qwertyell

Hull manager: "At the end it succeeded because we scored three beautiful goals, especially with crosses, because when we analysed Southampton they struggled with controlling the players in the box." So... what the fuck were our much vaunted analysts up to in the build up to the game? Certainly not noting that we can't defend crosses for shit.

There's just no joined up thinking, on or off the pitch. We signed a tall, quick centre back because the ones we had were slow and weak in the air, and he can't make the bench. We supposedly want to press with high energy, but signed an idle number 10 who won't or can't do that. We lump the ball up in the air to 5' 7" strikers, and pass it along the ground to 6' 4" strikers. It makes no difference anyway because they're all absolute garbage. And the keeper remains a liability, after we loaned out our first choice and brought in a new third choice. Maybe we're going to do a Luton after all. What a sorry state.

Terrible. A team that thinks it's premier league in all but name against a huff and puff league one rabble, and it's only the rabble that know what they're doing. Can't press. Defensive line is too deep, because our apparent first choice centre backs are deathly slow. The centre back we signed for his pace can't make the bench. Just panicky lumping the ball away upfield like it's a live hand grenade within seconds of gaining possession. No shape. No patterns of play. No sign of that playmaker from Boro. It's so poor across the board. That Russian owner was right - we're not good enough for his players. At the moment we look like we'd be a step down for some Portsmouth players. It can't get much worse in the second half, can it? Won the transfer window and ended up worse again. What a club.

Love this point in the transfer window where people try to convince themselves that options we had at the club all along that have thus far not been the ticket are now *fine*. The manager wanted two starting wingers. If we only get one, that's us compromised until January.

I know the manager has said he's playing three at the back because we lack wingers in the squad, but I think he really just doesn't rate any of our centre backs in a two. And with some justification. Any combination of Stephens, Harwood-Bellis, and Edwards has no pace. Pairing one of them with quick but clumsy giraffes Quarshie or Wood might add a missing attribute to the unit, but at the expense of composure and security. Bedding Quarshie into the team in a three with a view to moving to a two when he settles down a bit seems to have been abandoned after a couple of chaotic outings. They're not getting any protection from an inadequate midfield either - Downes is no DM: his whole career has been based around being a Russell Martin 6 in teams that concede 60+ goals a season. Some head scratching to be done by the manager to find a workable balance between defence and attack. It's nowhere near at the moment.

Hope our business isn't done already. Squad still looks unbalanced - and we're carrying a few too many "he'll be fine for the Championship" types, based on what they did two years ago, not what they offer today. I mean, I'm sure they will be "fine" for this league - I don't think we'll get relegated - but if we want to win it, fine won't be enough.

Thierry Small called up by England u21s. Looked for all the world like your typical talent waster who never really improves on their early promise, kicks around the lower leagues for a while, and then vanishes. But since leaving us, he's put in the work and started to get back on track. Fair play to the lad. Dibling and Max Alleyne in the squad too, completing the ex-Saint trifecta.

Guardian (Jacob Steinberg) reporting £35m, £3m in add-ons, and 15% sell on clause.

That'll be the journeyman winger from Lens.

We're really going all in on the idea that Bundesliga 2 promise is better value than Championship promise. Financially, I'm sure it makes sense - there's some outrageously overpriced dross in England. But does cheaper mean better on the pitch (where it actually counts)? Good luck to him. Whoever the fuck he is.

Well that certainly got better the longer it went on. Started to look like a cohesive unit at times. Nice to have a bit of positivity going into a crucial week.

Was just about to say I liked Matsuki's energy. Turns out he's got a foot like a traction engine too.

Depends on if you think being named QPR's (finishing position: 15th) young player of the year means anything. For context, the winner for the previous two seasons was prolific striker Sinclair Armstrong for scoring 4 in 40 (23/24) and 0 in 24 (22/23). He's since joined Bristol City (3 in 38 in 24/25).

Standards, meh. Who gives a fuck? I suppose that is Saints' unofficial motto.

How do you even manage to downgrade your third choice goalkeeper? It feels like you'd have to deliberately try to worsen the squad.