Chez

the original skate thread was pretty big.

It seems obligatory to regard new signings as 'great', unless they are third string keepers, obviously. Do these big championship to championship signings work out? I am mindful of Britt Assombalonga joining Boro for mega money and although he scored about 1 in 3 for them, he didn't really give them the payback they wanted. I guess our transfers have been varied. A couple of (raw) youngsters with lots of potential from Germany, an experienced PL reject and now a championship 'success'. It seems very hard to sign talent at this level, even with money.

If he and Aribo depart, do we have enough bodies? I guess how much Still rates Sesay will matter here. If he is seen as good enough to play at Championship level pretty much now, then we may have enough.

Will they overspend? They forked out £40m on Kilman which seemed a lot at the time. £50m seems high for this type of player for them.

The alternative route will only work if the likes of Downs, Quarshie and Aziz are good enough to get us promoted AND then step up to the PL.

Yeah, I just amended my post to include Stewart, as he is tall and lean like these guys. Omari Kellyman was mentioned on the transfer thread and he's another with that similar build. I mentioned trying to loan Lewis Miley from Newcastle...and he's another tall rangey player.

Downs, Quarshie and Guilavogiu all seem to be very similar builds and to a certain degree, similar styles of players. All tall and rangey, physical, quick. All look like genuine athletes. The squad has been in desperate need of this. We have had far too many small, slow, lightweight players. Roerslev seems a good build too...and Stewart's return adds some further height (he's another with a tall lean build). Obviously, ability on the ball is essential if you want to control games, but it should help us close gaps down and exploit spaces. At the very least (with a bit of luck) we'll stop conceding from set pieces and start scoring a few more at the other end.

The comment: "he is a passenger when out of possession and doesn't fit Edwards' pressing style" is a little concerning.

I'm not sure he is quite as dynamic as Stu was, who's touch and the pace he did things was 'stand out' at Championship level.

With Spertsyan, Kabore, Azaz, Rak-Sakyi and Guilavogui, there is plenty of transfer noise. You'd imagine at least one or two of these will happen.

He had no chance. It was overhit by Charles.

Roerslev seems to have impressed most, which is great news. I didn't watch the game, so have only seen the highlights. The couple of early chances from their left hand side made him look slightly laboured, which concerned me. Schlupp is pretty quick, I think, or does Roerslev lack a yard of pace?

I didn't watch last night, but our failure to provide adequate cover to the back four has been an issue for several seasons now. Is it all down to Downes or should have partner(s) take some blame? Charles is the bees knees, but is he at fault too?

If there was any chance at all of Brereton-Diaz going back there, I am guessing this signing ends that possibility?

He scored goals against Saints youth team when he was at Villa. They will be very aware of him. Did he make their EUFA conference squad last year?

I'd argue it means exactly that. The offer Saints have made to Spertsyan obviously agrees with him, but the transfer fee we have made does not agree with his club.

Good spot. Loaning Lewis Miley from Newcastle would be a good start.

I see. Slightly strange detail to post. Not seen that before. The fee yes, but not length of contract they would offer the player.

https://eflanalysis.com/transfers/will-still-comments-on-southampton-talks-for-man-city-star-pep-guardiola-thinks-is-really-good/ I wonder if we might still be trying to get Kabore or if the Roerslev transfer put that one to bed? If Bree was on his way, which is feasible, we'd need a second right back.

I wonder what the "4-years contract" refers to? The fact there is a loan fee suggests they are paying 100% of his wages.

A quick google search seems to suggest we can, but can't see anything that says we have. The club wouldn't necessarily announce it though, so who knows?

Out of contract next summer, so that is the end of that...unless we activate the extra year clause during this season...

Maybe he banged his head at some point and it's affected his muscle memory.

closer each day...

Sadly I believe the club ran out of trophies last year. The bulk order was a really good idea, but who would have guessed so many would be needed in such a short space of time.