Southampton supporters have been slightly more upbeat in the Transfer Tavern this week after seeing their side produced a much-improved display to draw 1-1 at home to Champions League-chasing Tottenham on Sunday.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s men have endured a miserable run of form of late in failing to win any of their preceding ten Premier League matches, in which time they picked up just five points out of a possible 30 to slip into the relegation zone. And although they were unable to end that winless run, the Saints produced a decent display in drawing with Spurs last weekend, with Davinson Sanchez’s own goal giving the hosts an early lead only for Harry Kane to equalise three minutes later.
Subsequently, there have been some satisfied Southampton fans in the Tavern in recent times, although many are sincerely hoping that their team will bolster their ranks between now and January 31 in a bid to pull clear of the bottom three.
However, one man who won’t be on his way to St Mary’s is Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge, as the Reds have reportedly blocked a move from the Saints to take the 28-year-old on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
And with the South Coast outfit evidently in need of attacking reinforcements, having managed just 24 goals in 24 Premier League games this term, this is likely to come as blow to manager Pellegrino, yet that view has not been shared by several Southampton fans on Twitter…
Wouldn’t want sturridge even if we could afford his wages
— Paul Andrews (@andrews208619) January 23, 2018
He’s the last player I’d want in our situation to be fair.
— Alec Smith (@whostheduke) January 23, 2018
It’s all well and good being linked to Walcott and Sturridge, but did #saintsFC REALLY ever have a chance? Surely the board already knew the most likely answer, knowing that we’d struggle financially.
I can only hope these rumours are acting as a smokescreen for other deals. https://t.co/y89xTk7rqV
— Aidan Small (@MrAidanSmall) January 23, 2018
Glad #saintsfc walked away from that deal, if true. If Sturridge wasn’t susceptible to millions of injuries, he’d totally be worth £30m. But then Liverpool also probably wouldn’t be quite so keen to sell. https://t.co/aBWb6T6vHs
— Lucy Highnett (@lucyhighnett) January 23, 2018
Another example of the pointlessness of persuing players from big clubs now. Because they overpay for everything, they want ridiculous money for players they don’t even want.
— Glen de la Cour (@L1minus10) January 24, 2018
Walcott I think we could’ve got if we’d been willing to pay the cash. But the fee and wages for Sturridge are insane and I agree with the board. We’ve been in too much financial trouble too recently to risk going over the edge again.
— Flonkey (@floppy_donkeys) January 23, 2018
Signing him really would be a very expensive gamble. In saints current situation they can not afford to be taking such risks. If he could have a good run of form he could be good but I can’t help but think he would just be joining Charlie Austin in the treatment room
— Alistair Moger (@alistairmoger) January 23, 2018
Southampton fans… what do you think? Let us know!
