Monthly Archives: July 2012

Don’t Cry For Me Argentina: Gazza Signs For Saints…

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Last night, Saints beat Ligue 1 side Evian Thon Gaillard 1-0 with a Jason Puncheon strike, and as is customary with Saints early pre-season friendlies Nigel Adkins made 11 changes at half time.

This saw the introduction of the lastest new face at St. Mary’s. Goalkeeper Paolo Gazzaniga.

Argentinian Gazzaniga has signed for the club on a four year contract after impressing in League Two with Gillingham last season. The 20 year old started his career with Spanish giants Valencia before making the move to the Priestfield Stadium. Keeping 7 clean sheets in his 20 appearances for the Kent club last season, this may be both Saints most low profile summer signing, but also an important one. Tommy Forecast has headed to the Gills on loan for the season as part of the deal.

Gazzaniga at full stretch.

georgeweahscousin.com caught up with aspiring sports journalist and Gills fan Liam Batch to give us a picture of what we can expect from the young keeper.

“With the news reaching us this morning that Southampton have completed the signing of Gillingham’s prized young asset Paulo Gazzaniga, I was asked as a Gills fan to give you the ‘lowdown’ on exactly what you’re getting for a reported 2.5 million.

Signed after a surprising release from European giants Valencia, Gillingham took the Argentinian initially on trial before ensuring he put pen to paper on a two year contract after some impressive displays. He had to wait for his debut however until October when he got his first taste of first team football in a 3-1 defeat to Barnet. Despite conceding three goals, the Gills hierarchy and supporters alike knew they had something special here in the form of an eccentric, yet very agile, confident young 20 year old goalkeeper.

But I won’t bore you with the background stuff. What you Saints fans really want to know is how good this kid really is and can be right? Well the truth is that many Gills fans regard him as the best young prospect to have played at Priestfield in recent years. Like every 20 year old keeper he is prone to mistakes and of course is far from the finished article, just look at Man United’s De Gea. But ‘Gazza’ does have an abundance of confidence paired with a maturity that see’s him perform years above his age. Like the modern day Goalkeeper should be, Paulo’s shot stopping ability is first class but what struck me the most is his distribution which was frighteningly impressive for a young lad playing on a cold, bleak tuesday evening in league 2.

It was reported that over 22 scouts watched Gazzaniga last season with a whole host of Premier League clubs declaring an interest. I can safely say that although he is still a raw talent who needs a lot of coaching if he is to be the player he should, what Southampton have is an extremely talented young goalkeeper who will fast become a fans favourite once he starts playing on a regular basis. His infectious personality twinned with his desire to win and keep on improving make him a gem.

By the way as a footnote, thanks for giving us Forecast, I hear the lads so bad in goal he couldn’t save a file on Microsoft Word.

Up the Gills”

Thanks to Liam for his input. With a forward, a central midfielder, a right back and now a goalkeeper on board, it seems Saints transfer business is taking shape. A winger and a centre half to come? Watch this space.

Chris

Nathaniel on the inClyne…

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While the Saints squad prepared for their friendly with Étoile Carouge in Geneva last night, the true power of social media exploded as highly rated English right back Nathaniel Clyne revealed through his twitter account that rumours of his proposed move to the club were true.

The furore started around 16:30 yesterday when Sky Sports were reporting that Clyne had agreed a deal, this was then followed by a tweet from the account of Clyne’s Crystal Palace teammate Wilfred Zaha:-

As local media outlets tried to diffuse the situation by claiming the deal had not yet been completed, Clyne himself pretty much confirmed the move was on through his twitter account:-

He then updated his twitter profile accordingly:-

Usually, I don’t believe anything transfer wise until it is on the club’s official site, but it would seem that that particular announcement is only a matter of time. It shows the true power of social media these days, and although the clubs themselves may want to put a block on things like this, it is fantastic for the fans to be able to interact with the players this way.

Now to the serious stuff. What a fantastic signing. I think this represents a far bigger coup than perhaps it will be given credit for. Clyne is extremely highly regarded as a star of the future, and reportedly had six offers on the table (one believed to be from Manchester United). For him to choose Saints is both fantastically encouraging for us and one in the eye for the belief that footballers would always choose greed over games.

In short we have signed a young, English, highly talented player who already has 123 league games under his belt at 21. An England U21 international who is tipped to make the move to the full squad in the future. And it is likely we have got him at a snip of his value, as he was out of contract (the fee as he is under 24 is yet to be reported, and may be decided by tribunal).

I caught up with James Daly, editor of Palace fanzine Five Year Plan to get the lowdown on what we can expect from the right back.

“Finally it happened. No, not Palace cheerleaders The Crystals getting the worldwide fame they deserve for their cover of Carly Rae Jepson’s ear-killer Call Me Maybe (if you have no idea what I’m on about GOOGLE THEM NOW!) but Nathaniel Clyne has finally left Palace. Eagles fans have known for about a year that the talented right-back would be off this summer after he turned down the 5,986 contract offers Palace have put in front of him. It was widely accepted he would move to a Premier League club with a deal done with Manchester United reportedly finalised around Christmas. This was after Alex Ferguson saw Clyne boss the park during Palace’s famous 2-1 League Cup win at Old Trafford in November.

But due to a number of things, namely Clyne changing agent a couple of months ago, and Ferguson refusing to confirm him first-team football he chose Southampton. This isn’t the first time Clyne has turned down a move to the big time subs bench; in 2010 Palace’s administrator Brendan Guilfoyle was desperate to offload Clyne to Wolves and cash in on the young star but he turned down Mick McCarthy’s offer because the old cad couldn’t guarantee Nate football week in week out.

It’s an indication that the young lad’s head is screwed on properly and he just wants to play football and become the best he can. No doubt that United would have been able to offer him multiples of whatever Southampton did. (Which I’m sure is multiples of whatever Palace’s best offer to Clyne was). 

And he will become great, there is no doubt about it. Nathaniel Clyne will play for England one day. And I don’t mean on Fifa12, I mean actually. He is supremely talented, arguably the best player Palace’s academy have ever produced, and that is saying something because we have produced some pretty darn good players. But Nate has it all; strength, pace, superb ball skills, positioning acumen and the right attitude. He has all it takes to be one of the best right-backs ever.

But he’ll need time and support at Saints. He didn’t exactly burst onto the scene at Palace, he was slowly bedded into the back four by Neil Warnock but before long he was a reliable full-back who liked to maraud forward to support attacks but never forgot his defensive responsibilities. I can’t remember him ever being captain of Palace on any occasions – perhaps down to his quietness on the pitch – but he certainly has always played with a maturity that belies his young age.

Clyne at Selhurst. Pic courtesy of Sebastian Daly.

Above all he seems like a level-headed young lad; keen to improve, loves his football and is a proud South Londoner (check out his rather bizarre set of tattoos that include Big Ben, Stockwell tube station sign and other London landmarks. It looks like a postcard). But he knows his roots and is a determined young man.

And if the fee really is £1.5m (rising depending on add-ons I’m sure) then Southampton have got themselves an absolute bargain. You won’t find many Palace fans angry at Clyne for leaving, it was generally accepted, after 120+ games for the Eagles, that he had earned his transfer, but his legacy to the academy lads coming through now – that sticking around for a few years and establishing yourself in the Palace team can lead to big things – will live on.”

Check out James on Twitter:- @jamesrmdaly or @FYPfanzine

England’s future?

For some time people have suggested that Saints have needed a young right back to take over from Richardson and Butterfield, in Clyne I think we have that and a whole lot more.

Welcome to St. Mary’s Nathaniel Clyne.

Chris

Super Ken: From The Premier League to the Printing Press..

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Yesterday, former Saints centre half Ken Monkou set off on a new footballing journey as his new magazine ‘Football Life‘ was launched at Stamford Bridge.

The dutchman made 233 appearances for Southampton after joining from Chelsea in August 1992 for a fee of £750k. He proved a popular figure at the Dell, with his commanding performances at the back essential to several survival battles.

He stayed on the South Coast until the summer of 1999 when he moved to Huddersfield Town before retiring in 2002.

Since his playing days Ken has continued to be in and around football including coaching at Chelsea, managing young players, media work and organising friendly matches/tournaments for clubs including Feyenoord and Liverpool.

His latest venture though seems him enter the world of printed media.

‘Football Life‘  is a stylish, insightful magazine focusing on the untold, human stories surrounding the world of football. Containing candid interviews with the game’s leading players as well as various behind-the-scenes personalities, the magazine provides an exciting glimpse into the world’s most popular sport. From the humble kitman to world famous superstars, FL offers a unique voice within football. Intriguing and offering a new perspective, FL gives an in-depth appraisal of its subject matter whilst remaining true to its core values of honesty, and integrity. 

A concept that was started in Monkou’s native Netherlands by former Sheffield Wednesday and Celtic star Regi Blinker, the magazine aims to show the side to football that perhaps we the supporters don’t often see. It will feature guest editorial contributors from the world of football, including Saints legend and former teammate of Monkou, Matt Le Tissier.

georgeweahscousin.com caught up with Ken to ask him about all things Saints…

How did you find your time at Southampton?

KM: “It was a wonderful experience and I met some great people. I had very loyal support from the fans and the people at the club which I will never forget and still means a lot to me.”

What are your best memories of Saints?

KM: “Beating the ‘mighty’ Man Utd 4-2 and of course the famous win over Norwich 5-4 to keep us in the Premiership in a crazy and memorable game. I scored the winning goal from a Matt Le Tissier corner and it was one of the highlights of my time there. I also remember fondly playing under Alan Ball who was a truly inspirational and lovely man and ‘really one of us’.”

What do you make of our current Dutch centre back Jos Hooiveld?

KM:  “He has the physical and mental presence needed to deal with the life that is the Premier League and he will make a strong contribution to the Saints in their first season back.”

How do you think Saints will fair back in the Premier League?

KM:  “I think they will do themselves proud as they have done really well over the past two seasons and they have built the foundation to have a really successful run in the Premiership.”

How did you feel when you saw the betting scam revelations by ex Saints Claus Lundekvam this week?

