revolution saint

Always makes me a bit sad when a player is criticised for an alleged attitude problem when no one has any idea or clue what the player is actually like. Of course we're entitled to an opinion on their performance, level of skill, stamina etc - basically anything that happens on the pitch but outside of that and it's just guesswork. Add that to the double-think scenario where player A is slagged off for supposedly wanting to leave and player B is slagged off for wanting to sit on his contract and not move and it's just bizarre.

Trouble with doing deals like that (not that they ever happen anyway) is that you get a player who isn't motivated and looks at Southampton as a step down (or at least sideways). Much like Lemina would have when he arrived from Juventus.....

I watched all the first game Mali played and the second half yesterday so not a huge amount and it's difficult to judge him (especially as Mali seemed to continuously ignore him and favoured attacking down the right instead). My thoughts are that he's certainly quick (probably not quite as quick as Mane but not too far off) and he likes a step-over or three. He should be good for us when he's in tight spots and evading challenges. I think he's the type of player that will benefit from having strict instructions on where to be and what to do because, like a lot similar players, he didn't seem to have much of an idea once he'd beaten a player. To be fair that could have been because Mali didn't really give him many options. Given his age though I'd be quite excited about his potential. Oh and his tackling in the first game was very reckless but yesterday he was much better - didn't leap into anything and realised that he was better when he harried the opposition rather than sticking his foot in. He's not going to have too much time in pre-season so I think initially he'll be on the bench - it's going to be a huge step up for him anyway so that makes sense and will give him a bit of time to settle without too much pressure (especially if we start slowly again). Expect him to win lots of fouls and to have a ten minute YouTube video of full of skills and tricks that don't result in goals by Christmas.

I remember this as well - think it was against Derby or Coventry and he was shooting towards the Archers Road end. The Barry Horne first against Bolton in the cup was my favourite though.

Wouldn't surprise me if it was us in for Jansson. Doesn't fit the age profile or pace side of things but by all accounts is a leader which we've been crying out for at the back. Might be a safer bet going for him instead of a younger kid from abroad - least he'll be able to settle in quickly.

Back on topic, I see Adam Blackmore has tweeted that the next priorities are CB, RB/RWB (I think but it could have just been full-back) and possibly a number 10. The number 10 seems unlikely to me but would provide a few options. Anyone got any ideas who might fit the bill? Oh, and apparently we're still the bookies favourite to sign Bowen from Hull - again I'm not sure we will given he's predominantly a winger. He's in the last year of his contract and fits the age profile (although not exactly pacy). Personally think he's a great player whenever I've seen him play. Price-wise Cardiff offered 12M for him in January so you'd think that would be around the right price to get him if we are interested.

People who take football far too seriously.

I've read some utter pony in my time but that's the biggest load of pony ever. I wouldn't be surprised to see it win a world record in pony. It'll probably be serialised in that pony-peddling Daily Heil and dished out to the masses of pony eating illiterates that make up it's readership. They'll lap it up and have more of that pony for afters. Oh, and Universities don't have half term either so that puts a big pony sized hole in your pony plan!

I was really impressed with Jarrod Bowen from the bits I saw last season. Not sure that position is a priority but would definitely add to the squad and also think this type of signing is much less of a risk than going foreign. Also far better than Harry Wilson from what I saw as well.

Spent time with both Red Bull Salzburg and New York Red Bulls so is well known by the Red Bull "family" and I guess by tenuous extension might also be known to Ralph as well.

Turnbull's agent is Liam O'Donnell (well, officially it's the the prolegal group but he heads it up)- same as Armstrong so he's used to dealing with us.

Does that mean JRM is 200 years old?

Alban Lafont

My sources tell me it's because of a swap deal for Lemina. Actually I just made it up but it's plausible - weren't PSG sniffing around last season? Rabiot story is obvs total rubbish and it's the kind of thing West Ham would try (and fail) to do.

I dunno, I tend to over analyse things like this but I have a sneaking suspicion that Ralph simply wants another striker as well as Ings.

I agree - from what I've heard the plan is to unveil him one limb at a time.

He'll be off to African Cup of Nations with Mali won't he? Shame but I guess we'll at least get an early look at him.

I'm not sure the age demographic quite works like that - you're basing that on the assumption that people won't change their mind as they get older. To illustrate - JFK was elected largely by his popularity among younger voters and those same voters are now OAPS and voting for Trump. I've no figures and stats to back this up by the way so it's just my muddled thinking. Everyone has been saying the same about the Tory party for ages as well - they'll be wiped out within a generation and it never happens. I think a lot of people naturally become more conservative as they get older. Interesting stuff though.

From where I was it looked like Hooiveld handled the ball and instead of a freekick to Millwall the ref gave us a pen. Good day that was.

I'd rather play the mascot than him. Has no redeeming qualities at all.

Always makes me laugh how people can get so worked up over what is a subjective opinion. Let's face it, neither is/was very good so there's not much difference between them - it's not like we're comparing MLT and Paul Moody. Personally think Danny Fox was slightly better but that might be just because it'll annoy the hell out of you and leave you seething for the rest of the day....

It's a subjective opinion - there's no right or wrong. I think I'd enjoy football far more if the top four sod off and I wouldn't miss them either. Neither do I cheer or follow bank statements so income falling wouldn't bother me particularly. Of course the quality of player may dip but that would be compensated by games (and seasons) being significantly more competitive. That might not float your boat but I like it (and it seems so do a lot of other people). Have to say that none of our seasons in the prem have matched the excitement of our L1 and Championship promotion seasons but it's all opinions.....

To be honest I thought Austin had a shedload of chances once Hughes took over and didn't take them. Maybe Ings will? Personally I was hoping we'd have gone for a battering ram of a striker. Ings obviously isn't that but he does give industry and a decent record in front of goal when fit... as everyone says, it's a risk. Can't afford to lose either Gabbiadini or Gallagher though. As an aside what's Mick Harford up to these days? Surely worth getting in just to show Gallagher how to make the most of his ability.

Footballers as role models? No. Strange to think why anyone would think so. In fact the very idea of role models is strange to me - everyone is a human being with faults and putting anyone up on a pedestal shows a lack of critical thinking. Having a tattoo of a gun on your leg precisely because you want to honour someone who was killed by a gun? Bit stupid really and there are more relevant things he could have done if that was his intention. Having said that Christians wear crosses so I suppose there's a bit of a precedent.... Anyway, it's his own choice and up to him.

Playing devils advocate, I'm not sure whether being local would really affect his motivation - does it really matter? Sure, if you're a fan of the club but he's a Liverpool fan apparently. Anyway, I'd say there would certainly be considerations about how "hungry" he is - we'd be a step down without doubt and he wouldn't be coming here to win trophies. You could argue that we would be a big payday for a player coming to the end of his career who has got used to sitting on the bench (at best). Anyway, there's pros and cons to signing older players from big clubs and motivation would have to be considered. Same goes for Sturridge. Obviously it depends on the player but it's a very West Ham type of signing and never appears to do them much good.