Shroppie

That was my reaction. I can only describe it as ridiculous, inaccurate garbage. Probably based on snippets from the gutter press and well-known negative trolls. Shows a complete lack of any intelligence or understanding. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Don't think you'd call him a #10 Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Which is why these threads are so amusing. For all the rumours and guessing, the actual deals are nearly always a surprise. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Tall. Strong. Ball winner, good distribution. Sounds like perfect partner for Romeu. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

This, exactly. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Really? I think he'd be first choice in quite a few Prem teams Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

My point is that at least half that team will not normally be starters. If we field a team like that at any point this season, either we will have a load of injuries and suspensions or the performance of some of these will have had to have improvef dramatically. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

And just how many pre-season games would you expect? Six seems fine to me. Pre-season is about building, not playing your potential first team every game. And maybe you could make up your mind whether three or four games isn't enough or six isn't enough. For your information, it's professional, not proffessional. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

No more than 5 of that team will start on Saturday. This was nowhere near a first team. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Sevilla isn't decent opposition? Pre-season isn't about glamour games. It's a progression against increasingly strong opposition to build match fitness, try out player combinations and formations. Just like we've done. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I refer you to my honourable fellow posters' replies. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

It wasn't, actually. He took time to start showing what he could do. Some on here had written him off after three or four games. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[emoji122][emoji122][emoji3][emoji3] Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Fair enough. Forgot that. Is anyone 12? Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

RAWK in meltdown again as we've included 17. Why the f@ did they think we wouldn't? Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Significant omissions: 6, 9. Maybe 18 for new DM. Strange we don't have a 1! Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Great news. As good as a new summer signing. [emoji6][emoji41] Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

So he'll be off to Merseyside next year, then. [emoji6] Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Agreed it was only a friendly. It would have been better not to get thrashed, but MP has probably got more from that than he would have done from an easy win. In his post-match comments he didn't hide the fact that everything was wrong and hinted that he'd learned a few things about some of the players. I think it was mainly a team of likely fringe players being told to show what they can do, and unfortunately the answer was disappointing. But I have a theory that when we cruise through pre-season we don't always start well, and the converse can also be true. We need some tough games and results to see who's got character and remove any complacency. We'll see a very different team tomorrow. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Absolutely. If we're going to give way, he has to feel pain. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

That really is rubbish. We sign players with potential. They don't know in advance that they're going to make it to the next level so any idea of an advanced agreement about moving on will not exist. Players like Wanyama, Mané, Van Dijk come to us because it's the best move up they can get. We're good at developing players, so that's an attraction for their future aspirations. Initially they work to prove themselves. It's when they start to get media attention and find aggressive agents that problems start. Until then they're happy to take what we're offering, including improved, extended contracts. If we block Van Dijk for a while, it won't deter future signings, because they still need a stepping stone, and a club that will be good to stay at if they don't make it. And we do take on plenty of potential that won't make it. Then it's our problem. Are they good enough at our level, or how do we get rid? The first priority for ambitious players is a club that can put them in the spotlight. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Gabbi is not a #10. He finds the positions and needs an intelligent and skillful #10 to find him. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

For the umpteenth time, we know he wants to move, but it's up to Saints, not him, not his agent, not LFC, not the Daily Fail, not the Liverpool Echo, not Uncle Tom Cobbley. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I'm with you on that. Gabbiadini for me is well ahead of Austin because he has the movement to pull defences apart and anticipation to get into good positions and make chances. Long would be good in a pressing style, but is a way back in finishing. I'd rather see Gallagher given a chance over Austin if we want a traditional #9. Give him a chance. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I'd agree. Under Poch, the press was a thing of beauty with all our forward players cutting off passes as the player in possession was pressed. Last night, it seemed to consist of one or two closing down the keeper or defensive player, but leaving plenty of options open. Result was quite a lot of chasing round like headless chickens. The other thing I felt wasn't working was pressing and challenging for the ball in midfield, failing to win it and so letting them find attacking passes with ease. Time and again we seemed very exposed as a result. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk