits in
Your thoughts COYR
1. Re: the possible signings you name in brackets, I think NC/NA may surprise us with some of those being, at least, enquired about.
2. Re: Hammond, maybe he deserves a chance to see if he can make the grade, also he would be useful off the bench and helping youngsters coming through. His Saints career may not be over just yet.
3. Re: New signings, for me, the main requirement is a centre-back (but, yes, a keeper and right-back, too). However, lest we forget, Cork can play there if absolutely necessary.
4. Re: the ones who do leave, I would just add 'with much thanks and gratitude'. All those you mention have played their part in the magic of these past 3 seasons.
Finally, I'm with BigRich, I would love to see the two Palace players come in.
Strasbourg Saint
says...
11:46am Mon 9 Jul 12
Hobson82 wrote:Yes, re the captain, I meant to add that to my last post.
It's difficult to predict who NA/NC are looking to bring in.
I am feeling more optimistic the more signings we make and surely there will be another 3 at least.
What I am wondering though is who will be leading us out at the Etihad Arena come kick off?? I think it's fair to say it won't be Hammond, I'm thinking Fonte or maybe the new guy Steve Davis.
Tough call, I remember in Biel last year wondering who would captain the team. In the end, it was Hammond in the first half and Fonte when the 11 were swapped in the second half.
Trouble is, having struggled a little last year, like Hammond, can we expect Fonte to cut it in the Prem?
That dilemma may well result in Davis getting the nod.
Of course, next week, when NC signs Andres Iniesta ......
Beer Monster
says...
11:58am Mon 9 Jul 12
Confucious
says...
12:15pm Mon 9 Jul 12
george chivers wrote:Top bloke but I have it on good authority that it's a dead caterpillar under his nose.
Confucious wrote:What about Don Goodman? A man with a small black moustache and potentially a contradictory name.
Excellent analysis which Nigel will no doubt take on board.
I would only add that we should not under any circumstances sign any players who have a small black moustache. Strong empirical evidence shows such people can rarely be trusted.
Was he a Goodman and a good man as well, or a bad man? Or simply a black man with a small black moustache who played for a black country team?
Mush On The Beach
says...
12:16pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Red n White
says...
12:20pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:Good shout, Fox would be able to make those good crosses into the box, and Buttner could cause havoc on the overlap with his pace
Red n White wrote: Unless we sell one of Fox or Harding, I think Buttner will be used as a left winger, either as cover for Lallana or to start and put Lallana in the middle. Otherwise Shaw will be fourth choice at left-back, which I don't think Adkins will want as he'll want to bring him in at some point next season if possible.Or Buttner at LB and Fox as a winger as he has shown himself to be excellent going forward but a bit flakey on the back hoof.
7willj77
says...
12:29pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Paul Lucas
says...
12:44pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Mush On The Beach wrote:Yeah, but he was pretty ineffective when we played Palarse at SMS last season:-)
I like the sound of Zaha. I remember seeing the Palace vs Hammers gain on the box last season, he gave them all sorts of headaches. Definitely looks an exciting talent
He has talent but I'm not sure we can take a gamble with his temperament - reminds me of an out of favour player we already have!
Saints+Wigan fan
says...
1:08pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Lambert scored soo many goals, also watching the reply of Leeds away. Super, Super kelv!
saintkenny
says...
1:10pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Saints+Wigan fan wrote:who is atkins ????? .think your at the wrong club ,and he played for wigan .adkins you plum
Well done Atkins. Again you do your job extremely well.This man deserves a medal.
Looking forward to the bright future ahead. I'm sure your going to make many Southampton Superstars.
NA Red and White Army!
Gossie.
says...
1:14pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Mush On The Beach
says...
1:15pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Paul Lucas wrote:He won Football League Young Player of the Year though, so I reckon he must have had more good games than duds – POTENTIAL
Mush On The Beach wrote:Yeah, but he was pretty ineffective when we played Palarse at SMS last season:-)
I like the sound of Zaha. I remember seeing the Palace vs Hammers gain on the box last season, he gave them all sorts of headaches. Definitely looks an exciting talent
He has talent but I'm not sure we can take a gamble with his temperament - reminds me of an out of favour player we already have!
