gio1saints

Westminster Abbey ✅

With saints supporters like you who needs opponents.

Thanks Whitey. Agreed Kinks were well ahead of their time in so many ways. Bit like MLT in his prime. The world by and large didn’t “get him” so he just got left out of the England squads. Think I might try get myself to one of these (or more) gigs. Went Oslo for Bruce again recently and hoping to see him again this year Europe or who knows , feck it , the States. Rare Talent must be appreciated whilst we have them around. ( and are around ourselves!)

Both Jan and Stu are on the cusp of 200 appearances for Saints. This is a major milestone. If my research is correct, Jan is currently on 197 and Stu is on 196. Both are well short of our all time appearances players but if both remain fit and playing this time next season they could make the Saints first 11 all time for EPL and Championship (or Div 1&2) - if I understand correctly. Corrections humbly accepted. Which enters at least Saints Hall of Fame category if not “Legends”. A Polish flag from the international team with “congratulations on 200 matches for Saints Jan “ written in Polish, and ditto a Scottish international flag saying “ congratulations on 200 matches Stu” written in Scottish dialect might be a cool thing to get created and display perhaps present to them after the respective matches?

No. im sry v WBA. My mistake. But you knew that I’m sure. 🤡

I meant get to SMS.

It’s a historic fixture. One day, 🤞, all 30k saints fans will be able to say they were there the day that an unbeaten league games record was matched. If you ain’t got a ticket then, frankly, you need to get off your backside and do what it takes to get one pay whatever is required to get in and be there. History can be made and no saints fan should miss it.

Yes Injury prone, yes not playing much but also yes he is still registered to Saints and will be back next season unless sold or loaned out again. He gets fitness back and a decent run of games the last half of season it’s like a new signing at CB.

Celtic are keen on this guy. A pacy winger highly regarded at Austria Vienna. Left footer. £3m gets him apparently. Unlikely to be on much wages either. Cheap alternate option to the GB based winger options we linked with? We would usually buy this guy from Celtic next season for £8m so why not get him now before he gets more expensive?😂

Man of the Match his last full game suggests otherwise in this league. His standard transfer fee and standard wages demanded would rule him out for sure- but his suitability for the squad- no- he’s suitable and a useful squad asset being able to play at CB or FB so in this league that’s not really up for debate. What happens if we go up is another story. It’s unlikely THB, Jan or JS would leave if we go up - and possible Saints might consider keeping the same four in the EPL including Mason. Big Mistake imo. Of those four only THB is top EPL class, imo. JS and Beds I love them to bits but they would not be top top cb’s in the EPL. Maybe good enough for bottom ten clubs at best. Which, hate to say it, is probably gonna be our level- if we do well. Mason, if repeating his mom form and ironing out his silly mistakes potentially may be the same but probability suggests not. Says to me if we go up Saints will look to get at least one top top CB prospect or half finished one. We do have a possible coming back from overseas loan…😉* *ABK - though he does not start for them he’s getting the experience in a team thats best in the Eredisivie and in a ridiculous unbeaten league run so it’s hardly surprising he’s not breaking in. They smash teams every week.. Current transfermkt value €19M - which is more than what we paid (€11m) so objectively the markets says he’s improving…might be the potentially great new Cb without a fee for us - or his sale may fund a replacement.

God I actually agree with both you are saying. The Kinks are so badly underrated but they massively inspired The Jam ( and so many others ) - two of my favourite bands. But I’ve got a heavy cold plus injured my calf reffing on Sunday so I’m obviously not 100%. Both excellent song choices. Only problem is, of course, - and frankly I am rather surprised that neither of you picked this up - but there is absolutely NO reference to Pompey in either song. Despite that, if DB joins and performs a half decent pass ( better yet a goal) I will be solo starting “ I wish I could be like David Brooke’s” from Block 41…..😇😁

