Shroppie

What I've read about Upamecano sounds impressive. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

That's our problem. The chances of doing a deal under the radar, like we used to, are now slim. Unless the player is totally convinced and prepared to ignore other offers, he'll be swayed by a better contract/pay and the club by a bigger fee, with his agent shouting Saints' interest everywhere to alert richer, bigger clubs But our biggest selling point is that he will walk into our starting line-up and have the chance to prove himself and be in the shop window for a big move. Signing for a top six club now, he'll get loads of bench time. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

This would be a coup, but can't see it, unless he wants to blood himself in the Premier League. The glimmer of hope I found was in this interview where he says he doesn't want to move to a big club too soon. Saints for 2-3 seasons would be perfect for his development. [emoji106][emoji6] https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/dayot-upamecano-rb-leipzig-world-s-best-young-defender-ousmane-dembele-473962.jsp Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

But, and here's the rub, what will they pay him? Best we can hope is he goes and we subsidise his wages. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I think it would be quite amusing to have two JWPs. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Where do you get the idea were trying to shift Yoshida? He's our current #2 CB. And we won't get even one unless Hoedt and/or Stephens goes. It's nothing like as critical as the bed-wetters are saying. Bednarek could work with Yoshida or Vestergaard if he develops. But if not, all it does is stifle Ralph's plans (if true) to go to 4222, and takes away one attacking player in the team. With a back five, the need for two DMs isn't as great so we'd probably go with something like Gunn Valery Vestergaard Yoshida Bednarek Bertrand Hojbjerg JWP Redmond Djenepo Adams/Ings as opposed to Gunn Valery Yoshida Bednarek Bertrand Hojbjerg Romeu Redmond JWP/Djenepo Ings Adams Not really that different, and our record with that back five was good. It's just a question of how much RH wants to switch. As I've posted before, the main problem is that, even after sales, we won't be spending more than about £20m on a new CB, and at today's inflated prices that's unlikely to be much better than what we've got. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

This seems unlikely. Even with Charlie gone, which isn't sure, we've already got Ings, Adams, Long, Obafemi plus N'Lundulu possibly coming through. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Exactly this. I don't think many of the ones we're trying to offload would prioritise playing regularly above continuing to draw better pay for doing very little. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Always wanted to go to Forest Green. Could be an excuse to do it. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

No chance unless we ship Hoedt and/or Stephens out. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I tend to agree with this. CB is a critical position if we are to believe that Ralph wants to play a back four. As things stand, it's Bednarek plus one. I'd say Yoshida is in pole position as plus one, but although he's hard-working and a great servant to the club he isn't getting any younger. I've always thought that, given a good run, he's pretty reliable, but not a rock. Vestergaard is the only other likely plus one, but he needs to improve. He isn't that quick, either in movement or reaction and, although he wins aerial duals (and at 8' 3"' or whatever, he should) I don't think the quality of his heading is good: he often fails to get distance or puts a free header into a dangerous area. So I'd be nervous with him in a back four, unless he makes great strides. Unless something dramatic happens, it won't be Stephens or Hoedt. I don't think Stephens us as bad as some make out and could improve, but Hoedt needs serious improvement in most areas and an attitude transplant. But, with today's prices, getting a new Toby, VVD or even Fonte, particularly youngish, will be beyond our budget. And I agree that with too many CBs on the books already it's pointless buying yet another unless they will be first choice. And that could well be impossible as I think, although we might shift Stephens, Hoedt will remain a millstone round our budget. Frustrating, but I wouldn't be surprised if we have to stick with a back three, which automatically takes away a starting place for an attacking player. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I'm not surprised at N'Lundulu. I predicted on the academy thread a few days ago that he could break into the first team. He's strong, big, fast and knows where the goal is. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

N'Lundulu in particular has the makings of a strong, pacy, old-fashioned CF who has an eye for goal. I'd place a small wager that he makes his first team debut this season. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

And they want £50m for Longstaff [emoji44][emoji44] Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

More like absolutely insane comment. You obviously just like to run down players without any actual evidence. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Forgotten Obafemi? Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

No thank you. Not the sort of player were going to buy. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

There's no way we're buying two CBs. I'll be happy with one, but still keeping my fingers crossed. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Absolutely this. Good luck, Matt. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Yawn. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Was down with an injury after 65 mins and came off 10 mins later. [emoji849][emoji3525] Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Me too. Done. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

It's all been brilliant. Thanks Glen. I've read pretty well all of them and the incisive analysis and humour, especially the black kind, have kept me going. Huge thanks, and please keep it up. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

There's still a lot to be sorted out. It's still open to potential bias if, for example, a possible offside goal is allowed but neither the ref nor VAR officials decide to check it. Or the opposite where the run-up to a goal could be examined in minute detail to try to find a reason to disallow. I agree with the "clear and obvious" criterion. The VAR officials should instigate a check if they see something that looks obvious. The VAR decision should be notified to the ref: get rid of the ref checking a pitchside monitor. If the ref wants a check, make the question as in RU: goal or no goal? where he didn't see/doesn't know, or is there any reason that wasn't a goal? where the starting presumption is goal. But I would give each team, via captain or manager, one or two appeals per half, retained if upheld. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Subscribe to Saints fixtures on Google Calendar and they load automatically, including rearranged matches. Mine appeared this morning. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk