Fonte Off?

Could be utter bollocks but I have just seen something on FB that says we will allow Fonte to leave in January. Could explain why he hasnt been used in the Euros. If so I cant see him going to United, but maybe Everton?

If he does go you would assume that Les has someone lined up to take his place already.

Do you know, I am just fed up of the whole thing, the transfer window, agents, big clubs keeping small clubs in check, itā€™s all bollox.

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I read an article from the Daily Record that said the same thing. Will post a link later.

watching Lallana on sky sports saying heā€™s not Southampton, heā€™s Bournemouth. I think heā€™s upset about the fact that lots of fans think heā€™s a cunt.

Here it is read it and itā€™s full of greed, greed and more greed. Well he can fuck off!

Fonte, 32, was angered by Southampton executive director Les Reedā€™s refusal to even inform him of a Ā£9million bid from Everton in July.

The European Championship-winning centre back believed he had a gentlemanā€™s agreement dating back to an October 2015 contract renewal that the club would permit him to take up an offer that would significantly improve his salary.

Southampton are also understood to have failed to adhere to a pre-Euros promise to better Fonteā€™s financial terms as a reward for his performances captaining the club, leading to further discontent from a player identified by both Ronaldo Koeman and Jose Mourinho as an individual capable of bringing experience to fragile rearguards.

Sad to see Jose become another Craptain.

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So despite the fact there is no direct quote from either club or player in the linked article weā€™re all prepared to believe everything in it.

Strange times indeed.

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Surprised to be honest. Heā€™s going to turn 33 by the time heā€™ll be lining up for United or Everton or whoever wants him. Shame because his effort and work-rate is usually there. I donā€™t think heā€™s been quite as bad as some have said but his form has been dropping slightly since the dizzy heights of 14/15 where he was owning every centre-forward he came up against.

Still, its tough to demand loyalty from players when the club has a fire-sale policy at the end of each season. Essentially it becomes a case of ā€˜great effort everyone! Now, whilst half the team head off for higher salaries to play in bigger competitions, you guysā€¦erā€¦work harder!ā€™

I can understand if Fonte figures ā€˜bollocks to thisā€™ and wants out.

Iā€™d still be surprised if he actually goes in January but I must admit, that would certainly explain everything in terms of why he isnā€™t playing in the Ropey league games.

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Sais it for years and got called a moaning bastard and ypu can check all that, what it the point? What is the point of an academy when we can do a West Brom far easier? We are just a ficking shop window, the better we do the more punished we are as supporters, we play a 2nd string team in Europe as we worship at the altar of the English Leagues years after trying to get into it, what are our goals and what are we as a club about?

It like our policy as a club is to shit on the fans and spit in the face of our OAP supporters. We have an academy that has produced great players and then we simply give them away to anyone who wants them. Whatā€™s the point? When players come to us itā€™s like they are unable to play two or three games in a week anymore. Iā€™d much rather play the second string and keep the billy big bollock ā€œstarsā€ in the under 23 squad, though knowing our luck, theyā€™d probably be spotted there as well. Letā€™s play the youth, but not the good ones who might get spotted and sold, letā€™s play the shit ones who arenā€™t ever going to make it. See if anyone wants to buy them. Les Reed or Puel or someone needs to make it clear to any quality player that we sign that they will not be allowed to move onto a bigger club for more money and then we just stick to our guns. I donā€™t care if VVD is the best CB we have had in decades or that heā€™s good enough to play for Barcelona now, he should be told he CANNOT leave and that he should forget any of his personal aspirations. Iā€™m sure we would still be able to make quality signings if we made it clear that we would be rejecting offers from the big clubs for them. A lot of people just think footballers are money mad bellends, but I know that loyalty is actually really important to them and that they would only ever sign for us if they loved us.

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I think the issue is that the problem isnā€™t unique to us.

Would West Brom, West Ham, Stoke or Sunderland have held onto Lallana, Lovren, Mane, Aldeweireld, Clyne, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Wanyama etc.?

Meh, no. *shrug*

I see he made a huge impact on the game when he came on todayā€¦in Bournemouthā€™s favour!

No of course not but they donā€™t produce what we do and why would they when theyā€™ll be sold and its looks bad on the club anyway as a selling one, its all well and good producing players to survive but the premier league money means we donā€™t have to do that, so whats the point weā€™re in reality no better to when I used to go to every game in the early 90ā€™s, bar it was better then and an awful lot cheaper.

Well thatā€™s the trouble with modern football Iā€™m afraid. Its completely hierarchical. If youā€™re a club like us and you come across someone good your reward is to have them play for you for a couple of seasons before you cash in and help yourselves to some profit.

How exactly do you force players to stay? Put them in the reserve team or insist that they see out their contract and that they wonā€™t be paid if they refuse to play? Great. Now the team morale is obliterated and whatā€™s worse, no-one will sign for you if they know that theyā€™ll be forced to stay at Saints even if their dream move comes in.

I must admit, it does make me far less passionate about football overall, knowing that weā€™ve more-or-less hit our peak, but thatā€™s the reality. I donā€™t think thereā€™s much of an element of any real choice at play here.

Not playing in the Euros is probably the most telling bit of circumstantial evidence. Whether agreement or someone having a sulk, I expect that means heā€™s not cup tied.

Was he ever named in the Europa squad?

I think also the lack of signing a new contract is a big marker!!

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I still canā€™t my head around what United even see in a 33-year-old Fonte. A poor defence isnā€™t even their main problem. Their issue is that they canā€™t seem to score a second goal when theyā€™ve got their noses in front, even against opponents that to be fair, theyā€™ve been outplaying well enough.

Today was a prime example, and last week against West Ham they had 69 minutes to get a winner.

Against Arsenal (and going further back, against Stoke) they should have got a second goal at 1-0 up at home. Against Burnley they kept a clean sheet and dominated the game but missed a tonne of chances. The only match where its been the defence thatā€™s been found wanting was the 4-0 demolition against Chelsea, and I very much doubt Fonte would have exactly saved the day there.

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Nope cannot see it. Has been our policy to not let players go in January and I do not think that will change.

yep he has been on the bench in the first 2 games. Injured for the last one.

Heā€™s off.

I think it would have happened in the summer if we had been able to get our desired replacement. Has looked to me like we have been protecting an asset all season.

I will be happy for him to go, if we get a decent amount to put towards a younger replacement.

Ruben Semedo, please(letā€™s keep it Portuguese).

Agree, I canā€™t see the club sanctioning a transfer as big as that in January, especially our Captain. If heā€™s going, itā€™ll be in the summer. However I could see us bringing in his replacement in the next window if heā€™s available at a decent price - like Austin was for example.

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