woodsaint1

Was our 3rd choice GK six months ago and should have been released in the summer. But no we give him a new contract and he starts for us in the PL 💩

It might have been an issue say 15/20 years ago, but NI and the NI national team support has changed dramatically since then. There have been a few Celtic players who have played since the Lennon issue (he was subject to death threats, although there was a paramilitary element to it, as opposed to genuine NI supporters) including Paddy McCourt (who is viewed as a NI cult figure), Niall McGinn and Conor Hazard. Shea going to Celtic on loan would not affect the support he receives as a NI player - although he hasn't had a run of games to prove himself to Saints fans, he has been one of the better players for NI in the past two years

Even if we bring Archer in, we still need another striker. We've let Adams leave and Tall Paul/Mara could be on their way as well. One to maybe keep an eye on is Ioannidis from Panathinaikos. We were linked earlier in the week and they've just been knocked out of the EL qualifiers so may need to cash in

I know they've just cashed in on Solanke, but it didnt take long for Bournemouth to identify a replacement and bring them in. Whereas we're making no noise at all in signing a striker

Could really do with signing another Tadic and Pelle before the end of the window. Both the type of players that we need right now. There must be good options in the Bundesliga, Eredivisie or the Portuguese League. Our scouting recently seems to be focusing on the Championship and the SPL however

McCarthy THB Bednarek Stephens Suga Downes KWP Smallbone Aribo Armstrong BBD Can see us picking up where we left off last season and going with 5 at the back. We'll probably set up like this most away games If we do retain KWP this season, it will be interesting to see where we play him. Sugawara or Taylor to fill the other full back spot. Personally I would play Sugawara RB. We just need to stay in the game as long as we can. An early Newcastle goal and it could be a long day. It also highlights our lack of attacking depth that Dibling may be the best option off the bench if we need a spark in the last 20 minutes. 1-1 and I'm being very optimistic

THB, Downes, Sugawara, BBD, Wood, Edwards, Taylor, Welington, Juan, Lallana and the two Japanese players makes 12

Champions - City CL - Arsenal, Liverpool, United Relegation - Bournemouth, Forest, Leicester Saints - 15th

Fabio Carvalho? Has he not turned us down twice already lol

Andreas Georgson, the set piece coach who was with us for hardly any time has just landed a role at United. And Lemina made Wolves captain (wtf)

Stopped caring about kits a long time ago - as long as they dont deviate massively from the standard red and white for home and not go too outlandish on an away colour, which they havent done for these latest kits. What matters more is the team wearing them. Great to see Downes back. We desperately need a creative AM and a 12-15 goal PL striker sharpish however

ABK

One Sulemana is more than enough. Watching our current one has aged me terribly this season 😂

This is the Bournemouth team which started their first game back in the PL two seasons ago. Beat Villa 2-0 and stayed up comfortably that season. How many of those players were good enough for the PL at the time (or even now)? Yes we need a new striker or 2, CM, RB potentially and a winger, but we will sign more players. However we shouldnt write off the players who were relegated with us before and have had a great season in the EFL winning games and building their confidence. Quite a few of them will be good enough for the PL. Continuity counts for alot rather than making mass changes.

We certainly scout in South America, thats how we identified Alcaraz

You said he cant set up a defence, but he clearly can. Our record with a back 3, which we may employ next season, was pretty good

Defence did alright during the playoffs when it really mattered.....

Hes literally been back training under a new manager for 3 days. Lopategui will need a few weeks to assess their options before potentially agreeing to sell Downes. Can see it being closer to the start of the season before we might see him back, if at all

If Bednarek is staying then the addition of Edwards and Wood (with ABK, Lyanco and DCC leaving) is probably an indication that we'll be employing 3 CBs regularly this season. Would have preferred Edwards or Wood with a more experienced CB signing also, but in RM and the club we trust

Might be the last competitive game at Goodison but you'd imagine they'll arrange some send off game or a testamonial against a top European team. Be good to relegate them for good measure though

Good shout

Being from NI and reguarly watching our games, I can confidently say that Shea, Connor Bradley (Liverpool) and Daniel Ballard (Sunderland) have been our stand out players for the past 18 months. Yes the majority of our players are Championship/Scottish Prem/L1 level but Shea is regularly coming up against quality and established international players (Spain last weekend) and putting in some good performances. It hasnt translated into the same level of performances for us, but hes only 20 and provides a good backup option to the likes of Downes. Would rather he stayed as a squad option for this season than being loaned out. Hes an injury away from getting a good run in the side

Been a few GK links already. Hopefully a sign that its a priority for us because it needs to be

We were terrible in the first game, but how we contrived the lose the second game still baffles me

Kompany is so good that his team finished below Rob Edwards' Luton. They must be lining Edwards up for the Barca job.