revolution saint

Palace and Brentford both supposed to be interested so it's not just us. Comes with a fair number of question marks - failed in Germany and Holland, did OK in Denmark and well in Turkey.

You make valid points and even 25-30M doesn't guarantee a striker will work out. Only flaw is that if we choose to sign someone like Jackson and it doesn't work out whilst Ings was available then that's a conscious decision to not sign an out and out striker. No one has a crystal ball but the idea that a player can come into a different league, without a scoring record to speak of, playing as a wide forward and score more goals than Ings is probably more on the unlikely end of the spectrum.

Agree, I think we should wait for a top quality striker available for a reasonable price. If we can't do it this window then we should do it in the summer, or the window after that, or the window after that. There's no rush and better than spending the going price for a striker in one of the top leagues..............

Yeah, I'm in the same camp. All transfers are risks and strikers even more so, so Ings would seem about the safest bet around in comparison to anything else. Everything we do in this window is subservient to getting a new striker (and a decent one that works out) so whilst I don't have a problem with Orsic, Alcaraz or Jackson, it won't look like a good window if we're still left with a glaring problem up top. I know Che isn't to everyones taste but imagine if he gets a serious injury - we're fucked.

I looked him up on YouTube and all I learnt was that the MLS is still a pretty shit league.

Oh yes, I agree, and it's better than having a bunch of players no one else wants. I just wouldn't want to lose both JWP and Lavia in the same transfer window. Realistically I reckon next summer we'll see Salisu, KWP and one of JWP or Lavia leave. That's if we stay up. Would imagine we'll see a few fringe move as well - Diallo, both or one of the Armstrongs, Walcott. Maybe even Aribo. Summer is likely to be a busy one.

Think both are equally likely and both will attract bids. Whether we'll let both go is another matter but if a bid comes in from a decent sized ambitious club (Newcastle?) and JWP wanted to move then I think we'd find it hard to say no to him.

Suspect there's an element of planning for the summer going on. Wouldn't surprise me if both Lavia and JWP are subject to lots of speculation about leaving which is a bit of a worry. Gallagher could fill a JWP sized hole although I would imagine he would have some other, better options.

I speak for all Saints fans everywhere and we'd all collectively like to say that the manager and team deserve some real credit for what has happened.

Proper noun statistical analysis isn't it?

How about a distant relative or an Auntie? Maybe they're at a party, they're both alone, both had too much to drink and their eyes meet. They know it's wrong but they can't help themselves. A fleeting thought passes your distant relatives mind, "What would Lord Duckhunter think?" It's gone in an instant though as she gives herself to her carnal cravings whilst Nathan ponders the depths of her valley. When forming an opinion do you always wonder what it would be like if they were screwing members of your family? Obviously in this case you've discarded it but always interesting to see the thought processes of people.

It's not enough though and I don't think he's a decent level for where we are, unless you want to be courting relegation every season. Give him a new contract and he'll be one of the reasons why we can't improve the squad simply because we can't shift him and no one else will want him. There's not a single club in this division that would take him and even Celtic weren't that fussed. Yeah, he's a decent bloke and I'd never say he wasn't committed but that's not a reason to extend the contract of someone who has been proven to be sub-standard and in all likelihood will get worse as time catches up with him. He's 28 now and he ain't getting any better. Not really having a pop at you and for sentimental reasons I can see the value in rewarding him with a new contract but IMO it doesn't make sense either financially or in a footballing sense. A squad player should be someone we're developing and hope to improve, not someone who hasn't been good enough and isn't likely to improve.

Suspect he was considered as a wide player but we got Orsic instead. Doesn’t make much sense to be linked with Beto, Terrim and Jackson who all have a physical presence and then go for yet another right footed winger that plays predominantly on the left. He’ll probably sign tomorrow now I’ve said this

Yeah, we've got Edozie, Djenepo, Orsic and Aribo all likely to be around for a bit. Might even get another in (Jackson) so in terms of numbers we're pretty well stocked especially when you consider that both Armstrongs and Alcaraz can play the position as well. Extending Elyounoussi's contract only works if we think he is either better than those listed above, or worth it for squad cover as a third midfielder. He's doing a job in midfield but I think we can afford to live without him even if we didn't bring anyone else in. Even in midfield we've got Lavia, JWP, Alcaraz, Diallo, S Armstrong and AMN. You can argue that the quality could be improved but you don't do that by extending Elyounoussi's contract.

I can see the thinking behind it but personally I wouldn't give him a new contract. He's been poor most of the time he's been here and recently got to the heights of sometimes average. I don't think he does anything particularly well and lacks any kind of pace. His passing isn't very good and attacks frequently break down because of it. TBF he seems a good lad and I'm sure he tries hard but if we give him a new contract then it's as a squad player only and I'd rather take a punt on either a youth team fringe player or someone else. I can imagine getting rid of him wouldn't be easy if we get to a situation where we want to freshen the squad up either.

Isn't that what you're supposed to do with Alexa?

Yep, that's my guess as well. There's a bit in the Athletic this morning where it mentions we're still in negotiations over a six month loan and option to buy. It looks like the easiest deal to do and probably the most affordable and least risk. Jackson has played up front at times so it could work. Seems to have a similar pace and dribbling skills to Broja as well as adding a bit of height, although he wouldn't be a classic target man type.

Ah, cheers, didn't know that.

Apparently James Bree can also play as a right sided CB in a back 3 (although he's only 5ft 8") so guess that versatility might be useful. Not seen anything of him but appears to be a good crosser according to some.

As far as I can see Alacaraz hasn't played since 6th November so I guess it'll take some time for him to get back to match fitness.

He is indeed. Just watched his pre-match presser for the Everton game and he comes across as very defensive. Whatever his abilities as a manager, I don't think dealing with the media is a string to his bow. That said, I thought we were magnificent last night and probably the best performance we've had in a calendar year. He deserves all the credit for that and he can act in whatever way he sees fit if we carry on playing in that fashion. Personally I think he would be better off if he didn't come across as quite so antagonistic but that's his call and it's difficult for people to be something they're not.

With a look like that he should be able to score plenty of goals by giving the keeper the eyes.

Jeez, they paid 26m euros for an 18 year old? I thought French clubs were skint (except PSG).

Obviously these are only links but seems like we've been linked with Doku, Maeda and Jackson who are all predominantly wide players rather than out and out strikers. Add them to Orsic, Edozie, S Armstrong, Aribo, Walcott, Elynoussi. The new lad can also play the role. Appreciate we won't sign any or all of the ones linked but it's certainly not a position we're struggling for numbers in, although quality is a different argument. I'm no different to anyone else - a striker is an absolute necessity. My guess is we'll end up with Jackson who can play as a forward even though he's mainly a wide player.

I don't think that's particular to Saints fans - there will be an element within any fanbase that is a bit thin skinned. As for a toxic atmosphere, yeah, it probably doesn't help but I doubt it'll make that much of a difference. We've been shit for a year now and for most of that the atmosphere hasn't been vitriolic but more apathetic. On the plus side it'll be easy for Jones to get back on side - all he needs to do is get the team playing well and winning games. Fans are fickle and a few good performances and results and we'll all be singing "Rat Faced Nathan Jones Red and White Army". He knows the drill, he'll have had the same at Stoke (and don't forget he's learned from that experience). TBH like others have said, I don't really care what he says and I'm more concerned about what he does.