West end Saints

Easy winner - Charlie - for me, offers so much more. Stu is good to bring on for a surge of energy with his direct runs when we need a goal. But, for me, his overall play is too weak and risky to start (unless play a lot further forward). Even last night he gave the ball away needlessly which led to one of their few attacks. Having said that in the last Friendlies, and last night he looked quality when he came on

Good post. Only point I'm not sure I agree with is needing a replacement for Tino. If (hoping) we keep KWP, him and Manning will be pretty close to the best in this division. We then have Bree, Perraud, Larios, Meghoma, even likes of JWP and Djenepo. Isn't this an opportunity to trim the squad?

Wouldn't claim to be a tactical expert, but at times a fullback was taking the place where you have shown Smallbone, allowing him to go further forward. Not sure if it was a conscious fixed tactic or just FBs were given freedom to roam.

I was talking in the stadium about how often the full backs were Central, both Tino and Manning spent time more than half way across the pitch. It was a noticeable change in positioning from previous seasons

Yesterday we 'bossed' the first half against a team head and shoulders better than any we will face. I'm still unsure how we will do, but preseason has been quite a change, with quicker, more incisive passing. There are still things needing improvement / addressing, however I've seen enough to think it will be decent season. We will be comfortably top half, probably top 6, and wouldn't be surprised if we are automatically promoted. That depends on how quickly we sort team out but also whether anyone else has storming season.

Enjoyable game. Smallbone and Alcarez play a good passing game, move the ball more quickly and more attacking than previous seasons. Fullback (Tino, KWP, Manning all good. Edozie still showing promise and ability but lacking final goal threat, or winning corners etc. Tella looked good, more physical and involved than before he left us. Lacked potent goal threat. Enough against a good side to suggest we will do OK at championship level. Clasie was surprised at our team play, pressing well, passing etc, likened the style to Barcelona or Man City, but did make the point that not at same level! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0g3psh7?s=09

True but imagine paying that for the two Central midfielders of the worst team in the division! Don't think their fans would see it as ambitious

Think Tella will be key, not just because of his ability, but he always seems very positive, and isn't tainted by last seasons depressing lack of character. Looking at midfield and attacking options, clearly Lavia is as good as gone. I don't know if JWP is, but if he stays, we have Charles, JWP, Smallbone and Alcarez, Stu, maybe Aribo for 2 or 3 central roles. Maybe enough, but bit weak defensively, particularly if JWP goes would need replacing. Has Manning played there a bit? Wide players, Tella, Sulemana could be great. Sam AA looks very good and will get plenty of playing time, Bournemouth were struggling with him and persistently fouling him. Im also happy with Edozie as a starter. Djenepo is fun but as a sub! Forward is weaker - unless Tella is seen as first choice in a central role, I can see Adam A as first choice (with confidence refresh he may do well) and Mara as cover. Need to get PO and CA out quickly if they are off.

Burnley message board post (and widely agreed upon there) : It's clear that.Tella is for sale.They either get rid, or have an unhappy player stinking the place out.We're the only club genuinely interested.He wants to be here.The price will be close to £9m.

3 or 4 years ago I would have agreed but sorry but I don't see anything from the last couple of years to say he offers very much at all to the team. Recently his bring dispossessed led to more goals against than he contributed for us. At his best I loved his driving runs, (but was concerned that they were often too deep and led to problems). He seems a lovely guy and this isn't personal. He only scored two goals last season, two the year before and four the year before that. Charlie got 4 in less than half of a relegation season, so hopefully we can move on. Also, without getting back to the Elyounoussi arguments about how good attacking players when defending, he is very weak and lazy, sometimes loses possession and watches the game, again the likes of Charlie or WS put a lot more effort in. Think it is time to wish him well and move him on. The only argument to keep would be if you want an older head on the bench maybe?

Our attacking players at the moment are Alcarez Sulemana Che Adams Tella Ounachu Aribo A Armstrong S Armstrong Mara Djenepo Edozie Plus several younger players on the verge of the squad(or in it). Most of those are good enough to be involved with a promotion push (if well managed!). I bet the three promoted teams from last year would have taken most of those 12 months ago. How many will be used in a game? 6? I can see why we may want some to go. Personally I think Stu and Ounachu should go. I hope Tella, Alcarez and Sulemana stay, the rest I'm open minded. Goal scorers can be hard to predict, Adam Armstrong has scored before so has ability, but looked so short of confidence last season, you could see him tighten up or look desperately for a Pass. Maybe he can go on a run? He looked relaxed and finished comfortably against Liverpool when the pressure was off.

