Saint Garrett

Not sure you can call Stephens an academy boy tbh, he was already playing regularly for Plymouth when we signed him.

We're a better side when he's in it, and despite his lack of goals, we seem way more likely to score when he's on the pitch. Agree with others, that it's a position that we could do with an upgrade on, but got no issue with Redmond starting atm. He's a decent enough premier league player for a club of our size.

Could have been class for us - unfortunately, he's an absolute waster.

He’s really good. Decent defender, and has grown the more he plays. Did very well last night.

Because I guess Tino came available, and we are choosing to play him over KWP due to the model we've decided to go down. We can use him as an example to other young players that they'll get a chance. Sure I read somewhere Tino was told he'd be first choice before he'd signed. KWP is fine at LB, but if he wants to play RB, you can't blame him for looking at other options.

He’d have a great chance of being first choice at….. Man Utd, Spurs, Everton, Leicester, West Ham, Newcastle. All of which could offer way more money than us. Also think he could get a move to city, but as backup, given the need for homegrown quota. I think he’s fantastic, and would want him to stay, but understand if he was a bit frustrated with current situation at saints, I assume Tino will walk straight back in when he’s fit, as it’s a great advert for the new “model”.

What will be will be with him. We all want us to sign him, but he’s not our player and we’d understand him going back to Chelsea. Hopefully we can just enjoy him this season, and the club can see what they can do. It would be best for his career to stay at saints, but players + agents don’t always make the right decision.

Tbf, they probably call it a sell out to enable them to sell a few cheaper tickets, instead of tickets going unused. Especially as the club get more money for a match ticket rather than a ST.

Doesnt seem to make much of a difference tbh. Especially when it comes to hoarding kids. Especially with the slow roll out of that rule.

Who decides the % likelihood of us winning?

That’s not my point. They’re established now, they would never have been given the opportunity IMO if they could have bought players over those years

I’m not sure Mount would have ever been given a chance at Chelsea if they didn’t get the transfer ban. Similar with James. They sold Abraham, Ake, Tomori, Guehi in recent years…

Think they were expecting to flog De Gea the summer he returned from Sheff Utd, and that didn't happen for whatever reason. Understandably he wants out, but sure they'll be a long list of clubs wanting him, that can afford his wages. I'd be absolutely shocked if he comes to Saints but never say never!

On a more serious point, I'd probably go with a hybrid 4-2-2-2, 4-5-1, 4-3-3. Flexible depending on with or against the ball. Forster; KWP Bednarek Salisu Perraud; Armstrong JWP Romeu Tella; Broja Redmond The best way of getting a result against City IMO, is pushing up, pressing them, and not letting them control the game. Sit back in a "low block" and they'll inevitably score. Think we'll have a go early and maybe drop back into a 4-5-1

16 years old, scored again last night for the B team. That's his 5th in 7 appearances and was an absolute peach. Also scored 9 in 7 for the u18s. This kid could be immense - definitely one to look out for. Might get a run out by the end of the season for the first team?

We should be doing what West Ham are doing with Rice. His price was £60m, then £80, then £100m, now it’s £200m. Highly likely he goes less than that, but he’s worth £80-100m to us.

Garth Crooks has absolutely no idea what day it is, dreadful pundit. I don't bother winding myself up about him.

We played really well yesterday I thought. A dodgy pen, a few missed chances, and a bit of a howler from Forster, put us 2-0 down. The third was just stupid, not sure why Lyanco was having a go at someone instead of tracking Traore, but last min… A disappointing result, but performance was decent I thought. On another day we win that game. They’re a decent side too, despite all their theatrics, very irritating and verging on cheating.

Phenomenal

Only scored 3 and let in 2 in their last 8 games and got 12 points from them....madness when you look at the rest of the league.

Small was on the bench midweek I think.

They're trying to recall Emerson to play left back, and offered something like £5m to get him back early and break the deal, but Lyon said no. I'm guessing there is a possiblity that could happen for us, but I can't see that being beneficial for the player or either club tbh.

He works hard, and he's quick, but thats about it. So wasteful when he gets chances, and just overall is not that good unfortunately. Really hope he can improve next season, or this one could easily start looking like a dud.

Yeah - would take a draw here, they're a decent side that generally cause us problems, on a decent run. But keep it tight and we're more than capable of nicking one, but we seem to have gone back into conceding every game so think we'll probabaly need 2 to win.