Middlewordie

But we dont need a new manager right now do we?

Thank you for your polite invitation. I don't think I said he'd be keen to take a job at Saints right now, but when he's had a rest. I also said I think we are a big enough club for him. He might not think so, but he's already tried at Newcastle (they are one rank above Saints I'd say) and didn't make the grade. Ergo he is, in my view, better suited to Saints or any of the other teams at our level in the pyramid: Saints have ambition that matches his skills and capabilities - getting promoted into the PL. Saints are a club that is capable (?!) of remaining in the PL thereafter, being them competitive, and focused on developing players to the required standard. He can do that. We need man management of players in the "not global superstars" bracket. That's our expected squad in the PL and his forte. He's not great at dealing with a big squad of internationals - he doesnt have a playing or personal presence that impresses them enough. That is what awaits him at Spurs or Man U, either of which will chew him up and spit him out in 6 months looking like a fatter faced Graham Potter. Fulham might be a better fit for him now, but this time next year we could be in the PL and they could be in the EFL. That's my take anyway - when Tonda goes on his enforced sabbatical, Howe would be a good option for us - better than Rob Edwards certainly.

I think we are easily a big enough club for Eddie Howe to manage...

Eddie Howe, when he's had a rest...

They broke the rules in place for 9 years, lied about it by saying they didn't break them, then obstructed the investigation. We did the same, didn't lie about it, or obstruct the investigation. We got expulsion from the EFL playoffs. They should expect expulsion from Premier League and to be refused entry to the EFL. Anything less will be a legal minefield for both football organisations. I'm sure HMRC will be interested to read the findings too...

If the PL do kick them out, the EFL will have a big problem. They cant just parachute MCFC into the Championship, or League 1. It would be League 2 at best, and then only at expense of one of the teams promoted from below. Would it need a vote of all EFL clubs to accept them in?

Seems like he's another "nearly" from our academy.... I cant immediately think of any real Premier League standard players its produced since JWP, Luke Shaw and Harrison Reed and maybe Matt Targett? Dibling is a maybe. Ballard's not in that category, so I dont see why we need him back.

Put him straight in on Saturday. Tell him he needs to put Josh Coburn on his backside at least twice and then sit back and watch the sparks fly.

My next free agent suggestion is Jadon Sancho. No club interested so far, and I'd consider him an upgrade on Fellows...

He's had a good stint with us but I'm not convinced he's the real CB deal in the PL. He's certainly not a Man City product of the Palmer, Rogers or Lavia standard. Let Villa spend £30M to find out and maybe we can have him back for 800k in 3 years time.

Millwall CF and CBs are physically imposing, rest of them less so, but they are all committed - their fans/club dont tolerate anything less. I dont think our options are so limited though or that we will neccessarily lose. Larin can definitely keep their CBs busy. We clearly need JWP and Flynn to come out firing with come controlled aggression and plenty of direct fwd passing. Scienza should to stick to their right back - he's their get out man when they have the ball in the back 4 and is the place to start the press. And tell the rest of the team that anyone who comes off without a yellow card is getting fined.

Dwarf

Millwalls defence isnt very good at dealing with the through ball - not much pace there. I went to the game against Norwich and Norwich created plenty of chances but finishing was terrible. And they had a man sent off. Conversely Millwall attack the same way generally, lots of through balls in channels. I think they are very beatable but you have to run your socks off.

Harvey Elliott on loan? He wants to play and will easily get 30+ games in our team. Ball playing dynamic midfielder, who looked good in the same England U21 team as Palmer, Rogers and Anderson. Bit ambitious maybe...

Man City are in a different league to us. Probably the richest club in the world as they dont have to worry about financial fair play. Saints are realistically 2 financial levels below them. Everyone else's academies can produce good players, but Chelsea, City etc wil take the best players at 11/12 and their families will probably be well rewarded for that decision. I would like our academy to focus on producing players for our team, not for sale. We want local talent who want to play for Saints first and foremost. So don't pick kids outside our area, and dont make anyone who is not an employee of the club move home - it's not fair on the families or the kids. Fine once they are 16 and being paid a wage, not before. And make it club policy to have minimum 3 academy graduates in every first team squad, forever. If we end up selling one, there should be another one ready to go.