Dusic

Some of the takes on the Spors thread looks spectacularly bad now. As ever, 90% of transfer business is done in the last 10 days of August but its looks like we have been laying the groundwork of this for a long time and just waiting for the pieces to fall into place. Sign Scienza and don't lose anyone else and it looks pretty decent and certainly one of the top two squads on paper. Over to Will Still and the players then...

Sounds like Fellows isnt sure about leaving/doesn't really want to leave but they want the cash. Not much Saints can do if that is the case but wait for him to decide and then get someone else if he says no (Kone, Guilavogui etc). Scienza plays on the other side so not really a factor.

Did anyone really expect Fernandes to stay? He will be offered a huge wage increase, chance to play PL football, chance of a World Cup place etc - its a credit to him that he has played for us this season, most players in the same position would have downed tools. At over £40m its a good fee, can cover the relegation shortfall and allow some additions to help us be overall stronger for a promotion push. Quite simply, if you want to keep players like Fernandes (and Dibling) then don't ger relegated - once we did exits were inevitable.

Pointless IMO. Aribo is a good player at this level, pretty versatile and capable of scoring. The reason to let him go is because he has a year left so if we get £5m or so for him then fair enough but loaning him only to have to replace him would be stupid. We might as well keep him as he would be useful.

Would have preferred Spertsyan but was never going to happen so this seems a good deal. Hopefully can ads a couple of wide players now and then no excuses really. When all fit its surely 3 from 4 of Downes, Charles, Fernandes and Azaz although wouldnt suprise me if he played up front on occassion!

If Fernandes does stay (I am still sceptical), how would you fit Charles, Downes, Fernandes and a new #10 into the lineup? Would seem to be very difficult and all those players would see themselves as starters and rightly so. As an aside, intetesting that that there were zero questions post match from either the Echo or Solent about incomings. Pretty bizarre for midweek in final week of the window. Imagine some kind of agreement not to ask.

Azaz seems likely for the #10 role as Boro seemingly not that fussed to keep him if they get £12m or so. Championship proven as many value.

I don't care who the #3 keeper is because they are just a training aid and will never play. The most reckless thixng Spors could be doing is blowing cash on a 3rd choice keeper, it would be entirely pointless. A cheap loan makes sense, spend the cash where it is needed.

Pointless getting worked up about a 3rd choice GK. Was always going to be a Joe Lumley type who will never really play.

Sure others will de-cry but IMO £35m + £5m add ons for our best academy prospect in a generation is a terrible fee. Pretty much any PL English player with potential starts with a 3 these days and Dibling is a huge talent who will not be worth less in 10 years. As soon as he signs his Everton contract his value will probably double. Difficult situation for the club due to relegation and contract status but anyone who knows can see the ability he has and showed in ludicrous circulstances last season. That is why we are currently unserious and miles behind where we were 10 years or so ago.

Looks where that shot hits the net. Its right in the side netting just next to the post. Excellent finish and to stop that would be a worldie save. More of an issue is how easy it was for a GK to throw the ball and create a 1vs1 situation that lead to the shot. So far this season Bazunu has played well, but understand that because he was unconvincing last time any goal he lets in will be viewed with scepticism. Overall there is a lot of hyperbole right now about SR, Spors etc but the time to judge is next Tuesday once we know what has happened. Still has consistently outlined what he wants and Spors has happily said in public that he is accountable for all football decisions so it will be very clear who to blame if this window does end badly and that clarity of accountability is a good thing that has been lacking here for a while.

The main open links that seem potentially plausible then are: Scienza - right footed creative player mostly from left. V good chance creation and dribbling stats from Bundesliga Azaz - no10. Known quantity for Boro but obviously not one of our primary targets for this position Guilavogui - right sided forward. Powerful and direct if not the most refined. Known to Still but not the most instantly appealing. Spertsyan - clearly the no1 target for no10 but now seems unlikley which is a shame as looks a cracking player I reckon we will end up with two of these four plus a loan that hasn't yet been mentioned.

Still very clear post game that he wants a #10 and a few wingers who can score. One week to get them... Anyone who want a £15m no9 is going to be disappointed and I agree that creativity and overall threat is more of an issue. Still has openly said we are only playing this system because we don't have those players so when we do then its up to him to pick the best forward(s) we have to play with them.

Agree - the Spertsyan situation is fruatrating because he obviously wants to join and Still clearly wants him as top target having also been in for him at Lens. Seems (and always has) highly unlikely, but he does look like someone who would be a gamechanger in our team.

Looks a good fee on paper but in reality he won't be worth less again until he is in his mid 30s and most of the cash will just go on bridging the gap in TV revenue. Hugely talented player - in a year that could look like a great deal for Everton. From our side we had no choice because we got relegated and need to raise cash to plug 100m shortfall which is why Fernandes will also go once offers are upped.