revolution saint

Is this why Van Nistelrooij has such a long face?

Assuming that's true then Gakpo is going to leave this summer. Whether that's to us or not, who knows? Once clubs start talking numbers then it's normally an admission that they're leaving.

I’d like AMN too, gives us a few extra options and a decent player. Seems like every season I’ve suggested him as being a decent acquisition. Not sure it’ll happen though, all the links seem to either come from Arsenal or the agent. So far I’ve read that we’ve been offered the chance to sign him, and the player would be interested but precious little that we hold an interest. Hope I’m wrong but not holding my breath.

Good points. I guess the only thing you can counter with is whether another CB is a priority over the other areas where we're weak. Up front for me has to be a priority whether that's another striker or a 10 that can also play as a striker. Appreciate Stephens and Lyanco wouldn't be the choice of many but I'd take that risk over not improving the forward areas.

You'd think that would be the case but we were supposed to have bid for Delap and that didn't come off. I suppose we could have agreed a deal with Delap and City refused but normally in those cases the player tries to force a move. I think if there was any interest in Gakpo it probably stopped when we found out the price but you never know. I keep coming back to Ralph saying he was confident when pressed about a new striker. I can't see him saying that about Gakpo and if a fee hasn't been agreed. Suspect it's probably someone completely different.

I don’t think we’re even in for Broja so it’s kind of academic but I wish people would stop criticising players for a perceived attitude. Neither you, nor I have a clue what he’s like, what his attitude is or whatever else is going on behind the scenes. By all means criticise his performances (I disagree by the way) but attitude and needing to be taken down a peg or two, well, that’s something you’ll never know. As for being effective in a poor team for a short period and largely average otherwise - that could be applied to almost every player last season. Anyway, don’t think it’ll be happening but I’d be over the moon if we got someone as good, or brought him back.

This seems a bit harsh, I didn't read the post as being entitled to know what's going on. More like finding it interesting/concerning that something hasn't made it into the media yet. Maybe I'm being too generous but the post didn't reek of an entitled fan stamping his feet and demanding to know what's going on. I know we have this cliché that we do our business behind closed doors, loose lips sink ships and all that but feels to me like most of our signings actually do make it into the media before we sign them. As an aside I think we, as fans, make far too much out of this secrecy of transfers - I doubt we've ever signed anyone completely under the radar of other clubs. Seems to create a myth of the club being experts at the dark mystical arts of transfers. I can understand the club doesn't really need the hassle of responding to every speculation or every vague enquiry that we make but ultimately it probably doesn't make much difference one way or the other.

Yep, I agree and I'll go further. Assuming we win the league, people who call this season a disaster are the dregs of humanity.

The Stuttgart president mentioned a few clubs were interested, Wolves being one of them. No reason why we can’t be one of the other clubs. Article also said Sasa K wants to move to the premier league.

Still think we might be in for Harvey Vale - last year of his contract, hasn't signed a new one and doesn't have a squad number (least that was the case last I checked). Looks a bit more physical than Edozie which seems to be something we put a bit more emphasis on these days.

Good news! We get a CBBC series later this year: https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2022-07-07/cbbc-documentary-series-football-academy-southampton-football-club-2022

That's the thing I would find disappointing - not finding someone within our budget. Hard to know what's fact and what's made up but seems like we were prepared to bid 20 odd mill for Delap and maybe more on Ramos or Broja. Might not be true but let's say we've got around 25M to spend then I really think we should be able to find another striker for that money capable of being a first team player and improving us. Aribo is more of a ten that can play up front. In his interview he confirmed Ralph saw him as a right sided 10 so he certainly wasn't bought with the intention of being a permanent striker. Still time left and hopefully we can get someone in. Who knows, Mara may turn out to be as good as Broja but as it stands I think we're a little light up front if we stick with what we've got.

Can't quite remember the timings of our signings but have we actually bought (or sold) anyone since Joe Shields has come in? He only has to work for a couple of months in the summer and a month in January and seems like he's done eff all. Joe Shields Out! I'm joking before anyone take it seriously.

Yes, meant kick ourselves in respect to not getting him rather than not trying (which we’ll probably never know and outcome is the same anyway). Atalanta are a decent side for sure.

Yeah, that’s a shame. He looked good but hard to judge on YouTube and in a pretty poor league. Atlanta seem to recruit pretty well though so might end up one we kick ourselves over. Getting closer to deadline day now and was hoping it would be a bit clearer on who, if any, are likely to come in. Fear is that we’re working our way down a list of targets. Hopefully we haven’t wasted time on any that were unrealistic from the start.

Yeah, it’s the modern equivalent of Doris Stokes. Is there anyone called Ramos in the hall? I’m getting a message from a south coast premier league club. They say they want you, no, wait, they’re not sure. Does that make any sense dear?

Yes, impossible to answer your question without knowing all relevant data. I felt sorry for you, poor little Chez, no one answered his question. He must be feeling sad. I know, I’ll have a stab at it, that’ll cheer him up. Wish I’d never bothered ya needy sod.

Christ you’re demanding. Here we go, you give me an exact breakdown of who gets paid what, what our transfer budget is, all of our scout reports on potential targets and I’ll give you an answer. Sound fair?

Deli Alli confirmed at the Turkish club. Gutted but never mind. Least it hasn’t strengthened any of our rivals (except maybe Everton). Hopefully get Harry Winks in soon and it’ll be a top notch window.

So, to be fair, I do that myself. Apologies for annoying anyone. I don’t do the yes, no thing though.

You should be on Sky Sports mate - that level of analysis is seriously lacking in their coverage.

I'll have a go. Apparently he's on 30k a week at the moment - I'd have no problems upping that to 65k and an extension of 3 years (so I suppose technically that's a 5 year deal). Probably makes him a bit more difficult to sell but would hope that's about where he is in terms of what he's worth. I think he's a decent player anyway although appreciate not everyone agrees. If he doesn't sign then I guess could probably go a bit higher but it's difficult to know what other players are on our radar and who would be likely to come. I don't know what other players are on or what kind of money we have to spare so makes it a bit difficult to answer. I think Che is important to us and there's every chance that we could replace him with worse so, yeah, keep him and give him a new contract, there's your answer (well, my opinion anyway).

Dunno where you get that from. People comment on potential signings, team formations, Nottingham Forest, random ex players no one cares about. Pretty much everything as you would expect. So you’re just saying what exactly? That you only notice the negative? That’s a shame.

Some people like commenting on speculation, doesn’t really make them “hard of thinking” and it was entirely plausible that he could leave. Great news that he isn’t. No real need to act like a twat though

Not convinced that Stuart Armstrong is rated that highly by Ralph - the injury business at the start of last season was odd. Entirely possible it could have been genuine but didn't he get called up by Scotland and go away with them despite being "injured"? Probably nothing in it but didn't feel entirely plausible. Hope he stays as he's the best 10 we have (although Aribo may challenge him for that). Not fussed about Moi though, he's done better than expected since he returned but think we could do better. Slower league would be ideal for him.