gio1saints

Yes fair summation. His value hardly went down scoring a hat-trick whilst the world was watching him last night. He will still be a hot property post world cup.

Leeds or Saints? Everton or Saints? If its football career progression for a young overseas player its surely Saints. Its the known career ladder. Others may disagree but for me its a strong probably our strongest USP. IF we were a top six EPL club Cody my guess is would already be posing with a shirt btw ...It's not really the money so much as I don't think PSV can stomach selling there starboy to anybody they see as beneath them. I get it as a pride thing for them proud historic multi times champions that they are - if he has to go at least make it a Liverpool or some-such....but to sell to perennial strugglers in the EPL after we just got kicked out at home of the CL by Rangers makes us look like muppets is maybe what they are afraid of in front of their noisy loyal fanbase (respect to the PSV fans btw who are a strong reason why Cody may NOT be sold this window).

What’s wrong with playing Rickie ? He’s great. We love Rickie. 😍

Players like Belotti ( now at Roma) or Icardi ( apparently available) fit the bill as does Fulham’s Mitrovic. If there’s no one then somebody give Graziano, James Beattie or Rickie a call 😄. Push comes to shove would take Kane also. 😂 They don’t need to be super quick but they do need to be able to hold the ball and bring others into play. So probably physically strong is a good attribute and not short.

Not wishing to dampen the excitement BUT : Gakpo essentially plays in the left wing / wide attacker position that both AA and Mara currently play - and who both have shown some real promise ( and scored ) from. Don’t get me wrong - I’d be delighted if Gakpo signs - but if I was AA or Mara I’d be thinking “ that’s my position”, am I going to be benched? What we do not have cover for is if Che gets injured. Im surprised there’s nothing solid on a Che back up or alternate because IF he is injured we will need change the way the other ten guys in team are getting used to playing. That’s not good planning.

Nice 2nd goal. Looks the real deal - but the oppos look like they trying to make him look good they so rubbish. Or maybe he really is that good. Hope so. Cody is on fire!

#Gakpoview is also available if you have a bet365 account. Showing live.

Lord Duckhunter. You could have said no I disagree Gio because of xyz. Instead you just suggest I'm deluded. Why the nasty? I gave evidence that we develop young players into superstars faster than Everton. You believe instead that because 40 years ago Everton used to be good that makes them a bigger attraction than Saints? Is that why Cody would favour them? Because Frank is the Manager? Because they get about 8,000 more to watch a home match? Or is it the chance to sit next to Delle Ali? I'm not delusional just stating what seems fairly obvious from the facts. I stand by my view. Only sane reason for an young overseas player to join everton over saints would be for extra money.

The relative success of Tino, Lavia, BK, Bazunu, even Broja in a short space of time shows that "the pathway" is real at Saints. That and beating Chelsea 2-1 last night stacked with kids must surely play a big part in a players mindset next 36 hours. For example - Cody- Everton or Saints - which team has got better reputation for your development? Ohm btw, neither are going to win anything - but which is more likely to make you a mega star in a year or two? Which team does it season after season? Not even close as a choice. The only difference is Everton might pay £25kpw more and if that's the only reason for choosing them then they can keep the player...

At present Nottm Forest are living and playing - with a modicum of success- on adrenalin. Back to the EPL and massive social media numbers means they are fully in the circus that is EPL now. They will run through walls and outperform. But this cannot be sustained all season whoever they buy. Adrenalin runs out, the honeymoon period eventually wears off, and when it does, when it gets harder and harder and losing becomes default - will the players look to their fellows and manager and know that they can trust them as they've been there before? Doubtful. Saints have made a career out of knowing how to avoid relegation in those circumstances. We got a PHd in it you might say. Our recruitment this window is way better than theirs.

