macca155

It's actually a decent thread, they are as bemused as us it would seem. Saints need this sale and he is definitely worth it. They have to go more than £40m as City have a buy back for that next year. I suspect City are stopping a cut price sale to Liverpool. I'm sure £45m gets him, Saints get a chunk of cash and things can start moving. It will be a good club for Lavia, everybody wins. Somehow the Liverpool accountant can't see it. Such a contrast to when Utd bought Shaw. They wanted him, others were sniffing, so £35m was paid on the nose. Led to good relations between the clubs as well. It will probably still happen bit what a fiasco.

Was less about formation, I've already been ripped apart for that, more about mindset. Got to think as winners. Looking back since Saints last came up, 90 points gets you automatic promotion. 30 wins out of 46 matches. Maybe a few less and a bunch of draws. That is achievable but we need to believe. Once a negative mindset sets in, it will be hard to maintain momentum. You've only got to look at some of the comments on here to see, quite understandably that a fair few are still wobbly. 22/23 Bur 101 Shef 91 21/22 Ful 90 Bou 88 20/21 Nor 97 Wat 91 19/20 Lee 93 Wat 83 18/19 Nor 94 Shef 89 17/18 Wol 99 Car 90 16/17 New 94 Bri 93 15/16 Bur 93 Mid 89 14/15 Bou 90 Wat 89 13/14 Lei 102 Bur 93 12/13 Car 87 Hull 79 11/12 Rea 89 Sot 88

He's been messed about a bit, needs to get his mo jo back.

Playing at home, raucous crowd, they'll have the adrenaline rush of a recent promotion. I was thinking first 20 mins really.

Leaving KWP out is a massive call but think you're right. Been impressed with Charles, assumed a 4 2 2 2 formation that allows JWP and Alcaraz to play further forward.

Need the mindset right for this game. Saints need to act like Champions elect, stop thinking like the underdog, and play with some self belief. Certainly have the players, seems like like we have a decent coach. Just need to get everything to click. Sheffield Wed pose a physical threat, well drilled, and will play with confidence. Saints should have a considerable edge on skill and EPL experience. Need to absorb early bluster then wear them down, quieten the crowd. No way will the Wednesday defenders cope with the pace of Tella, Edozie, Amo Ameyaw, and Armstrong. Should be a potential penalty right there. Team for me should be Bazunu Tino Lyanco Stephens KWP Charles Smallbone JWP Alcaraz Tella A Armstrong Lavia for Charles if he's still here obviously Amo Ameyaw and Edozie to feature as subs Question marks on Lyanco but assuming injuries still keeping ABK and Bendarek out of the team. On paper that's a good side. 8 experienced EPL players and 2 Championship team of the year players.

What a cracking Stat love that. What a terrible team as well

Wasn't the Classie of 5 years ago. His game has improved, quite impressive.

Lot to agree with there but I did think they moved the ball through the middle a lot quicker than last year. However, failed to sustain that for long periods. But hopefully they will as the season goes on. It's a pre season game, still not the starting eleven, and the opposition were way tighter than most Championship teams. They defended in numbers and played the ball out of defense comfortably. Saints need their coach, because they still haven't mastered that. Excellent choice for a pre season game, strong physical side it was a good test. Need a striker though, can't go on like this.

Sam Amo Ameyaw really is a talent. Surprised Spurs let him go. Making an impact straight away. Agree with others Saints need a target man, far too reliant on midfielders to score.

AZ are a tidy side, you can see they have played in the Europa league. Very tight and defend well. I DOUBT Saints will meet such a resilient defense in the Championshop. Doesn't mean they'll score though, looking toothless at the moment.

Moderately well, lots of quick passing interactions. Pretty physical game Stephens left his mark. Tella and Alcaraz looking a class above. Edozie running into cul de sacs but should have had a penalty.

You can tell Manning is a Championship player. He has no problem putting his foot in. Good game this, well matched opposition.

Alcaraz is so important to our build up play, we'll struggle to keep him if he keeps this up.

Stephens losing it 😃

I didn't have an issue, which I know is super helpful. Paid on my phone then logged in on my laptop and it said video purchased. Keep trying should work.

OK so far, Tella is really direct and does his share of defending. This fannying about at the back is going to be the death of me. In fairness Bazuna is excellent at that part of the game. Just needs to work on his positioning.

Gibbs White had already made quite an impact at junior level. Rated by the right people I guess. No question Forest took a punt but it worked. Burnley probably know Tella better than us and I agree with you, a bid of £9m seems very low. Considering the money coming in now, it seems madness not to up that to £18m, get their player and move on. Maybe they aren't convinced. Tella's clearly available so other teams may be tempted to jump in.

Tella isn't proven in the Premier league (yet) and we all know what can happen to players who score a hatful in the Championship. There is no doubt he is a talent and there is a strong argument for keeping him for this season. However, with such a big squad players have to be moved on, particularly where we have multiple players fighting for the same position. If Burnley push their bid up to £12/13 million I can see the club accepting it with a bunch of maybe bonuses. No different to buying a house really, you never get what you want but you make the sale because it gets things moving. Some of our major players will move on, most of us will have accepted that, its more about whether we can move players on who don't feature in Martin's plans, and keep one or two of the genuine game changing players. I think keeping S Armstrong, Stephens, Tino, Alcaraz, and possibly Bendarek will be a good result. I know Stephens isn't rated by some on here but he is a consistent footballer and fits Martin's style of play. He adds a bit of fire to the team in attitude and that is something that is missing at moment. I'd love JWP to stay but I can't see it unfortunately, same for Sulimana as I think there is a proper footballer in there somewhere. I'm really not over bothered by any of the others going. If the likes of ABK or Salisu do end up staying then they seriously need to sort their attitude out. They were instrumental in taking us down so need a bit of fire in their belly to fight hard for our promotion. Sooner or later the dominoes will start to fall as the same process gets moving in the Premier League. Nothing happens until that money starts dripping down.

He's a young lad, world at his feet. Have to accept he'll have the odd off game. In other games he has been a standout. To have Liverpool prepared to pay a fortune for you must be quite something. He was certainly trying but it just wasn't happening for him. He had way too much to do and not much support. Plus Bournmouth know all about him and targeted him early on. He started to make an impact as the 1st half went on, when he learnt how to evade his markers. He'll bring serious cash into the club, which probably means we can keep at least one of Alcaraz, Tino , or JWP. That is the edge Saints need.

Shouldn't underestimate Bournmouth. As much as we hate it, they are a tidy unit particularly in defense. Saints have really been exposed by a lack of height. Bournmouth simply stick a couple of big men up for corners and it is panic stations. Some nice play through the middle, they seem to be adapting well, but a real lack of bite in there atm. It's a friendly, a good test and that most certainly wasn't the A team. 2nd half should be interesting.

Let myself down 🤣 Need to put some sofa time in.

Fair one I'm at the game so not had chance to see all posts.

How come Lyanco who is doing his job gets a load of stick, when Lavia and Moussa have been terrible and nothing is said. Lyanco isn't the answer agreed, but for goodness sake look elsewhere for the main problems.

I suspect KWP and Manning are Martin's starting FBs. One has to go and Tino raises most money. Saints are championship, this is how it works. They'll keep a few decent players but most will go. Money rules