Chez

If things are going badly, I want to see Koeman style changes. He reverted to a back five (I am not calling for a back five by the way) and we booted it down the channels for Long to chase, turning the opposing back four and basically getting us on the front foot against the top teams. We looked much more solid, gained confidence and got our season going. From there he was able to revert back to a back four. When teams change their shape against us within a game and take charge, I want to see us change shape too. The manager can prance about on the touchline all he likes to get attention and parity in terms of player wages, but its what he does to the shape of the side during a game that matters. Ralph has made changes that have worked...but not very often.

I think this too. Diallo could be an absolute star. Cant wait to watch him live.

Considering we lost a shed load of games playing 4222 in the second half of last season, maybe the squad is not set up for that formation? If we continue to lose games and the formation is not changed, then questions will need to be asked. While I am at it, if we fail to sign a covering (genuine) left back, more questions need to be asked seeing as our lack of cover at fullback (right side especially) killed us last season and lessons should be learned.

A change of formation might be nice, but the 4222 seems here to stay.

The thought of perraud being as attacking as KWP both excites and terrifies me. Our CBs can't cope with one on one situations. Exposing them further won't solve our defensive frailties. We may score a few more goals though.

Like the polar opposite to Carillo. Hopefully his Saints career will be too.

The club lost £76m in 19/20, and no doubt a shit load last season too, so very good chance of that.

Has the club stated what the loan was for? Did we lose £70m last year then? Is that how much match revenue we take? What do you mean losses for `forthcoming years'? Why should we lose money this year?

another player we messed around and completely wasted his talent.

very surprised a Prem side didn't sign him. Seemed to improve as the season went on. Just the kind of flare we need IMO.

has the £70m loan been spent on last years wages then?

I don't agree with you. I think you need to watch some videos of him again. I have watched every goal he scored last season several times. There is one goal where he beats a guy for a pace and its a donkey QPR centre back. Being quicker than a slow player doesn't mean you have pace. He is sharp. But he ain't got genuine pace. Doesn't mean we wont score goals.

the next Lallana? Our scouts seem to have spent a fair bit of time looking at U23 possibilities an charming their agents.

very good player according to a Sheff United fan in the family that I spoke to last Xmas. I was going ti suggest him on here, but wasn't sure how good a season he had in the end.

none of his goals show the speed. Certainly sharp, like Ings was, but nothing that suggest great pace.

it matters little what Villa did two season's ago, it's what they will do over the next three seasons and equally what we might do. He's decided they are a better option. Less likely to go down Less likelt that he has his wages cut in half.. So we are in agreement.

Maddison can play a bit, but £70m? I know we say this every year, but football has lost the plot.

Maybe. Its worth considering that Ings would probably have had to take a huge cut in wages should we be relegated. Moving to Villa perhaps reduces that possibility and thus guarantees the full £100k a week wages over the entire contract. Wage security may have been a factor. Maybe not.

oh dear. Who the fuck gave him a two year deal?

Absolutely, but I am not sure why there is so much confidence based on the performances in the second half of the season.

If we rate Armstrong and who knows if we really did bid, then you'd think we would wrap that deal up immediately. Wonder who the alternative is.

will we? We were fucking terrible last season and have got weaker.

a big disappojntment for me is not using the £70m loan to sign Patson Dakka before we sold Ings. I guess we had no chance when up against Leicester...jesus, I can't believe I am actually typing that. I suppose the other disappointment is that we couldn't eek out a few more bob from Villa, who have cash to burn. If £30m is the final fee (add ons are hard to know) then that is about right.

not surprised we sold him or that it was for a figure of £25m. I said it all along that the club can not afford to allow a £25m asset to walk for nothing. Very surprised its Villa. Fucking Villa. What a great move by them.

I guess it's no different to the likes of Dortmund signing Sancho. Some young players just stand out so much that you know they will do it. We know that better than most with Bale, Theo and Shaw.