macca155

Mowbray is a good manager, it would have been interesting to see what he could do with our lot.

Norwich, Gillingham, and QPR were all warnings for what happened today. Teams lose, it happens. Deal with it and move on, but don't keep making the same mistake.. All the transfer garbage, certainly didn't help, but that team is not going to gain promotion. A wiley old dog like Mowbray, was always going to pick apart Martin's tactics. Thankfully that team is unlikely to appear again. Its no good going after Holgate after one game, doesn't help anyone. He'll have better games but will need to earn a place before we see him again. In contrast Manning is already worrying me. Manager needs to work on the defence big time. Sort that and gain a few clean sheets. The rest will strangely start to click then.

Good deal for Tella, the lad has a great opportunity at BL. Certainly can't argue at £20m. Should be a good stage for him. Saints didn't want him last year, not surprised he's moved on. Good luck to him, hopefully Sulemana will step in.

I know I really cannot see why they've done that. Two possible reasons I suspect. Part of the Tino deal so Newcastle can get rid, or both Tella and Sulemana are close to being sold. Thinking about it the former would suit Newcastle.

At the moment Saints have roo many forwards 11 for 2 - 4 places Armstrong, Adams,Tella, Amo Ameyaw, Sullemana, Mara, Ballard, Onuachu, Edozie, Frazer, Djenepo Not a chance the club would buy another forward until a fair number of those were shifted. The simple answer to why Saints didn't buy Pirou is that they couldn't with so many forwards already on the books. I know fans tend to write off players but the club have to pay wages and play them. In contrast in midfield 7 for 3-4 spots and 3 of those are youngsters Smallbone, Alcaraz, S Armstrong, Downes, Charles, Dibbling, Doyle Granted some forwards can double up and play there, but still very thin in that department. Obviously some will move before the 2nd. Too late I suspect to do anything about it.

Yep this link shows all so far, it's a few days out of date but only Saints, Leeds and Leicester are spending anything. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12878368/transfer-news-summer-transfer-window-2023-championship-ins-and-outs Even all time shows there isn't a lot spent.

How many times have we been here. Wind ourselves up about a player. Anticipate a signing, then disappointment and incredulity that he had the cheek to go elsewhere. Pirou looks a good player, I would have liked him here, but Leeds have reminded us we aren't the only big dogs in this league. Hopefully the club have a plan.

Que a whole bunch of fans standing looking at the turnstile lights in a bemused manner. Quality info though

Well that's an interesting list from a Saints point of view. High levels of possession help those stats

19 goals for Genk says different. Probably a player in there somewhere but we've hardly had chance to see it.

You sell him or loan him and take the loss but then I'm not putting my hand in my pocket and squandering £10m, I suspect I'd have a different view if I was.

and begrudgingly at that I bet. Problem is Onuachu is an £18m investment, the St Mary's bean counters aren't letting that slide any time soon.

You miss my point, I am being realistic. He can clearly score goals but in a different system, definitely not part of Martin's plans obviously. However if the club can't sell him or loan him out then Martin will have no choice but to use him, if injuries strike.

Not as simple as that, RM may want a new striker but doubt he'll get one. He made his feelings clear after Gillingham, totally fair on Mara but Paul Onuachu certainly tried and threw himself into the battle such as it was. Problem was the team was in disarray by that stage and he could hardly get near the ball. Tyler Dibling in contrast calmly got involved and started to make things happen. I really think we have a talent there. Obviously Mara and Onuachu haven't done anything to impress yet but both have a record in scoring goals in similar leagues. The latter hasn't really had a chance and needs a fair run to see if he can cut it. They are probably trying hard to ship either or both out, but they'll be on good wages so doubt it will be that easy to get rid. They are also determined to give Ballard a chance so no way are they clogging up that route with a PL loan. Best solution is that Mara and Onuachu are transferred back to Europe and the club buy in Pirou or similar. Great if that happens otherwise ithat's what we as fans will have to cheer on.

Lots of angst about Archer and Pirou but I'll repeat what I said the other day. I really don't think it is a priority for the club at the moment. That changes if Onuachu or Mara depart but even if Saints sell Adams that still leaves A Armstrong Mara Onuachu Tella and Ballard as the strike force. The interview with Ballard in the Echo makes it pretty clear that Ballard is expected to challenge for a 1st team place and isn't being sent out on loan for that reason. Taking a leap of faith that Onuachu and Mara can reproduce some of their previous scoring exploits in the Championship, there is nobody in this league that comes even close to that forward line. Especially not one serviced by Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Edozie, Alcaraz, and S Armstrong. In contrast the club really need to strengthen the spine of the team. Another decent CB, or ABK playing, a goalkeeper to replace McCarthy to at the very least put pressure on Bazuna, and more options in midfield. For me that's where the money should be spent and judging from the noise on Sky and Twitter it sounds like that is what they are doing. No point scoring goals if you are letting the opposition score just as many at the other end.

