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The Return Of The Saints
July - Kerr Gets Down To business
The first thing that was done, was to conduct a squad review of the players which are already at the club, and then evaluate any positions that need strengthened, and to determine who needs to stay, and who has to go.
Squad Review
Goalkeepers:
Kelvin Davis: The only experienced goalkeeper in the squad, however he isn't of the standard I would be looking for at this level. I will be looking to change him if possible, although he will be a good backup.
Paulo Gazzinga: A younger goalkeeper, who has potential to be at least as good as Davis. As such he won't be thrown into the fray straight away, and if a goalkeeper can be found, placed on the loan list.
Full Backs:
Nathaniel Clyne: A young English rightback. Despite his youth, he is arguably the best full back we currently have at the club, with the potential to become even better. Currently an under 21 international, it is assumed he will make the senior side in the future. A first team player as it stands.
Danny Fox: An English born, Scottish international left back. Solid both at attacking and defending, with the added bonus of taking a good free kick, he will be an important player in the squad this season. Currently a first team player.
Frazer Richardson: An experienced rightback. He has been with the club a few seasons now, and he will provide back up to Clyne and Fox over the course of the season.
Centre Backs:
Jose Fonte: Portuguese centre half. Former Portuguese Under 21 international. Boasting good all round stats, it is assumed Fonte will be one of the starting centre halves at the club when fit. Also in contention for a captain position.
Jos Hooiveld: A left sided, Dutch centre back. Standing at 193cm he is strong in the air, and could come in useful against the taller players in the division. Mentally not that great however, he will only really be a squad rotation option.
Maya Yoshida: A new arrival at the club. Good all round stats, although nothing which make him stand out from what's at the club. Will be considered a back up/rotation option.
Centre Midfielders
Jack Cork: A versatile player, although his best position is in the centre of midfield. Finally settled after years of instability moving around clubs on loan, he will become an important player in the team over the coming seasons.
Richard Chaplow: A player who I don't consider to have the sufficient ability to bolster the squad, I'll look to replace/sell him.
Morgan Schneiderlin - A French holding or centre midfielder. A fantastic creative player, with the ability to pass short or long. Also works hard for the team, which is a quality I'm looking for in the team.
Steve Davis: Another versatile midfielder. Boasts qualities of the other midfielders in the squad, while having some superior skills allied with them. Will be an important first team player this year.
Attacking Midfielders/Wingers
Gaston Ramirez: The most talented player in the squad, and a real coup by my predecessor. Can play anywhere in the attacking midfield positions, he will be the main player in the squad. A wonderkid, and only 20 years old, he can potentially be one of the best in the world in his position.
Adam Lallana: A winger or attacking midfielder, his partnership and linkup with Ramirez and the front man will be key to our success this season. A local player, with a passion for the club as well, which is also an advantage, as he knows the way the club works.
Jason Puncheon: A player of a decent standard, although not a consistent starter, in the side. He will provide cover for both of the wide positions.
Attackers
Ricky Lambert: A player who has worked his way up through the leagues, and is now finally in the Premier League. To call him a "target man" would be an injustice, as he has the ability to score a wide variety of goals. Added to this, he also possesses the required to provide leadership on and off the park.
Jay Rodriguez: Another astute signing by my predecessor before he left. Rodriguez can also play as wide man if needed, although his main role will be as a striker. Provides more pace than what Lambert does, as well as providing a decent aerial threat as well. Possibly the best all round striker at the club.
Emmanuel Mayuka: Another signing made by Adkins before he left. A recruit from Young Boys, he can also cover each of the wide positions, a position he is more than likely to fill on occasion. Possess good physical stats, but is lacking in the technical side.
Tadanari Lee: Another striker who possesses good physical stats, albeit not as good as Mayuka's, he also has stats which are much more rounded than most of the other strikers in the squad, while never excelling at anything. However he is a good 4th choice striker for the squad to have, and provides a different option when needed.
