Ronald Koeman addressed the media on Thursday ahead of Saints' Barclays Premier League trip to West Ham on Saturday.
Here are the key points from the briefing:
On West Ham…
“I didn’t watch West Ham-Southampton [last season] but I watched West Ham versus Spurs and Crystal Palace, and they’ve had a good start. They’re an aggressive team, and play in a physical way, different to our philosophy. It’s always difficult to beat that type of team, and it will be the same on Saturday.”
On the fitness of the players…
“Two or three players are out, the same as before. [Lloyd] Isgrove is not in a good physical way to play but the rest who missed the last game against Millwall are fine and good for Saturday.”
On whether there could be more business before the transfer window closes…
“I hope so. We work very hard to bring in one or two new players in different positions but still at the moment that is not done and I cannot say anything about that.
“It’s always difficult to start the season and you can still bring in new players and lose some players. That’s part of the job and the best is that we pass September 1 and you can really start the season.
“It’s difficult for me as the manager of Southampton but also for the rest of the managers.”
On the possibility of signing Toby Alderweireld…
“It’s not realistic.”
On the possibility of signing Andros Townsend…
“It’s difficult because it’s one of the players on our list but it’s very difficult and I don’t expect good news about that.
“You can’t say completely because it’s football.”
On reports that Gastón Ramírez and Jack Cork could depart…
“No because our squad is too small to think about players going out of the squad because we have to bring in and not let players out.
“He (Ramírez) is a very good player because I know him, I see him, in the training sessions but he had a big problem. He missed two times in a week in the first six or seven weeks of the season and then you are always back with your physical way and your football way and you need time for that.
“Little by little now I hope he will continue fit and in a good shape because there is no doubt about his quality.
“There are a lot of rumours about Jack as well and he is still a player of Southampton and he will stay.
“Training and playing like he is now and there will come a moment that the club will decide about his future but it’s too early to say others things than I can do now at the moment.”
On England chances for Nathaniel Clyne and James Ward-Prowse in the future…
“I think yes because both players are English players and play at Premier League level and in my opinion Clyne out of his position of right full back is playing very good. He’s an offensive right full back with a great future in front.
“Ward-Prowse is still young, in the under-21 squad, and it’s a great future for him if he keeps his ambitions and this quality then a call will come for the national team.
“It depends on the players. As a coach I always choose the best players for the line-up and Hodgson will do the same for the national team.
“You have to show your qualities on the pitch and if you do that then you will be near.”
Share this: