CSA96

Typed up the BBC Solent chat with RM, if useful Russell Martin on the transfer strategy at Saints... There's a wage structure here and if you then go and spend a certain amount of money on one player, that player will then expect the wages to be higher than the rest, so we're not going to do that. We're assessing priority and levels of importance for each position that we need, how different they are to the group that we already possess and what we already have in the building and also the character of the player. I think we have done good business, on the whole. Not just for now but for the short and long-term future of the club. Whereas I think 18 months or two years ago, especially in the January window [in 2023] it was very much all about spending money for the here and now because you need to stay in the Premier League. We haven't done that this time. It's agreed by all of us that we aren't just going to go all-in for one season only and then put the club back in a situation down the line where the financial situation isn't very good for the club. We've made signings for now and signings that are going to be really good for the club over a longer period of time. That's in my opinion. Not everyone will agree with that strategy, but the club have gone with us [as a coaching team] to try and bring some stability over a period of time, to bring a way of doing things and we've added players that can do that and some players that can help us here and now. And we believe that they can. Some will take a bit longer than others, so I think it's just a case of being really aligned. The owners have been great, they've invested really well in two players that were so important to us last season and we can't ever lose sight of that. Mateus Fernandes is another top talent who had clubs all over Europe watching him and looking at buying him. Cam Archer's the same. He's the England U21 striker and he was not a small investment for this football club. I think that by the end of the window I will be really happy with the business that we have done. Would we love to go and spend £30m on one or two players? Of course. But I knew at the start that we would not be doing that this season, so I can't be frustrated about that when I knew that was the situation that we'd be in. I'm sure at some point, the ownership group and Dragan will love to go and do that one or two players. But then it creates an imbalance with the rest of the squad, because you go and do that and then everyone else looks at that and goes 'Oh, okay then'. I don't lose any sleep over that and I'm not stressed about it because I have real clarity on what we're doing. The problems come when there is miscommunication or a lack of clarity, or you start to say one thing and do another. But that just hasn't happened with me. I've been fairly relaxed. It's a lot of work and I can't wait for it to end. I love seeing the guys but I'd love to stop having Zoom calls every two days and chatting about a hundred different things. Once it ends, hopefully we'll look back and be happy with it and it will take us through to January. Then it'll be the same. We'll look and assess what we need, what we want, where we're at and we'll see where it takes us. on Kyle Walker-Peters... I think he's going to be here. The interest that was there and the deals that might have happened have gone unless someone decides really late doors that they want Kyle. But he's been great. As I said, I think when the window shuts we have offered him new contracts and maybe that'll be another discussion for then. But if not, then he needs to play in the same way he always has done and in the same way that Stu Armstrong and Che Adams did last year when they were in the last year of their contracts and they were fantastic for us. I think everyone's really relaxed about it because he's played really well in the first two games. It's a bonus having Kyle here because I think we'd all resigned ourselves to him leaving the building.

Seems that Carl Rushworth is imminently heading out on loan to the Championship, potentially Blackburn by the sounds of it Takes him off the board and presumably takes Steele with him as he'll now be needed to back up Verbruggen for the season

Verbruggen back in the Brighton starting lineup tonight…

I'm with you here. The fact the entire deal at a club-to-club level was structured around the clause where 20 appearances would trigger a permanent deal, and yet Saints still didn't want to proceed with the deal, tells me they have learnt and are taking this seriously. I still think the Brighton GKs are a likely port of call (Steele/Rushworth) because Verbruggen is due back any time now from his own injury lay-off and all three GKs are going to be/should be wanting serious minutes

Well, we've learnt our lesson on the medical front at least... that's something Three and a half days to sort an alternative sounds doable too, let's hope we can get someone solid and not just a punt

Stuttgart have signed a CB, presumably means they are now totally out on ABK too

Well, at least they learned something from the clusterfuck of 2022/23

Russell Martin on Tyler Dibling: "I don't want to build him up too much and create pressure but we love Tyler. He is probably unlucky not to be starting after his pre-season, he is a beautiful footballer. He is a special talent and needs to play well tomorrow."

RM's presser Lallana available for selection Stewart in full training but not ready for this one Sulemana just got back into training and being monitored for these first few days Fernandes and Ugochukwu will both play in this game

I was expecting to look at his history and see that he had a goal record like Sekou Mara based on the initial reaction... never heard of the guy so no real idea what to expect

Can't help but think the solution is to flick back to 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 - I totally get why he went with the 3-5-2 on opening day up at Newcastle, where things could've got ugly and the game probably came too soon for us. But long-term answer? No chance Personally, think we need to compensate for losing the third CB by playing two deep centre mids and one higher up. I know previously RM has preferred Downes as the deep midfielder and then two CMs higher up, but I would be looking to play Downes and Ugochukwu together in a deeper area, with Fernandes pushed up Then alternate Fernandes with sub appearances for Dibling and Lallana. If Dibling keeps showing flashes and Fernandes isn't, then you can swap them around. I think all three of those have the guile to help knit things together between midfield and attack and create chances, which is going to be key. Attack was way too far away from the rest of the team today and as much as Arma and BBD didn't do much, I did feel a bit sorry with them because that 3-5-2 system with split strikers only ever set them up to fail Need to add a wide player and a proper number 9 before the end of the window, just hope we don't have to wait too long now to adjust the system to suit the players

Yawn

Interested to know why nobody in Europe has come in for Charly. Is it known that he wants a move back to South America and that's why Saints are putting in the effort of trying to get this Flamengo deal to be as amenable as possible? Would tie in with RM saying he was having family issues and there's the fact he's never learned the language

Pete's getting a run out at the end. 80th birthday celebration

Exactly this. Basically gives us first dibs on him and gives us an opportunity to get loads of insight on him over the next 12 months before making a decision on whether he's suitable for Saints or not. And in the meantime it kicks the FFP/PSR can down the road and keeps any fee off the books until next year, by which time our 22/23 shitshow has elapsed and dropped off the books

Russell Martin on Lesley Ugochukwu: "It is the number six position mostly where he will compete with Flynn Downes or play alongside him, but it's a big position with lots going through it so it takes a bit to learn." "They [new signings] have only had a couple of training sessions but we are delighted they're here. This is their opportunity to be here with us in the Premier League, I have been impressed with them. The challenge is to force their way into the team."

Nah, you're not losing the plot. Badly printed and the 8 is higher than the 1

Sheffield Wednesday also have Shea's brother, Pierce Charles (GK)

Flynn Downes was £18m (sorry)

Eredivisie discussion from some Dutch fans on the idea of Bijlow to Saints - some interesting comments if you run through translation in browser: