Holmes_and_Watson

It can be a transition as it should be every window. Just with a clear plan of manager, system, coaching and importantly recruitment, to finally give one of our managers all of the tools they need to succeed. That’s not necessarily the scouting, but in getting the targets over the line. SR should bear in mind how many misses they’ve had and get the squad PL ready, even if that means not trying to be overly clever. That means working very hard to be clear with players who won’t be getting minutes and working very hard to find them other clubs. The contract status of our squad and the wretched couple of PL seasons we’ve lend itself to the transition. Unless there’s contract clauses in play:- Players leaving in 2025:- Lumley 25, Walker-Peters 25, Ugochukwa 25 (U21), Lallana 25, Grønbæk 25, Amo-Ameyaw 26 (U21), Payne 25 (U21) Walker-Peters’ replacement was Sugawara last summer. Amo-Ameyaw has an obligation to buy clause, so will be gone too. Of the others, there was little to no impact. That’s 7 players going for a start. From, what we all know is a bloated, ill-fitting squad as it is. Players leaving in 2026 McCarthy 26 (would prefer to loan Baz out again, as Alex saw out his last contract), Bree 26 (Could see us extending), Taylor 26 (thought he’d be used much more, but has vanished), Stephens 26 (if we play 3 at the back, or sell enough. Versatile, but not first choice in our Championship team), Bella-Kotchap 26, Onuachu 26, Stewart 26 (Will be going nowhere), Bragg 26 (A year to be involved, or make a loan impact for an extension), Smallbone 26 (really useful in some systems, passed by in many others. So, depends on new manager), Fraser 26 (early impact, but faded), Aribo 26 (versatile, but not enough game changing from any position), Dibling 26 (U21) (If not signing a new deal, hopefully a move can be agreed to fund a chunk of our rebuild), Ballard 26 That’s another 13 in their last year. While it should be made clear they are not in first team plans, that’s not to say they can’t get into them. Injuries will keep some (Stewart). Some are fine to have as squad players for a while longer (Bree)and some are on too high a wage to want to go anywhere (McCarthy, Aribo)/ looking to be free agents. Sales elsewhere (Bednarek, Downes, Fernandes, Ramsdale) will also bring some back into contention (Stephens) but would really need replacing with PL quality players (something SR should be aware of before their eyes light up with pound signs, for a change.) But we should be looking to upgrade on all these positions. For every upgrade we make, the clearer their futures are. If moves can’t be permanent, then they can be loaned. Where we should start from:- GK Ramsdale 28, McCarthy 26 DR Sugawara 28, Bree 26 DL Manning 27, Welington ?, Larios 27 (U21) DCL (Any DC sale should really be replaced with a left footed centre half) DCR Bednarek 27, Harwood-Bellis 28, Edwards 28 (U21), Wood 28, Stephens 26 DMC NEW - Romeu replacement needed since SR window 1, Charles 27 , Bragg 26 (U21) MC Downes 28, NEW AMC Fernandes 29 (U21), NEW, Akachukwu ? (U21), O'Brien-Whitmarsh 27 (U21) AML Armstrong 27, Sulemana 27, Edozie 27 (U21), Juan ? AMR NEW (Tella, SAA, Dibling if he goes replacement.) SC Archer 28, Robinson 27 (U21) FC Brereton Diaz 28, Stewart 26 – due to Injury, NEW - Adams Upgrade promised and needed since SR window 1 Armstrong was not only prolific in the Championship, but would be available of competing with Archer and playing AMR if needed. 7 definitely going 10 others that wouldn’t be first, or often second choice That still leaves 21 players, with a requirement for 5 first team/ fighting for first team players. Those are the ones we should be looking to bring in PL ready players. Ideally permanently, but loans with options possible too. It’s not including Larios, Akachukwa, O’Brien-Whitmarsh and Robinson who have barely featured. There should be another 3 or 4 pushing through from the U21s too. We’d also have January and the ’26 window, should we go up. If we are going up, that would make getting experienced PL players a lot easier. But not impossible to get them this window (especially using loans with options)

... I wouldn't release the 2025 version, choosing a 2026 version instead.

A dedicated cold call team, phoning every club on the planet. Repeatedly, until 1 caves in. 🙂

So, a Daily Mail hack was there and dropped their copy near the dog? Suspicious.

Vomit

Sule brace for a sneaky point.

