gio1saints

Yup my bad!

0-2 AA from good Ballard assist.

1-0 Aa! ( I think ) 😁

5mins gone should be 0-2 Saints. Eastleigh not really touched the ball yet.

Kwp not on the coach.

First sight of the lesser spotted Llama.

Just about to get on me bike and trundle over to the Silverlake….Hoping to see Suki, The return of Adz, new defence of Edwards, Taylor and Wood, Larios (if he’s allowed out that late ) but most of all hoping for a decent shift ( at least a half) from RS - which would reassure me greatly. Anyone have ideas on what refreshments are available on site? 😎

If I’ve got a chance to earn life changing money somewhere else even though I have a decent offer on the table I’m 100% gonna look at it. Wanting or not wanting to be somewhere would not be my primary consideration. It might be for us Saints supporters but let’s get real- Che is trying to get the most ££ he can now he’s on a free and it’s unlikely Saints are going to offering him more or even close than many other comparable clubs including Saudi as a wage and or a sign in fee. Not got an issue with that. Wether he’s good enough yes I have my doubts and prefer we get someone new- but this waiting game- totally as you’d expect.,

Majority of our next ( bigger) signings may come much later in window. 1. because we do need to unload some first and 2. Arsenal, for example will prioritise a fee for Ramsdale on the open market up until the bitter end - if they know they have us gagging for a loan of him if that fails. Chelsea same with Broja for hypothetical example(s). So we have to wait until nobody buys them. And then strike fast. The most likely quick “ buys” may well be from outside the EPL. Hopefully players like O’Reilly before Celtic start getting involved in CL matches and refuse to budge until they knocked out - and to give them time for decent replacement. I’d of thought Stu could do that job in a blink of an eye for them - and would love another few European nights so get on with it!!

GK is one position in particular I don’t mind us hiring a top of the range expert/specialist. Whether it’s to purchase ( unlikely with Saints) or to hire ( much more likely ) getting a goalie that everybody knows is shit hot between the sticks is a good investment. His reputation alone stops players shooting - compare and contrast at times with Gav last season. If Ramsdale costs £120k pw for a year that’s SR punting £6M pa on him saving us X points. He saves us 6 more points this season than Alex or Lumley who is going to argue he was overpaid? Alex did well last few games and would be a good back up - but a whole season as our undisputed #1 back in the EPL - I think him and Ramsdale can fight for that and I’m sure who wins. Or as I previously mentioned the ex Arsenal and current Juve Polish National GK may also be available for hire…

This would be fun/ mental : Wojciech Szczesny not happy with €4m pa offer from Juve to renew his deal. Was on €6m pa Looking to Saudi. Transfer fee would be ( according to transfermkt) c €6M. From saints perspective a loan or purchase deal with maybe possibility of being able to extend would cost us say c €3m fee plus say €6M in wages total €9m For a class vastly experienced gk that could keep us in the EPL. cheap. Totally sorted out the gk position. Still only 34. 😀

Whenever we make a big deal about a happy event it quite often acts as the sugar to sweeten the medicine we are about to take. In our case I think the sugar was Flynn signing and medicine is KWP leaving. The timing fans PR works better that way around.

Can’t believe I overlooked that! Given we seem to have bought the replacements for KWP and Jan , should they leave, but have not done so for AA might it be that Saints are highly confident of a contract renewal? We seem to have concentrated on sorting out the defence early but there’s a big elephant in the room regarding our attackers! Surely at least two new attackers imminent- and the announcement of an extension for AA.🙏And why isn’t RF training with us yet???? Thought that was a done deal.

Jan B and KWP. Both in final year of contract. Both key players for RM - like Che and Stuart. Combined transfermkt value : c €30. RM publicly quoted as bemoaning that Stu and Che entered final year without renewal. TWO NEW CB bought already plus BK to return and TWO NEW FB’s also. Would we really do that if KWP and JB were not leaving? The money we get for them two will pay for the new #9 and possibly the new attacking MF.

My guess is the Lamine camara link was the plan B ( or C) if Flynn did not sign. Cue he probably joins us this window!😂

Shea is Flynn’s understudy. End of conversation. When Flynn is not playing Shea should play that role. Cup matches, suspensions, injuries and illness cover. That’s going to be at least 10 matches already. Will CAN play that 6 role if needed but this year I’d pick Shea. There is no pressing need to get a back up for Flynn. There is, however, a #9 shaped gap in our squad now Che has gone - and that is clearly a priority, added to that there is also a Stuart Armstrong shaped starting role in first team that needs filling. I’d say Both those positions are ahead of any ideas of a back up DMF / #6 on the transfer front. Unless Shea is loaned out, of course, which is not impossible. NB I do not rule out that AL may be the Stuart replacement but with no disrespect intended to AL - I’d rather not and prefer to think it will be O’reilly.

