Miltonaggro

Guildhall most probably.

Agree with much of that, but it's chalk and cheese. I think with Johnstone we get a solid ex-England keeper three years younger than McCarthy and overall a better option than we have currently. Ramsdale would be the epitome of a marquee signing for Saints, but if the quoted figures that Arsenal are holding out for we've got no chance unless at the close of the window we are the last club standing and not sure we will want to wait until then. For me if we can improve with some quality and experience right through that spine (permanent or loans) we will have a chance.

All things equal right now who would you recruit, Johnston or Ramsdale? That was the point.

He was indeed, victim of the Dave Jones new broom shoehorn. Way better than Paul Jones and a Saints fan to boot! Think he was about 24/25 when he joined us and only made about 20 appearances. Had about ten seasons in the Prem with Fulham and Birmingham after he left us and over 500 appearances and 88 caps overall. Solid player.

Good lad -

Wonder what name he posts as on here, and whether he's ever met any fellow posters 'in the real world to sort it out' after disagreeing on Russball or Gavin Bazunu's ballon d'or chances in 2030.

I can

Whenever I've watched him he's reminded me of Maik Taylor, a proper solid unit of goalkeeper who does the essential things well. Surprised that he's only played 29 times for Palace since joining them. Clearly not currently on par with Ramsdale but sure he would improve us without destroying our bank balance, rather like BBD.

I thought we should have bought Johnstone when he went to Palace. Not a spectacular keeper but solid and knows his trade well.

No brainer.

To be honest nobody is that gullible, every club in the championship last season saw him as potential match winner, apart from us.

Somebody clearly has a beef with Wellington!

Beginning to think his real name is Gavin Solak.

If Saints genuinely have the chance to bring in Ramsdale and BBD on loan you'd hope the club will be currently moving heaven and earth to do the deals. These two plus O'Riley would give the supporters and our chances of staying up a superb turbo boost!

The 88 represents the average age of their fans...

Pray this comes off. BBD immediately improves this side and our chances of staying up.

Personally, as I've been saying for many years, Saints need to budget, scout and sign a goalkeeper who is an immediate starter with some character, not an youngster or a unpolished obscure league prospect. A significant part of the current transfer budget should be allocated for this, and funds spent on the central spine of a team tend towards the most 'value' in terms of points return. The position is the most scrutinised on a football field, so it really shouldn't be overly taxing for Melton and the gang. Ramsdale is the obvious choice if it's about foundation and ambition, but will likely represent our record signing. Then again, had we signed him or his quality instead of Sulemana and Onuachu in the infamous Ankersen window we may well have stayed up. The situation with Bazunu is quite similar to that with Flowers back in the day, and if the club believes in him they will send him out on loan once he is fit to build his confidence, strength and positional awareness - time and space to learn his craft. I don't see the potential myself as the flaws seem quite fundamental, but it's not my £12m plus grating the conscience.

That will be the Ramsdale special!

Yes, I saw that. Not sure what had been holding this up, but didn't account for Howe's ability to act like a cock.

For the first time, in case I am missing something. It is nothing to do with the prospective accountancy, but rather two positions that have needed key strengthening at the club for getting on for eight fucking seasons.

Or spunked £12m of our apparently limited budget on him to be honest - for a chance of staying up this season we need to go all out to sign the historically needed goalkeeper and centre forward as absolute priority.

Yes, better long term solution and opens doors.

Completely different prospect under Martin. He was the best player on the park in a lot of those games last season, and watching him every home match from my seat level with the box he's got great instincts, technique and power, a terrier, as per the £100m goal at Wembley. Put him with a proper centre forward who can finish and we will be glad to have him at SMS this season.

Either that or the total goes down £10k a week every five days, a bit like The Drop, only with more crying...