woodsaint1

Just seen that he took the 5th and winning penalty for Brazil u23 in the Toulon Tournament final two years ago. Must have some confidence about him for a CB

Think I'll reserve judgment until I see him in a Saints shirt. Not bothered by what other teams fans think of him. Remember Celtic fans being happy to see us take Armstrong off their hands, same with KWP and Spurs fans. Hopefully he'll improve our defence

Very true. Was close to securing a move to Liverpool last season so he knows hes on the radar of top clubs (much better than us). That being said I wonder if he would have spoken to Lovren. Could see us as the stepping stone to a bigger move similar to Lovren. 2 years PL experience with us and then make the next step

We really need to set up to frustrate United as they've too much class all over the pitch. Would prefer we went 4-1-4-1. With only one striker I would opt for Adams to try and hold it up and if we're still in the game last 25 mins then look to bring Adam Armstrong on. Or if Armstrong is comfortable playing off the wing then start him ahead of Tella. Forster KWP Salisu Stephens Perraud Romeu Tino JWP S Armstrong Tella Adams Ralph wont do this though. He'll try to go on the offensive and employ the usual 4-2-2-2. We'll press like crazy first 25 and then get picked apart once we tire and spaces open up 4-1 United I reckon

Yeah its not the number of games, more so the quality of opposition - european competitions, international football, top flight football. But even thats not a given with the likes of Hoedt and Forren we've had before. Caleta-Car or Kabak strike me as the best options we've been linked with. Both young but for their age have a breadth of experience playing european competitions, internationals and have some big clubs on their CV. Would even like to see us explore a loan option before spending 10-15m on Worrall

I agree that the Championship and PL are not worlds apart, although I do feel that the one position which struggles the most to bridge the gap is at Centre Back. It demands alot in terms of positioning, concentration, physicality etc against the best strikers in the world. Any lapse of concentration or mistake and its punished. I think its quite telling that most promoted sides have a new starting CB on their shopping list as soon as they're promoted. This season its Brentford (Ajer) and Norwich (Gibson), both of whom started at the weekend. Last season it was the same with Fulham (Andersen, Adarabioyo, Kongolo) and Leeds (Llorente, Koch). My issue isnt with Joe Worrall (if thats who we opt for) as I think he could do very well, but more so the still young, developing Salisu who could partner him with, or Bednarek/Stephens who have mistakes readily in them. Nothing about any of those partnerships fill me with confidence. I just believe we need a more established, seasoned CB to help us and Worrall isnt that

Nothing would breathe confidence into our struggling back four more than a choice of young CBs, one of whom was badly exposed at CB in the PL last season and the another whose experience doesnt extend beyond a mid-table championship club. We already have a starting CB who is young and still developing. Throwing another in beside him will not help matters. Sorry for feeling underwhelmed, but if either is our replacement for Vestergaard we're in big trouble imo. Genuinely believe our PL status next season could hinge on this signing as its a crucial position

Weren't impressed that he'd been left out. Think one of the other CBs had a disaster

Caleta-Car didnt come off the bench for Marseille tonight. I thought he was a regular for them and it seems Marseille fans werent impressed

Never mind 9. If we concede 6 or more in a game Ralph has to go. It would just show that he has not learnt from his repeated mistakes and doesnt know how to shut up shop. Must be an ego thing that he continues to play the same open style even when we're getting hammered. Even league two teams would be able to stop the bleeding at 5 by just digging in and making themselves hard to break down

We need a better keeper than McCarthy, think we all can agree on that. But to blame all of the goals on him is a bit ridiculous. 99/100 keepers wouldnt have saved the 2nd one, front post or not it makes little difference. Third aswell, not his fault DCL has a free header 5 yards out. Even if he had've saved it, he likely would have been there for the rebound

Might have taken this thread seriously if you hadnt suggested Eddie Howe. Regardless of what he achieved getting Bmuff to the PL, he got them relegated when he was financially backed. Was likely him who suggested Solanke, Ibe etc

