West end Saints

I suspect our biggest issue is the quality of players rather than the manger. I doubt many would get into other sides in this division. I'm not yet convinced of Downes at this level, I was concerned when we prioritised his signing and his value , as a 25 year old who had played more in league 1 than prem. But was excellent last season, wants to be here, etc so hopefully will come good. But Archer, Cornet, Armstrong, brereton Diaz, PO - would they get many minutes elsewhere? Personally. I would have RM over Dyche every time. The club doesn't have the money to easily sack managers then deal with changing the squad for a new manager. Hopefully now we have that first win we can pick up enough points to keep in the fight, if that's the case I hope he stays.

I love his football, best for years - when it works. Some games we are shit, too slow etc. but the quality of movement, passing , making opponents chase shadows is great. Since he has been here it has worked more than it hasn't. When we play badly, and team lack energy, too slow or cautious etc the style always gets blamed (and is a factor). But we have always had bad games. Hope he has enough success to be here a long time.

Christ, drama queen reaction to one game! The same line up that played very well away to Newcastle and had 20 plus shots 80% possession - albeit against 10, but we're well on top before sending off. A good chance line up will change but anyway... Think Smallbone could keep his place, played well v Newcastle and was our best player over the last few weeks of last season - one so so game isn't the end of his prem career I'm sure

No Ivan Toney. Would be surprised if there are many changes. Would guess he would only want to introduce one of Fernades / Lesley at this stage - would be surprised to see both start . Personally I would keep Smallbone in, but this RM may keep Aribo. The interesting thing will be how he freshens up the forward line, change of personnel, formation or both? Archer clearly made a strong bid scoring two for a team not scoring. Listened to Adam Blackmore and Jo Tessems podcast - neither thought Dibling, SAA or Lesley are ready to start in prem.

I can't say this window has made me over excited or confident we stay up but it looks pretty decent and I don't understand the negativity. We got Downes, signed two decent fullbacks, Lesley and Fernades are both clearly expected to be starters and are still integrating. We haven't lost anyone who would be good enough for starting 11 going forward - with possible exception of Che, who many didn't rate and we have added Archer, BDD and possibly new Brazilian. Sounds like goalkeeper will be significantly improved. It's seems many of those getting very upset about our start are people who were certain we would get relegated, get thrashed every game, and there was no way we would have decent possession this season. So far two 1-0 defeats, worrying no points or goals but not looking ridiculously out of our depth. I reckon we may well go down, but haven't written off RM or this squad yet.

Agree with most, but thought Downes far from his best. First half he was misplacing passed, or just behind Smallbone / Aribo which didn't help them. Thought him and Aribo lacked their usual spark and energy to move play. Forwards too static too.

Is this a spoof account? I don't know the history, but doesn't feel like it is genuine. What is this about BBC after a saintsweb poster? Confused!

Still not very impressive! Is it ridiculous to suggest Armstrong or BDD will get 12?

Prompted me to look at top scorers for our last spell in prem for each season ; JWP 9 JWP 10 Ings 12 Ings 22 Ings/ JWP 7 Austin 7 Redmond 7 Pelle / Mane 11 Pelle 12 JayRod 15 Lambert 15 Surprisingly the most common top scorers total is 7!

Jesus wept , no-one is celebrating and thinking we are safe! Post says "first impressions ..not totally out of their depth" But whether against 10 or 11 did you think we would dominate possession away to Newcastle. I thought we would struggle, and thought a big defeat possible so can see some positives - maybe clutching at straws. If we lose Saturday, and start settling at the bottom, pressure will start simmering for the season. So don't think anyone picking up those keys yet

Weren't people saying that we could not expect to dominate possession in the premier league like last season and needed to accept it and change approach? Newcastle had less possession at home to us than they did for any game, home or away last season. Disappointed not to get some points but first impression is that RM and this squad not totally out of their depth and about to get thrashed every game as some expected.

Whilst they are not new signings, and not enough on their own, but I wonder how much the improvements and increased maturity of our talented younger players impacts on our transfer activity. I know Larios is seen as a player who will play in the premier league when he is ready. Dibling could easily be a regularly starter by the end of the season. Sam AA is likely to be getting a lot of game time. Smallbone - last month of the season / play offs probably our best players and only 24. Clearly I want us to add quality and think we need to, but in the comparisons to last season I would be very surprised and disappointed if those three can't add more than Stu, Brooks and Rothwell.