Saints+Wigan fan
says...
1:18pm Mon 9 Jul 12
montecristosaint
says...
1:46pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Confucious wrote:Oh dear. No italians then.. I did have my heart set on Pirlo does he have a small mustache??
Excellent analysis which Nigel will no doubt take on board.
I would only add that we should not under any circumstances sign any players who have a small black moustache. Strong empirical evidence shows such people can rarely be trusted.
george chivers
says...
2:19pm Mon 9 Jul 12
St Retford wrote:I was asking Confucious if Don Goodman, a former pro with Wolves, who had a small black moustache, could be trusted. Apparently he is a good man with a caterpillar problem. Not a bad man with an empirical aspiration problem.
george chivers wrote:Excuse me?
Confucious wrote:What about Don Goodman? A man with a small black moustache and potentially a contradictory name.
Excellent analysis which Nigel will no doubt take on board.
I would only add that we should not under any circumstances sign any players who have a small black moustache. Strong empirical evidence shows such people can rarely be trusted.
Was he a Goodman and a good man as well, or a bad man? Or simply a black man with a small black moustache who played for a black country team?
Saintsayer II
says...
2:21pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Mush On The Beach wrote:Swansea are after Adomah of Bristol City He gave us the run around twice last year and could be a bit more mature than Zaha
Paul Lucas wrote:He won Football League Young Player of the Year though, so I reckon he must have had more good games than duds – POTENTIAL
Mush On The Beach wrote:Yeah, but he was pretty ineffective when we played Palarse at SMS last season:-)
I like the sound of Zaha. I remember seeing the Palace vs Hammers gain on the box last season, he gave them all sorts of headaches. Definitely looks an exciting talent
He has talent but I'm not sure we can take a gamble with his temperament - reminds me of an out of favour player we already have!
St Retford
says...
2:31pm Mon 9 Jul 12
george chivers wrote:Ah, I see.
St Retford wrote:I was asking Confucious if Don Goodman, a former pro with Wolves, who had a small black moustache, could be trusted. Apparently he is a good man with a caterpillar problem. Not a bad man with an empirical aspiration problem.
george chivers wrote:Excuse me?
Confucious wrote:What about Don Goodman? A man with a small black moustache and potentially a contradictory name.
Excellent analysis which Nigel will no doubt take on board.
I would only add that we should not under any circumstances sign any players who have a small black moustache. Strong empirical evidence shows such people can rarely be trusted.
Was he a Goodman and a good man as well, or a bad man? Or simply a black man with a small black moustache who played for a black country team?
(I don't see.)
mbetts
says...
2:46pm Mon 9 Jul 12
However his finishing is appalling!
Over the Edge
says...
3:20pm Mon 9 Jul 12
mbetts wrote:However his finishing is appalling, sort of sums up why we shouldn't be looking in that direction IMO, we have one of those already in Steve De Ridder, apart from his finish against Reading there isn't much to say on his finishing prowess.
Zaha looks good on his best youtube bits, ghosts past players, full of energy and trickery against Championship opposition, not too shoddy at all!
However his finishing is appalling!
I'm ready for a slaughtering from fans of Steveeeeeee.
I would like to see a double swoop for Tom Ince and Matt Phillips, we could chuck in Puncheon and Barnard as part of the deal.
Mush On The Beach
says...
3:44pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Over the Edge wrote:2011/12 stats:
mbetts wrote:However his finishing is appalling, sort of sums up why we shouldn't be looking in that direction IMO, we have one of those already in Steve De Ridder, apart from his finish against Reading there isn't much to say on his finishing prowess.
Zaha looks good on his best youtube bits, ghosts past players, full of energy and trickery against Championship opposition, not too shoddy at all!
However his finishing is appalling!
I'm ready for a slaughtering from fans of Steveeeeeee.
I would like to see a double swoop for Tom Ince and Matt Phillips, we could chuck in Puncheon and Barnard as part of the deal.
Zaha – 40 appearances, 6 goals for Palace.
Phillips – 32 appearances, 7 goals for Blackpool. 6 appearances, 5 goals on loan to Sheff Utd.
Ince – 36 appearances, 7 goals for Blackpool.
