macca155

Only because I think he has his place cemented. He doesn't need to prove himself, he did that last year. In contrast Bazunu and Wood definitely need to do a persuasion job, newbies need to impress whatever their reputation .

Looks like Still is trying out various options. As others have said seems to be putting weaker units out. Maybe the idea is put pressure on someone like Smallbone. Shape up or ship out maybe. We all know pre season is never a good guide. However there are positives. Bazunu, Quarshie, Wood, and Robinson all seem to be pushing for a place. All starts for real in less than 3 weeks.

In fairness a rejuvenated Baz would be an absolute bonus for the club. I refuse to make judgements on one game but anything like this is good for us.

Good grief I knew I had forgotten one. We've so many it's easy to do. I guess replace THB with him as he's likely to be off.

Playing catch up here as been away but I thought the recent run out against Valenciennes was quite interesting. Still is certainly going for it fitness wise, good, reminds me of Strachan and Poch when they arrived. The big test for our new manager is coming up because some of the 'names' in the squad are probably about to have their noses put out of joint. Forget lethargy and mistakes by the usual suspects, look at the positives where they are. Wood played well and that's good to see. I'm convinced there's a decent player there, but he was poorly managed last year. Young players aren't machines they need to build confidence. He takes no shit and gives a 100%, the lad can tackle as well. Hopefully we'll see more of him. I thought Quarshie looked excellent and oozed commitment, he really is quick isn't he. I know we shouldn't make snap judgements but he's already someone I am looking forward to seeing. That means we have THB, Wood, and Quarshie as the 3 CBs. Sanda, and Stephens as backup. If Taylor stays he can be a decent backup as well. That isn't a bad line up. It looks like Archer is committed and starting to put last season behind him. Armstrong remains a decent poacher so all is not lost there. However as we all keep saying, all this good work will be derailed if the anticipated exodus happens late on.

I don't think the issue with Aribo has anything to do with his game. He was very effective in the Championship last time, and badly managed in the PL in my opinion. Problem is, he's on big wages, has a short contract, and isn't a regular starter. He's also made noises about wanting to leave. Doubt he'll be with us in September.

Probably got more to do with shipping players out. They cannot afford to have such a bloated squad. Just have to wait until the dominoes start falling in the Premier League. I'm anticipating a fair bit of action at the end of the transfer window. Gives us a few games of higher calibre players I guess.

So true and that will be even more of a tactic this year. However if Saints have Dibling, Robinson, and Fernades constantly probing, and they can somehow get a striker finding some form then no way will the average Championship defence cope. 'If' is doing a lot of heavy lifting there

Surely focusing on his transfer value is missing the point. Tyler's highest value to Saints is playing, and providing a significant edge to the attack. Players who run directly at defenders are very rare. That's why they are valued so highly. Once a defender is taken out of the game, by being nutmegged or whatever, modern zonal defence strategies are weakened. Do it enough times and goals will happen. Young Tyler caused utter panic in defences at times last year. They can't continually foul him, and if they double up that leaves gaps. The problem last year, and there were many, was that young Tyler could beat two defenders, have space in front of him, but there would be no one anywhere near him to provide an outlet. I'd imagine that is very demoralising, so no surprise his form dropped off Just play him and stop worrying about contracts.

Way too many what ifs going on here. At the moment the 4 frontline CBs are Bendarek, THB, Edwards, and presumably Quarshie. That leaves Sando, Wood, Taylor, and Stephens as back up. (Plus God help us ABK) I really don't think this an area to be too alarmed at the moment. Other than a bloody clear out is required.

Quite the opposite I suspect. A longer contract means he has a higher resale value, although his age may negate against that. He'd be hoovered up pretty quickly even at 34. Experience goes a long way.

This news will have some frothing at the mouth 😂 However, Stephens hasn't been out worst defender by a long way ( very very low bar). He has an edge about him which personally I like to see. Too many of our lightweights get intimidated. I know it spills out sometimes to idiocy like the Chelsea game, but in a team lacking any sort of leadership, he really is all we have. Good back up for the Championship, but I've issues with him being the team Captain. Still must have the option of not playing him.

I'm not even going to try and make a judgement on this one. He's a big lumping centre forward who appears to have a bit of pace . I like the sound of that, but he will either make it or not. Most teams have a player like this and we have two now. Attention turns to shipping some out. I have long complained about the fact that Saints always seem to be a small side. Good to see that is finally changing.

