santolijador

I suspect this will be the last nearly-unchanged/'deserves a chance because of last year' XI that Martin fields. From his comments mid-week it sounds like he will have said to the starters today 'fight for your place' - if he doesn't get anything out of them, changes on 60 minutes and from the start after the international break I should hope.

It was Diamond Edwards

Cuco Martina, Romain Perraud, James Bree. Love to see it

Fernansh looks the business in the middle of the park

To me the tweet reads as Arsenal (not Saints) have agreed personal terms with Joan García which is why they want to include an obligation to buy in any deal for Ramsdale.

Couldn't find a thread on him, but for those who are interested, he had a good game in the Libertadores last night. From what I can make out, despite some negative press when we signed him, he's been pretty solid this season so far Sao Paulo, who are currently 6th in the table.

Matsuki made his debut last night against Alanyspor. From what I can make out, their fans were very impressed with him (and Juan for that matter). Solid start to the season for Goztepe indeed.

Yeah pretty much - it is somewhere between 9th and 11th in the UEFA coefficient rankings putting it close to Czechia, Belgium and Norway. I would say the main benefit is that it provides work permit points for otherwise ineligible players - a la Kuryu Matsuki. Personally I found the answer at the recent forum interesting about the network of coaches having regular meetings to discuss tactics and try to learn from each other. From what I can see Goztepe are playing a similar formation to ours this season (and you would say they are in a relatively similar position fighting to stay up) - they have started quite well using that formation and given the similarities in terms of context, I am fully on the side of 'this is a good thing' camp - testing players out in that context, in a familiar formation, with a coach who is semi-regular contact with Russel Martin. Early days yet of course it must be said, but I'm taking the glass half full side.

Most, if not all of the prem are on it these days. It has been a disruptor in football tech and now has over 700 clubs (including the major clubs in pretty much every important league) and at this point clubs are in the minority to not have some presence on it, if nothing else to browse opportunities. I don't doubt that with the Rasmus connection we were one of its first more active users in the prem, given that when SR came in, it wasn't as popular or well known as it is now. From what I know, it has been quite useful post-brexit to put South American and other international/non-EU players in shop windows. It is also quite big in Brazil, which might explain some of our signings this summer as well.

Romano reporting it too now. Lovely stuff

Happy with the state of the midfield now - 6 players across 3 positions is good depth and we've made a nice couple of additions there now. You have to say, if we can shift a few players for some cash, the recruitment this summer (on paper) looks to be more sensible than in the past under SR. I am hopeful that this trend will continue as opportunities arise deep into the window

https://twitter.com/SaintsExtra/status/1822281386562060474

Getafe are a horrible team. Quite like the fact we've played these and Lazio in pre-season though, I hope this makes us tougher than we were last time in the PL

Think his (Ramsdales) mate is/was Brooks

His little brother

There are a couple of players at Norwich that I would take up with us - Rowe and Sara both look quality, Sara would be a great midfield addition. I think I saw somewhere Wolves are after Rowe and can see Sara being picked up by a similar type of club, but worth a look I reckon.

Right. What do we reckon my chances are of a final ticket? Travelling from Barcelona and will pay the necessary to be there - should I book me flights before getting a ticket?

popped up on my feed...

Valenciennes 19th and Goztepe midtable. SR blinder so far lol

a la Nathan Jones and the 'them' saga

Looking forward to see how RM spins this

give kwp the armband

Tbf if you are a saints fan who lurks on twitter, today has been cracking drama (even if the whole deadline day ssn concept is pure guff)

I suppose Jacks injury has come at a good time in that sense, RM will have to look at all the other options he now has in games

Tend to agree with you there unfortunately. Wouldn't be suprised if we make a signing or two from the Eredivisie though, we have had success recruiting from there in the past, and seems to produce technical players who can make the switch to British football. Obviously we have had the Hove link (ex-eredivisie I know) but that seems to have been hijacked by Stoke, but I guess that means Darren Mowbray and his suitcase have made it to NL perhaps?