Patches O Houlihan

43 goal involvements (ie goals or assists) in his last 93 games in the Championship. Clearly he's wank at this level 🙄 I think the comparison with Tadic might be relevant. We had a portion of our fanbase who saw him as a lazy 'luxury' player. And then he left and absolutely shredded it at Ajax and even the doubters noticed his absence. He would have quiet spells and then pull out a piece of magic. Now all we need are Stewart Armstrong and Archer to start finishing like prime Pelle & Mane...

West Ham interested amongst other PL. May be their fall back if we keep Matty

The irony is that he went out on loan the season that Will Still managed them

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Lens manager Pierre Sage confirmed that Guilavogui did not take part in training this morning as his transfer nears completion: “He wasn’t with the group because he’s on his way out.” The move would reunite Guilavogui with Will Still, who took charge at Southampton this summer. The striker joined Lens from Paris FC in 2023 and has registered 7 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions.

You don't think he's a bit of a tit?

* Hilarious watching Quarshie planting his feet and Norwich players bouncing off him 😁 * Archer is not blessed with a wide array of talents as footballer; but has a superb snap shot * Nessie really wants to make that No9 spot his. Having a great game - one assist, and at least two chances missed by millimetres. * Shay Charles and Ronny Edwards both player of the season for their Championship teams last year but really struggling for consistency so far. * Maybe Wood ought to start wearing Petr Cech type headgear 😉

I completely understand about the various positional choices. But aside from Quashie (who's had a shocker the last two games, and as a young player might have had his confidence destroyed had he screwed up again today) all of those players played a part in the game. Whilst we would all like a bit more quality, the 'deadwood' for me is players that can't get into the 18 for the match day. Wood seemed to be doing OK judging by Blackmore's commentary, but I can't claim to have watched him closely. He definitely got some good blocks in.

Rohl has proved himself to be a bit of a helmet though this summer. Happy with Still for the moment. Think he'll come good once the window has closed; provided we get some quality in through the door before then. If you watch the pressers he's not convinced by 3 at the back either. Now we've got our new Danish RB I bet we'll see a back four next game.

Who that was picked today do you class as dead wood? I'm sure we'd all like a PL standard squad, but of the players we have at the club who would you have played today instead?

I think you're reading too much into it. He was trying to take responsibility in the middle and drive the team forward at the end, just made a few errors because he is a bit off top form right now.

ABK already has - loan to Nantes. Will Still as good as said Edozie and Aribo are off in the presser

Ross and Damien invited for chicken dinner at Flynn's house was it?!

Yes you're right Matthew

Yes but it was written into the contract in January - and they didn't take it up. Hence they didn't think he was worth that to them. Maybe it was £3m but it wouldn't have been £5m. Either way it seems good value and a 4 year contract gets us 2 years for a player in his prime before we have to worry about renewing his contract or moving him on.

That was a £5.6m option to buy in Jan 2025 when he had 12 months on his contract. He had ~18 weeks left on that contract when he signed for us, and Brentford paid peanuts for him as a 19yo Championship B teamer from Copenhagen

Mads signed originally to play in Brentford's B Team. He got promoted to the first team and supplied the assist for their crucial second goal in the playoff final. Once they made it up to the PL they offered him a 3 year contract extension and he took it. His Brentford contract was up in Feb 2026. he was third choice RB in January this year so he went on loan to Wolfsburg and they had a shocker apparently with the manager likely to go (haven't looked). Brentford weren't going to renew. He would walk for free in February. He clearly wants to play (hence the loan to Wolfsburg). We have Danish and Brentford connections. Looks like a good signing to me. Either free or <£2m I reckon. >> The Cornish Beckenbauer has gone on a marauding run forwards, supported by Manning. We f**k it up, and we're being hit on the break: Now we have the man mountain recovery pace of big Josh + a 6ft tall canny Dane who's speciality is positioning and 1 on 1 defending. Couple that with Manning's new found ability to stop crosses coming in from his side and we have the foundation of a solid defensive unit. For all the beautiful triangle passing under Russ in the Champ we did ship a shed load of goals and not just because of suicidal passing in our own box. Will Still is pragmatic and his teams are solid defensively. Wouldn't it be nice to not have a shit show at the back all the time? It's been years since we had that.

It was - The disparity between our Championship income for 23-24, and our established PL wage bill based on 12 seasons there will have been much bigger than it is this year where we still have players we signed in the last Championship season.

In fairness to THB he has had quite a serious injury since the end of last season. The game at Northampton was essentially his only pre-season. I agree he wasn't great today, but I don't think it's fair to bin him off. (Particularly as everyone has also binned off Quashie & Edwards) Aside from the fact that Ryan Manning can deliver a set piece, and is showing some great resilience stopping crosses coming in, he also has the calm head and maturity that I think would really help Quashie. When I looked the team sheet I saw Fraser and Arma on the right - safe pair of hands both of them, if not dramatically inspiring. On the left Quashie and Welington. It only took 4 minutes to show that Ipswich had done their homework there - that press of Josh, and then double press of Wellie looked pre-planned to me. Until Quashie is up to speed he needs Manning alongside him - or else we ought to play Wood or Taylor.

Great work by Manning

It may have been offside but that was a great save/take by Baz - very high and then kept it the right side of the line

Bloody commentator - get your own notes!

It might be crap - but at least it’s better than the game at Gillingham

I was intrigued so I asked AI: "Armel Bella Kotchap is generally viewed as a talented and physically impressive defender with good attributes such as strength, pace, aerial ability, and defensive reading. From a personality perspective and reputation within the Southampton dressing room, there is no widespread indication that he is disruptive or a "helmet" causing issues among teammates. Insights from sources close to the dressing room suggest caution in judgment about him, but they recognize his immense abilities and contributions on the pitch. He has been described as a player willing to fight to rebuild his career and improve his standing in the team. Public statements from Bella Kotchap reflect a professional attitude where he acknowledges the need to perform and bring his best to the club rather than influencing matters off the pitch. There have been no notable reports or rumors about him upsetting or causing dressing room unrest at Southampton. There are indications from insiders and fan discussions that while he may have suffered from managerial preferences and not always getting playing time under different coaches, this appears more related to tactical choices rather than personality conflicts. He is seen as someone who respects the team environment and is eager to prove himself rather than create division. In summary, Armel Bella Kotchap’s reputation from a personality perspective is that of a reasonable, professional footballer—not a disruptive or problematic figure in the dressing room. He is focused on football and his development rather than off-field issues."

Who is the useless c unit co-commentating. Making out Wrexham are the second coming of 1970 Brazil!!