He will be watching videos of all our first and u21 games etc repeatedly, probably training videos, player profiles etc, and the same for potential signings, talking to Wilcox etc. In fact, probably everything he would be doing if announced a month ago. Not much more he would do before players return.

What we have lacked is character and organisation. If we sign these two CMs from Swansea, experienced in this league, both decent strong personalities by all accounts, who can influence the team with the managers methods, it sounds ideal. Surround that with likes of Tino, Alcarez, Tella, Sulemana, Ballard, Mara, Smallbone, Doyle, Edozie, Che, Adam A, Aribo Then we will do well.

I hope Stu leaves. If nothing else to stop the optimism that he will play like the last good game he had, about 3 years ago, rather than the lazy, light weight, liability in possession player who may turn a game with a decent run, but is more likely to turn a game by giving the ball away leading to a goal against! He has been useless for years now. Get rid ASAP. I feel better now!

He has always shown potential, but the season in prem he wasn't good enough. Has he improved? Gained confidence? Or another who excels in championship? I think we should tell him to stay

Really strange selection of quotes. I recognise these as I read through the same message board yesterday. There are loads, the majority, praising him. Why have you gone through selecting only ones that are critical? I can't be bothered to go back through it, but, for instance there are some (I think after Coventry game?) saying Coventry fans described it as best midfield performance all season and was like an extra man. Loads rave about his positioning, movement and passing. Lots critical of his finishing. Not saying he is great but I could find more posts on here, if I was equally as selective, saying Mane is useless!

Could this be far off? New keeper/ GB Tino,(Bree) 2 of our existing 6 CBs Ryan Manning (Larios) Matt Grimes (Diallo) Smallbone (Aribo) Alcaraz (Stu) Sulemana (Edozie) Che (A Armstrong) Tella (Djenepo) Thats without JWP Lavia KWP Perraud Ely Orsic Onuachu Theo Mara Plus likely to see some youth breaking through into the squad Doyle Ballard?? The club want to trim the squad, and quite a few will move on for various reasons (leaving UK, going to top club etc). But - there won't be a 'fire sale' - we won't recruit loads and bloat the squad - we can afford to refuse offers for players we want to keep - we won't need to spend anywhere near the amount we maybe raising. If you look at championship team of the season, any season, it won't have many positions with better players than we will probably have. We need balance, and to reset the negative, weak mentality and regain confidence. How often have we played well for a period, had VAR decision against us and immediately collapse and concede? I don't know how quickly the manager will turn this around, but I'm far from panicking!

Tbf not much thought went in. I will look at transfermarket, sometimes miles out though.. JWP 38 Lavia 25 Salisu 18 Bella-Kotchap 20 Caleta carr 14 Stu 6 Diallo 8 Perraud 12 Orsic 7 Che 22 Onuachu 17 KWP 25 Aribo 15 Reckon some low, some high, but we could easily see 200 odd so don't think any sale will be done if we want the player

We won't be selling all these players. There is no need to. The ones who will go will be either towards the end of a contract or because a offer makes sense. By that I mean, allowing JWP to go to top side, for large fee. Making a killing on Lavia. I'm pretty confident from what I've heard that with parachute payments we do not need to sell. We could easily make decent money on JWP / Lavia £65m?? Maybe 3 CBs for best part of £50m Stu/ perraud/ diallo/orsic/ kwp/Aribo for about £70m Then forwards surely few million there. Getting towards £200m in sales. We won't be able to and won't need to spend that in championship. Why would we sell Tella, Alcarez, livromento, sulemana? We don't need and may well have all of them for a year.

Clearly will be a starter for a top side in the near future, but not convinced he would get much game time next season. Shows the ability but doesn't dominate yet, and is quite inconsistent with his passing. Not a big criticism purely looking at standard to start for a top 4 side and don't think he is ready. But you wouldn't expect h to be at his age, and will be soon

Remember January prices are inflated. He has only just started his contract. We would need a large profit to sell, we won't get that after only a few games. More likely he stays than goes.

So? If we walk away now, when no agreement made with him or the club, but go back tomorrow we pay cheaper price. In a shop if you look at an item, talk to the shop then the price changes - you pay the price at time of the transaction.

I think he will probably be with us next season and get a lot of game time

If that was the tone of ours it would have been slated. You seen like you want to criticise saints for some strange reason. I read that after seeing your post and can't see what you are so impressed with, bet you would have moaned about living on past glory, not liking criticism, not sounding confident etc. Nothing great there, and nothing bad in ours, just what you would expect.

Who would? If we win a few games at the start of the season fans will soon be supportive (although some will moan whatever!), as long as we don't get the crazy Jones style interviews. Looks decent appointment, we just need to stabalise a squad