Over to you Nigel and Nicola.
george chivers
says...
4:10pm Mon 9 Jul 12
St Retford wrote:Im glad that's been sorted out!!
george chivers wrote:Ah, I see.
St Retford wrote:I was asking Confucious if Don Goodman, a former pro with Wolves, who had a small black moustache, could be trusted. Apparently he is a good man with a caterpillar problem. Not a bad man with an empirical aspiration problem.
george chivers wrote:Excuse me?
Confucious wrote:What about Don Goodman? A man with a small black moustache and potentially a contradictory name.
Excellent analysis which Nigel will no doubt take on board.
I would only add that we should not under any circumstances sign any players who have a small black moustache. Strong empirical evidence shows such people can rarely be trusted.
Was he a Goodman and a good man as well, or a bad man? Or simply a black man with a small black moustache who played for a black country team?
(I don't see.)
Mowyjoe
says...
5:51pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Over the Edge wrote:Agreed, i think there are more fans of Steve than Guly which baffles me
mbetts wrote:However his finishing is appalling, sort of sums up why we shouldn't be looking in that direction IMO, we have one of those already in Steve De Ridder, apart from his finish against Reading there isn't much to say on his finishing prowess.
Zaha looks good on his best youtube bits, ghosts past players, full of energy and trickery against Championship opposition, not too shoddy at all!
However his finishing is appalling!
I'm ready for a slaughtering from fans of Steveeeeeee.
I would like to see a double swoop for Tom Ince and Matt Phillips, we could chuck in Puncheon and Barnard as part of the deal.
ShakeyWiffles
says...
5:59pm Mon 9 Jul 12
saintkenny wrote:Thankyou so much! You think by now people would know how to spell his name! Plus, even if it's a joke it's **** awful.
Saints+Wigan fan wrote:who is atkins ????? .think your at the wrong club ,and he played for wigan .adkins you plum
Well done Atkins. Again you do your job extremely well.This man deserves a medal.
Looking forward to the bright future ahead. I'm sure your going to make many Southampton Superstars.
NA Red and White Army!
Please no Zaha! The Palace fan I'm friends with gets really annoyed with him and so do many of his friends. He's a petulant little child and 100% the way he acts will not fit in with NC. Don't get me wrong, he has some skill but his personality over rides that too much for my liking
Fatty x Ford Worker
says...
6:57pm Mon 9 Jul 12
The only saint in COV
says...
7:04pm Mon 9 Jul 12
OSPREYSAINT
says...
8:48pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Fatty x Ford Worker wrote:You start the ball rolling.
Ah dont forget to sweep the dead wood out.Would you please suggest who you want away!
seventh-junction
says...
9:47pm Mon 9 Jul 12
OSPREYSAINT wrote:If Puncheon doesn't go before the start of the season I'll go to poopey and offer them one of my old jumpers for them to use as a goalpost and I'll give it away for nothing......I might actually post it rather than go down there though...
Fatty x Ford Worker wrote:You start the ball rolling.
Ah dont forget to sweep the dead wood out.Would you please suggest who you want away!
BigD69
says...
10:10pm Mon 9 Jul 12
miltonarcher wrote:tearing Fox apart I believe...hence Buttner coming in at left back..
I remember the Bristol City right winger tearing us apart in the away game, only a youngster but could be worth a place in the squad.
oregonsaint
says...
10:12pm Mon 9 Jul 12
COYS (Come on you Saints).
Optimist
says...
10:36pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Strasbourg Saint
says...
11:30pm Mon 9 Jul 12
Optimist wrote:Catherine Zeta-Jones and Halle Berry would be a couple of stunning signings!
I get the feeling that we will be bringing in players sooner rather than later. Then soon after it will become apparent who is to leave, they just won't get to play with the first team. Still IMHO we will see a couple of stunning signings yet.
saintdave1976
says...
12:19am Tue 10 Jul 12
saintdave1976
says...
11:17am Tue 10 Jul 12
saintdave1976
says...
11:25am Tue 10 Jul 12
swiss_saint
says...
7:07am Wed 11 Jul 12
Red n White says...
10:25am Mon 9 Jul 12