macca155

Deep breath everybody this is how it will be. A lot of our decent players will be plucked away. It is going to hurt. Tino is a promising talent but he is far from the finished product, plus he is still recovering from a serious injury. If somebody wants to pay £20 million plus, then it will probably happen. Let's not be hypocrites. Chances are Saints will be cash rich by August, due to some decent recruitment. They'll use some of that money to pluck stars from other teams. Even conservatives guestimates at possible values rakes in well over £200m. Tino (£20m) Lavia(£40m), JWP (£30m), Sullemana (£20m), Alcaraz(£20m), ABK(£15m), KWP(£15m) Onuachu(£10m), Bendarek(£5), Salisu(£5m) Stephens (£12m), Lyanco (£5m), Orrick (£5M), Tella(£12m), Adams (£15m). Obviously they won't all be sold. New manager will say who he wants to keep and they sell around that. I repeat what I said before, that lot took us down. We shouldn't be too upset at a fair number being sold. Good news is that whatever happens the clubs FFP position will be healthy.

Not looking to open an old argument (then promptly does), Claude's football was uber turgid. He essentially killed games, focussed too much on defence, and forgot that the point of football is to score goals. He wasn't our worse manager by a long way but I suspect that his tactics would have been overcome eventually. That's why he keeps being sacked. The problem is there have been some pretty spectacular bad appointments since then, plus a fair bit of squad degradation. Had we known Pellegrino was up next, a manager with no perceivable tactics whatsoever, then I suspect Puel would have been tolerated a little longer. To argue against myself, once we were safe, his sides were did start playing more freely and lo and behold started scoring goals.

Re Tella I guess every player is up for sale at the right price. That is the cold reality relegation. I doubt any of our players will resist the opportunity of playing in the Premier league. Like all of us they are free to work where ever they like, as long as their contract is paid up. If any of us where offered double our wages to ply our trade at our top company, few would turn it down. There also remains a big question mark as to whether Tella can reproduce that form next year, when faced with more agile and skilled defenders. However if Saints can demonstrate ambition and a high probability of winning the Championship and surviving in the Premier league, then some may feel it is worth their while staying. Alcaraz seems to have made that decision, I suspect JWP is get awake at night with those thoughts. We'll just have to wait and see. Anyway considering that lot got us relegated a few moving on is hardly a bad thing.

That's allegedly a £200 million midfield. We had that last year, except Tella, but still stank out the PL. Just goes to show how important a decent coaching set is.

More than a hunch I suspect. All three relegated teams have cash, players, and Premier League experience, despite looking various shades of crap this year. Leicester have the biggest job as they will lose a lot of their squad at the end of their contracts, but they be stiff competition regardless. Leeds will be strong, I have no doubt on that, Saints will have a lethal attack no matter what combination of our forwards remain. If they can keep at least one of JWP, Lavia, or Alcaraz then the midfield will be at least competitive. Everything depends on the how the manager sets us up and whether there is sufficient discipline and stability. Lots of ifs but I bet the other teams in the league aren't best pleased to see three strong Prem teams come down. Bit like having three Burnleys in the Championship. None of the teams who are likely to compete in the current Championship look particularly threatening. Those that are, like Coventry and Swansea, will be raided. Impossible to keep a decent team together for more than a season. Watford, Sunderland, Middlesborough, and Norwich seem to be the main competition but they won't have our resources. Obviously Saints will likely be tanked by Millwall or Preston NE but individual games don't matter. It is all about putting decent runs together. What we do know is that win the Championship it has taken between 26 and 30 wins, plus a bunch of draws to be promoted. In 2012 Saints won 26 and drew 10 and it has been higher since then. This is going to mean a change of mentality from accepting defeat to expecting to win. A very big ask and probably the biggest challenge both on and off the pitch.

Definitely where all the action will be. Smallbone will take over Free kicks but at least 3 midfielders required. Grimes is almost a certainty if Martin takes over. Plus he is just what we need. After that I guess it will be spreadsheet suggestions. Hamer will be the subject of a PL auction. We can't compete with that.

That's a tad harsh, I think he has some good qualities. Imtercepts well, blocks well, tackles, has pace, and can pass. You are right though, his positional sense is right off at times. That could be because he's covering for others too enthusiastically, or it really is a flaw. I'm convinced he would look a lot different with a decent partner next to him. Personally I'd have Stephens over Lyanco but Bournmouth will have him.

Ha ha , I'm so sad I actually counted the letters.

Well that's us stuffed then 😔 Thanks for the info, very detailed. I'm guessing you aren't his no 1 fan. Lets hope he learns and adapts. I had forgotten how many decent managers you've had, lets hope he's another one. The one bonus of going down is that I can finally do the Swansea away trip. Your ground has eluded me and needs to be chalked off.

I'd agree, he looks a good striker, but as I said before Saints don't have room for him at the moment. Currently Adams, Onuachu, Armstrong, Mara, and Ballard are battling for 2 places. Add in Tella, Sulemana, Edozie, Alcaraz, and Olaigbe, who all play in support of the strikers and it is a very crowded part of the squad. Chances are that will be thinned out with transfers and loans, but quite a few need to resurrect their careers with a decent Championship campaign. If Saints return straight away then they will have a launch pad for their careers. If they are loaned or sold to someone like Sheffield Utd then chances are they'll be back in the Championship next year. Quite the conundrum for their agents. None of them have done enough this year for a big move so they may not be as easy to shift as some seem to think. The midfield in contrast is already in crisis, and likely to lose it's two most effective players. Essentially Saints will be left with Smallbone. Someone like Grimes is going to be essential and no doubt this is where all the action will be. Doyle looks a good prospect but he will need a protector alongside him.

