Dusic

One thing is certain, Spurs aren't going to take their £40m+ option to sign Vinicius. They will be in the market for Ings, without doubt.

Seems like the injured players are starting to come back which is good. Arguably the only area we are light is full back, so possibly this Arsenal game has come at a good time, in that Vokins and likely Valery will play and will really show how urgent the requirement is. Also it is clear we will only bring in a loan that we feel we can buy if we want to, and that makes total sense IMO.

His recent injury record is pretty good. He pretty much plays 90mins every game for us and I can't recall any lengthy muscle injuries in the last 18 months or so. Running his contract down gives him more options rather than fewer and he can't base his career on the possibility he might get a bad injury - its a risk all footballers have.

The LB selection will be interesting. If it isn't Vokins then that will be very telling about Ralph's view on him. Otherwise I don't see many changes as quite simply there aren't any we can make that don't reduce out chances of a win. Sounds like some of the injured players will be back soon, so if anyone needs a rest then wait til they can come in.

I interpret the Semmens comments as Ings intending to run his contract down to keep his options open, which he is perfectly entitled to. Happy at the club and professional but no intention to sign a new deal at this stage. Not really sure his comments can be interpreted as good news or bad news, its basically confirming much of what has been reported. Very similar comments to those said re Hojbjerg's contract and situation. Perhaps a compromise would be a sensible release clause that becomes valid summer 2022? Therefore we get 18months from him at which point he can move and we get our investment back to allow us to replace him.

Now that Jaidi's secondment has finished, it begs the question why they called it a secondment considering he clearly hasnt returned to the club? Presumably his return was never the plan?

The Mourinho comments are a thinly veiled attempt to hide interest. Yes Kane is no1 striker. Yes Son is no 3 striker. But the no2 striker Vinicius is only on loan has an option of approx £35m and Mourinho seemingly doesn't rate him if game time is anything to go on, so very unlikely they would be signing him permanently. Mourinho favours experienced players and if they can save 10m by going for Ings whilst also upping the homegrown number - its an absolute no brainer move.

Didn't he come back as ALWAYS_SFC?

With a nod to David Connolly, who would you bring back from the dead/elsewhere/other forums? Where is Roger these days? Or that wazza from Dubai?

Will be interesting to see when the usual SWF player opinion shift will begin. The one where, like with Hojberg, he goes from being good to woeful once it becomes clear he will be leaving. Won't play at the team he joins, not a top 6 player etc. Not as good as N'Lundulu. Adams makes him look good. He was only good because of Ralph and Aleks Gross etc etc. I reckon April this year.

IMO there is no way Ings would sign a new contract in Jan/Feb and leave in June or July. He would seem like a snake and Saints would look pathetic given how much they would herald his new deal as a massive statement. Plus any interested clubs would be telling Ings now not to sign a new contract as it forces up the price of he does and probably ends their interest as they could get him for half if he doesn't sign. The fact he hasnt signed yet surely means he knows who wants him, and the best thing to move is to not sign. What will happen is either: A.) He signs and stays for at least 18months B.) He doesn't sign and we are essentially forced to sell this summer.

Thats very true. The frustration with Ings is that we would probably end up selling him for the same or less than we paid for him, which given his huge increase in performance level and the current level he is at, is somewhat disasterous for our business model as we will be really hampered in replacing him, and in his case it is undeniable that he has been solely responsible for a good chunk of points. Also his standing in the fanbase and fact he is a local lad would make it even more of a blow, as he has a genuine connection with the club and fans and that is rare to find these days. Not a huge amount we can do about it, but it would be a massive blow, on and off the pitch.

Appears they are a well supported club in Ghana so quite a big deal over there.

No, and doesn't sound like Ralph does either deep down. Genuinely tough for Ings, I am sure. But imagine he could get moves to at least two of the top 6 on big money and with a chance to end his career winning stuff. Hard to turn down if you know its available. But would be a huge, huge blow to Saints even the likely small fee we would get, goals we would miss and also the signal it sends Ralph and other key players.

Its a strange one because Dan Sheldon says on Twitter that its not about the money and that Ings would be our highest paid player if he signs. So if its not about the money, and Ings wants to stay then what else is there, aside from probably interest from others or wanting to know more about what Saints plans are? I mean, if I were Ings I woulf be wanting a.) Top money b.) Assurance there is money to sustain the teams performance c.) Assurance from Hasenhuttl that he isn't about to leave at the end of the season. Ultimately its a big decision and his main real chance to move again in his prime. Sure its a very difficult decision for him.

Latest RH quotes on contracts don't sound hopeful. Ings - sounds like a case of "well if I move I can get x so why should I accept your offer of y." As soon as the manager talks about the future without the player its never a good sign. Bertrand - suspect he wants 3 yrs and we want to offer 2, shich is sensible.

It would be peak Saints to buy Ings as an injury prone but talented player with something to prove, for £20m, see him develop into one of the PL's best strikers and then be forced to sell him for approx £20m.

And would cost us to replace, when arguably we already need to sign a full back with Bertrand obviously still here.

With a year left and a clear indication from Ings that he wasn't going to sign a new contract, his value would plummet. Teams would know that we had to sell him, and in the end I think he would go for £20m tops because we would have an awful negotiating position, like with Hojbjerg. Hopefully he does sign!

9.14% on that substantial loan. Ouch, and relegation before that is due would be disasterous. Listening to the interview Steele makes it sound like in a non Covid time we could have flogged Lemina, Hoedt, Elyounoussi etc for transfer fees. I would suggest that would not have been the case. Also says if we can generate revenue in the summer market we can then reinvest it - but who do we have to sell who isn't a key player who is actually worth anything?

If Utd were that bothered about loaning out Williams to give him game time then there wouldnt be a huge logic in getting him cup tied. Can imagine he will get a good few games at Utd considering they have EL as well.

Top clubs would be stupid not to be looking at Ralph. His success at Saints has been earned and he has shown he can get a team playing to a specific style and improve players, whilst also coming across very well to supporters and the media. I just hope that when the time comes and he does leave, that it can be done in a respectful way that keeps his reputation here intact. If so, and he gets a great opportunity in the future then fair play - its been a mutually brilliant appointment.

The Shrewsbury statement says they have reluctantly informed the FA that they are unable to fulfil the fixture. Therefore would expect Saints to be given a bye.

This, it does seem very speculative. Such a shame he has picked up an injury now. Sure Ralph will be asked about it pre-Shrewsbury. Salisu has also been the victim of Vestergaard's transformation and latterly Stephens taking his chance.

Probably because we don't.