Stewart and Archer have a pedigree of scoring in this league. Other teams would bit our hands off for them. In fairness you can add Armstrong to that, plus he always brings high energy and pressing. Managers love that. Downs and Ballard are unknowns, but probably reasonable back ups. I really don't think the forwards are the problem. It's getting the ball to them, frequently enough, in scoring positions that seems to be the main issue. They are better in the Championship because the team isn't pushed back as much. That gives Dibling, Robinson or Edozie room to expose the opposition's defence. They can't all play. The challenge for Still is to find a winning combination from what he has left in September.

These are somewhat pointless arguments. Not a chance Saints go into the new season with Stewart, Archer, Armstrong, Downs, and BBD all competing for two forward positions. Especially as they seem to want to give Ballard a chance as well. The wages will be astronomical. I reckon Stewart and Downs will compete for one position. Maybe Armstrong and Ballard the other. BBD and Archer will no doubt find suitors elsewhere. But who knows, we haven't seen Still's system yet, and way more chapters in this transfer window.

Nothing wrong with your reasoning and I've thought the same myself. However there may be a bit of wishful thinking going on. I doubt Leicester will be that much of a basket case, and the usual subjects of WBA, Coventry, Mibblesborough, Blackburn, Bristol and Norwich will add to the threat from Utd, Birmingham, Wrexham, and Ipswich. Not to mention perennial disrupters like Millwall, QPR, Portsmouth, and for us probably Charlton. It is an incredibly tough and competitive league, and I can't wait to enjoy football again. Resilience and squad depth will count. My worry is that almost certainly there will be some welcome, and unwelcome, departures as the squad is still way too big. That could derail things a little.

I always think that players who see out their contract deserve respect. Nathaniel Clyne has always done that, and as such there is no bad feeling. KWP has been excellent for Saints, whether he finds a decent club is down to him now, but I wish him well

If our team can't dispatch a promoted side, that won't have had chance to fully integrate new players, then it really is going to be a long season. They just need to blot out all the noise before hand. As long as they absorb the inevitable early pressure, then Downes, Fernandes, and Charles should be able to take control of the midfield. Even without any additional signings, Dibling, Robinson, Edizie, Armstrong, and Stewart, in any combination, will keep their defence occupied. We all need to have a bit more faith.

Good analysis, Wrexham's problem will be that no matter how much money you have, building a Championship squad takes time. Playing then early doors is probably a good thing

Tough away start but once through that game on. Great run in though. Pompey games guaranteed move to 9am on Sunday

I think it's hard to look past Toby Alderweireld as he was absolutely top class. Ronnie Eckland East a good player but permanently injured if I remember correctly.

Onuachu and Sully were probably the easiest to sell. Saints want rid and aren't playing hard ball. That will be reserved for Fernandes, Dibling, Downes, and THB. Ramsdale will find a suitor somewhere. Same goes for Bendarek. However, what the hell do the club do with ABK, Frazer and Taylor. They are not going to give up a decent wage. Probably impossible to sell, the club will have to take the hit on loans.

4 hours later .... seats changed what a phaff. They better win a match this year, or am I expecting too much

Bloody hell, trying to move my season tickets. I'm number 92 in the queue, who ever is front of me bloody hurry up, no idle chatting. Oooh I'm number 86 now, going to be here a while

We had all this "they are all leaving, get rid" bollocks in 2023. You'd thought we'd learnt by now that players simply won't move if it means a drop in wages. There are always exceptions but generally they stay put until a decent offer comes along. I doubt many of us would either. Don't get hung up on my player categorisations, just see them as an example of the type. ABK, Onuachu, Sugawara, Bazunu, BBD, Aribo, Frazer, and Archer may well have suitors but nobody is paying them the wages Saints have stupidly signed up for, or a fraction of their perceived value. Saints will need to take the hit and loan them out until their contracts expire. The same applies to the slightly more marketable assets such as Downes, THB, Ramsdale, Bendarek, and Sulemana. Clubs need to stump up or they will be staying, how those players react will be key to how Still builds his side. The ones the club really want to keep Fernades, Dibling, Robinson, Charles, and Edwards will have other clubs prepared to pay a price and their wages. This will be where all the action will be. Players like Bree, Wellington, Smallbone, Stephens, Taylor, Manning, Wood, and Armstrong, are unlikely to attract attention. Not a chance other Championship teams can match their wages, and none of them have shown they can handle the Premier league. They will inevitably form the core of Will Still's side. In fairness they are very decent players at this level. Some pretty rank management has probably given the supporters a bias view of their abilities, but I'm sure they'll do well. However there is the nub of it. Doing well and probably scraping promotion, won't cut it. They'll be no x factor to take into the Premier League and we know exactly what happens then. In addition the club will still (pun not intended but unavoidable) be left with a path blocking huge squad.