Thanks for posting, much appreciated. I'd imagine Grimes will be very high on the list of possible transfers, if Martin gets a say. With Smallbone returning and picking up JWPs creative duties, the team will need another midfielder to play in the Lavia role. Well actually we need about 4 but that's a whole different story. Not so sure on Piroe, absolutely no doubt he is a quality forward and I suspect someone like Bournemouth will take a punt and if not them others will be circling. In addition Saints have a lot of forwards, of varying abilities it has to be said, and whilst some will be shipped out we'll still be left with enough for the squad. As you say they are probably going to look a lot sharper in the Championship. I don't think money will be the issue, owners will spend where necessary and there will be a lot of transfer money incoming. Problem is the current squad is so bloated, they'll never be able to shift them all which won't make much room for new signings.

For years Coventry were our twin in Div 1, we occupied two positions 12 through 17 every year. I remember a quote from a Coventry fan about Saints when they had a rare decent run of games. Claiming Saints had gone all 'lah de da page 1 of ceefax' . I'm guessing three quarters of this forum won't have a clue what I'm on about. Both Luton and Coventry have had a terrible time in recent years, be good to see one of them in the Premier league. Suspect either will come crashing down again. For purely selfish reasons I'd prefer Luton go up. Firstly because they look like a team that is ever so slightly 'up for it', glad to see the back of them. Secondly because Coventry is always a great away trip.

I suspect Carrick is just the sort of manager SR will want to get. They had their fingers burnt with Jones so are more likely to play it a little more conservatively. I could get behind Carrick, certainly seems to have something about him. Track record is ok and plays a pretty progressive game. Cannot believe Boro lost that game tonight but Coventry know how to take a chance. Aren't the club being a bit arrogant thinking Carrick would leave Boro for Saints, I'd imagine he'd be looking for a PL job next. Mowbray has an ok CV but he is a miserable bugger, we need some sunshine at the moment, nevertheless we could a lot worse.

First time I've seen Luton, they would beat Saints on this showing. The quote ' Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard' definitely applies to them. Sunderland's talented youngsters are being overwhelmed. However can they maintain it. Most decent teams absorb the pressure and then pounce when they run out of energy and ideas. Remember Poch's early teams after 70 mins. Always a testing times. Guess this is what Jones wanted to do with Saints

I absolutely want Everton to down. Every Saints fan should due to Bailey, Heath, and that horrendous 7 1. If they joined us it would add a tiny bit of sunshine. However absolutely not. Yes they are a basket case and in considerable chaos, but they'll attract a major backer. They have a decent although dated pedigree, large following, new stadium, and crucially a talent pool of youngsters teams like us cannot get near. They'll also attract good loan signings. Like it or not they'll be seen as a Premier League club playing in the Championship. They may spiral initially but they'll get their shit together eventually, and then be in our way. Be fantastic if they did a Leeds and disappear into League but I can't see that happening. If Qatar don't get Utd Everton could be their next target. Leicester are obviously joining Saints and are in exactly the same predicament. Happy to take them on. Prefer the third to be Forest but it's looking like Leeds.

Oh I hate these threads, I start off thinking 'oh no Viera...', read a bunch of informed comments, come round to 'yeah he may be OK', and start looking forward to him starting . 2 days later he's appointed by someone else, and I've wasted a whole bunch of emotional energy I'm fast running out of. Of course he'd be a good appointment. He's a big name, needs success so the omens are good. Chances of getting him are probably slim. I'm afraid we need to lower our expectations. Saints are not in a strong position.

Just watched them warm up, never seen anything so lackluster. Does not bode well ....

Easier to look at groups of players.. JWP and Lavia should be £80 million between them. KWP and Adams £30 million. ABK, DCC, Salisu, and maybe Lyanco another £30 million. Might be a bit more. Orsic, Aribo, Diallo, A Armstrong, Onuachu will go to clubs that don't pay a lot. Probably £15 to £20 million. That Will mean big losses for SR. I reckon they'll rake in around £150 million. If, and its a big if, they can actually offload that lot. Hopefully means we won't have the financial issues of last time, but left with a pretty hollowed out squad.

Done now, no point being miserable about it. Tomorrow will be a bit weird but I'd rather it x was Fulham than Liverpool. Subtle adjustments ready for next year. Bazunu Bree Lyanco Bendarek Djenepo Lavia JWP Alcaraz Sulemana Mara Ballard Finnegan and Doyle amongst the subs. Probably harsh on KWP, happy to see him in. Of course that won't happen, we'll have a lot of nonsense about there still being a chance. Team will be the usual tombola McCarthy AMN DCC Bendarek KWP Orsic JWP Elyounoussi Aribo Adams Armstrong Oh I can't wait

Haters are going to hate, it use to be Stephens and Redmond now it's Lyanco. He has the right attitude, passes forward, is as good an intercepter as Yoshida, and for a CB has a decent turn of pace. Yes he is rash at times and on occasion gets caught out of position, but frankly all of our CHs have issues None of our CH are top notch, but neither do I think they are our biggest problem. A weak midfield, fullback issues, poor goalkeeping, and an attack that fails to sustain pressure are the main problem. I enjoy watching Lyanco, need more of him not less.

That was down to the manager. Play Lyanco instead of AMN and use your subs not in hope but to have an impact. Have a plan for goodness sake Worse team in the league by some distance. So avoidable

That's a soft pen really

Ha ha Penalty

5 .... they can't even give us some self respect

Armstrong is spent, he can't do any more sub required.