The Southampton fans have been incredibly downbeat in the Transfer Tavern of late due to their side’s poor form in the Premier League and the failure of their board to sack Mauricio Pellegrino in light of their results.
Southampton suffered their 11th defeat of the season on Sunday against Liverpool at Saint Mary’s Stadium in a fixture which always looked likely to end in victory for the travelling Reds. The result has left the Saints in 18th place in the Premier League with just 11 fixtures remaining to rectify their situation and steer towards safety.
The atmosphere at the club has been characterised by a combination of frustration and bewilderment in recent weeks due to Southampton’s failure to effectively reinvest the funds accumulated from the sale of Virgil Van Dijk. After receiving a whopping £75 million for the Dutch international, The Saints were widely tipped to sign a handful of players to bolster Pellegrino’s options and ensure the club retain their top-flight status.
However, by the end of the transfer window they had only completed the signing of Guido Carrillo from Monaco, much to the frustration of the expectant supporters. The club attempted to lift the spirits of the supporters yesterday by announcing that their 18-year-old right back Yan Valery had signed a contract extension with the club until 2020 via their official Twitter page.
#SaintsFC‘s Yan Valery signs a new deal to keep him at the club until June 2020.
Congratulations, Yan! https://t.co/lrLZHcBtc0
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 12, 2018
In response to the post, the Southampton supporters were quick to criticise the board for their failure to respond to their recent results by sacking Pellegrino. And a handful of fans have rather bitterly suggested that Valery can look forward to playing his football in the Championship next season.
Here’s what the Southampton fans had to say in response to the club post…
Knows he’s got game time in the championship
— Ed (@Sainted7) February 12, 2018
"Keep him at the club until 2020?" Bants. Does poorly, leaves. Does well, sold. No faith or confidence in this club whatsoever. Life draining from it as we speak. Quality player, not sure why he would want to stay here. All so very sad.
— Bannerman (@saintbannerman) February 12, 2018
Yep. Will be 1st choice when Pied goes and Cedric sold. Good player. 1 good season and will be off anyway.
— Bannerman (@saintbannerman) February 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/pennysaintsfc/status/963052000261935104
Preparing for the championship
— GREG (@gregoryjkennedy) February 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/Nathanmarks333/status/963050309928017920
Preparations to sell off @ryanbertrand3 & Cedric well underway then. And life to begin in the Championship. The incompetence of those in charge is rediculous.Sell off the assets,buy cheap replacements.atleast this fella will get game time in the lower leagues with us.
— David Comlay (@DavidComlay) February 12, 2018
Dont care until #pellegrinoout
— Geoff White (@altoniansaint) February 12, 2018
This isn't the announcement I was hoping for
— Elliot (@ElliotsTweets) February 12, 2018