Sighs wistfully and looks deep into the distance......I only ever used to go Archers right and be as close as i could to away supporters but behind the goal. It would be called an added value entertainment package benefit nowadays. Sometime away supporters would try infiltrate that area behind the goal but you could kind of tell who didn't belong and there would inevitably be a bundle down as they never were at the top cos the gate was down the bottom anyways. Notable games i recall when there was such non footballing but added value entertainment were West Ham and Birmingham probably back in early 1980's possibly 82/83. Same when I went away. Always stay closest to the home fans, notably got ejected from Portman Road during out famous mauling for being vocally unkind to home supporters parenthood after Brazils 3rd goal or something....notably went Millwall Spurs Chelsea and Arsenal Man u, Sheffield Weds etc away (even got into the home terraces) by myself looking to experience the "non footballing entertainment passion". Nowadays i do chess puzzles and sudokus. Drink non alcoholic beer and hardly ever touch red meat.

Quite. In this case we have got possibly the single greatest example of why it’s a good idea to join saints : Mane = Gakpo.* * potentially.

Already big clues that Salisu and BK will play CB in a default 442 - until further notice. And that they could be a high quality pairing. So any replacement CB if Jan or Jack leave is unlikely to be a starter. Both Valery and Lyanco fancy themselves as “ ballers” whilst Jan and Jack are more classic aggressive bodies on the line defenders. Assuming that “ type” of old school defender is leaving there’s an option available at present if Ralph wants to keep that in the squad but freshen it up a bit : Wilfred Boly,31, all 6ft 5 of him for those that prioritise height is available from Wolves. Is he a an experienced Ivory Coast international who scores from corners and could be back up should Jan and/or Jack leave and we’ve not replaced them late on the day? Not expensive to buy but probably wants high wages. Might be an option.

6ft 2”, 26 year old CB, 42 caps for Poland, two years EPL experience.possible deal available at £15m. If that was anyone other than Jan the forum would be thinking he’s worth a punt as a still young guy but with excellent experience CB. The hate-in on Jan is typical of sheepish mob mentality. Yiu watch Saints and you see him make dozens of vital potentially goals saving interceptions throwing his body in the way for Saints. He also makes mistakes. But in the interests of balance please don’t just bang on about the downside like he has no strong points. He has. Quoting Vestergaard who is a different type of player as a secondary argument in favour of getting rid is is not all that helpful either - I’ll call your Vestergaard and raise you Jose . …a little bit more balance in the coverage of Jan please…

AMN did not want to come to saints previously because we wanted to play him at full back and he fancies himself as a midfielder. Nothings changed. If he wishes he comes in as a starter RB - until tino is fit then thats going to be fun - but as a midfielder I'm not sure..

I think its very clear we will bring in another striker. Despite that my guess is that we will keep Che - unless we're bid over £25M - for now. Aside from his own feelings that we cannot really guess at it may be the chemistry between new striker and him may be the biggest influence on if Che leaves or not. Equally it may be a factor of what technical characteristics the new striker has and how complementary they are to Che's game. If the new incoming club record striker joins its unlikely he's bought to sit on bench for a season until he is ready...so it will be interesting to see with who they play best with and how Ralph lines them up.

I'm expecting Benfica to cruise it into the group stages. If and when they beat Dynamo Kiev tonight either Ramos is going and his price ever higher if he scores again - or he will stay until they get knocked out. Perversely the best option is if he has a stinker and Benfica get knocked out, but seeing as threy 2-0 from first leg, are at home and kiev are bad traveling i dont see that. .

Baz, Salisu and ABK should be nailed on starters imo and given a good run of games to cement that key core central defensive understanding. So I see no strong argument for a “ better” than JB, Stephens Valery or Lyanco CB to be recruited - unless one or more of those leaves that is.

Thank you for the JB data. Just proves how contradictory's saints fans can be on the same player! It seems supporters of all colours seem to need to have scapegoats for losses. It’s easier to personalise it into one or two “ bad” players. Especially if there’s a howler or two to point to. Then it’s easier to do that than enter the grey world of blaming the tactics or allowing scope for superior players or even knowledge of intangibles like was he playing of necessity with an injury. FWIW I don’t think Jan is anything better than an average epl CB - but he is good enough to play for Saints and for Poland and certainly not as hapless as some make out. Selling our most experienced CB and replacing with a kid is a high risk play which given we have brought in one youngster to CB is all that much of a priority. I’d keep him unless a really good offer came in - in which case it’s gamble time - another kid or replace a seasoned pro with another at CB?

