Dusic

Would have been better off picking Cardigan Connor than Tom Prest, who just seems like he can't buy a run.

Downes was pretty much the best player in his position last time in this league. I wouldn't be dropping him as soon as there is another viable option but rather hoping the presence of that option will see him up his game. In that position I am more interested to see whether we can get Shea Charles to extend his contract to avoid being forced into a sale next summer (regardless of whether we go up or not). He looks like he can be a very good box to box midfielder and seems durable as well.

My starting XI would be the first one you have listed. Fellows knows the Championship so fine to throw him straight in but I don't think Scienza is even training with us yet and Fraser certainly doesn't deserve to be left out and you know he will be defensively switched on too. Good to have a stronger bench and some good options there but no need to throw in every new player to start at this stage.

Don't really see the point in making comparisons like this, especially as Dibling played a season of PL football whilst Robinson has only made a handful of pro apps to date. He has done well at times this season but shouldn't be put under pressure. Dibling is a top talent who has the physical power alongside high level technique to be a really standout player at the top level. He had moment lsst yesr against top defenders that most players would not be capable of, probably Robinson included. Shame they couldn't have played together for us this year but that is what relegation does.

Will take issue with these points: KWP we were extremely fortunate to have last time in the Championship and have replaced him with Roerslev who has been promoted from the Championship and played lots of games in the PL. In Armstrong's position we have Azaz who has the most goals and assists in the Championship since the start of 2023/4 season plus Fellows who got 14 assists in the league last year. In Adams' position we have Archer who has regularly scored at this level when he played for Boro, plus another two strikers in Downs and Stewart so more depth than we had last time out. CB we have kept THB who has successive promotions from this league plus currently have Ronnie Edwards as 5th choice CB - he would start for many teams. I wouldnt say that most of those mentioned haven't performed at this level - they all have and some have been amongst the best in their position in the league! Then depth wise it is ludicrously strong as emphasised by Edwards being 5th CB. We will have players not even making the bench who would start in almost every other team. Aside from the points above, IMO overall we have a stronger squad than last time, certainly in attacking areas and some players like Charles are significantly better than 2 years ago.

Is that actually him? Only 600 odd followers and mostly used to have a pop at people?

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/championship/transfers/wettbewerb/GB2 When you take a look at the overall ins and outs for the Championship it really highlights that our spending (and fees received) is, alongside Ipswich, a huge outlier when compared to the remaining teams. Many have only paid a fee for max of one or two players and some none at all. We can moan about not having an upgrade in goal or another striker but compared to the majority of squads we are ludicrously strong and certainly should have a massive chance to get automatic promotion.

Hard to rate until you have seen the new signings play but on paper it looks good and certainly we have a squad capable of automatic promotion. In particular I like the way this window has obviously been planned, we havent actually been linked strongly with that many players, seem to have done a lot of it quietly and every signing has a pretty clear purpose and fit to the team. We have been crying out for genuine change and we have that now - an opportunity for new key players to emerge and a nice mix of tried and tested and players that seem to be on the up. Also far less reliance on loans which is good and leaves PL loan spots free for Jan if needed.

Guess thet rate Sesay otherwise agree, don't see what we gain by loaning someone like Smallbone who got 7 league goals from midfield last time! Matsuki seems more suited to an advanced role but is also another option and perhaps more willing to have fewer minutes.

I think these options existed for Edozie about 3 weeks ago but not now, both those have strengthened in that area. If we need to use the likes of Edozie or Aribo in our squad this season its hardly a disaster, probably the best quality 'deadwood' of any Championship squad! Same applies to Smallbone who got 7 goals from midfield last time, not sure I would be in a hurry to loan that out to a potential promotion challenger.

I'm not overly bothered by Smallbone as its an area of the pitch we dont have huge depth in, but Bree and Taylor would be high on my list now we have Jelert. But yes, substantial change in most areas as was needed.

We have facilitated a huge amount of much needed change in the squad - it doesnt matter at which stage of the window. We all asked for a proper shake up and IMO we have done it. Unprecedented amount of departures with probably a couple more tomorrow and a good volume of players in - some considered amongst the best in their position from the Championship and some promising additions from outside. Really don't think we could have done much more.

Archer especially will score regularly with the right players around him IMO. He needs a run in the team. Ikone, who we have been linked with (probably pre Fellows) is joining Paris FC.

Reading between the lines of Still's comments post match, if we can shift Edozie and BBD we will bring in another wide left player. I guess if either stays we will use them as a decent option (Edozie) or squad filler (BBD). Aribo obviously hasnt gone anywhere and if he doesnt Im not too fussed tbh. Good at this level and certainly would have been a handy sub today.

Would be a shame to lose THB at this late stage. He has been promoted twice in a row and very good at this level. Pretty sure we would want well in excess of £25m which would surely put off any buyers unless they are totally desperate (that will be West Ham then...)

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.