Chez

Where you getting this briliant tackler from? Admittedly the highlights video I watched was from 2022, but it didn't look like he was the sort that tackled much at all. If he has added that to his game, brilliant, but it surprises me to read that.

It's about time we took advantage of this type of knowledge. It pissed me off that Ralph joined us and didn't help unearth any hidden gems from Germany for whatever reason.

and/or employs scouts and analysts to do the same. I might be wrong, but it feels like managers and head coaches are involved less and less in the scouting/recruiting side of things. The focus is on the players they have and the games/opponents coming up

Would Will Still be the guy that knows the Bundeslinga 2? Three players bought from there now and at least one or two more linked.

Not easy to find gems that bigger clubs gazump you on, so this german league 2 knowledge we see to have may be fruitful, at leats for a while. Time will tell.

Alfie House is happy to report it as done based on that Florian Pettenberg tweet https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/25422275.southampton-agree-deal-sign-germany-under-21-international/

I think players that score volleys are usually very good technically, so I like the first goal too. Edit: I thought the tiktok videolink hadn't worked so removed it.

Watching his youtube video of when he played for Duisburg, he's very right footed, and I mean only right footed. He loves to keep the ball that little bit longer than normal - and I mean that in a good way - he is very comfortable with the ball. He seems to roam around the pitch (appears deep and makes runs beyond), so isn't a defensive holding player, but he will drop deep to collect and start moves. He doesn't look like he is a big physical specimen or a good tackler, he's more of a Fernandes type - a ball player, with good technique, that can dribble and pass. He's a fun watch.

Very good point. Most of the best championship players - the ones we might want to sign now like Azaz, Rudoni - were `future promise' before they joined their current championship club and shined. Looking at his recent history, he started pretty much every game for 1.FC Nuremberg. Not all the players we have been linked with have been regulars, which is a slight concern if they are not playing in the top leagues.

I'd be inclined to agree. That said, I thought there was mention in the not too distant past that Still thought Fernandes might be better playing from a slightly deeper starting position, which might allow us to play both.

Wonder how many nippers they will play? Hopefully we have got it together by then and can give them a decent game.

I believe you. And as you say, so far we have not been linked with any loans. As for sustainable growth model...lets see how much growth and sustainability there is when the parachute payment drops from £48m to £8M in two summers time if we fail to get promoted.

What about Lewis Cook? I thought we might help ease him back to full fitness with a 4 month loan.

Ah. That fucks that idea....although maybe Ipswich don't have our budget or Spors' charm or Fernandes' contract. Is Tonalis injury serious? I thought I read he wouldn't miss much time.

I'd be trying to bring in Lewis Cook or Lewis Miley on loan. Both long shots, but if Fernandes departs we need some quality in.

The long and short of it is, if you stay in the championship, you are fucked. We should be doing anything we can to make this side the best in the league this season, and that includes loaning PL players.

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.