Southampton vs Newcastle preview - Koeman: Boruc must fight for place

Posted Friday, September 12, 2014 by PA

Artur Boruc was "disappointed" Southampton signed Fraser Forster but can still fight for a St Mary's future, according to Ronald Koeman.

Saints manager Koeman has conceded Boruc leaving the south coast club in the transfer window would have best suited all parties.

However, the former Feyenoord boss says he is open-minded to Poland stopper Boruc forcing his way past England man Forster and back into Saints' starting line-up.

"I've had a good conversation with Artur," said Koeman, ahead of Saturday's home Premier League clash with Newcastle.

"Of course he was a little bit disappointed about the future, because we spoke about that and the best for him was playing in another team.

"Finally he's a player for Southampton and he knows we start again, we start like we did at the beginning of the season.

"If he shows the spirit and ambition we expect from every player he can always change his situation."

Koeman revealed he sat Boruc down this week and talked through the main reasons for the club recruiting Forster from Celtic.

The ex-Ajax coach would not stand in Boruc's way if he seeks a move in the January transfer window, but said he will not close off his chances of first-team football.

"He's a Southampton player, he has a contract in Southampton and he was always the number one," said Koeman.

"He's a good goalkeeper, but I explained why we signed Forster.

"And okay, and if he shows me his spirit, what I tried to explain, then maybe he will play again.

"It depends on a lot of situations and possibilities, but we have to wait for that."

Despite Saints' well-documented summer talent drain, Koeman is now confident he has the strength and depth required for a competitive Premier League campaign.

"Yes I'm very happy about that, there were a lot of changes from the summer, but that's okay," he said.

"Finally on the last moment we brought two players in, and I'm happy with our squad.

"The club did a great job to bring in that quality of player, and we have a good squad to be really competitive with the rest of the teams.

"In my opinion you need 25 players, three or four can be young players to develop and play in the Under-21s, but at least you 20 good Premier League players.

"And now we have that.

"Finally we can work to develop all the players and our team."

Koeman will give new forward Sadio Mane every chance to return from international duty in time for his Southampton debut.

Striker Mane had to detour via Ghana on his return to England after scoring in Senegal's 2-0 midweek victory in Botswana, due to work permit regulations.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew insists he can see the bigger picture as he tries to head off a yet another revolt on Tyneside.

The Magpies head for the south coast yet to win a Premier League game this season and with the manager under fire once again after a summer transfer window which started positively, but ended with fans' favourite Hatem Ben Arfa being shipped out on loan to Hull and no last-minute arrivals.

Sources on Tyneside have denied claims that the 53-year-old has just two games in which to save his job, while speculation has suggested owner Mike Ashley is once again ready to sell in order to buy Rangers, although prospective purchasers remain as thin on the ground as they have been for the last six years.

But amid all the furore, Pardew, who this week received an 85 per cent disapproval rating in a newspaper poll of more than 5,000 people, is remaining steadfast.

He said: "Sometimes, when you're at a club for a long time - and I'm the second longest serving manager in the Premier League now - it becomes a little more difficult, especially at a club of this size.

"People ask, 'Why haven't you won a trophy?', but we haven't won a trophy at this club since 1969. It's very, very difficult.

"I have to try to look at the bigger picture - a bigger picture than the local media and some of our fans - but I also understand there's an immediate world we live in. Immediate results are important, and I can't take my eye off that either.

"But by the same token, I do have to have a bigger vision. I think we've got better, and we're a stronger club than when I arrived, a lot stronger. I don't know how else you can gauge it."

Midfielders Jack Colback and Cheick Tiote will return to the Newcastle squad.

Colback was forced to withdraw from England duty with a calf problem, from which he has recovered, while Tiote is available after proving his fitness following a hamstring injury by playing the full 90 minutes in both games for the Ivory Coast during the international break, much to Pardew's annoyance.