| Could The Prodigal Sons Be Returning ? | Saints are being linked with making a move for several of their former players, but is their any substance or is it … 13-11-2017 |
The Southampton striker is part of the Azzurri squad for the clash at the Studio Giuseppe Meazza, in Milan (7.45pm GMT), as the teams conclude their tie.
Italy trail going into the second leg, after Jakob Johansson’s 61st-minute strike in Solna gave Sweden a 1-0 advantage at the halfway point.
Gabbiadini was an unused substitute in that game, but, with Italy needing to get on the front foot tonight, he will be hoping to see some action and help his country book their place at the 2018 finals, in Russia.
Fernando Torres is eyeing a Premier League swansong — putting Newcastle and Southampton on red alert. The 33-year-old striker has started just two games for Atletico Madrid this season, one in La Liga and one in the Copa Del Rey, and could now return to England. (Daily Mirror)
Liverpool are ready to pounce for England U-17 World Cup-winner Morgan Gibbs-White in a £5million deal. Wolves cannot give Gibbs-White fresh terms until he turns 18 in January – and Liverpool are leading the chase to sign him. (The Sun)
Liverpool are worried they will lose Emre Can to Manchester City next year – for nothing. Can, who cost the Anfield club £10million from Bayer Leverkusen three years ago, is in the last year of his contract and there is no sign of a new deal being agreed. City are now ready to pounce, while Juventus are also interested. (Daily Star)
Olivier Giroud has insisted “the story” between himself and Arsenal is “not over” and he expects to stay with the Gunners for the long term. (Independent)
Italian clubs are lining up for Manchester United’s Matteo Darmian. The defender has found himself out of favour with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford and Serie giants are ready to pounce, with Juventus, Napoli and Roma all interested. (Daily Mirror)
New West Ham boss David Moyes is plotting a raid on old side Everton for misfit winger Kevin Mirallas. The Belgium international is out in the cold at Goodison Park after a fall-out with interim manager David Unsworth. (The Sun)
Brighton and Southampton are interested in snapping up Newcastle outcast Aleksandar Mitrovic, according to reports.
The Serbia international has fallen well down the pecking order at St James’ Park under Rafa Benitez and he has made just three appearances so far this season.
Mitrovic, 30, is expected to be shipped out in January but he may not be leaving England altogther.
As, according to Serbian news outlet Mondo, both Brighton and Southampton are keen to force through a move for the striker.
The Premier League duo are keen to add much-needed attacking quality to their ranks and have set their sights on the out-of-favour Newcastle star.
Despite only making two league appearances so far this term, Mitrovic did find the net against West Ham back in August.
HAVING been a little critical of Claude Puel’s tactics last year, I desperately wanted to support our new manager and hoped that we would have a more positive start to this season at St Mary’s.
However, like many thousands of fans, I have been leaving the stadium after most games completely dejected, disappointed and angry.
Mauricio Pellegrino is a huge improvement in his press conferences and interviews. He speaks good English and has personality. However, I am not sure that he is watching the same games as the rest of us. “I think we play well,” he said after the Burnley game.
Well, Mr Pellegrino, most fans who know anything about football and tactics, etc, would disagree with you!
If you are only playing with one striker up front – which has rarely been successful for Saints – it needs to be a target man. Tall and imposing like Pelle or Lambert. I feel so sorry for Gabbiadini. Full of skill, full of running, but the midfield seem to forget he’s there. Instead of sending him quick early balls to run on to, they are more concerned with beating as many players as possible and then turning inside to beat them again! Especially Boufal and Redmond who both produce something special about once every five or six games. That’s a luxury we can’t afford.
Also, our crosses hardly ever get near the head of a Saints player. When you’re playing against tall defenders with shorter strikers you need two up front supporting each other.
We must get into the habit of going forward. Not just sideways or back. Obvious? Well tell the team that. Our players also look less fit than most of our opponents. Perhaps Pellegrino could talk to his mate Pochettino about how to get them fit and fast, as we were under Poch’s management. Maybe watching videos of Tottenham or Leicester on the break would show them how it’s done.
We are entering a very critical period. Please play two up front, please get early balls to the strikers and please go forward.
We all want and deserve to see more chances created and more goals. We all love the Saints but many fans are getting disillusioned.
I am sure our new Chinese owners won’t be too happy that we are going in the wrong direction – both on the pitch and in the league table!
The Saints loanee followed up scoring the winner in MK Dons’ 4-3 victory over Oxford in the Checkatrade Trophy in midweek by helping his team to a 1-0 success over Fleetwood on Saturday afternoon.
Seager struck on 66 minutes at the Kassam Stadium on Wednesday night to seal Dons’ place in the competition’s knockout stages as group winners which will yield a home tie in the next round.
The young striker was rested for the visit of Fleetwood at the weekend, coming off the bench to replace Kieran Agard with a quarter of an hour remaining.
Robbie Neilson’s side were winless in five league games heading into the encounter but Chucks Aneke’s effort just before half-time to lift them to 14th in League One, four points off the play-offs.