Golac's Cunning Stunts

Wouldn't it also have FFP implications? Not to mention being lumbered with a massively high earner and not being able to bring in others because of it

This isn't a negative post, but genuinely interested - which teams do you think are definitely worse than us? Bompey, Fulham... then there are a bundle of clubs who look to be about our level. We'll see how Forest do. They might do fairly well (ie finish above bottom 3). Perhaps Brighton and Palace might not do as well as last season... interested in how you think we match up with these clubs as those are the ones we will be fighting for survival

hmm I think it's pushing things a little far to say Valery looked 'very good' He gets caught wrong side too much for my liking Remind me who was responsible for the late season tactics you describe as gung ho and half arsed? I believe that man is still in charge... I hope we're not looking at finishing fourth bottom as optimistic 🙂

me too

If you do the fantasy football, load up on spurs players I reckon

Get the excuses in early mate

If you only got nuance, sarcasm, the idea that nothing in the world is black or white but shades in between, this forum would be a better place

That does sound painful!

Someone on the game thread was saying he is a very good centre back. He isn't. And you're right - he gets wrong side a lot and that will get punished in the prem.

What, having a run out in a friendly is going to overload them? meh

Yes, why not? At least I expected to see the 1st choice start the game. How else will they gel, get confidence etc?

I agree with your overall point that we will never be in a position to make risk free signings, if there even is such a thing. Still think signing youth team players is a higher risk than signing the players being discussed above. It is the way of things: The rich teams get richer, more successful, more dominant. The rest of the league need to come up with a strategy that gives them some sort of edge and I'm happy that our owners and management have one and are going to give it a go, so no complaints - just hope it will pay off.

Not going to argue with you. The point I was making is they were all doing well in some of the top leagues in Europe (not sure how you rate the Dutch league as 8-10th level btw) as opposed to basically doing well in youth leagues.

"For Oriol playing as a six is a little difficult because he’s not such a holding midfielder, he likes to go everywhere," Hasenhuttl said, speaking after Southampton's goalless draw with Watford on Saturday. "This is the reason why I tried to bring in more up front. I know he’s not the quickest one in this position but he knows how to score goals in this area and it’s one of the things that we’ve tried and it worked quite well."

Tadic - Playing really well and scoring a lot of goals for Twente in the Eredivisie Pelle - scoring goals for fun in the Eredivisie for Feyenoord Alderwiereld - playing in the Atletico team that won La Liga Forster - established for Celtic and playing in the CL rounds Mane - won the domestic double with RB Salzburg, scoring two hatricks, was their stand out player by a mile Bertrand - although he won a CL final, was probably the biggest punt of them all So - you're correct to say none of these were tried and tested in the Prem, they were however, all established players with good experience of playing in some of the top leagues of Europe. It wasn't like buying Harry Kane for example, but we were getting established professionals who had achieved things with their clubs. I'll give you Joe Aribo fits that profile though.

Pretty much like the home game vs the scousers

If Ralph is going to play 5 at the back then we need to be good on the counter attack which we absolutely are not. So either he changes tactics (won't happen) or we get players in who can do the job. I've been a critic of A.Armstrong - certainly doesn't look like he can hit the proverbial barn door at the moment - but I think he might have the qualities to spearhead a team that is a good and swift counterattacking unit

As you are someone who develops athletes and coaches for a living, I'm sure you don't need my approvals to feel better 😂

better

If that's directed at my comment, let me be clear - I'm not moaning - pretty excited tbh. What is your point regarding current players who never played in the prem though? At least half of them are pretty woeful?

My reply wasn't meant as a compliment as I'm sure you're aware. I'm aware of the arguments you set out (even if you take far too many words to make them). I was pointing out that Wade has a point and your remark was unnecessarily dismissive.

That's a clever remark, but WG has a point - how do you know anyone we have signed is going to be better than we have? None of them have even played in the prem let alone proven themselves

It's obviously true because he ended up at the Scousers despite Saints inviting clubs to come in and get him (If my memory serves me right?)

Lingard is miles better than any of our 10's. No brainer of a deal.

Guessing by the increased volume of his posts he has broken up for summer holidays. At least the kids get a break from his pedantry for 6 weeks