Dusic

https://targetscouting.com/2025/01/31/damion-downs-1-fc-koln-scout-report/#:~:text=Downs stands at an impressive,constant physical presence in duels. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/2bundesliga/news/damion-downs-who-is-cologne-s-american-youth-international-forward-23960 Definitely seems to have some decent attributes - one to monitor, especially with a seemingly affordable fee.

He wouldn't have taken the job without being comfortable with the composition of his staff. Having someone with extensive experience of the EFL and prior managerial experience too is a nice balance. Zero benefit for Saints to be forcing anyone on him so I'm sure he is fully behind it and any future appointments. Also interesting in that he was working with Rob Edwards at Luton until he was sacked and Edwards is being heavily linked with Middlesbrough and Bristol City.

And Smallbone? Guy scored the the 2nd most important goal of the season and assisted the most important. Sure he might struggle at PL level but he was good in the Championship. If you would base a judgement of Spors on Smallbone starting a football match in the Championship then I think thats more than a little OTT.

The point is to have a bigger pool of players who are able to generate value/profit. If Juan turns into a player who can be sold for £5m its £5m extra on the books, which in the PSR world is massive. If Matsuki ends up playing for us next season its saved on paying a fee for someone. If neither happens we have barely lost a penny as they were cheap to acquire. We see these days mid table sides buying young talents for £20m+ and loaning them out to develop. The idea is to find these players for less, sign them earlier and have somewhere to put them whilst their value increases or they meet WP criteria. At this stage there has only really been one year of the model - since Goztepe got promoted. Once Valenciennes make it back to Ligue 2 it will give another useful option - it all takes time to realise a benefit. Nowadays its is so hard to make profits on academy players because the ones good enough to make a PL career tend to be poached before they make a debut (Gomes, Miles, Alleyne etc) and instead the poachers like City and Chelsea are the ones that profit. This is our way of trying to compete. Whether it works or not who knows, but its too early to judge after basically one season of it in operation. @S-Clarke its good Goztepe did well as means they stay playing at a decent level which clearly benefits the above. The fact we got relegated has zero to do with anything related to Goztepe.

No different than...getting promoted again?

Whats he been like when you have seen him, can you see why clubs might be keen or is he just poor allround? Must admit I have never heard of him but it seems Monaco paid €20m for him as a teenager (probably funded by Carrilo...) so he must have something?

I'm sure @dazstevnson1953 is right across the multi million pound dealings in the world of football. Of course he is.

Dont see us having 4 CBs under 22!

Big Jhon has a while to think about this.

On Armstrong. Certainly wouldn't be getting rid to anyone in our league and not sure who else could afford fee and wages who might actually want him?

Aribo is a quality player at our level so not someone I would mind staying but equally can see why he may want to move on. Certainly wouldn't be getting rid for nothing or extremely low value though - he has good availability and seems like a good character too. The whole benefit we have as a relegated side is in theory some players who are better than the level, or at least top end quality at the level and I think Aribo is probably one of those. We will need to keep some of our better players.

Nice show of faith from Charlton in a manager who selflessly dropped two divisions to bring them back towards where they belong. From the Rhonda Valley to the Addicks Valley - good things happen to good believers.

@Fabrice29

If they finish 4th in the Championship this season there will be a major inquest!