Why just leave it at that cheery possibility? 11 goals in 46 games is not rubbish but you’re making it sound so. If you are looking to put the fear of God in to give Russ and Saints that little bit of extra “motivation” so obviously needed to ensure it’s promotion we get not just some “almost did it just lost in the playoffs “ rubbish why not go full catastrophe mode? Surely you should up the ante?😁 If we’re talking what happens ( for definite mothers life 100% gods honest not gonna lie to you) if we fail to get promoted why not add in that we will lose all not just some of our good players. Relegation to League one season after next a real prospect, humiliation in the derby when we get stuffed by Pompey a stone wall guarantee - Oh and that season tickets will cost more, concessions beers will cost more, and away fans will sing “ we’re just a small club in Portsmouth” to us. And we will only be able to dream about having a French u21 international in our team then. Not that Russ will mind- Russ gets sacked off rest of his contract and pockets a 7 figure sum either way so that’s a real bummer for him I’m sure. And it will all be his own fault too. 😃 That shyster. 😎. Why oh why couldn’t he have listened and dumped sekou when he had the chance and bought another proven goal scorer from Scotland or other top top league not kept faith with that Mara nil points. Beats me. Someone should write a stiff letter to the Board. I’m sure they are oblivious to this, the idiots! 😆

Almost as if, in training, the winger is told to….get to the byline….and cut it back for ( insert advanced midfielder often Will Smallbone?? ) rather than what many of us recall as the standard put it on a plate for a half decent CF roll it across the six yard box with a more horizontal pass. If I remember correctly Sekou scored recently by gambling at the back post from a Ryan Fraser cross expertly placed for him to slide it into the net. It’s possible Ryan was given a rollicking for not cutting it back correctly as per training instead of placing it there.😂 Could it be that because we haven’t had a half decent CF for so long the team has forgotten that pass is usually a rewarding place to put the ball? And Sekou was acting on instinct to be there not holding back his run so he could be on edge of the penalty box?🤣🤣🤣

SFC to other team/ striker / agent “ we’d like to take xyz on loan for 6 months” We can match his salary or go halfsies if he’s a big shot. Perhaps even lob you a negotiable fee if you get this over the line. Agent to SFC : “ will he play?” SFC to OT/S/A : “ only if Che leaves to be honest “ Agent to SFC : “ so is Che leaving then?” SFC to OT/S/A : ” we do not know yet. Maybe. It might be a last minute thing. Agent to SFC “Yeah, gotcha, whatever, maybe, hear from you at 10pm on final day of the window then. Bye. Click…,

Did you see the recent RM article about this? The one where he said we’d be mad to let Sekou go out on loan right now?

We’ve seen by the arguments above that it is a gamble either way with Che. Nobody has so far been able to accurately identify the stakes of the gamble or its constituent parts though -so here’s my attempt to at least sort them into two groups - Che intangibles and Che tangibles 1. Che Intangibles : Che’s presence in the squad ensures competition for forward starting places is high, driving standards up. Would a new striker have that same presence straight away? How long? Che’s experience of PB football under RM is high (there’s no time lag to learning it). How long would it take a new forward to match that playbook knowledge? 5-10 matches? 15? Does he start in that time if he does not know the playbook yet? Play off the bench? Che is physically fit, in form and immediately available. You’ve got to assume following the RS situation that the replacement is 100% fit - but in form and immediately ready and desirable he plays- as above it’s unlikely. Che is a respected professional, liked in the squad by players and management. Settled at SMS. Hopefully any new loanee comes is character checked accordingly. It takes time to settle in a new city. Sekou is also liked & respected. New loanee comes in does he take Sekous ‘ chances of playing away? Will he settle? Impact of that on SM and squad togetherness/ morale - and ultimately results? The closer to end of contract Che gets the more worrying & costly an injury could be to his entire future, his hopes & plans for himself ( and family if he has one) and ultimately career. All of which risk negative impact on his match day reflexes - despite his professionalism. The new loanee will look to make an immediate impact - and do whatever it takes to impress - this is a different mindset to potentially that of Che above. If that mindset is linked to ability/ class it could be the most important factor. See Ryan Fraser. 2. Che Tangibles. Che Adams fee achieved + his salary for next six months versus the salary (and fee) of an incoming replacement forward. We know roughly his wages and we know roughly what fee we might get. We do not know replacements’ salary or fee but my guess is they will roughly balance out. Value of promotion to the EPL: £100m + Opportunity Cost of not getting promotion to EPL : £100m+ Che’s goals and assists. Currently it’s a goal or assist every c. 145 minutes. Extrapolate that until end of season and assuming he plays every game it’s c. 6-8 goals inc assists between now and season end. Those are the tangible and intangible factors as far as I can tell. There’s more to add but which way do the scales weigh down on as the “best” choice? My best guess is that Saints will continue to research options and be on standby if an offer comes in for Che - but be reactive not proactive. I feel Saints would be happy to let Che see out his contract because the net money we get for him will probably mostly be going out on his replacement and a few Mil is small change in the grand scheme of things. Saints know what it has in Che and what it might get from Che between now and season end. Cannot guarantee same from any incoming. But if the right offer comes in they are prepared to act.

