VectisSaint

So he's going to turn Boufal around by 2 weekly video links. Hmm. Not much of a plan. If he had any chance of making Boufal a team player he need to work with him intensively and for some time. It isn't going to happen. I'd be very happy if it did. We made a huge mistake with Boufal, to appease Puel, our scouting went out the window. Boufal will be playing in Spain or France next season I'm sure where his skills and style will have some chance of a modicum of success.

First things first, if they were even in the same continent it might help. Ralph cannot work his magic on a player via video link. Clearly there is no intent to try to do so, if there was they would have taken Boufal to Macau (unless there were visa problems getting him into PRC, its not easy). Even Ralph with his God like status can see that it is unlikely that he can change Boufal's play into something akin to a team player, when so many others have tried and failed. We need to realise, as I think Ralph has, that Boufal is a very talented and skilful football player, with a style that makes him unsuited to a team game, where he might succeed in a slower moving league (though even that is debateable as he hardly ripped up La Liga last season). I will be shocked if Boufal is still at Saints in 2 weeks time.

Is he a new player?

That's why I said 'if not in full' ?

Well no, actually it hasn't. They have simply paid (a proportion of) his wages in advance, which actually costs us more than if we had paid the same proportion over a 12 month period (due to interest).

Basically the same as last year, shuts before the PL starts as it always should have done. The problem is that other countries have not followed suit, or their season starts later so transfer business still carries on in terms of out goings abroad. Which means for us trying to shift players before bringing new ones in has been made more difficult.

Some of his wages off the wage bill by the sound of it. Looks like we have paid him off at least in part if not in full.

He's only a liability if the coach sets up his defence at corners by asking Cedric to do that job. Our useless past coaches were to blame not Cedric.

Talented, Mr Ripley.

Other than the fact that his former club was RB Leipzig, his Bio showed nothing on Wayback Machine, ever. It was last archived there on 12 July.

Nothing positive to say then.

I think you're underestimating the problem, I think we are actually 6 over at the moment (31 over 21s).

In a different season there may have been a case to be made for this. But Boufal is not back yet, I don’t know but I suspect he will not be back next week either. Preseason is done, the team will be concentrating on playing the first game, transfer window will be shutting in about a week (from his return). He doesn't have the luxury of a full preseason, decisions based on the reality.

Six really, looks like Christopher Klarer is in the reckoning. Really won't be surprised if we don't sign a new CB. Would much prefer we strengthen midfield further.

Why? Ralph has seen him play and can see why he will never be a team player, and why he has no end product. He is a very skilful footballer, but has a basic faulty trait that means he does not link up with other players. Ralph has presumably reckoned he cannot change Boufal's style, in the same way none of his other coaches have and requested he be transferred out. Don't think it's an attitude problem, though its possible, just a realisation that he does not have the tools to fit into Ralph's team.

Koeman left because he fell out with Les. Everton just happened to be the right place at the right time. Worked out well didn't it.

Maybe things have moved on during the week, a week is a long time in football. Maybe he wasn't fully fit. Who knows and frankly who cares.

Our youngsters will probably be facing Matt and Joseph Mills as well as Lloyd James. Quite the little reunion

Marcus Barnes hasn't even been mentioned, takes up a squad place so guessing he is due to be shipped out as well.

His loan at Blackburn was ended early because of a serious ankle injury.

You didn't read the article did you.

Surprised at the comments about him being isolated and the language barrier. Didn`t we bring in Imants Bleidelis to help, we certainly didn't bring him in for his footballing prowess ? George fecking Burley has a lot to answer for. There's a lot to be said for having Pahars and Adkins associated with the Club, I'm sure Ralph could benefit from their involvement.

Surprised there is a place for Elyounoussi.

Nope, you are wrong. FIFA solidarity payments end when a player reaches his 23rd birthday (or at the end of the season he turns 23) unless the transfer is between different national associations (hence Bale would still be covered if he moves away from Spain). Unless Gallagher or Stephens move to a foreign club (Inc Scotland) there is no Solidarity fee. I said Stephens and Gallagher may have clauses in their contracts, so agree there, not sure how you would know, are you party to their contract details?

Solidarity payments apply only up until the season where a player reaches the age of 23. Sam is already 23 (nearly 24), Stephens is 25. Don't think Plymouth will be owed anything if either move on for a fee, at least from a solidarity/training comensation perspective. Of course there could be a transfer fee % in their contract, who knows.