Bailey

Wolves are keen if Kilman departs.

The lack of leaders in our team has been a huge issue for some time now and played a significant part in our downfall last season, IMO.

Take a look at the last side we put out in the Championship for example…it had the likes of Kelvin, Fonte, Hammond, Schneiderlin, Lallana and Lambert in it - all top pros with leadership credentials. Bar JWP and possibly Stephens, both of whom could well end up leaving, I don’t see any of those types of characters in our current squad and it’s one of the main reasons I’m apprehensive about the season ahead.

First impressions of Martin are good but we’ve had a soft underbelly for too long and without some experienced additions that are comfortable in RM’s system(s), I have concerns we’ll revert to type and will buckle under the pressure of being a bigger fish in a smaller pond! Really, really hope I’m wrong! 🙏🏻😬

I am amazed at how many people are underestimating the Championship. If we start next season with some of these suggested squads/lineups, there is zero chance of an immediate return to the Premier League.

I’m always very critical of Lyanco, so only right to give credit when it’s due. Aside from when he dived in first-half and got caught out of position, he was exceptional tonight. Seemed to be notably calmer and in control of his emotions too. Fair play.

2 minutes ago, SotonianWill said:

 sounds like it’s over our budget 

Most likely Forest, though fits the profile of player we often go for (and suits our price point too).

That NJ has spent a number of weeks assessing our defence and has seemingly come to the conclusion that Lyanco is a starter is genuinely staggering to me and makes me question his judgement. Lyanco should be fourth/fifth choice at best - he is simply not good enough and nowhere near Premier League quality.

22 minutes ago, Badger said:

Earlier in the summer someone ( think it was Pilchards) posted a reference to Nathan Jones from Luton. Although that was at the time we were recruiting backroom coaches.

Probably nothing in it, but thought it worth mentioning after your post.

 

You would be right to mention it! 👀

No surprise but we are definitely speaking to potential replacements - I’m told we’ve interviewed a current Championship manager…

He's done well this season but a new three-year deal based on a handful of improved performances at LB seems a little rash, IMO. For the majority of his time here he's been disappointing and if we genuinely have ambitions of becoming a top-half team again, we need to be looking for better. That being said, I can understand the reasoning behind keeping him in the squad, but only if the plan is for him to be a backup option (who can cover a number of positions).

1 hour ago, Saint Garrett said:

Bazunu

KWP ABK Sali Moussa

Lavia Diallo JWP Aribo

AArmstrong Mara

😬

If this is 4222, I really hope the XI is wrong. Four at the back is progress and Mara deserves a start after his cameo, but why on earth would Ralph bring in Diallo, presumably as one of the 10s, when the likes of Stu and even Redmond are available? He’s proven time & time again he’s not up to the required standard, even less so when out of position. Djenepo aside, when will we start players in their favoured position!? No Che would be a mistake too. He was a contender for MOTM vs Leeds and now nowhere to be seen, despite Ralph saying he is fit & available. This team selection would once again leave more questions than answers for me…

3 minutes ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

Perraud still out, could see him sticking with the 5atb for this one sadly. 

Reiterates the need for us to sign a FB. I refuse to believe the club are comfortable with only KWP, Djenepo and Valery as our fit & available options...

I really think that after a striker, we should be prioritising a starting LB. Someone that is an immediate upgrade on Perraud (who I rate but has had a number of injuries since joining). Surely the club aren’t comfortable with KWP, Perraud, Valery and Djenepo as our fit & available FB options? I’d be looking to move on the latter two…

10 minutes ago, SuperSAINT said:

 

These rumours just won't go away which to me suggests buying clubs are being offered encouragement from the player's side. If Saints are aware of/anticipating a possible sale, it could also explain why Arma has been featuring more heavily in pre-season as the lone striker, despite Adams being far better suited to the role. I really do hope we resist any offers for Adams as we're already light up top and for me, he's our best all-round striker and massively underrated by a number of fans on here.

3 hours ago, DT said:

Is it really blue shorts with a green top? I mean. Crikey. 

They look like the away shorts to me. Players often end up wearing different parts of each strip on media day.

I know it’s a game of opinions, but I’m amazed people can’t see these new signings are here to play from the off. Bazunu, ABK, Lavia and Aribo will all start vs Spurs - Lavia in particular will be central/key to any success we have this season. Suspect Mara will be on the bench while Lis, who has been signed to add depth to the goalkeeping department (and may yet leave on loan), won’t make the match day squad.

Although we've had a great start to the window, is anyone else looking at that squad list and thinking we're a little light on quality across the pitch!? Still lots to do - by my reckoning, we need full-back cover, a no.10 and 2x strikers... 😬

Can’t believe people are open to selling Che - and for £20m. Sure, it would be great if he was a little more prolific in front of goal, but the reality is he’d be playing for someone better than us if he was as his all-round play is superb. Offers so much more than just goals. Our most important striker, without doubt.

Out of interest, has anyone yet commented on how our lack of midfield bite left our defence completely and utterly exposed during the recent poor run of form? Bednarek & Salisu both suffered as a result. All too often teams were able to make one relatively simple pass that took both JWP and Romeu out of the equation. It was particularly noticeable at Leeds (a) and was a common theme for the remainder of the season...we absolutely have to add pace & physicality in midfield this summer.

He’s exactly what I expected a defender we paid around £7m for (and who wasn’t a regular at his previous club) to be. Seems committed and there’s ability there, but he’s erratic and lacks concentration. Never feel comfortable when he’s on the ball and makes way too many significant errors.

On a related note, it still baffles me to this day that having narrowly missed out on Sangare to PSV - who is exactly the type of player we need with all the attributes we currently lack - we went for Diallo who is completely different in style and stature. I often wonder what would’ve been had we got the Sangare deal over the line. A midfield pairing of Sangare and JWP would have been great!

Not ITK, but a late loan move for AMN from Arsenal is my guess, though depends who else is interested...

Away win.

6 minutes ago, Nolan said:

Berge and Sørloth have the same agents.

Curious we've been linked with both on the same day.

 

Interesting...wasn't aware of that. As I said, maybe one to keep an eye on the closer to deadline day we get - if Berge doesn't get the big move he undoubtedly desires, we may have an opportunity...

I've heard we've registered an interest in Sander Berge at Sheffield United. Would be a welcome addition for the right price but suspect others higher up the food chain will be ahead in the queue. Could be one to watch the closer we get to deadline day...

Williams link makes sense to me and I’m surprised so many on here don’t think it would be a good move. Are Valery and Vokins good enough backup options? I’m not convinced. Williams can play either side and would be an instant upgrade on both. That said, cannot see Saints guaranteeing he’d play every week so unless United soften their stance it’ll be a non-starter. Aside from that, think we need another central midfielder and a wide player to replace Boufal but suspect we’ll only get the latter...