Ex Lion Tamer

Everyone is so keen to point out that possession doesn't win games but I don't think even Russell Martin is saying that. He just believes it's a way of enhancing your chances. Everyone knows you still have to create chances and put the ball in the net

I do agree about Romeu in the sense that it left us badly short when Lavia got injured. My point really was despite have some excellent players in the squad, we were badly short in key positions. Any average manager would struggle to keep that team up, we needed someone who could get them playing well above their ability to have any hope, as Ralph had in the past (at times).

We went down because we didn't sign a quality goalkeeper and striker. The rest is window dressing

Is there ever a situation where an option to buy is helpful to the selling club? I can't see it

It's different when you're dealing with a human being in person who you like and appreciate

That'll teach West Ham to low ball us

I think JWP will go. The club want to reward his service and good attitude and will accept an increased bid later in the window

I have reservations about AA as our main centre forward but there's no point selling him for £8m. We need some squad depth

Umpire's call was my thought as well. There's no point worrying about someone being an inch offside, just get the howlers

Re Tella, there's such a difference between being open to a move and actively wanting one. He might leave but I could easily see him staying

Adam Armstrong? I worry about Che leading the line for a whole season, even at this lower level. He's best when he has something to prove and isn't seen as the main man Selling him now and picking up someone like Piroe would make a lot of sense

I think the main problem is that teams are going to sit back against us in a way they didn't again Blackburn in his breakout season. He's not the kind of player to break down a massed defence

JWP has won us that game

Yes Che

Should have come on earlier in that case

Oh well here he comes

Che would be doing a better job here but obviously his head isn't in the right place

KWP is quality

It's baked into our system that all that ball chasing tires the opposition in the second half. Hopefully the second goal will come

Edozie can go past players with such ease at this level. Just needs end product

Really nice zip in our passing, not the ponderous stuff we feared

I'm taking this article with a heavy pinch of salt. Newcastle have been briefing all through this process that the deal is close even when it wasn't, and there's a fair chance that Tino actually is injured

It's almost as if managers aren't committed to speaking wholly truthfully in press conferences

Are there keepers out there we could sign at Championship level who are good with their feet and also consistently good shot stoppers?

Why would you expect this though? Has it ever happened? To any club even, let alone Saints? Still needing to ship players out after the season had begun was as sure as night follows day because teams won't raise their bids to what they should be until late on in the window. I agree it may affect our performances which is shit but there was never any changing it. And it can run both ways - we have some excellent players still with the club who will otherwise leave.