VectisSaint

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.

Very good champ season doesn't prove you're a Prem league player. In any case since when was Bayer Leverkusen in the Premier League. The Leverkusen link doesn't make any sense to me. I get his desire to go to Burnley but not Bayer.

I think the fact that he is a lifelong Hammers supporter has a lot ton don with it. He got his dream move to the Club and doesn't want to leave. Moyes is one of the favourites to go first and who knows what will happen under a new manager.

Did you miss the Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles games as well?

It would be good to replace Manning at LB with Perraud (assuming he is still here and fit), Manning has played midfield about as often as LB, perhaps Russ could fit him in there, at least then we would not be so exposed when he takes corners on the right (used to hate it when Bertrand took corners, it always left him out of position when Redmond inevitably gave away possession). I suspect Alcatraz (again if he is still here/not injured) might replace Edozie. Would actually rather see Sam Ayo-Ameyaw (????) start with Tella on left rather than Edozie. What about if Smallbone is fit? If Che is still here I don't know what I would do, I'll leave that to Russell.

The lesser spotted Simeu.

Martin said this morning Smallbone is not long term

Martin this morning suggested the squad is a bit thin, not bloated. It was bloated at the beginning of the window, but we have had loads of players leave and 5 arrive (including Tella and Will)

He was u21 in Junuary, which I think is the "cut-off". Contract is up next summer, so perhaps we are looking to move him on. Hasn't appeared an any squads so far, 1st or u21, maybe he is injured.

Bit of an odd one, successful loans in L2 and L1 in last 2 seasons, he was highly rated in both, you would think a step up to Championship would be a logical step, but he hasn't been seen or heard of either with the first team or u21s. What happened to Thierry Small as well?

JWP will be relieved, Maguire transfer off.

I keep expecting Man City to come in and gazump both Chelsea and Liverpool, we could accept a lower sum from them. It does beg the question why did they put a 40m buy-back clause in when they sold him to us that can be invalidated if we sell him before the buy-back comes into effect (next Summer). There is something a bit odd about the buy-back agreement which I don't understand, unless of course City just don't want him any longer. Anyway, this now needs to be sorted pronto, so that we can get replacements in because we currently look very weak in CM without all of last season's players in that area, which was already a weak area in terms of strength in depth if not starters.

No problem with him leaving, would have been shocked if he stayed, but just feel he could have done better than West Ham who have the potential to be a bit of a basket case this season.

When the Saints was originally a funeral march, I assume they do still ramp it up a gear after the first few bars.

Point for fastest lap I believe 😂

Not sure you can say Tella has been very poor since Burnley, he did "score" a cracker last week against Wednesday, which unfortunately for him brushed some part of Armstrong's upper anatomy before going in.

Don't ignore Perraud for free kicks (if he is playing).