Southampton Youth Set-Up
As well as the senior set-up, Southampton also boasts good youth facilities, which is proven by the recent graduates from the academy set up. Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, to name just a few of the players that have came through the set up. Some players this year who I will be looking to give match time to, either with us or in a loan deal, are: Jack Stephens; Luke Shaw; Corby Moore; Callum Chambers; James Ward-Prowse and Jake Sinclair. These players will be offered professional terms straight away, in order to secure them for the future.
Transfer Targets
After the first team review, and my fears about budgets were unfounded, I decided to delve into the transfer market. A few key positions have been targeted as needed to be strengthened. These positions being centre half, goalkeeper and another centre midfielder being must needs. Positions that could be doing with some beefing up, but not so essential is the left back position and the wings.
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Kerr Offers Contracts To Free Agents
New Southampton manager, A Kerr, has confirmed to our reporter, that the club has offered contract to terms to 3 players today. These players are, Henrique, Bifouma and Ze Roberto. When asked about these players, Kerr confirmed saying. " These three players are all of a standard which I believe can improve the squad, with 2 in positions I have targeted as needing strengthed, with another capable of fulfulling a role in a position which needs strengthened." It is unclear whether these three players as of yet, are going to accept the terms on offer.
Deal to Sign Bifouma Completed
Good news today for Southampton manager A. Kerr, who today announced the signing of former Espanyol player Thievy Bifouma on a free transfer. Kerr had this to say. "Although primarily a striker, Thievy can also play on the wing, which is what we are looking to do with him. It's not everyday that a player of his age and ability appears on the free agent list, and it's even rarer when the express an interest in joining your side. I'm extremely pleased at bringing in Thievy." When questioned on Henrique, Kerr said. "We have agreed a contract with Henrique. However due to his lack of EU nationality, or Brazilian international caps, we have to appeal to the government for the right for a work permit for him. We hope to announce the deal shortly in a week or so, as that is when we have the hearing."
Ze Roberto Signs For Cash Rich PSG
New Southampton manager, A. Kerr suffered his first disappointment today, when it was announced on the Paris Saint Germain website, that the experienced Brazilian international had chose to sign for the Parisians, rather than the newly promoted Premier League side. Kerr said "I'm disappointed that we never managed to bring Ze Roberto to the club, however the lad made his intentions clear that he would prefer to join PSG, as at the twilight of his career he wants to be challenging for silverware. We at Southampton would like to wish Ze Roberto luck at PSG, and thank him for entering negotiations in the first place."
Henrique Signs For Southampton
After a week of uncertainty, Southampton manager A.Kerr finally snapped up Brazilian international centre half, Henrique, after the work permit for the ex-Barcelona man was accepted. "After the disappointment in not snapping up his fellow brazilian, we are pleased that we have finally managed to complete the deal to bring in Henrique" Kerr stated. When asked if this player would improve the team, he said: "Of course he will. You don't get capped by the Brazilian international side, or have Barcelona pay £6.5 million for you if you're a bad player. He is a coup for the club, and he will be a top notch player for us."
July Friendlies
As well as the transfer side of things, there were also several friendlies in the month of July. As I was looking to improve the squad, I ask my assistant manager if he would take charge of the side, in order for me to scout new players.
Results For July:
Huddersfield Away
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Eastleigh Away
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Portadown Away
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Preston Away
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Stuttgart Home
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Hayes & Yeading Away
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Shrewsbury Away
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All in all, a good performance in pre season. Despite a lot of games in a short period of time, the only game which wasn't won was the first game. A victory over VFB Stuttgart was particuarly pleasing, considering the quality the side has available to them.
Monthly Review
A good month in terms of victories in the friendlies, although with Clyne away at the under 20 World cup, the full strength side was never selected. Positive also on the transfer front, although the inability to land Ze Roberto was disappointing, although not a surprise. One sour point, which must be noted, was the injury suffered by Jay Rodriguez, which will rule him out until the new year.
Player of the Month
It's hard to pick a player of the month based on friendlies, especially with no particular player standing out.