Good point. He won’t “down tools” but it’s his last big payday and one simple injury could cost him literally millions. I hope his agent sits him down and tells him that it’s better to get a new two or better three year deal with ANY club at a moderate salary than hold out until end of season for a sign on bonus in the EPL but don’t get injured as you’re ducked. Should be a win- win for him - and Saints. He could literally bust a gut for new team knowing he’s got that contract rather than having that fear back of his head. And in his place we could get someone who IS determined to do whatever it takes to earn a new deal AND a small fee which may be put towards new blood.

Ah I see didn’t know he had cancer and was out the game a while. Anybody fights back from cancer gets my vote! Consider me converted! Sign him up! 😇

No not really. As I said: Maybe I’m not up to speed on this guy perhaps I’m just ignorant. When did he have his period of being a superstar? 2019?

£50k per week for supposedly one of there bestest players? Why on earth would boscombe let him go if he’s really that good? Why has he not completed 90 minutes ( actually he came off ht last match) this season and only once been a starter? He comes on for 5 or 10 minutes per match, when fit. If fit he’s not a starter for them. For Boscombe Athletic ffs. It’s not like he’s even a prolific scorer or assist maker when playing. What’s the attraction? They are not such a brilliant squad of EPL stars that they can just do that, surely? I don’t see this player automatically gets to start at SmS from his recent playing history. Maybe I’m not up to speed on this guy but he does not strike me as better value than other goalscoring wingers. Is this a decoy for some other target?

Alex would be an excellent back up in the EPL. If he leaves there’s a £40-£50k a week opening for a player who actually might contribute on the pitch the remaining matches. Lumley looks capable of covering for Baz so it may be worth the risk. Unsure about our other keepers though.

To be fair, despite it being irksome and repetitive at times, it’s first class trolling from @Turkishand his cot chums. IF they are privy to inside info - say on Amed - but are not supposed to tell - then they won’t tell. Jobs, careers and a lot of money are at stake plus reputations and confidences. Not negotiable really. Clubs like Saints in particular are notorious for wanting to keep stuff under wraps until the last minute. Teams like MUFC have millions of fans around the world searching for ANY news on their players. IF any info gets leaked out into the public domain it can only therefore be via it being illegitimate ( ie stolen or unauthorised disclosure), accidental ( Agent leaving his email on bringing amed in on loan open for the secretary to see who happens to tell her saints supporting bf) , sheer stupidity of the player or their entourage ( Amed telling his bruv in the nightclub he “going south “ soon with smile on his face ) - or done with express purpose of encouraging bids or contract renewals for their client ( Amed you need to play man yoo first team so if I can invent bunch of demand from other credible teams maybe ten Haag gives you a chance and your wages gonna be ten times the present in no time at all. That’s like a million pounds a month for the kid. And a big wedge for his agent. It’s big money not amateur hour stuff. Posting “clues” that might identify Amed is the same as posting his name on the internet - if the clues are genuine. In which case the provenance would be as the above para. And it’s a very big problem ( unless it’s done specifically for the purpose explained) Posting “ clues” that might identify a target but are actually just BS is simple trolling. And can be remarkably successful. The internet is full of the click bait approach to marketing. Difficult to tell but the more clues usually the less inclined I am to trust the source and to think it’s all just a fun game for some mildly bored 😄adults on the Interweb.

