SWLondon Saint

Plan is clear, keep possession and wear them out in the initial stages. Expect to see it played to feet as much as possible or possibly into channel if Armstrong can get a run on them. No idea how quick / big their CBs are.

Why are people down about this? We looked way better last week with 5 at the back. If it helps think of it as a back 3 with 1 pushing up when in possession.

Yep, that's why I think we have to be really careful about buying 'best of the champ' as you have to use your money so well to have a chance. Basically *if* we go up, to have a shot we need to hope a couple of recruits can step up a level - say, Charles, Quarshie, Downs are all hits - also keep hold of Fernandes, Dibling, Ramsdale or replace with established talent, then ideally buy a couple more Fernandes level or higher bargain £15 million players AND THEN hope one of the established teams has a mare. Pretty nuts.

They're talking about overseas, might be on prime in US or Canada

Also be interesting to see what other teams' approach to Brum playing out will be. Like many others I thought people figured out how to press us into mistakes towards the end of the season - the top 2 had our number from the start, but then everyone else copied them and we finished poorly. As I said earlier it was like PTSD watching their keeper pass straight to an oppo forward on the edge of their box, just the finishing isn't as ruthless at this level.

If he was £10m then a big signing for the champ but worth it for sure, he was easily their best player. Tbh they didn't really create much other than through his movement and harassing the defenders though that could be because Ipswich have more defensive quality than most sides. Certainly Brum who are supposed to be a Martin-ball possession side couldn't play through Ipswich back to front at all.

I mean quite a few pundits have said it, but that's effectively what Ipswich have done in signing their 'Championship dream team' and why I'm not sure copying that by getting, say, Rudoni and Fellows is a great idea.

I was surprised Ipswich did not look at all prepared for the pace of the game when Brum were obviously gonna come out buzzed and run like maniacs to start with. Ipswich's new midfielder looked a solid yard too slow for the game as well, as I said I bet Wrexham will be flying into tackles the first 20 mins so hopefully we're ready for it.

Yep the ref let too much go to start with so it just got more and more physical which helped Brum as they were pretty cynical and pushed the boundaries a lot. It was a pen, Dykes shouldn't have had his arm out like that, bit harsh but every team everywhere would be furious if that's not given.

Ipswich didn't deserve that but it was pretty funny to shut those twats on the commentary up. Never heard such shite, makes BBC Solent sound like they support the away team.

Also, anyone else watching streaming with 'Blues+'? I wasn't that fussed about Brum before but after listening to those 2 complete twats I fucking hate them now 😂

Ipswich have been terrible, Kyogo excellent. Tbh he's been the difference.

Ipswich also look well off the pace, but not sure Brum can keep running at the pace they're going. Now expect Wrexham to come out and run like nutters the first 20 mins, hopefully we can get a few of them booked to calm things down.

Anyone else get deja vu when Brum gave it away edge of their own box?! 😅 Though that's the difference Champ to PL, guaranteed that ends up in the back of the net in the Prem.

He's clearly still holding on for a top league transfer, I'd still be very surprised if we got him, not least because of the likely logistical issues with Russian clubs being banned, sanctions and whatnot.

You can get Wrexham to win at better than 4:1 if you're that sure! I'm looking at Ipswich at 2:1 to win though, can't believe Birmingham are favoured to win that 🤔

Guardian interview with him today: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/08/southamptons-will-still-ive-always-stuck-out-footballs-helped-me-integrate Doesn't say that much really, a few interesting bits about his life story, - football-wise he mentions he wants to replicate the Poch era here.

Agree completely. Any prediction table that doesn't have Ipswich as clear favourites to win it is total shite imo. Same manager, but better team with more depth than 2 years ago when they got 96 points = 3rd place??? 🥴

Obviously pure speculation, but the new GK coach worked with Still at Reims and has huge experience, especially with young players - Spain U21 and their winning Olympic team in 2024. Still has already said 'Ruben knows his stuff' and clearly has faith in him, so it could be that he's said Baz can make it and they're going with that?

Not necessarily. If he stays and we get promoted after he tears up the league, there'll be a bidding war and we'd probably still get Jobe Bellingham-ish money with just a year remaining.

He's German isn't he? Great when you're in a meeting with Americans with all their corporate BS and then the Germans come in totally the opposite!

Did you copy paste that from the Everton forum post about Dibling? 😂

Well exactly. People on here can get excited about Rudoni as a replacement, but the fact is he was their player of the season last year and they'll only let him go to a rival if they absolutely pull our pants down on the price. And knowing we're trying to get £50m for Dibling, they'll be thinking they should get most of that for Rudoni, which I don't think makes much sense for us.

I'd say we're roughly similar. Swap Adams for Archer, both great in the champ. Bednarek for Quarshie - different strengths. Stu Armstrong I'd say we miss, and KWP. But we have a much better version of Charles than last time, and Edwards. Also Jay Robinson and Sesay look promising. Add Sugawara and Welington and you've got a decent number of options at least.

Mm. Yes, Rudoni looks decent, but I would guess Coventry would want at least £25-30 million for him so I don't see it happening unless they're in financial distress.