I agree sadly but that doesn't fit Martin's system. He'll want to keep things the same.

It will be exactly like every other match in the Championship. They'll look to expose weaknesses, be physically intimidating, throw bodies at every attack, try and counter higher skill levels with hard running, and see a draw as a good result. With no Adams Saints will be further weakened. This will be a tough game, especially with the current dismal home form Saints should have enough to win, but with outgoings, no incoming, and injuries they are vulnerable. Should have enough but certainly won't be easy. Suspect it will be the same team as Saturday, with Mara in for Adams. Martin will probably be aiming to give Downes a decent run out as a 2nd half sub. Wouldn't be surprised at a draw, I can live with that in current transfer chaos.

I'd much prefer Adams to stay, he's a proven scorer in this league. We have already seen that he has more space and more time. His confidence is soaring. However the guy is entitled to work elsewhere, he doesn't have to sign a contract. £15m for a player with one year to go is reasonable. Move on and buy in someone else. One reason Adams is scoring, is he is benefitting from a relentless conveyor belt of service, from the most talented part of the team. Credit to him, you have to be in the right place to do that.. However the team seem to be slicing open Championship defences, and they'll be other forwards who can do that. It is Che's physical presence that I think is just as important. He dominates defenders, and if he leaves that definitely needs to be replaced.

I suspect the 4th option is Doyle or as you say Aribo or S Armstrong dropping back. No need to buy anyone else now. 1st choice midfield will be Downes Charles Smallbone Alcaraz With backup from Armstrong(s) Aribo and Doyle. Now source a CB

No, needs to work abroad. English football will be a very hostile place for him. We don't need that in any shape or form.

It isn't really about how much cash Saints spend, doubt that's an issue within reason. The much bigger hurdle is persuading a proven goal scorer to either switch teams or drop down a division. There are 4 or 5 Prem teams in the hunt for a decent goal scorer, that's the reason Tella and Adams are receiving bids. I winced at the injuries today because that adds a few million onto the bids. If a bid of £20m comes in both of those players are offski. So what are the options? Bank the money and stick with Armstrong, Mara, Ballard and Onuachu as this season's attack. Well that's an option and it is better than a lot of teams even if it feels like a downgrade to us. Onuachu really hasn't been given much of a chance and he may start clicking but personally I'd rather see him out of the door and one of Adams, Tella or Sulemana remaining, but if he stays then game on. Sell, bank some of the money, and buy Pirou. Like others I'm not convinced but he'd fit the Martin system. Probably the most likely outcome. Sell, bank the money and buy in a promising forward from a Prem academy. Pointless as we have one of those already and he has to be given game time otherwise he'll start looking for a move. Sell and blow serious cash on raiding one of our competitors, that is an attractive option as it will both boost Saints and damage whoever Saints raid. I can't see Saints going all Man City like that. The cash raised is going to be needed for next year. Do nothing make them stay, and tell them to suck it up. For that to happen Sulemana and Onuachu have to be sold promptly to raise the cash for salaries and win bonuses. Probably be a messy mixture of some of those options, all late on as well. The poster from Plymouth was dead right. SW, Norwich and Plymouth have all faced an attack that others probably won't have to face. That isn't a fair competition. The transfer deadline should be August 1st

They sing that to Torquay.... love it

I feel the same but we've been very spoilt with left backs. Bertie was international quality and both KWP and Perraud (when fit) are solid PL standard. Bree and Manning are Championship standard, and that has come as a bit of a shock to the system. I suspect Manning is keeping the position warm for Larios or Meghoma. Plus he is an ally for the manager in the dressing room and Martin needs that. Having said that, he needs to be given a chance, it is still early days. Great win, don't care how it came about, its a win.

Oh come on he's not shite, his distribution is excellent and he makes some top quality saves. I will concede he has his iffy moments, however that narrative is principally from last season So far he has been done by some desperate defending, that needs sorting. Anyway my point was that he is all we have at the moment. Until there is competition for his spot, it will be counterproductive to get on his back.

You don't have to do anything. You can stand and criticise, or even shout abuse if that floats your boat. But if you destroy our only capable goalkeeper with intemperate and knee jerk comments, you are going to have a direct impact on the team. I'm not talking about docile unquestioning support, just a little consideration for where we are with some of the younger players.