Chez

what a fantastic tackle from Bertrand. Anyone that thinks we can easily replace him, needs to check how he gets his distance spot on before doing a Bobby Moore.

this is exactly how I feel. Of course, being self sufficient (and be successful in this league) is tough if everyone else is spending today what they will earn tomorrow.

I don't have a major issue with Gao not loaning the club money. I never thought he's come in and gift us a wedge of money and who wants a club saddled with debt? Being self sufficient won't change us into the next Chelsea, City or Wolves. But if, and its a huge if, we spend the £150m TV money we get every year more wisely in future, there is no reason we can't be successful. We have simply got to buy players that go straight into the starting eleven and improve it. Adams, Djenepo and Danso haven't done that and lets not bother looking further back as we all know what lies there.

In terms of actual bodies, CM and LB seem to be obvious gaps. A little surprising that we would let our first alternative leave. The question is, will we replace him in this window? i wonder also if its another case of sell to buy as we did with Targett. In my opinion Romeu has looked a little too casual or ponderous perhaps in possession this season, but his form comes and goes and he's as honest as the days long. As always, can we do better? Can we scout better and can we sign better?

For actual money? There's no miracle workers on this Forum Shroppie. We might be able to lose half of Vestergaard's wages, possibly.

Having de-royaled themselves, does the amount the taxpayer pays, in total, to the Royal family go down, or will the same amount simply be redistributed to the others?

Thanks for that information, but I tied myself in knots trying to read your post Ron.

Agreed. I looked at the goals closely on MOTD this morning. Bednerek is too slow to make the challenge. Just before the cross comes in Cedric has a look over his shoulder and sees an extra man. He has two to mark. I think he slightly misjudges the weight of the cross, thinking it is deeper, he drops off to try and mark the deeper of the two players, the ball falls shorter to Neto, and now its too late to move forward and get tight. For the second, Jonny is in between CB and RB, but its Stephens man. Cedric takes up a decent position, tucked inside to help the CB. Stephens makes a desperate tackle, doesn't get near the ball at all. Cedric got his body inside the defender and but for Stephens lunge, wouldn't have given a pen away. Stephens going to ground was the issue. For the third, Bednerek doesn't go with Traore, he and Stephens get back but don't do enough to stop Traore, who turns well and plays a composed pass, Cedric has raced back to the six yard box, but Jimenez held back his run and the Cedric cant get close enough to block the shot.

the way football finances work these days, budgets and squads seem to be fixed in the summer period. New money and squad places don't appear in January. Maybe one signing to fill a slot left unfilled in the summer (like at left back for us) or if there is a host of injuries. If a player is going out in the summer, it perhaps still makes sense to bring their replacement in now so long as funds permit. But do they?

I've never seen us do it. The only game I can recall was Preston away back in the McGoldrick days, and that was one of the only flipping away games I missed that season.

Even taking into account the change of shape, which has only been recently, he's not reached the heights of last season. He was very good last season, but before that he was woeful, having lost all confidence. There is a player there. He can beat a man all ends up, which I love, but he can be frustrating. He's going nowhere, so it matters little.

or you could get rid of most/all of those, except Bertrand, still be able reshape the squad, AND have a top class left back already capable of playing how Ralf wants.

pretty standard commute these days for the average person. With training not starting until 10??? he can probably miss the worst of the traffic. Might even have a flat in Soton for weekdays etc? He's been here 6 years. The commute is not an issue and wont affect his decision to stay here.

People underestimate just what a good fullback he is. Ok, so he can't go on for ever, but with his build and athleticism, you'd hope he could still ge up and down at 33. I'd add a year to his current deal right now without blinking. We have a lot of holes in the squad, not least a second left back. Do we really want to be looking for two? If we had money to burn and a decent scouting network and transfer committee then looking to upgrade to a younger model would make sense. We don't.

duplicate post. coys

I watched Wolves against Liverpool over the Christmas period and I haven't seen a team take Liverpool apart like they did in the second half, for a long time. They looked absolutely top class that day and should have got something from the game. Liverpool were hanging on at the end. Since then they haven't been as good. A lot of games in a short time frame added to their long season might be the reason. They still have created chances, but less clear cut, and not taken them. I thought Ruben Vinagre looked a talent when he came on in that Liverpool game and if he gets some time on the field I will be interested to see how he looks close up. Saints are obviously riding high, but if we think the job is done and take our foot off the gas in terms of work rate and hounding teams from the front then we will be in trouble. It will be a very tough game. I'd take a draw, but confidence is high, so want a win. Need to adapt quickly to their wing backs.

no need to wonder The Cat. Without any doubt at at all, that is exactly what our transfer policy and shift in messaging is down to.

Do we need a new player or two to retain our place in the Prem and secure Goa's investment? Hard to say. But if the feeling within the club is no, then obviously we wont be signing anyone, as we don't need to and that would be capital and operational expenditure we didn't budget for. SFB

I've never rated him. He was woeful when we first got him. Didn't win a contested header for about the first two seasons. A CB that doesn't win headers causes you so many problems. He was also too nice. Basically a chocolate fireguard of a defender. He eventually got more physical and with that became a CB we could pick and he played well in quite a few games. He surprised me. He has always looked very comfortable on the ball, with the odd horrific rick undermining that. I felt for him when we played him at right back. He got murdered. Despite his improvement, I still think he was limited, and as soon as he became first choice you knew the quality had been removed from the side. He seems a very nice guy, so I wish him all the best, but I don't give players of average ability much credit for their loyalty. I doubt he has turned down moves to bigger (wages) clubs than us over the years. Maybe I'm being harsh, but our gradual decline follows his gradual increase in selection. I want to see a better player than him here ASAP. Doesn't mean we will though.

18 months left on his contract. Decisions will need to be made very soon whether we want him long term or not. Likewise, I imagine he is thinking about what he wants to do.

Great find. I don't remember any of those goals, just the huge crowd (you can see that ever stand is rammed. I don't think I've ever seen the Milton end so busy, there wasn't an inch of room even out towards the corner flags). Electric atmosphere and obviously having gone 0-2 down, it was extremely tense. Brilliant Saints team that season of course and not many left as we were always a threat. I think it's the first game I had seen at the Dell that went to extra time. Great days. This, Bolton and Oldham cup games really stick in mind.

Its the first time I've seen season ticket holders get lower price cup tickets for a long time. Not sure I can remember a previous time to be honest.

Leeds (among others) linked with Billy Sharp today

Agreed, but I'd also say that when we looked at our best it was when we had top class fullbacks coming out of our ears. So we need to add here too. The combination of Clyne and Chambers meant there was no drop off at all when one got injured. Very hard to get that same strength of squad (and keep it) unless you sign young players or have them come through the youth. Both full back positions need additions. A youthful fullback on the left and a more established fullback on the right. They both need to have electric pace, have a great first touch, offer an attacking threat and understand and enjoy the concept of defending. If that description sounds like Vokins then great.

I guess it wouldn't be a transfer window thread without me suggesting a young Birmingham City player (seems a long time ago now that I suggested we sign Redmond). I'm a bit late to the party though with this one, so we would now need to hijack the Man U Jude Bellingham transfer.