qwertyell

I suppose there's two schools of thought. Either Chris Hughton (his international manager), Ruben Selles (his club manager), and Salisu himself were telling the truth when they stated that he was injured (based on the substance of either working with him or actually being him). Or some random internet nomarks have uncovered an inexplicable conspiracy of lies (based on some twitter innuendo). I wonder which of our other injuries over the course of the season weren't really injuries. Perhaps if I blocked out the microwaves with a tinfoil hat the answers would present themselves.

By being injured?

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/vinzenz-zschock/profil/spieler/455428

I think he comes across well, seems to have his head on straight. The transfer movement in and out isn't really in his control - seems like it's probably going to be a bit messy as to who stays, who goes, and who comes in right up until the end of the window. Such is the market and the consequences of getting relegated with an enormous squad of overpriced ballast. Personally, I'm suspicious of "philosophy" managers, who seem more obsessed with the purity of their vision than actually winning football matches. What if the squad we end up with can't - as is the case presently - pass out from the back under pressure? Do we just barrel on regardless, conceding ridiculously self-inflicted goals because the manager knows no other way, and shrug it off as the cost of playing "the right way"? What if "the right way" only gets us to mid-table? Is it still the right way? Time will tell if Martin is able to compromise, which I suspect he'll have to do at points if he wants to make it to Christmas.

Don't believe he's training out on the pitch yet after a serious hamstring twang at the end of the season.

I did think it was a weird link, as Fulham are supposedly looking for a ball playing centre back. Which, with all due respect, I'm not sure anyone would describe Salisu as even on his best day.

He was training with the first team squad during the first couple of weeks of pre season. Would almost certainly have played a role in the friendlies, given Doyle, Meghoma, Amo-Ameyaw and Dibling have. Sounds like it's just a minor knock and he'll be available soon.

Wasn't a "howler" per se, but his positioning on the first goal left a lot to be desired. Watch the replay from the behind the goal. It's something he does too much of: leaving the attacker about 2/3rds of the net to aim at because he's lost his bearings.

Started (going by the pictures on the official site) training out on the pitch with the first team squad this week, having previously been rehabbing in the gym.

That reminds me - bin bag needs changing.

No we won't. Norwich were quoting £30m+ last season for Aarons.

Larios actually out on the pitch. Wonder if he'll stay fit enough for us to find out if he's any good. Abu also part of the first team training.

People are massively underrating the championship if they think a guy who cannot even do the basics of defending will be "fine" for this level.

In defence of the forwards yesterday, what chances were created for them? Mara winning a (dubious) penalty was all his own work. As a team we aren't even providing scraps. It might be fair to lump the strikers into the mix as part of the overall problem - maybe they're not making the right runs or finding enough space in the box - but the service has been and continues to be nonexistent. Doesn't matter who is up front if we can't get the ball to them.

Yeah, he's not a winger. Just filling in there, I presume, because Djenepo is ill, Edozie is possibly injured, and Sulemana isn't match ready. Doesn't have the speed to play out wide. And he's bulked up a lot in the last year. If anything, he looks a bit too heavy. Always thought he was a 10. Might even go well as an 8 now he's built like a tank.

That wasn't championship quality goalkeeping. That was basic shit.

Dragan stopping by to see what the fuck all his money has been spent on.

Dibling started the Benfica friendly.

We'd probably have to match the £700k a week, tax free, the Saudis are allegedly offering. So, no.

Latibeaudiere is out of contract, so we wouldn't have to deal with Swansea. I think the Swansea fan who posted here said he was Martin's pet, and pretty crap - a defender picked for the "philosophy" rather than his actual defensive ability. Short for a CB.

Nicely done, relatively quick and under the radar (although it was obvious we were after him). The Swansea fan on here giving us the lowdown about Martin and the squad seemed to think Manning was a bit suspect defensively, but as he's only become a left back recently and seemingly excelled from the off, let's hope he continues to be a fast learner. Assuming Perraud is off - although, if he stayed we'd have some strong options down the left - I wonder who'll be back up at LB. Trust Larios to get and stay fit? Promote Meghoma from the 18s (he's been training with the first team all pre season - not like we haven't given a 17 year old LB a go with success in the past)? Or will the enigmatic Thierry Small step up and show that he can be the player he is in his head?

No chance - Villa's midfield is absolutely stacked. Kamara, Dendoncker, Douglas Luiz in the 6; McGinn, Ramsey, and Tielemans in the 8. (Not counting Nakamba and Sanson, who may or may not be moving on.) Then they've got further options in the 10 with Coutinho and Buendia. Where's Prowse going to play, right back?

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/15-youngsters-sign-academy-scholarships Abdulhalim Okonola-Matthews Aston Daley Barnaby Williams Ben Sheaf Henry Upstell James Martin Jay Robinson Moses Sesay Jayden Moore Josh Pitts Max Fry Nicholas Oyekunle Sufianu Sillah Dibaga Tevin Myers Tommy Dobson-Ventura What ever happened to that Spanish-sounding attacker who was about 15 but looked 35 and was a goal machine in the youths and England u15/16?

Maybe mustard has a different meaning among the developmentally bereft.

Finnigan and Bragg (both midfielders) joining the other youth Ballard, Dibling, Doyle, Meghoma and Amo-Ameyaw. Good to see the manager getting them involved. Think Finnigan was well regarded by the Crewe supporters during his loan last season.