Chez

They played 352, with Cathcart, Sierralta and Kabasele away against Brum, but 442 with Cathcart and Sierralta at home prior to that against Burnley. Only conceded 2 goals in 5 games. Sarr to Villa deal just collapsed, so less funds available now.

he really isn't as bad as people make out. He's not top class, that's obvious, and there's no point in me describing his failings, but he is OK in the air, committed in the tackle and pretty comfortable on the ball. However, if there is ever the chance to move a player on and have another stab at landing a player that could become top class, I'd like to see us go for it, but that's tapered with the need to have as strong cover as possible. So far, no one wants Lyanco, Valery and Stephens, so our options are limited. I think its fair to say that club and player are both OK with a move, as long as the right deal in put in front of SFC.

Very sad news. A true Saints legend.

He scored 3 in 6 in November/start of December and then wasn't in the squad at all for next two games - you have to assume that was due to injury/illness rather than being dropped as he then played 9 minutes and then was out of the squad again for next game. He then got 25 minutes off the bench in the next, scoring, then 45 off the bench, then the full 90.

Largest fee they have spent this summer is £5m to sign Torreira. They have spent about £20m in total and brought in £10m. Not flush with money as they finished 15th last season. They will want to loan him.

what was the loan fee United were after for Williams last summer? Was that £2m? Actually, maybe we should think along the lines of the loan fee united wanted for Lingard. 33.5m and then £12-16m if they stay up wasn't it?

West Ham have injury problems at CB too, hence the link to Bednarek, especially if a loan is a possibility. I'm sure we want to sell, but not a lot you can do if no one makes an offer.

don't recall seeing any posters on here saying we should sell for £12m.

Ralph indicated that he wasn't picked today because he didn't train. Not sure why we are considering selling him. He ain't scored a shed load of goals. Maybe the management feel they can do better. Maybe he wants £100k+ a week and we are not willing to pay that. It's two years fro the end of his contract. We don't want to see his value drop off a cliff by waiting another year, so are maybe listening to offers. Or maybe he has asked to move, thinks he can play for a bigger club or wants to go back up norf. Who knows.

Not sure Stuart Armstrong is firing either. Adding another ball player/attacking midfielder is still required IMO. You can never have too much creativity, quality...

yeah, nice to rescue some points rather than throw them away. Everyone feels good and hopefully confidence grows.

Che hadn't trained, and thus Ralph felt 30 minutes was about right. Worked a treat.

absolutely this. What I saw of Small, he looks a very powerful lad, and he might actually transition into a CB. Perraud is very workmanlike. We need to sign someone that perhaps has a higher ceiling. Someone with more pace and technical ability. We have multiple players for every position except left back. How was Djenepo today i a more standard left back role?

Was linked to teams like United a couple of years ago, but after a pretty poor season in the Prem, and his reputation tarnished slightly, its been Borussia Monchengladbach (managed by Farke), Atalanta and Monza trying to buy him this summer. The Scum linked him to Everton back in July - his agent no doubt fed that story. Feels like our level/type of signing, but is he actually any good? Anyone watched him closely?

If you are worth £30m, you don't accept peanuts. £100k a week, maybe more?

Google translate comes up with: “We are still looking for a striker. In the last few days I have received many messages about Gonçalo Ramos, but I still haven't spoken to him, nor has the club made any proposal. Did you like to count on him? Who doesn't want a player like that? But we have a defined profile for the attacking front and other targets as well."

Exactly what happened when signing Forster from Celtic. Other than Ramos, what other name has been mentioned?

Annoying as Brighton may now shop in the same market as us for their new striker.

Not as daft as it sounds. These kind of indicators on social media tend to be very revealing. If there is no link between the two before, then why do it now. I think your gut feeling is on to something.

ear lobe recognition technology at the ready.

one thing at a time DT. As some said last summer about Palace, having lot of players out of contract (or departing for pastures new) and a clean slate to work with is advantageous IMO. As has been the case all summer, I am far more concerned about how we shift players we don't want than our ability to bring new ones in. Besides, CB really isn't a position we are short of bodies. Quality? Well that's a different thing entirely. Potential £100k+ a week off our wage bill and a chance to try again. Yes please.

Ah, but is Bednarek? Villa better get that deal done quick before Leicester snap him up. Quality players like him are in much demand.

perhaps a tug of war for his services is imminent.

Yeah, comfortable with the ball at his feet. Feels like a replacement for Che to me, rather than an accompanying striker, but we shall see.

what a nightmare. The last thing we want is to lose our best and most experienced CB. Bednarek has been absolutely outstanding ever since he made the first team. Terrific player, that reads the game so well, electric pace and dominating. If the fee is around £20m, Villa will have got an absolute bargain. First Ings, now Bednarek. Bastards.