VectisSaint

Apparently Sunderland had a friendly match lined up for Stewart this week (commentator on Saturday). Whether Saints will do likewise no idea, but he can't be too far off if he was expected to play this week. We shall see.

Need settled MF as well, Downes and Charles, just having the same back 4 is not enough, we all know it is the MF that protect the defenders and ultimately the keeper.

Seems like we are still looking to shift a couple more players according to Wilcox (interview with Blackmore on BBC Sounds yesterday). Several 'markets' transfer windows are still open (doubt he means Saudi, guessing Turkey). Not sure who he has in mind, Onuachu and Djenepo perhaps, possibly Sulemana. Guessing we can't shift Holgate on.

Wilcox mentioned in interview with Blackmore (before yesterday's game) that Jack would be out until Christmas, which is a lot more than RM's 7 games.

Holgate, Bazunu and Manning absolutely shocking. Can see why Holgate was out of it at Everton.Manning defensively was diabolical. People who thought we were well stocked at CB need to look at that and realise we are piss poor there especially with Stephens injured. No height at the back either. Hope THB is as good as everyone thinks. Just what we didn't need going into the break.

Despite what I said earlier I read that Adams travelled so maybe he will be in the matchday squad if not starting.

There are a few there who won't have travelled, Adams, ABK for starters, Sielmana, Mara as well

Amazed that no one has stalked the bus or plane leaving for Sunderland today. Knowing who was on there would have given a lot of insight into who was staying.

Has Adam Armstrong gone as well, you know our top scorer this season (even if one was a fluke and 2 pens).

Good to see all those hyphens not going to waste

I don't, but think he may play CB while Stephens is out. if nothing else we need some height, and although he is not Tall Paul tall he is at least bigger than Holgate.

I think RM's point was that that scenario can be ignored. I think reading between the lines that he knows that at least we are signing someone, but has no idea whether Che stays or goes. I don't think he would have said what he did otherwise. He seems to be a very honest and straightforward guy, while accepting that there are certain things he cannot say.

Would be very surprised if Stu doesn't start this weekend.

I don't think the exodus is breath-taking at all. All those who have left (that were any good) were expected (Tella, JWP, Tino,Lavia), at the moment we still have (Adams) who most wanted gone after last season and KWP who I thought was certain to go, also ABK is still here. I did think for a brief while that JWP was going to stay but its clear now that he wanted out from the start. Is anyone really shocked that we have lost Lyanco, DCC, Moi, Walcott, Perraud, Willy etc? Only surprise to me is that more have not gone, McCarthy for instance. We are lacking at CB and striker. We were crap last season, there were very few that warranted being kept for this season, and given they were crap in the PL they are not really what we want if we gain promotion this season.

Didn't sound that way when he posted on social media after he was injured. Sounded like he fully expected to be back playing for Saints 'next season'.

Injured.

Lots of people are "wanted by Everton", Ings is a bit of a Liverpool "legend", unlikely to agree to Everton transfer.

Dujan Miovski, played 90, didn't score. Duk started as well. Thierry Small on the bench for St.Mirren, winning 2-1. Ended 2-2, Dujan scored penalty.

See that the 'Aberdeen guy' is a starter today.

No, it is quite clearly a new/revised offer than what was on the table at the end of last season. If nothing else it includes the V-C "clause", but I suspect it is more significant than that. Martin suggested as much today. I still don't think that a new offer would be put on the table unless there was genuine feedback that a new offer would at least be seriously considered. It does look like the Holgate issue is independent after all, seems like we have been after him for some time, so may not be a sweetener. It feels to me like the Everton ship has sailed or been sunk, but maybe someone else will come in for Che.

Doubt Saints would have put a.new contract on the table unless they had good vibes that he would sign it. But confusingly Holgate loan (medical today) sounds like it could be a sweetener for deal.

Holgate, apparently

Is there any news on Smallbone? We went from medium term injury to short term/not as bad as thought last week. Gonna be a bit of a selection headache when Charles, Downes and Smallbone are all fit (though I think Smallbone is better further forward).

Hadn't realised until last night that we aren't in the EFL Trophy this season. It was never really successful but did at least give an opportunity for the u21s to play some games against senior players from L1/L2. Did we deliberately drop out or is the entry 'seeded' in some way (top 16 teams from PL2 perhaps). By the way title of thread should be changed back to u21 as we seem to have dropped the B team label this year (that was a bit of a strange move before).

Actually I can see some sense having realised their coach is Xabi Alonso, hadn't realised that. Still seems a little obscure to go to Bundesliga rather than PL, but clearly there are quite a few young English players who flourish there.