Ah memories of Orient away in the Cup…torrents of urine cascading down the terraces between our feet from our fans above….crammed cheek to Jowl surely more there than the ticket allocation…having physical “discussions” with Orient nut jobs on the bridge nearby on way to the ground. Wishing I hadn’t worn my cut off denim jacket with full set of Saints patches on the back ( well it was the height of fashion for away support then!) coming home as was such an obvious target..

If Amed Diallo is going anywhere surely he would go back to Sunderland? I’ve not been able to ascertain his fitness but when and if fit then he would obvs be a prime candidate for this apparent left footed right wing type player we are supposedly keen on. His wages are £28.5k pw so that’s not a problem and he has obviously scored at Champ level last season including plenty beauties cutting in from the right and left foot curling it - essentially what KWP has done couple of times this season. Only question mark is his defensive awareness. AA and RF are excellent role models in that regard. Sam has definitely improved over the course of the season but KS and Amo are still not quite there on that.. If he really commits to off the ball tracking work then would be a high quality signing. But I still figure Sunderland would be first choice. Ryan Fraser is showing that if you are a genuine class player then that skill + 100% fitness + high football intelligence = plenty goals and assists in the Championship. Frankly though, given how underwhelming Antony has been I’m surprised Manutd don’t try him instead of the players on 10-15X his wage…

The Resident football expert speaks wise words. 😂. I already made my case for Sekou above without any heed to rely on bollox statistics but seeing as you have presented such a powerful and concise refutation 🤣🤣🤣I feel it’s only polite to respond. This will be fun….Guess who our top five players for goals and assists are per minutes played in the squad? This season? Let me help you, in case you do not have access to my well thumbed version of the invaluable guide for saints fans known as the “Mr stattybollix book of saints stats”😄. First it’s AA, then that crap Sekou Mara then that ( who must be) even more crap Che, then ( logically it follows) the incredibly crap Ryan and then lastly ( and God he must be absolutely the pits) Super duper crap Sam. Maybe the last two or three are other way around but it’s certainly. First AA, Sekou second. In other words if you want a goal or an assist this season the stats say AA is your man then that crap Sekou Mara and after them two then those other even more crap Che Adams, Ryan Fraser and Sam Edozie. Those last three in particular must be on for super crap championship team of the season for not even be more effective than the crap Sekou Mara per minute in delivering goals or assists. But those stats are BS and mean nothing right? But nothing is not the same as “crap”. Is it? Nah it isn’t is it. If you wanted a few more goals or assists out of Sekou then it might help if he was given more than 283 minutes all season in mostly tiny chunks to do it. God forbid he starts two games in a row or even gets on two games in a row! Even so he’s second only to AA, ahead of Che, RF and Sam. Not so bad for a crap player usually given five minutes at the end. Must make those other players extra crap I guess. But stats are always crap anyway so I’m guessing that saying Sekou Mara is crap is still within the grounds of acceptable- though that does somewhat put some of our allegedly better players into a somewhat uncomfortable position of being more crap - but that’s irrelevant because if you are deemed crap by the football expert then you are crap and there’s no getting away from that clear, obvious, unchallengeable fact. 😇🤣😂