Clubs and agents are in constant conversation, and clearly know miles more than forums or journalists. If player or club thought that through putting feelings out, they could get a better deal, or a club the player prefers, they wouldn't just accept Saints without looking at any other options. And when have a club, when they are criticised over a poor start or a poor transfer window ever referred to previous rumours linking them with players? It's nonsense to suggest saints leak their interest.

This seems to be how a lot of racist views develop and has led to the recent far right criminality.

I liked our balance when we had KWP on the left and Livramento on right, not impossible to see similar with Sugawara

I know I can sound like I'm against Stu, but I just can't see how he is seen as a high threshold for an attacking midfielder. Seemed a good guy, some good direct runs and a few good goals but often lazy, light weight and made poor decisions. How often in prem did he give the ball away in our half, then just watch as we had to defend? Last few seasons in prem 2 goals, 1 assist 2 goals, 0 assists 4 goals, 5 assists 5 goals, 3 assists 3 goals, 2 assists Last season in championship he did a bit better with 5 goals, but Smallbone managed 6. I am optimistic that if we went with Smallbone in that role he could manage a couple of goals and assists. If we spend on a new AM it will be because they are confident he is a significant upgrade on Stu.

Central midfield yes. I will be very surprised and disappointed if our attacking midfielders are not significant improvement on Ely and Stu. Even without new signings Smallbone / Aribo are likely to better Ely / Stu combined total of 3 goals and two assists! Smallbone (particularly in second half of season ) and Aribo both more mobile and actually sometimes track / tackle which is an improvement. Also Maitland Niles and Djenpo played significant minutes. Lavia also, as would be expected for his age, wasn't always consistent. I think we will be stronger in midfield this year.

I was curious how our team looks compared with our last two prem seasons and don't think we look any worse (important as we finished 20th in last one!). These are based on 442 of most common starters, and our squad as of today although clearly will change. 21/22 Finished 15th Forster Livramento Salisu Bednarek Walker Peter JWP Romeu Elynousi Redmond Adams Broja 22/23 20th Bazunu KWP ABK Salisu Perraud JWP Elynousi Lavia Stu Che Adam A This season Alex M Sugawara Bednarek THB KWP Downes Smallbone Aribo Edozie Adam A BDD I think the only area we look weaker is losing JWP/ Romeu or JWP / Lavia. We have better players than elynousi, Stu and possibly Redmond before any additional signings . Another forward and some quality like O'Riley, and we will definitely be stronger. If you look at goals / assists over those last two seasons from AM, it would not be hard for Dibling to do better.

I think they are open to upgrading him, but he was our best player for the last month of the season and a key factor throughout the successful play off campaign so is likely, and rightly, a contender to start. (Edit - replied before seeing the widespread support for Will - glad most could see what he did for the team appreciated his pivotal role in our promotion, all about opinions...

That's not the view from within the club. There are high expectations for Larios, which was why he was so involved with the celebrations at Wembley despite no game time

He is a decent sub in prem, and was probably offered short term contract on that basis I hope it works out well for him as seems a decent bloke but we need to be aiming for better performing and more consistency for a prem midfield. As an attacking midfielder he was a key player in our relegation season, with 2 goals and 1 assist, and personally I felt responsible for several goals against with taking risks in dangerous positions and not tracking or tackling. Two year older and recovering from injury, would he be more than a sub coming on to input some drive (which he does very well).

One of the podcasts named Smallbone as player of the playoffs over the five games. I thought he was very good over the second half of the season and still young

The Brexit argument will not support any changes, as many politicians could see that it just did not make sense but a simplistic argument won a vote and caused endless problems in parliament, legally, with law enforcement and immigration. I also think Farage will be less significant next election after a few years frustrated on the back benches, realising how infrequently he gets to speak in parliament and running a constituency.

I'm a hypocrite on this topic. Often thought it would be a better, more democratic system, but seeing the reform vote I don't want us to go anywhere near it. If there was some way to control rubbish that reform spout, that they don't really mean and have no thought through plans to implement just to get some gullible people fall for, then it maybe worth considering but at the moment it would elect racists and bigots, who no one has vetted and would not help the country at all.

Secret service shouted "Donald, duck!"