Matthew Le God

Championship Manager effectively turned into Football Manager in 2004

If he wants to be a 1st choice starter then he'll need to drop to the Championship. I think he is our 5th best centre back. If he is 5th best at a club that came 15th last season then which other PL club would regularly start him?

He only signed a pro deal in April this year, I doubt they only made it until next year. I'd guess at the very least it is until 2024, possibly 2025. https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-04-06/dom-ballard-professional-contract-southampton-fc-april-2022

Diallo hasn't really worked out particularly well so far and he has been linked with a move to Valencia earlier in the summer. https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2022/valencia-in-negotiations-with-southampton-for-ibrahima-diallo/

Now he is more established and a squad player in their 1st team he probably wants a bigger wage in order to stay that reflects his role.

Insane

Last season we played 4222 home and away vs Man City and drew both matches.

A blue tick Manchester based journalist who is followed by Simon Peach, Carl Anka, Fabrizio Romano and 116k others.

What do you mean by 'regular scout'? Martyn Glover was head of 1st team recruitment, he left to join Leicester. Joe Shields is now head of 1st team recruitment.

Every player in La Liga has to have a release clause, it is a rule of the league. That doesn't mean you can't sign them for less than the clause.

OK... why not as a striker? That is where he played yesterday.

Why Mara on the left wing rather than upfront in a 4222?

@Sarisbury Saintdidn't appear to grasp teams defend in different shapes depending where the opposition have the ball.

He was only 21 years old when he joined Saints. He was signed as a player to develop. So what do you think it says?

If the 4222 has been 'worked out', why didn't Leeds cope very well vs it today?

His 4222 system and high press is what got us the point. I think we'd have won if we played it from the start of the game.

Does every critique need to be critiqued by you?

When defending it was 3421 when Leeds' defence had the ball. When Leeds had the ball in more advanced areas Saints players drop further back into a back five and only Adams upfront.

Impressive cameo debut. Looked more confident than vs Villarreal.

They were playing in duel number 10 roles throughout the first half and into the second half.

No it isn't. They simply were not playing in a 541 shape. S.Armstrong and Elyounoussi were both playing as number 10s behind a lone striker. There are no number ten roles in a 541 formation.