KM: “I was shocked and surprised as I always rated him as a good player and that is all I can judge him on. The only time I remember Claus getting into trouble was when he had his regular one way conversation with the referees.”

The first issue of ‘Football Life” goes on sale this Thursday (18th July 2012) and is available from major magazine stockists. The first issue includes a feature on Matt Le Tissier and is a must read for Saints fans!

Chris

Patience Is A Virtue…

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Here is another piece, by guest contributor Simon Hall. Chris.

Patience is a virtue

There is an inescapable truth that comes with Southampton’s return to the Premier League: next season. We are going to lose matches, and we are going to be losing with far more regularity than we have been used to in the last three seasons. This is a truth that will be difficult for many to accept, such has been the gradient of our rise through the lower leagues of English football.

Throughout the 2012/2013 season we must remember that a 17th place finish would constitute a successful campaign for Southampton FC. Of course we all hope for something rather more impressive and to surprise a few doubters along the way but survival must surely be Nigel Adkins’ mission. With this in mind, it is worth noting that QPR lost an incredible 21 matches on their way to 17th last season. Even West Brom, who finished in the top half, succumbed to 17 defeats through the 2011/2012 campaign.

Will the smiles last?

These stats simply prove the point that the Premier League is a uniquely difficult place to thrive and that Saints will undoubtedly lose many games next season, even if the team exceeds expectations. Importantly, when we lose these games the reaction must not be ‘Adkins out’, ‘that Scouser doesn’t have the experience to manage a Premier League outfit’ and such like. In Adkins, I firmly believe we have an exceptionally talented manager, one who has done more than enough to warrant a fair and extended shot at the Premier League. But in order to succeed he will need support and stability embedded within the entire club, even if his team is losing matches frequently.

Ultimately, much of this boils down to the enigma that is loyalty in football. For me, loyalty must start with the fans, particularly at a club like Southampton. If we as supporters display faith and patience in Nigel Adkins and his team (especially through the likely difficult times next season) then we earn the right to expect a degree of loyalty in return when the ‘bigger’ clubs come calling.

But why are fans’ faith, patience and loyalty particularly important for Saints? Well, because the club has set itself the admirable aim of sourcing half of its first team players from the its own academy in future. Our young stars need to be shown that they will be given a fair viewing by fans and, more importantly, the time to develop and succeed in the first team. Perhaps then fans’ patience will be rewarded and we can all start to dream of even bigger and better things.

Simon

 

Happy St. Markus Day!

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On the 8th July 2009, Saints were rescued by Markus Liebherr, we started the 2009/10 season at the foot of the League One table on -10 points. Just three years later we await our return to the Premier League this coming season.

Thank you Markus. R.I.P.

Happy St. Markus Day.

Chris

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Buttner: Davis Signs For Saints…

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…..headline courtesy of @Swanie_888

Amongst the talk of Vitesse Arnhem stating on their official site that they had agreed a fee with Saints for left sided player Alex Buttner yesterday, Saints did what they do best and waited until late in the evening and announced the signing of a completely different player!

With Glasgow Rangers in financial turmoil and facing an extremely uncertain future (their fellow SPL sides recently voted resoundingly against them staying in the top division), Saints became the latest English club to take advantage, securing the signing of Northern Ireland and Gers captain Steven Davis on a free transfer.

Davis has been linked with Saints for some weeks, but with the likes of Liverpool, Swansea and Fulham also interested it looked like we might miss out on the central midfielder, but last night Saints sealed the deal signing the international on a three year contract.

Steven Davis representing his country.

Davis started his career in the Premier League with Aston Villa, making 91 appearances for the Birmingham club, heading north of the border after a brief spell at Fulham. During his time at Ibrox, he won three Scottish titles, two Scottish cups, three Scottish league cups and played in the 2008 UEFA cup final defeat to Zenit St. Petersburg.

I caught up with Gers fan @CompareTitles for his opinion on the midfielder:-

“I am really disappointed to see Davis leave as he’s no doubt a massive Rangers fan who played whole-heartedly for our club. He is a box-to-box midfielder full of energy and never tires, he plays to the  final whistle and is involved in absolutely everything. I’m not just saying that at an SPL level, I have no doubt whatsoever that he will do the same in the English Premier League.

Not only is he dynamic going forward and opens up a lot of options in attack, he will be one of the rare forward minded players you’ll see helping out defensively. I can say as somebody who watches the Premier League on a regular basis that he’s every bit as good as the midfielders in the league.

I don’t need to say much more about Steven Davis because I can guarantee that he will become a very respected player at Southampton and is more than capable of being a top player in the Premier League, I personally wish him nothing but the best. He did a lot for Rangers in his time and he clearly loves the club. I hope he grows to be just as much of an important player at Southampton.

All the best lads!”

Davis was clearly impressed by his talks with the chairman and the manager at Saints, telling the Belfast telegraph that other clubs were interested, but he was impressed by the level of ambition shown by Southampton. “Now watch me soar at Saints”.

I for one am particularly pleased with this signing, and it represents a bargain as no fee was involved. Davis is exactly the type of midfielder we need to progress in the Premier League. Welcome to Saints Steven Davis.

Chris