lambtiss

Sargent isn't the only option, but we could have afforded him if we were more serious about promotion at the first attempt. We could have bought Keiffer Moore for a fraction of the cost; but we have gambled on somoene who won't be ready for a while, if ever. Plain daft.

I totally agree, I have been saying this for weeks. The immediate response is how difficult it is to get a strong leader of the line, who also scores goals. But, if you look at the goalscoring table, Sargent (always mentioned as a possible target) has 5 in 4, Carlton Morris *(4 in 4) and Keiffer Moore (3 in 4). None of these would have taken a genius to identify, but we have still gone for a relative unknown in this league (Downs) to shadow someone with a diabolical fitness record, who still isn't being picked as a starter, which makes you wonder how he will build his fitness up.

I agree but to be fair, I don’t think we have seen a style for Saints yet this season.

He was dreadful against Norwich

Spors bought Downs as potential for the future not to be relied upon now.

No, it's not easy but that's the purpose of a transfer committee. Who knew much about Graziano Pelle before he arrived or Ricky Lambert. Armstrong and Archer are not target men. They do better playing alongside one.

I think youve missed the point.The issue is much wider than 2 missed chances by the backup striker who has been bought for his potential. The issue is that our principal target man (Stewart) has hardly played for over 2 seasons. We should have bought a reliable number 9 and this may come back to bite us.

That's our biggest vulnerability in my opinion (apart from goalkeeper). Stewart looks to have the ability but cannot be relied upon at all. Downs just doesn't look ready.

I remember Lambert had a similar reputation before he joined Saints.

Posted 15 minutes ago Good luck to Matty, I really hope he does well, although the signs at Wet Spam are not promising at the moment. Hugely impressive debut season coming from Portugal as a 19/20 year-old to the Premier League and performing consistently week-in week-out is no mean feat. He gave his all every match he played in, even though an equally talented local lad that had been brought up through the academy had given up halfway through the season and sulked for the rest of it. Good luck Matty, I wish you nothing but the best and a sparkling career for your future clubs and country (unless you are playing against Saints or England).

Good luck to Matty, I really hope he does well, although the signs at Wet Spam are not promising at the moment. Hugely impressive debut season coming from Portugal as a 19/20 year-old to the Premier League and performing consistently week-in week-out is no mean feat. He gave his all every match he played in, even though an equally talented local lad that had been brought up through the academy had given up halfway through the season and sulked for the rest of it. Good luck Matty, I wish you nothing but the best and a sparkling career for your future clubs and country (unless you are playing against Saints or England).

Not "fashioniable enough for SR" but I have always thought that Keifer Moore looks an absolute handful every time we have played him. He's a very useful target man and goal threat which, in my opinon, would have been a useful punt for little outlay. I'd still like us to go all out for Sargent, but I think that ship sailed when we bought Downs (who doesn't look oven ready, at all).

That's not the Wood I saw playing last night. He was dreadful.

Jo Tessem still saying we still need a striker and Downes, Armstrong, Stewart, Archer are not good enough. I tend to agree.

Nobody, but I think he will go for less.

Yes, please. Should have gone for him as first choice with Stewart as backup, and not bought Downes.

Yippee

I think you are right. In which case, it is looking increasingly as if Saints should have gone all-out for a strong target man (a la Sargent) instead of Downs with Stewart as backup.

Absolutely right, but perhaps this was out of frustration with players behind him not finding him with passes?

Everyone seems to be talking about an attacking midfielder and a winger being our main requirements, but I still feel that we need a strong, reliable number 9 (Sargent type). Last night seemed to add to the belief that Archer's abilities are best expressed alongside a strong No. 9 type. A fit, in-form Stewart could be that player, but his fitness cannot be relied upon, and Downs is unproven and looks unready.

Screamer from the Asian lad

Yes, darling

Let's be having, you

Have our centre forwards been practicing missing the ball?

For how long have we been saying player a proper no 9 alongside Archer? Just need to go 4 at the back now