Holmes_and_Watson

It is true he also went off at the same time as Fernandes. I thought he was later. I had been thinking of a more gradual change, with it being Downes, Will, Fernandes Or Downes, Fernandes, Aribo with Les off the bench.

Yeah. It's never been his lack of talent.

# Hypothetical answer klaxon # Presumably sell him, just a bit more home grown than Lavia or Livramento.

Agree with this. Loads of positives. I thought Fernandes going off was a little bit of Martin going to be involving him at the weekend. The others will be getting game time, but really aren't starting PL level across their game yet. Archer excepted perhaps.

I just happened to meet his parents right after their 20 week scan, and distinctly recall telling them that now we knew the baby's sex, we knew which Saints team the baby would be a success with. They thanked me, reminding me that waiting until then was more appropriate than my interruption when the baby was conceived, shouting about the baby's future in football.

I didn't want to call him the Deep Throat of the CoT and lower the standard of the thread. 🙂

So... Switch KWP back to right back, so Stephens can play left back? Just get a sale for KWP and play Stephens at Left back? Or add Stephens into that back 3 for a novel 6-3-1 formation? 🙂

Excellent game for him. I was hoping to see a lot more of him last season. I felt as Cardiff changed it round that he faded a bit second half. Edozie's all round game is more developed. I think we'll see a fair bit of him this season. SAA's output is a strong point though.

'tator said that Martin had picked tonight's team weeks ago. So, before a few of the signings were close to completion. What is his relationship with the CoT?

We didn't really pull away until the end. Cardiff had some good opportunities, while we tried to find that final pass. Lots of lovely goals in the game. Bree's was superb. He had a rusty game, with some good moments. Archer looked lively, getting two. Lallana put in some excellent direct passes from deep to him. Dibling would deliver passes from runs past their defence. Good to see some variation. Lallana also very vocal throughout, leading the team. Looks as though we're going to have some more mileage about Edozie's final ball. But his all round game is getting better. It's not his primary job, but his tracking back was really good. And he was looking to try different options again going forward. Surprised to see ABK appear. Not seemingly keen on too much crisp passing across the back. But excellent in passes into the midfield. We got mileage from more than one of those. Some rusty moments, a bit of inexperience and lots of development. Mainly, nice to just be through.

Breeeee!

Yay! I'll not bother typing about Edozie's finishing, or some of our passing out from the back. Nice to see Archer get his first. Tsk. Not even typed the above and they are level. Lots to develop in that defence.

Bah!

Only caught the last 10 and highlights. Lineup not far from what I was hoping for. Nice that, despite the youth, we have a lot of players pushing for first team minutes this season. There are opportunities to impress. Pleased for a lot of them doing well. Despite the level of opposition and changes, we've lost enough of these in the past. Despite all the changes, some decent link ups, especially for the second goal. Only one in it, but here's hoping for more of the same second half.

I think that's exactly what he means. Not that he doesn't want us to stay in it. Nor that he doesn't think we can. Just that the purchases are not just for this season. Some may take longer to develop than others. Also, that they won't overspend in a panic. Which was a disaster when they did try that.

That's what makes it odd. For other side's, a 'keeper or striker may look great. For us, because of our system, they could have a lot less impact. Ramsdale seems to be an upgrade. But if he goes long more often than not, and we lose possession, it's not much use to Russ. Likewise for a forward. They might be great getting on the end of crosses. But can they drop deep to provide that extra out ball from midfield? If they are a poacher, they aren't much use to Russ' system. I think of it as Transfer VAR. That initial excitement with the link, before the realisation and delay in figuring out if they suit Martin's approach. 🙂

If it's a standard deal, then we can bank the sale (say 16m) to offset this year's figures, even if we are receiving it, in annual fees. For players coming in, we can split it across as many years of the contract.

I've seen lots of MCarthy but only a little of Ramsdale. Normally I'd be thinking along the lines of whether his traditional goalkeeping attributes would be getting us more points. However, under Martin there's also his ability to be able to pass more comfortably across the defence, to ballowinge considered. That would allow us to pick up on that side of the system following Baz's injury. It's odd, but if say he was worse than McCarthy at that side of his game, and Martin kept insisting on it, it would offset some of the points he'd gain for us elsewhere.

General question Who are the pundits that are worth listening to? I avoid them all, so haven't kept up with who's decent.

If it means the end of the definitely, maybe reunion headlines, I'm all for it. And the end of the endless interview questions too. There will be no shortage of delighted fans, and I hope they all have a great time. Now, where did I put that Pulp album...

I'd be interested to learn just how different the players he'd like would be. Because all the ones that offer us something quite different, are the ones he wants to go. Tall, central striker who can head well; Full back who can deliver deep crosses; pace merchant down the flanks; attacking central midfielder who is good on the counter. All offer something different. All heading for the exit. Martin did want a Tella replacement, missed out and we got Brooks in later who wasn't the same sort of player. He tried Mara in that role too, to minimal success. But Tella was direct and got a shot away. He wasn't necessarily part of elaborate possession play Martin was trying to build when he left. Martin seems to want someone who fits well into his tactic while also having skills to break from it. Not looking for much.

Pretty good summation of where all parties are at.

Cheers

The Stoke manager must be fuming. 🙂

A number of contracts may have clauses that automatically get bumped up, if someone joins on massive wages. Players with must be in top % of wage earners. Then you have the rest of the squad quickly deciding that if he is worth that, then so are they or close to it. Those just re-signed (AM) or with contracts on the table (KWP) will be looking for more, or being upset at what they have signed/been offered. What with SR so keen to reduce individual wages, breaking that when it suits them, won't sit well. They will all feel they deliver for their team, and deserve more than they get. You can bet that they pass this across to their agents. The next round of contract renewals is going to have players wanting big rises. All of that happens whether the new signing is a MLT, the best player by a mile.