West end Saints

I agree, how often does a club need a 5th choice CB? It's one position where you want a partnership playing each week. We already have Jack and Jan, club captain and a senior pro. We have signed two young players on loan who both would have been signed after being attracted by a decent amount of game time. Then we have, as @CamSaint said Awe, and whoever else is pushing from the under 21s. Charles has looked decent there. Bree has played, I think CB, if we have a crisis. We are only currently in one competition. So even if Bednarek and ABK leave we don't really need Wood or anyone else.

I'm relatively chilled about the departures. After watching the last couple of seasons, where we lacked character, style and team spirit a huge change was needed. I think (hope) we have the manager to address that, and although he clearly needs good players, he needs a group that want to be here, can gel and positively buy into his methods. If that means going from Tella and Adams to the Sunderland lads, I don't think it's a bad move. I can see us losing a CB if we are getting the Man City lad in (you don't need 5). I hope we don't lose KWP or Alcarez. We still have a few who may struggle for game time (Djenepo, Aribo, Stu). My only concern is we look light upfront, with the new signing injured, Arma moving back, Ballard/Che/Mara all maybe off. However, I bet all three of the promoted sides last season would have bitten your hand off for our squad 12 months ago.

And Sulemana at the moment

https://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?style=2&t=64469

Hard to call with so many variables we dont know, will Che be here, is Smallbone ready? If Sulemana still here how has his attitude been? ABKs fitness? Anyone else who will be gone? But I think Fraser, Downes and Smallbone are all seen as starters if fit. Could be Fraser/ Downes/ Smallbone/Edozie Arma Alcarez or Mara (or Che) Or maybe Charles with Smallbone in a more advanced role and Arma further forward.

Jesus wept, do some people not listen / believe the manager?

Release clause is the amount they have to accept, they may accept less depending on their, and the player's views - eg how much he is needed, do they need money, how long left on contract. No nothing about this guy

Currently top Too slow

For three years

We all see it differently... I thought Charlie struggled to get into the first half but still did a lot more than Stu, who I thought was a passenger throughout. (about three of his trade mark good runs, then watch the game go by with no interest in getting the ball back when he loses it.) I appreciate I maybe wrong, as he is popular on here, but I just feel that whenever he plays, for 90% of the time we are as good as a man short! Thought Charlie had a very good second half. What I like about him is that he plays quick incisive passes in the right area. Agree with most of the rest. Downes for Stu and I would be more optimistic. Adam A looked better on the left, and we needed Che as a target. Tella was in pain towards the end after repeated kicks.

After two games, turning around the lack of character of recent seasons, new manager, best players not available as they are on the way out but not yet replaced... We are.... 6th. Replace Stu with Downes and I suspect we improved significantly.

I understand him moving on, but his place in the club's history as the captain of a promotion winning side would have been very different to this, the captain of a relegation side, who left for West ham. He has been a good player for us, and seems a decent lad. However I don't think he should be anywhere near St Mary's on Saturday, if he has chosen to move on its about the current squad not him.

He took responsibility. Happy with youngsters. Stu, Aribo, Mara were getting minutes as part of their recovery, although he said was disappointed with Mara. Postive about Charlie and Che So seemed to be aiming criticism as Mccarthy, Lyanco, Djenepo, Perraud, Bree, Ounachu? Don't think he referred to Meghoma and Charles?

From what we saw on Friday, divisive as in those who like fast paced, skillful, intelligent, attacking high quality football And those who don't (or just don't understand) This is great as showing why the possession is different than recent seasons. Recently the passing was flat, slow, backward, CB to CM and back. This shows a totally different approach. And when we had a game won.

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.