Really weak mentality. We just dont know how to manage leads through to the final whistle. Ralph too slow with making subs again. Felt for him last year with some of the dross/kids on the bench at times. But today we had a good bench who could inject some energy when needed. Too late. Said it many times before, Stephens is only good enough to be our 4th choice CB. The fact hes starting just shows how bad we are in that position. A good CB is needed asap. Positives are that the new signings looked good and Armstrong is off the mark already. Another poster hit the nail on the head about how we're still plagued by the staleness of players like McCarthy and Stephens. We never do well at Goodison but feel like thats a point (at least) pissed away. Ah well onwards and hopefully upwards

You're just raging you cant wind the clock back to the 70s so we can buy some hard man who doesnt wear shinguards and smokes at HT. Modern day game must really annoy you

Sorry what? More quality and numbers? By my reckoning, from the first team squad that finished last season - We've added Perraud, Livramento, Armstrong and Broja. Plus we have Elyounnoussi, Valery and Long all back from loans. (7 in total). Not counting Walcott as he was here already. We've lost Bertrand, Vestergaard, Ings, N'Lundulu (loan)(4 in total). Not counting Vokins as he wasnt here at the end of last season. Theres also the deadwood who were never going to feature. Some would say they shouldnt count but its still trimming the squad. Lemina, Hoedt and Gunn takes the total to 7 out. So provided we replace Vestergaard and if Obafemi leaves, it will be 8 in and 8 out. If we omit the deadwood who wouldnt have featured, then we've gained 3 players - but this is the returning loanees from last season. Hardly an uptick in quality if they were deemed surplus last season. Sorry Ralph but you're having us on here. We're also sitting about £21m in the green (approx £51m sales against £30m purchases) before any Vestergaard replacement. I doubt that we'll spend £20m on a new CB and whatever change will be swept away. While im happy with the business we've done this summer (good signings and maximising sales/clearing deadwood), I dont share Ralphs view that we have more quality

The replacement CB has to have enough quality to be a starter. Yes i get the whole buy cheap and sell for profit mantra, but they need to be a player for the present. We could have £20m+ to work with and the position is crucial to our hopes of staying in the PL. Another season of conceding 60+ goals and we're in deep trouble. Ozan Kabak has been mentioned and I think he would be a good replacement. Was being touted as one of the best young CBs in Europe, but the disaster at Schalke hasnt helped his progression. Another Bundesliga option would be Marvin Friedrich. Has had an excellent season for Union Berlin

Cahill is 35 and theres a reason hes been released by Palace. Only played half of their games last season (missed 15 through injury). We missed the boat on him two years ago, would have been a great signing at the time but not now, even on a free transfer (although not really free as he would be demanding hefty wages/signing on fee). Also dont know why you think we have nobody tried and tested in the PL. The majority of our first team squad have 2+ years PL experience.

Positives Very calm in possession Passing, particularly diagonal balls to wingers/full backs Positionally very aware, makes up for his lack of speed below Negatives Slow, like hes running in treacle For a giant (6'6 or 6'7) he loses more aerial battles than he should. His impact from set plays has been minimal too - and thats even with JWPs delivery. Needs to be more commanding As other posters have pointed out he was excellent for us at times last season, but his overall contribution over three years has been average. Think he could fit in well at Leicester, provided they minimise the exposure of his weaknesses. If we got 18-20 million, not many Saints fans would be disappointed in him leaving

Agreed. Ralph and the club are careful not to show their hand in the transfer market, even at club forums. Still think we're actively looking at more options and that could be ramped up if we get further funds for Obafemi and Vestergaard

Still think there will be more additions to the squad. We've another loan option to exercise and can see us looking at a permanent option as the market develops in the run up to the transfer deadline. Hoping for another DM and LB cover

Broja might be jonno quick

20 million and he can go. We need a replacement however. A couple of injuries/suspensions at CB, which is inevitable, and we're down to Stephens and Simeu 😱. Wonder if the Daniliuc interest will step up

I would be happy with Sorloth + Armstrong or Edouard or another striker. But Sorloth alone would leave us much weaker in the striker dept compared with last season and would be worrying

Unless he walks that aint happening. The club is in it for the long haul with Ralph

The same Celtic fans who werent bothered losing Armstrong to us