Was the difference also that he’s been essentially dropped from the starting 11 this season and there is much talk of him being unloaded to other clubs? Those “ other” clubs were undoubtedly watching him on Saturday and he certainly gave them two good reasons to believe he’s worth an investment. It is not unknown for a player, once it’s clear he’s playing for his future career and the financial future of himself and family, to go full concentrate mode and do the biz. It often happens at contract renewal time. I am NOT saying that is what happened Saturday as do not wish to impugne his character and Fwiw I think Che is a good epl forward - but it is a possibility and cannot be ruled out as a contributory factor to his superb impact from the bench. If Ralph / coaching team/Che have tuned into that as a motivator then well done all round. Saints need to score and win however we can and with whatever on or off field support we can mobilise. This is a facet of modern football but it’s been around for decades..

No Broja in the squad for Chelsea. Must be injured.

Depending on where you look Belottis salary was around €65,000 at Torino. He was Captain and always scored 10+ goals every season in a mid to lower level Seria A team somewhat comparable to Saints ( but with a much more acclaimed history). He is essentially a full hustle cf - Saintsy in that regard but also a genuine #9- a relatively old school goal scoring penalty taking good in the air hard working player first and foremost. He’s also physically strong so the EPL physicality would probably not frighten him as much as it would some foreign players. At 28 /29 years old and after giving a loyal shift to Torino he probably wants a last payoff and maybe a last opportunity overseas challenge to set him up for life. Though he’s married with family I believe so that may make him less inclined. EPL fits his style for sure and the ££ definitely. He could play at Villa, Everton, Newcastle, Brighton or Saints. Easy. Of those I’d say Newcastle would be nailed on if they wanted him. We’d be 3rd choice. I’m sure £100k pw ie a JWP salary or thereabouts for 2 years would seem fair to our fans considering his previous wage - BUT he won’t join for that. It will be nearer £150K+ pw if we really want him. My view fwiw : Given it’s no fee ( but I don’t know the agents cut) £150kpw over 104 weeks is £15.6million. And no resale value. Given his undoubted track record of scoring in the hardest league to score in and especially at a club like ours often under the cosh - I’d do it. Not at £200kpw though. He’s a leader and won’t ever give up always giving 100% effort. He’s not s hands up in the air moaning type. He’s not super skilful not technically brilliant not super fast - but he is a known product not a potential and has enough to have made him a full IT international and well respected by all Seria A defenders. That’s good enough for me and should be more than good enough for Saints. I hope SFC can see that and go the £150k pw ( or more) as then he would be a marquee signing of great significance and give whole city a boost. Sign him up!

And, it would make sense because they would tend to be exactly our kind of player - NOT. Currently a CL player but in a euro squad trying to qualify for it or that has got through to qualifying conference/ europa. Especially from the lesser known or non big five leagues.

The situation whereby Saints are waiting on a signing from a team playing early knockout European competition stages does recur. When// if they get through to a group stages - or are out will impact player incoming timing. It may well be the case that we are fairly confident in one or two players but they are however currently indisposed until their team has sufficiently progressed. Several names already mentioned fit that category.

Fair point about non existent service. I know it might sound laughable but, for me, he had something of the Cristiano Ronaldo about him. He attacks defenders directly with pace and technical strength in final third in a way which terrifies them - and which we are unused to seeing at SMS from our attackers. He just wants to score. He can win a game by himself if he's in the mood and given ball in right areas. None of our current or recent past forwards can do this (though there's a promising case for Mara on his one cameo). IF there's a non football problem with him then we are nuts and need to show more mental flexibility in order to find a way to utilise his talents.