VectisSaint

We have not improved on the squad that finished 4th last season. We are actually worse than we were then. The only area we are better now is defence and we are still expected to lose KWP. Attacking wise we are definitely worse off still. We have lost Armstrong, Fraser, Brooks, Rothwell and Adams, and gained BBD (upgrade on Adams) and Lallana (maybe a step up on Rothwell, if he actually plays). Alcaraz played for us last season so you can't say he is an improvement, and it's debatable anyway. Only other one who you could say is improvement is Dibling. Still need a striker, AM and Goalkeeper to be better than last season in a more difficult league (and strengthen in DM). Not looking hopeful.

Edit, Lazio were very interested in Charly Alcaraz 🙂

Maybe he will be suspended for the next "friendly"

OK, keep your hair on. 😱

I am reasonably sure I read somewhere that Charles had said no to Celtic, not surprising, the Celtic/Northern Ireland thing is an issue that some do not appreciate, I have no idea if Shea would have this issue, but he might. Obviously he is not actually from Northern Ireland, only qualifies through his Mother (I think). A loan to Rangers might be more appealing to him, but then that does not help us with O'Reilly. Alcaraz is the better bet for a loan, but then that doesn't really help us does it, we have to hope that he can provide more for us than he has shown in the past, we have so few options in AM at the moment.

We aren't clearly stronger than last season. THB and Downes were here last season. We've lost Armstrong, Brookes, Fraser, Rothwell and Adams, and look to be losing KWP. We are certainly better in defence and DM is the same, but we are nowhere near in attacking positions. Bright spots are that Dibling and SAA will hopefully bring a lot more than they did last year.

Probably because he was marginally better than having no-one else. Agreed he wasn't very good, but he still contributed something, as far as i can see he he hasn't been replaced.

We aren't as good in MF. We are down Armstrong, Rothwell, Fraser and Brooks, afraid Alcaraz and Lallana (if fit) don't make up for that.

You weren't the only one.

I don't think anyone thinks he 's Spanish. They think he is Chilean. But he is to Chile what Will Smallbone is to Ireland, ex ept Will is from Basingstoke and Brereton is from notBasing Stoke. Bit like Matt O'Riley being Danish.

I was a bit dubious about Charles to Celtic. Norn Iron players usually prefer Rangers, but as he isn't actually from Norn Ireland I thought maybe he might be an exception. Of course Brenda is from NI.

Fax? Do they still exist (outside the NHS)?

I always thought being a Saints "fan" was being one of the elite.

Maybe we will look to bring Sam Gallagher in. The question will be whether he has finished his growth spurts.

Possibly being born in Stoke might prove to be more of a language barrier.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

In what way did "Saints outperform Ipswich as an attacking force last season"? How were Ipswich lucky to make the automatic spots yet got 9 points more than we did and we only made 4th place? 🙄

Brian? First Peachy, now Brian O'Neil, this strategy of bringing back old players is going a bit too far now, how would certainly give a bit of bite in MF though.

Bloody hell, he's getting on a bit these days. Still, at least he knows how to take a penalty and can defend better than Manning.

or more likely that he is closer to return than anticipated and therefore RM doesn't see relying on AM as such a big issue. Lis and Lumley are not going to get a look in once Baz returns.

Not since his injury at the end of last season.

Armstrong signs a new 3 year deal.

Actually contrary to what I said based on reports a couple of days ago, it seems like Arsenal are now considering a loan, report today. https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2024/07/18/arsenal-open-to-loaning-out-aaron-ramsdale-instead-of-permanent-sale/

Arsenal are not interested in a loan. They want a sale, and are looking big money. Loan will not happen.

Just an idle thought but how about we play him "out of position" as an AM? A lot of what he did last season was more in the attacking role.