CampionSaint

It's strange that arguably Wood and Charles have been our stand out performers so far this season but neither got a chance in a very poor side last year.

I think Still made a priority of coming back to England because his partner was struggling health wise and wanted to stay in the South of Englabd to recover. Still's brothers were happier staying abroad.

Spot on.

Interestingly Denmark have played Jelert 3 times in the last 2 years with just 1 for Mads.

I've been puzzled how Wood has been left out by Still in the last few games as he was our best defender at the beginning of the season.

He did play for WBA in an earlier round but there's a new ruling this season on transfers that enable him to be eligible tonight.

Mads has settled in well but I find it interesting that Denmark have presumably chosen Jelert ahead of him as he has more recent caps than Mads. I wonder what they see that we haven't yet ?

I think defensive midfield is our weakest area. Charles & Downes are the only experienced players there yet we seem overloaded in numbers elsewhere.

I agree. I'm really puzzled as to why Dibling is so much more attractive proposition than Fernandez. At least Mateus had a really decent prem season and showed he's not just potentially a great player but has had an excellent season in the Prem. Dibling is a really good deal for us at multiple levels including that he'll move into the last year of his contract at the end of the season so his value will plummet. Fernandez still has another 4 years on a reported £20k a week so there's good reason to keep him and is about the only player we have left of prem quality.

Archer was £15m and only scored 4 goals at most in the Prem and 11 is the most he's scored in the Champ. I think the likes of Sargent and good Championship strikers are nearer £20m.

I think it's easy to judge in hindsight. It was clearly a bit of a gamble and who knows what will happen in the next season or 2, but at £8m plus add ons (which I assume haven't been activiated) it wasn't an unreasonable amount for someone who had similarities to Rickie's reputation in lower leagues. As pointed out above all you need is a season or 2 like Ings and they've repaid their fee. I for one think that when he's fit he is our best striker and against Arsenal and even a little this season has shown his ability. If it's just a mild illness then hopefully we'll see much more of him. I for one am a bit more optimistic on him.

Well Ipswich are only drawing with Bromley. The cup is nothing if not unpredictable.

It's interesting he came running back to us from Chelsea so he's been stung already by moving to a big club and feeling lost. His parents by all accounts love the way Saints have developed their son.

Totally agree. He's worth more to us than others are prepared to pat for him. He's only on £20k a week and 4 years on his contract to run so his value won't drop soon. He's the sort of player we'll desperately need to get us promoted and to give us a chance of stating up.

I couldn't understand why we didn't recall Charles from his loan in January. It's not as if we have loads of quality central midfielders without him.