Holmes_and_Watson

SR want to pay the lowest wages they can individually. They will buy multiple players, but as long as they are in that range. All clubs have a wage structure. SR looked at ours, and decided that they wanted to lower it significantly on an individual basis and look to get some return on everyone brought in, as well as regular big hits. If any PL team wants one of our players, we're likely to lose out (O'Riley). If it's a bigger club, then we've little to no chance(Gakpo). Historically, you generally get what you pay for wages wise. We're trying to go against that and get them on cheaper wages as they have been relegated (Archer, BBD), injured (Stewart), out of favour (Fraser) or young, but would have got into other sides (THB). But we're pitching at championship level players, anticipating they will then step up. So, for that level... 2022/23 season Hits - Lavia, Aribo (got what we paid for in a squad player, even if wages are apparently high for SR), Bree (got what we paid for. Dependable player at least) Unproven - Bazunu (limited shot stopper, but important to Martin's possession game), Edozie (could still work out well), Alcaraz (was on his way to being a hit, but didn't fit with Martin system), Onuachu (might be about to see this change hopefully for the better) Worth a punt, but a miss - ABK (Talented, but not wanted by club/managers), Ćaleta-Car Miss - Lis, Mara, Larios (not for the injury, but because we were stacked with LBs at the time), Oršić (no idea what happened there), Sulemana (panic buy that has not worked in any party's favour), Maitland Niles 2023/24 season Hits - Downes (key in promotion and developing in PL), THB (England international already, and mainstay in PL team), Manning (Got what we paid for here) Unproven - Charles (doing better away from Martin and developing), Lumley (Hard to say miss considering what he was brought in for) Worth a punt, but a miss - Fraser (dipped since initial impact, sadly), Brooks (a bit hit and miss.) Miss - Holgate, Rothwell (what was his best position? Nice goals though), Stewart (What you get thinking you'll be the club where a player becomes injury free) 2024/25 season Hits - Wood (Getting what we paid for here), Fernandes(Becoming more influential as season progresses), Ramsdale(An all round 'keeper upgrade) Unproven - Taylor (Vanished?), Sugawara (First season with ups and downs), Archer (With 2 struggling PL clubs. Hopefully better to come), Welington (just here), Les (starting to get minutes again under new manager, so hopefully a very strong second half of the season) Worth a punt, but a miss - Lallana (Was always going to be a bit part player, so we really got what we paid for, rather than it being a miss), Edwards (no sign of any progress to first team squad), Juan (?), Miss -Brereton Díaz (There is a reason why he was a regular scorer and no PL club would buy him), Cornet Each season we've brought in someone who will go onto much better things (Lavia, THB in all likelihood, Fernandes, and Dibling is now in team too). We've then got a number of players who've shown they can get promoted from the Championship, but have yet to push on in the PL. They could all have done with SR managing to bring in a Hit for a striker and a replacement for Romeu. The biggest misses are the gaps in the squad.

From our relegation season onwards:- 4-2-3-1 (back-ups in brackets) Ramsdale (Forster) Livramento (Suga), THB (Wood), Bednarek (Taylor), KWP (Manning) Romeu (Lavia), JWP (Downes) Tella (Dibling), Fernandes (S. Armstrong), Fraser (Redmond) Adams (Archer) 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Ramsdale (Forster) THB (Caleta-Car), Bednarek (Stephens), Wood (Taylor), Livramento (Suga), Romeu (Ugochukwa), Lavia (Downes) KWP (Perraud) Fernandes (S. Armstrong), JWP (Lallana) Adams (Archer) 3-4-1-2 Ramsdale (Forster) THB (Caleta-Car), Bednarek (Stephens), Wood (Taylor), Livramento (Suga), Romeu (Lavia), JWP (Downes) KWP (Perraud) Fernandes (S. Armstrong) Adams (TP) Archer (A Armstrong) There weren’t many from the seasons before relegation who’d get into these lineups either. It says a lot for the job Ralph was doing, combined with the PL having moved forward. 2021/22: Ings, Bertrand (but on the form the season before at least) 2020/21: Højbjerg 2019/20: Davis For the formations above, here's the selection in and since the relegation season. GK: (Selection: Bazunu, Cabalerro, Lumley, McCarthy, Ramsdale, Forster, Lis) Fullbacks: (Selection: KWP, Manning, Sugawara, Bree, Perraud, Taylor, Larios, Meghoma, Livramento, Holgate, Valery, Small) Central Defenders (Selection: Lyanco, Caleta-Car, Salisu, Bednarek, ABK, Stephens, THB, Edwards, Wood, Taylor) Central Midfielders (Selection: AMN, Aribo, JWP, S. Armstrong, Alcaraz, Diallo, Lavia, Downes, Smallbone, Rothwell, Charles, Lallana, Fernandes, Ugochukwa, Romeu) Wide Midfielders/Attackers (Selection: Orsic, Djenepo, Sulemana, Edozie, Elyounoussi, Walcott, Fraser, SAA, Brooks, Tella, Cornet, Dibling, Redmond ) Forwards/Strikers (Selection: A Armstrong, Adams, Onuacho, Mara, Stewart, Long, BBD, Archer)

