West end Saints

8/10 We have improved team and squad with financially killing the club. Compared to last championship season, looking at players who played half of the time at least and won play offs.. We still have Ryan Fraser, Flynn downes, Ryan Manning, Armstrong and Bazunu. Lost KWP -But will multiple signings, strength physicality, character of Mads, Jelert, now have wellington - clearly better at FB. CB Are Quarshie , wood and edwards and THB a downgrade from Jan B?. Not convinced we won't be stronger. Attacking - I will be very surprised if Armstrong, Robinson,scienca, Azuz and fellows, Downs, Archer, Stewart aren't better than Che (who was hated when here) Armstrong x 2, Mara and Edozie, We are better and I had low expectations. A lot more athletic. A new culture. Therefore 8/10

Disappointed about Fernandes but can totally see the logic, particularly if he is pressing for a move. A midfield of Charles, Azuz and Downes should be good enough for promotion- and is balanced. Plus £20m in credit - which either balances the books or gives that money to assist in wingers, forward where likely to make more difference. I've never heard of jander so did chat gpt and sounds pretty good.... Growing Profile & Interest Jander rapidly established himself as a key performer in Nürnberg’s midfield, catching interest from Bundesliga outfits like VfB Stuttgart, Hoffenheim, Leverkusen, Freiburg, and even Premier League clubs like Wolves, Brentford, and Tottenham . Stuttgart reportedly tabled offers in the high-eight-digit euro range, while Nürnberg values him around €7–8.5 million . --- Style of Play 1. Technical & Intelligent Ball Player On the Ball: Known for calm composure, precise passing, and excellent ball control at pace. Often compared stylistically to Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić for making difficult actions look effortless . Vision & Creativity: Combines technical nimbleness and awareness to create chances from midfield. He averages 1.46 chances created per 90 and dribbles at 0.69 per 90 . Possession Play: His short-passing accuracy and spatial awareness ease team build-up, often acting as the dependable pivot under pressure . 2. Athletic & Energetic Pace & Agility: Possesses high speed and agility, reaching opponents easily in transition . Versatility: Comfortable in both central and defensive midfield roles; capable as box-to-box or as a deep-lying creator . 3. Defensively Active & Press-Driven Ball Recovery: Strong in duels, averaging over two tackles per 90, nearly 6 recoveries per 90, and winning around 58.5% of duels . Pressing & Anticipation: Effective in high-press systems, reading the game well defensively despite occasional aggression and fouls . “Vacuum Cleaner” Role: A workhorse in midfield, winning second balls, intercepting, and winning duels—even when going down Jander still influences play profoundly . 4. Fan Perception Reddit fans have rallied behind him, labeling him as a “Top Spieler… bringt gute Ideen in den Spielaufbau” (top player… brings good ideas into buildup) and even comparing him to Schweinsteiger in his prime—with one predicting: “In 2 Jahren Nationalspieler” (in two years, a national team player) . --- Performance Data & Potential 2024–25 Season Stats (2. Bundesliga): 27–32 appearances with 3 goals and 6–9 assists, depending on source . Scout Insights: Not a deep-lying playmaker but excels in possession dominance, transitions, and dynamic pressing . FIFA Career Mode Ratings: In EA FC25, Jander’s in-game rating ranges from 66–71, with a potential of 79—a sign of strong upside . --- Summary Table: Strengths & Potential Strength Area Details Technical Ability Excellent dribbling, ball control, and passing; creative in possession Tactical Intelligence Anticipates play, supports transitions, stays calm under pressure Athleticism Quick, agile, dynamic work rate across midfield Defensive Contribution Active in duels, pressing, high ball recoveries Personality & Upside Humble, coachable, highly regarded by fans and clubs; strong potential for Bundesliga progress --- Future Potential At just 22, Jander is on the cusp of a major leap. Bundesliga clubs are monitoring him closely, and his contract until 2028 gives Nürnberg a strong negotiation position . With consistent growth, he could become a key starter at top-flight level, and may well earn himself a senior national team call-up in time—especially if the current trajectory continues . --- Bottom Line Caspar Jander is highly promising. A technically gifted, energetic, and intelligent midfielder who blends ball progression with defensive effort. His style fits modern possession-oriented systems, and though not yet at Bundesliga-level, he’s very close. Clubs across Germany and England are paying attention—and rightly so.

Last promotion season I think Holgate was 4th choice and made 4 starts Edit - forgot Charles played some CB as well

Although I agree, and would be my preference, but with the lack of links, the signing of Downs, and having Stewart, Downs, Armstrong, BBD, Archer, Robinson - I would be very surprised if we do sign a 9

Re last post at poss combinations - Edwards has played CDM at last two clubs. To me so much depends on Fernandes - if he stays he is a solid AM rather than a flair one, but starts every game - maybe Matsuki is enough as back up. But you need more flair on wings.

Better attacking midfielders than Fernandes who is likely to go for £40m and be replaced by a £15m downgrade? That's what worries me, we are saying our weakness is where we are also saying we have our best player??!

So, appealing to those who know more about the options and have been following our rumours more than me... Our priority target positions and possible solutions are A - a number 10, targets 1) russian 2) Azaz 3) Rudoni B - a winger, targets Fellows? - any others? Is that about where we are? Maybe back up keeper? Any more?

I accept a tackling attacking midfielder is unusual, but not knowing too much about these targets, from the little I know I would assume that the russian guy and Azaz are being looked at as replacements? And wouldn't be targets if we thought Fernandes is going to be in our starting 11 all season? I think both are probably too good not to be starting, and haven't seen suggestions for a starting 11 including them Plus MF, therefore I assumed he was off - if we are seriously after either of these two.

Grand Oldman general view seems to be we shit our pants and blinked first and they got a good deal

You accept he is well thought of a team significantly higher and better performing than us. But your main concern is that another team at a much higher level loaned him and didn't buy him. Sounds like an excellent signing for one of worst ever premier league sides trying to rebuild.

I read Still's comment about international players needing to play at a higher level to be referring to player we are trying to sign rather than retain, but it was ambiguous. Who would the Middlesbrough lad replace if we got him in our recent formations ? Fernandes?

I'm not convinced defensive midfield is a priority. 1) the two starters are plenty good enough 2) in this league we don't necessarily need two defensive midfielders 3) Sesay did well in preseason and is probably seen as good enough to cover, plus needs some opportunities 4) Edwards has played the at prior clubs and when on loan and has done well 5) we have other options for style / shape currently with Fernandes , Dibling, Smallbone, Aribo all able to play in a central combination (obviously most may leave)

I think the current team, if we have Fernandes and Dibling back commited is a very strong championship side and would rightly be one of favourites to get promoted. Bazunu Fraser / any combinations of CBs/ Manning Downes, Charles Fernandes Forwards from Dibling, Downs,Stewart, Archer, Armstrong, Robinson However, what will be key is who replaces the quality players from above who leave

I don't know much about Rudoni but is he competing with Shea? I see Shea as a clear first choice this season (more than FD). Is Spertsyan competing with Fernandes? If so, is there anyway we keep MF and spend on Spertsyan?

What does WS stay when he first sits down?