Train

I read that as Question: SOG. Hopkins, Tate and Robinson in same room. You have a gun with only two bullets in the chamber, who lives? I thought that the mods wouldn't look too kindly on some of the responses. 🙂

Full

It's because SR are much more interested in us as a shop window, than ensuring that we had the ability to operate the business behind it. Dazzled with the profit of a Tino, Lavia or Dibling. Never mind the age and that they fade when overplayed. Get shot of the higher earners to make way, as long as the kids get sold before they burn out or get crocked. Never mind the load of kids they brought in that haven't hit those levels. Getting one right, or developing one, pays for the others. Just don't total it up, and wonder if it could have been better spent. Focus on left field players. Those with a point to prove, or returning from injury. Never mind the bloated squad of similar standard players. Never mind the gaping holes, across multiple windows, in the first team. Areas like defensive midfield or forwards. Just keep those wages low for individuals. Don't pay the going rate. Again, just don't total up the quantity over quality. Systems, tactics and consistent approach and decision making have been jettisoned faster than SR's shop window approach. Don't forget to extend the up and coming, point to prove approach to managers. Just don't total up the compensation packages, or wonder why the squad is so bloated with players suited to different systems. How could a well run club at this level be so reliant on a couple of kids? Juric should have a chat with one of the actually well run clubs, and will find out that they don't.

Our new employee. Perfect for overseeing a lot of issues at once. MLG's new purchase. Perfect for cleaning up the mess after a love-in over a favourite employee.

The heavy flow of goals we concede?

No, it isn't! 🙂

The cardboard cut out would be in the running for player of season with Ramsdale and Fernandes. 🙂

He's far from the first owner to become wealthy in one field, only to be taken for a ride in another. Certainly if that other field is football. He'd also not be the first wealthy person who's success is built firmly on the backs of others, but I don't know enough about his background to know if that applies here. He was taken for a ride by Rasmus and Kraft. The terrible decisions kept coming, and that was allowed. His being in closer control now doesn't inspire confidence. He's shown no aptitude to be anywhere decision making in football.

Meanwhile Blackmore continues work on his Grounds of League 1 podcast he's planning for 26/27. 🙂

Do my best to get Salah to extend his contract...oh, of this ongoing disaster movie of a club? Question where I went wrong so badly that the clowns of SR thought I was their next manager. I'd shave, make sure I didn't own a pullover and mention that I built flexible tactics with available resources to maximise the chance of winning, rather than just having the one tactic that I used at all costs. That should free me of their attention.

Our dreams.

I refuse to read this before finishing my daydream of Baz, Will, Manning, Jack, Joe and Ryan boarding a Glasgow bound coach. 🙂

It's really the fault of SaintsWeb. Other forums allow to have signatures beneath each post. Then we could have all of that to every post to save time and give all the correct signalling. And I thought Aribo looked a bit tired after another sleepless night torn over resolving the Gaza conflict.

When I tuned in for the 2nd half, BBD had a couple of quicker moments. It really helped him having some attacking players to pass to ahead of him. Rothwell was also playing. Gets into central positions for a shot. But easily the most puffed out player Leeds had. And that was him only being there for the last 30 mins. Works best with lots of speed and attack around him. He might be a man-child in some of his antics, but Gnonto made a big impact when he came on. Former Saints target Piroe was quiet, but still got a good goal. A good attacking game where the quality of Leeds in depth got the win. They've moved on a fair number of players but are still doing well. But they must look at other promoted sides and wonder what it's going to take to stay up.

Ouch. Mind you, it's not the first or thousandth time that would be true. 🙂 Behind my point, I was thinking of the dominance fans will expect. They aren't used to sides allowing their opponents to reset, rather than put them to the sword. Rangers will have to break down sides who are looking to be compact, looking to catch Rangers out on set pieces and breaks. We saw Martin's sides struggle to break some of those teams down in the Championship. We relied on simply having the better players. Rangers do too in their league. They've just got rid of their manager with 17 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses. Miles ahead in second. But that gap in quality isn't enough for their fans. In large part because although 15 points ahead of third, they are 14 behind Celtic. And that's who they are really competing against. That large number of goals scored will also be alongside the large number conceded that went with it. Like a mini-Spain, every Old Firm set back is a mini crisis. Martin will have to make sure that the draws we saw on what was a record unbeaten run for us, are nearly all wins there. I hope he does well. Looking at the number of players we have that he 'd like, I'm also wondering if SR could just take over Rangers and transfer most of our squad there. Baz, Stephens, Will, Manning, Aribo... Rubbish post 1001... done. 🙂

Good luck to him there. 50 passes with no end product against sides they are expected (however realistically) to dominate and impose themselves against, is going to end badly. He's going to have to solve a lot of the issues he faced at his other clubs, on not a great budget. A fair number of others also in contention. Any of Manning, Wood, Fraser or Downes would be great signings for him. Can't see them paying those wage levels though.

And that includes all of us. Book your flight OttowaSaint! 🙂

Housemartins? No happy hours here 🙂