the saint in winchester

I would definitely keep Reed, he has been playing as a midfielder but can also be deployed at RB. It's ANOTHER question whether we should go out and buy again to replace Hoejberg. Ralph is the one that sees Smallbone, Jankewitz etc and he can determine if they are ready to hold down a place, or just squad players. We won't have a lot of money to spend on this CM position, so don't expect a world beater like Bruno F to come in.

After this weekend's results, we might want to wait until we even define who are the relegated teams. So far confirmed as relegated is Norwich, from whom I don't think anyone would suit us. OK, maybe Buendia.

We've all complimented JWP, so only fair he takes criticism for last night. Went down softly, and hopeless penalty. I think we all want to see Ingsy on the next one.

True. Spurs fan in the office says Levy doesn't suffer fools gladly, and that Mourinho is acting like a fool. He thinks JM may be released at the end of the season. Spurs may put a lock on outgoings until a potential new manager has assessed the squad.

Guys, this is one game where anything less than defeat by 3 goals is a moral victory. ps. are we really playing Man Utd on Monday and then Brighton on Thursday night, and Bournemouth on Sunday?? 3 games in 7 days? We're gonna need some squad rotation next week.

Thought I may be the only one thinking that way, so glad to read I'm not alone. As I said in my last post, I would have Ings as preferred taker. But happy to know Ralph would have auditions and to establish who is the best penalty taker. It won't be JWP, I am sure of that.

I can't agree with that. WP is an excellent free kick taker. He has the ability to get the ball up and over the wall and back down into the goal from 20 yards out. For that, he needs elevation, power and skill. BUT … you don't need those skills for a penalty kick. I'm not a golfer, so forgive any inaccuracy with this illustration. A golfer needs a driver to hit it off the tee, but on the green he needs a putter. The drive is about power hitting, the putt is about controlled accuracy. Putting WP on the penalty was like using a driver on the green. He's not the best man for the job. He whacked it with reckless abandon. Ralph needs to reconsider best man for the penalty - Ings would be my choice. He's the king of controlled finishing.

And that was confirmed by Newcastle's first half performance yesterday, where they stood off and were punished. They came out second half having been told to challenge for the ball. Even so, City's superiority was clear.

I'd agree with Papa; I prefer to get the train or bus from Winch. Can't cope with the traffic on The Avenue at the best of times. Leave the car at home, stop clogging the roads.

Walcott out, Holgate out ... But they still have Richarli and Calvert-Lewin available. It's nice having a game where we don't need to win, but nice if we do.

The report I read had Ajax prepared to offer €30M. That seems reasonable as an offer. Although I would like the suggestion of KWP, plus Sessegon plus cash, however unlikely that is.

Liverpool prepared to let him go, so may be worth a note of interest.

Agree that either Macca, Gunn or Forster likely be going. Probably entertain offers for all, and see who sells first. Could even be 2 leaving and bring in another one?

Yes from me too. Although other clubs likely to be interested. Les Ferdinand, DoF at QPR, on Talksport last week, commented that QPR know they need to sell him while his stock is high.

No, just old codgers turning on for Antiques Roadshow and finding football on. We get credit for holding out, but I doubt it will broaden our fan base.

At that time, I think we (ie the Club) had decided to let Yoshi go, and Vester was now first reserve. Yeah, any offer over £15M and I think we could find a replacement.

Insert Loan Loan deal was agreed between the clubs. Forster is the one hanging out for a perm deal, according to that. Then he'll need to revise his wage expectation. Or Celtic will have to shop elsewhere, within their budget.

Before we turn the page on this … getting back to the original post, Theo Walcott has hardly had the minutes on the pitch to make a difference. Coming on for the last 3 minutes of games and played as a winger. I still think, even at 32, he has the capacity to be a starter regularly at a club like ours. Ings and Walcott up front for us would be a good partnership. Ryan Sessegnon is another example of a big club buying a player just to ensure another club doesn't get him. Spurs may have bought him for the future, but he isn't get a chance there now. Would be better at a tier 2 Prem side now, somewhere like Saints. Trouble is that money talks, and top 6 sides offer big money, so some players try to jump up too high. Augustin, can't comment as haven't been watching Leeds. However, from what is written, if they agreed to sign him if promoted, then that stands, regardless of the mid-season enforced break.

We just want to see Adams get that first goal soon, then we can see if he pushes on. Let's not leave him on the sidelines to get disgruntled and want to go elsewhere eg. Leeds.

"Keeper Opts to Stay with Saints" suggests he told our "hierarchy" (to use the word in the report) that he is NOT prepared to come down on his wage level, so won't be going anywhere. I fear he is back here under sufferance and isn't going to bust a gut to get back in the side. £65k a week to come to training - nice work if you can get it. Still, no point in me getting bitter and twisted. Les Reed had him sign the contract at that wage level.

Celtic apparently - or allegedly - also considering Joe Hart and even Artur Boruc, both available on a free transfer. So maybe this isn't a done deal after all.

Piffle, absolute piffle. He's the #1 striker here; he would be a benchwarmer-cum-sub at a big club. And we're not a big selling club any more; we can pay our way now; this isn't 2010.

Agree with the comments of recent posters. Football is in the entertainment industry. During lockdown, we have seen actors and singers showcasing their talents for free. Fraser says he wants to play for Celtic, he has applied for the job, to put it in those terms. He now finds the salary on offer isn't as high as he had hoped. But they are the only employer so far interviewing him, and he wants to work for them. Let's hope a compromise can be found as he faces unemployment in a few weeks. I think Fraser needs to be proactive in making the compromise offer to allow the two clubs to work out the deal.

I agree, mate. I think he is of the mentality that he tried it at a big club and got released. Down here, back in his local area, he is appreciated and has become a local hero. Gao may recommend taking a high offer, but I don't think club management (Semmens, Ralph etc) will choose to do it this time. Danny is central to our play. Going to a big club, he won't get the starts, so he won't get the goals. I genuinely don't think he would want to move now.

The first question has to be addressed to Forster - "what is the lowest wage you are prepared to take?" He's reported to be on 60-70k with us, but hopefully he will halve that. Then Celtic will pay his wage in full, and to help them, we'll waive any transfer fee. Otherwise, they will have to continue to rent him. And we need a sweeter deal. Paying him up to 55k to play up there is daft. If we continue to get shafted like this, then lets insist on Ntcham on a free, to sweeten the pot.