CSA96

on Divin Mubama... TE: The first time I saw him went a little bit further back to when I came into the job for the Under-21s. I saw the last games prior to me coming in and I saw the games between our 21s and City. I watched that and he was a very clear number nine. Someone who knows how to score goals and very ambitious. I think he already has some good experience on the senior level, I think that he played a good game here at St Mary's last season as well. Very good impressions. We did some finishing yesterday and today, obviously stronger with his left foot but can finish left and right. We've had a longer meeting with him yesterday just to go through teammates to get a quick understanding of who he has around himself and he has prepared himself before he came in here. He knew most of the players and their preferences. He is very eager to learn and a player that I think we will enjoy this season. on whether Mubama will be used like for like as Larin/Stewart were last season or whether he might go back into the market for another forward player... TE: Let's see. I think that Cyle is a lot further physically than he was when he came here in January. Even now he looks good. He played 30 minutes in the cup and he's ready to play some more. I think we'll see a little bit how that develops physically. But I think they can be a very good combination, obviously different age profiles so I think it's more father and son than two players of the same age but the nice thing about Cyle is that he doesn't see another nine coming in as a rival but as somebody that he can help to develop. I think that's a very nice trait for him to have with Divin coming into the building.

on THB being linked to Benfica and his previous comments having a lot of praise for his conduct... TE: And that's exactly the same, he was exactly the same in training today. on whether he's worried about the possibility of THB leaving... TE: I think every transfer window brings you those moments. It's not just Taylor, I think there were a few players who performed on a very high level last year and it's normal that this attracts some interest. Also over the next weeks it's normal that there will be some names popping up every now and then but what I can say is I see the boys, they're focused. We've had a good meeting this morning prepping for the game, I've seen the training session and they look sharp and ready to go.

How happy are you with your squad? Do you envisage bringing in many more? TE: No, not a lot. I think it's quite similar to when we talked in January. I prefer the squad to be rather smaller than bigger. Everyone that we sign just needs to be spot on. I prefer to do less but make them the right ones. There are a couple of boys from the academy who have shown that they are ready to knock on the door, then we'll see a little bit where we are in the last week of the window to make the final decisions. In general, I don't expect that we need to do a lot more. But I still think that there are players coming in. Shea Charles has completed his move to Fulham. Do you plan to replace him? TE: Yes. So you're in the market for a replacement now? TE: Yes.

Pretty sure Blackmore said in one of his shows this summer that after speaking to Solak in Slovenia, he had shared that Charles and Harwood-Bellis could go with his blessing this summer if there was an opportunity they wanted to pursue and the offer is acceptable, because they've been here for a few seasons and been good servants to the club, haven't caused the club issues etc.

I don't think it's ever been disclosed. I know Dilks has now set up on his own on YouTube and TikTok doing Championship coverage though. I always got the impression that they were good mates pre-podcast but the vibe could be a bit off at times where it felt like Ryan was just digging/winding up Justin to get reactions and just challenging him on everything for the sake of it I did see that at the end of last season that the relationship between STP and Stak (production company who do support a lot of podcasts, Football Ramble for one) had come to an end after 3yrs and wasn't renewed. I guess that may have been a factor in Justin continuing the podcast off his own back with a new host, leaving Ryan doing the shouty hot takes I always quite liked Justin and felt like he was more considered with his opinions (and largely knows what he's talking about) so the new format works for me. It does feel like they are making a bit of a concerted effort to be less confrontational/clickbaity now, but let's see once the season gets going

Have been giving it another go this summer and it feels like a considerable improvement replacing Dilks (who I also couldn't stand) with Lucas Yeomans as the new host (believe he commentates/covers Stoke for BBC Staffordshire) alongside Justin Peach

It's not realistic to think we'd have Vipotnik, Larin and Mubama for one position

Not one of the TV games

YouTube video from the club of today's open training session

By....?

Nice intro for the lad

Not surprised by the lack of option. City seem to really believe in him, at least enough for him to have a really good season here and drive his price much higher in 12 months' time than it would be viewed right now

As the title says

Makes sense on paper. Third choice striker who gets 10-15 mins here and there and warms the bench if one of the first two options gets hurt. Archer and BBD are both capable of 5-10 goals a season based on their records at this level. Downs... not so sure but maybe he's the most receptive to playing third fiddle right now

Tough sell though, isn't it? 'Want to come and play for us? We only play with one up front and you'll be third in line'

Might look for a versatile forward who can play wide and up front I guess, if all three of those go out the door in the next 3 weeks. We only used Larin and Stewart up front last season though so wouldn't be surprised to see the same with Larin and Mubama

Makes sense with Ross going to Swansea. I know people threw his name around randomly and there wasn't much to it, but looks like Hull might get a deal done

I'd imagine it's going to be Azaz from the bench for another game or so, given he's coming back off an injury whereas Larin is just catching up on minutes. I'd expect an hour out of Larin and then he gets benched at the weekend Starting XI: Peretz; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Manning; Bragg, Downes; Fellows, Dobbin, Scienza; Larin Bench: Long, Roerslev, Wood, Welington, Matsuki, Azaz, Brereton Diaz, Mubama BBD on the bench instead of Archer because I get the impression he might have more irons in the fire and might be allowed to go after Mubama's arrival

I think we probably have to accept that any Stewart replacement would/will be a perceived downgrade. The only reason we'd have had a striker as good as Stewart as our backup striker is because he is made of biscuits

First pro loan and he was in a crap team. Probably best off not paying too much attention to it. Clearly highly regarded and was in demand again this summer by decent coaches