He tried a few through passes. They didn't come off, but had more vision than a lot of what we'd been trying. With the number of players we were looking to replace in the summer, he was a free, experienced player with leadership that the manager felt was badly needed. I could see the logic in having him in the squad.

Running in parallel with the popular high speed racing unicorns that can also deliver messages. Yeah. There's a fund on the Guardian to support the conflicting, exploding heads should there ever be another trial. As my original provider got taken over, I've just stayed. I don't think I'm saving much or have a great deal. But it's reliable and works fine for me.

Palace were quicker, stronger, sharper and fitter and basically better. We have a front line that has little idea how to create a goal, let alone put one in the net. Added to that we started with no midfielders capable of holding them up, and we were punished for it. The whole squad is having to move from being drilled in a style against their natural footballing instincts into a pressing team. A team without leaders being asked to stand up as individuals. We stopped the onslaught of Palace chances after we made some changes. But then, a goal ahead, they no longer needed to do as much. They were safe in the knowledge we wouldn;t create much. We looked well off the pace today, as if a single game under the new manager has been too tiring for them. Pluses are we did get a goal. Fernandes worked hard, although we really need a better set piece taker. Les is getting a bit more space, and has looked a better with it. Ramsdale made an excellent save.

Sule needed to get that in first time.

a few mins to go, and we're poised for an equaliser...

French 'tator a little excited as we get it near their box. Probably just the surprise of it, I guess.

No one out there strong enough to lift one, let alone throw it.

They are made out of the snood he'd like to have worn.

I'm sure we'd all like a "Ref a PL game" coupon if we got one in a Christmas cracker, like this guy. 🙂

We allied with Doctor Who against the Daleks. He's never forgiven us.

This season 1 of the 3 thought that revolutionising football was a winner and another one was making a step up for the second season in a row. But yes, there's quite the gap even without shooting yourself in the foot as we've done.

Fernandes lucky to stay on as his nose brutally hits another palace player again. The ref must go home happy every game, having got the support of all the home teams he gives every decision to.

Oooof. I thought that was going in from the free kick.

Miles ahead.... ... of everyone else in getting to the Championship first.

His corners could do with work too. He's young, so I'd have thought we'd have other options there.

Fernandes' nose getting him into trouble again. Well done ref.

Palace all over us as the half went on. Where we devoted our time to passing it around the back all season, Palace spent at least some time getting their front line doing the same. While we struggled to hold the ball and get a pass complete, they noticed the lack of bite in our midfield and passed their way easily through it. AA looking very quiet again in a wider position. I can see why he prefers to be central, and probably means it for the PL, as he's not getting much from where he is. Dibling raw, and not with much support to do much. Aribo trying to shore things up is not really something he's best at, and it's showing. Still, it's even and we can only hope for a better second half. Bedders' first foul is getting him a card though.

Lost interest sharply at "commentary" 🙂

I thought his nose might have been sent off for hitting the Palace player's arm like that. Lucky escape for Saints there.

An attacking, hard working physical and pacey attack. One day we might get one. Not sure where our midfield have gone.

Off KWP heel to stop a second.

Excellent Ramsdale save there. Only one team going in front at this point. Need to get a fluky counter or just get a grip.

The equaliser was certainly coming. We were struggling to get anything clear.