Saints News & Rumour Mill

[alansmithy14]

the whole gareth bale thing is finally over!! he should have joined man united!!

[Mighty T.A.L.]

It's more easy for Bale to get first team appearances in Spurs than United.I think he have done the right choice.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Saints face Saganowski fight

Skysports.com understands Southampton could face a fight to keep hold of Marek Saganowski.

Saganowski is considering his options after the end of his successful loan spell at St Mary's.

The Polish hit-man joined Southampton on loan from Troyes in January and he impressed as Saints reached the play-offs only to lose to Derby in the semi-finals.

Saganowski is keen to secure a permanent move away from Troyes and his form has alerted a number of clubs in the Premiership and Championship.

The player's agent Jaroslaw Kolakowski admitted a number of clubs were chasing Saganowski, but that his preference is to stay at Southampton.

"There are a number of clubs interested in Marek, but at this moment I am in negotiations with Southampton," Kolakowski told skysports.com.

"Some Premiership clubs and Championship teams have contacted me regarding Marek.

"Marek wants to stay in England and he wants to go to a good club.

"Southampton are a good club and they are his first choice as he enjoyed him time there.

"But if talks take too long with Southampton he could move to another club."

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Saganowski is being linked to a Burnley move.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

End of season awards

With the dust settled at the end of the season, On the Cross brings you its player awards for the season.

Player of the season

No real contest here. After so many years in and out of the side and in and out of the club on loan, this was the year when Chris Baird showed us just what we have been missing as his appearances for Saints finally overtook those for Northern Ireland.

A rock at the back throughout the season, he consistently got an uncertain back line out of trouble with interception after interception and showed an impressive ability in the air for someone his height.

Honourable mention
How do you go from Saints first 20 goal a season man to the bench and beyond? Never the most active on the field, Gregorz Rasiak came up with the goods time and time again reminding us that ultimately it's goals that wins game. Waited until the last minute of the play-off semi-final to have one final and fitting moment of glory.

The 'where did that come from' goal of the season
Yes, it's that man again Chris Baird with a 30 yard screamer against Cardiff that would still be going if it hadn't nestled in the top corner. Huge credit goes to the groundsman for making the net strong enough to keep it out.

Honourable mention
The moment when Marek Saganowski showed that we had a real talent on our hands with a magical finish in a magical hat-trick against Wolves, as he chipped the kipper nonchalently from the corner of the box.

Young player of the season
Yes, yes, we all know who it is, so let's just move on shall we - shame he has too to go a long way to offsetting the loss in parachute payments. Gareth Bale will be missed and is absolutely irreplacable.

Honourable mention
Great to see local boy Drew Surman establishing himself in the first team and keeping experienced players such as Belmadi and Skacel behind him in the pecking order. An emotional first hat-trick for the club will live long in the memory.

Cameo of the season
Jhonny Viafara has been a fan's favourite right from the start shaking off the Pompey background with ease. Committed, energetic, with something of Carlton Palmer in his game, he gets the cameo of the season award for a storming run down the wing past two players into 20 yards of space where he promptly backheeled it to absolutely no one.

Most improved player
All credit to the superb athlete that is Kenwyne Jones who finally fulfilled the potential that Saints saw in him back in 2004. Strong, quick, a good targetman, with an improving eye for goal, Kenwyne got the fans off his back and signing his name, with Saints much the weaker as he was kicked out of the play-off semi final by Derby's tactics. Plenty more to come from him after 16 goals in 29 starts plus 9 as sub.

Source: southampton-mad.co.uk

[Mighty T.A.L.]

New Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez has had a bid of £2.5million turned down by Championship side Southampton for defender Chris Baird.

[alansmithy14]

i wonder if that young kid kenwyn jones will go anywhere??

[alansmithy14]

but Chris Baird is rly good he'll probably go to Fulham

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Originally Posted by alansmithy14

i wonder if that young kid kenwyn jones will go anywhere??

I really hope not.He has improved this season.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Originally Posted by alansmithy14

but Chris Baird is rly good he'll probably go to Fulham

George Burley will do whatever he can to keep him.But so he did with Bale...It's tough to hold on to a player who got interest from a club from league above.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

On-loan Southampton striker Marek Saganowski has opened talks over a permanent £500,000 move from French club Troyes.

Not good news at all...Saints have done a big mistake to not have sorted out a new contract offer for this player for a long time ago...

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Brave Svensson vows to recover

Defiant Michael Svensson is laid up in Sweden with his knee in a brace following his latest operation - but he vowed: "It won't beat me."

The Swedish centre half is recovering from a major operation on his injured knee which involved having cartilage, previously removed and harvested in a laboratory, reinserted in his knee as well as a posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

He faces a gruelling 18 month rehabilitation programme before being able to contemplate a comeback and even then there are no guarantees after what will be virtually four and a half years without regular first team football.

advertisementBut Svensson is focussed on his goal of playing again and is confident he can do it.

He said: "I am confident I'll get back to playing.

"The doctors and physios here are really optimistic - it's down to the rehab and how that goes.

"It's difficult now but I'm optimistic and confident I will play again, whether it's in Southampton or in Sweden I don't know."

Svensson is out of contract at Saints this summer and the club will have to make a decision whether to offer him a new one.

It would be a long term investment to offer Svensson a new deal but much could depend on the fin-ances of the club.

The Swede, a huge favourite with the Saints fans who believe they may have avoided relegation from the Premiership had he have been fit that season, knows what he wants though.

"I appreciate the club's help but obviously I need an offer to stay in England," said Svensson.

"I will come over in mid-late June to sit down and discuss something but we'll see.

"It won't beat me. I always had in my mind to play again.

"It's not in my hands where that will be - I would love to stay and play for Southampton but I'm not in a good negotiating position.

"We'll just have to see - I know what I want."

Source: thisishampshire.net

I can't believe Saints haven't released him.He has been injured the last 3 seasons.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Best shuns Saints offer

Skysports.com understands Leon Best has knocked back Southampton's offer of a new deal.

Best's present deal expires in the summer and he has rejected Southampton's offer to extend his stay at St Mary's.

The 20-year-old, who helped Southampton reach the play-offs, now looks set to leave the Championship outfit.

The news has alerted several clubs to Best's availability with the striker impressing for Southampton this season.

Leicester are believed to be leading the chase for Best, but could face competition from the likes of Coventry, Stoke and Nottingham Forest for the player's signature.

Nothing seems to go Saints way these days.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Saints man makes Spanish switch

Feliciano Condesso has turned down a new deal at Southampton to join Villarreal on a permanent basis.

The Portuguese midfielder spent the second half of the season on loan at Villarreal and the Spanish club have decided to make his move permanent.

Condesso failed to make the grade at St Mary's after arriving as a trainee in 2003.

The 20-year-old's contract at Southampton expired at the end of the season and despite being offered fresh terms he has decided to join Villarreal.

Villarreal have paid Southampton a compensation figure of £34,000 for the 20-year-old.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Saints close on Saganowski

Southampton have moved a step closer to signing Marek Saganowski.

The Polish hit-man joined Southampton on loan from Troyes in January and he impressed as Saints reached the play-offs only to lose to Derby in the semi-finals.

Southampton have been keen to make Saganowski's deal permanent and Troyes have revealed the St Mary's outfit have taken up the option to turn the loan deal into a permanent arrangement.

Saganowski was determined to leave Troyes and it appears the French club will not stand in his way.

A number of clubs were thought to be chasing Saganowski, but the forward has always indicated Southampton were his first choice.

Source: Skysports