Surely arriverderci Kameldeen if this Palace lad strolls up? Or if he doesn’t seems writing is starting to become visible on the wall for KS…

The point about Charley learning English is well made. In fact it’s make or break for his Saints career. As others have already mentioned he should be extremely willing and able to learn much from AL - but not if there’s no interest on his part in mastering the language sufficiently - which I understand is/was RM’s main point of frustration with him, talent unquestioned.

Like every saints fan I find the KS situation frustrating. There’s a player in there. He has Mbappe-like acceleration. But that seems to be it so far. Every match I saw him last season he looked like he was playing with weights around his ankles. Our PB tactics basically shackled him and he looked awful. It afflicted SE to a an extent also. RF was the only winger with the ability ( I think it’s mostly football intelligence and maturity) to adapt his game to the way RM wants team to play. He’s not as technically or physically gifted as the other two but was miles more impactful. KS is currently not a starter nor even an impact sub at present. Unless something changes in pre season he is on the For Sale list imo.

RM has already commented on Lallanas immediate and impressive impact upon training. That’s usually his “tell” sign that the player is going to be on the bench!🤣

Much overlooked aspect of Spains performances in this tournament was their press when out of possession. Spain have some excellent players - but so did most of the top teams - but none of them played as ferociously and as high up to regain possession as Spain, so often. And that was a key aspect of them winning the ball back and winning every game. * I hope our press can be as effective as theirs this season. All the EPL teams will be practising press activation. Those that do it best will have better results than the others - even with apparently inferior players. Hoping our team spirit and relatively ego free squad will stand us in good stead there. * ps and neither was it that Spain’s players were fitter than everyone else’s players. Yes, Spains players were technically competent and mentally alert when out of possession but It was the coaching and the team mentality that meant this was an automatic response not something that needed to be shouted at them from the sidelines. Big difference.

I think Matt O’Riley, of all the players names we have been associated with, is the one I’d think most likely to make an immediate and positive impact upon our first team. In the continuing absence of a top CF and with Stu gone, doubts over Charlie and we not even got Flynn over the line yet this is exactly the kind of consistent high energy levels goalscorer and assist machine we need. Seems a level above Aribo and Will IF he can bring anything like his Scottish form over to the EPL. If it’s €25m that’s a lot - and no doubt his wages will be in line with that - but I think if we put whatever we get for Paul towards it and remember we not paying Stus wages any longer it won’t seem so high. I’m 100% in favour of this rumoured transfer.

I think we will need six cb’s this season if RM continues the way we ended last year with 3CB’s on the pitch at anyone time. The point regarding Jan is well made. Maybe Saints will let him run out the contract - but given the two newbies and the return of BK it does kind of point to Saints cashing in on him before he does a Che. Hard call that as Jan was fundamental last year.

Agree his injury record is not good. I made that a first proviso. The thing about not wanting him in the trenches is a debatable comment. I do not know what it was like for him aged 20/21 in the uk playing in Ralph’s team but surely not easy and a walk in the park. German international defenders not usually cowards. I’d hope a years maturity - and RM “bravery coaching” influence - and staying injury free - might address any “resolve” issues

I took a moment to remind myself about Bella-Kotchap. His injury record is obviously not good - but - 1. He is / was a German international centre back. When fit. 2. I will repeat that - he is/ was a German international centre back - when fit. 3. He is only 22 years old. 4. He speaks English, - pretty much essential for a RM player especially seeing how non speakers like lyanco and Charlie get shipped out. 5. He is 6ft 3” and athletic with it, - our biggest defender in a team not all that big. 6. RM thinks he is an impressive massive unit and wants to get to know him better - from a fellow defender to take a personal interest like that is crucial. Can RM teach and motivate BK - and keep him injury free? If so skys the limit. 7. BK has Rio Ferdinand as his hero role model- a classy cb good choice to aspire to. 8. Bought for £11m still valued at £12m by transfermkt and cannot be on big wages. Selling him now for what we paid can be done - easy - but surely he’s worth a pre season at least to see if he’s able for the EPL with RM,s team? 9. His contract is until 2026 so we got time - if he does well we can sell him next year for a gazillion -or upgrade and extend his contract. I don’t see much downside to keeping him in the squad. Go Bella!