The Kraken

What’s done is done. Take the positives I guess, there aren’t many. I think Lyanco was already in last chance saloon and (my speculation only) he’s probably gone even further down the standings, wouldn’t be surprised if Charles is for now the de facto number 3 CB (not good but we are where we are). Personally (and unfortunately) I don’t think expect to see ABK in a saints shirt again, very much hope that’s wrong. But if not we obviously need to sign someone decent, as a 19 year old is unlikely to be a viable solution when it comes to it, and Lyanco certainly isn’t, I actually agree with Martin giving lots of the team a run out. Just that 11 changes was too many IMO. As I said, play Stephens and Smallbone, it gives the whole team a better balance and sets us up better, and you can learn a bit about the whole shape rather than that complete mess. Meh, we’re out of the cup which is good and the rest of august is going to be turbulent. At least the manager has a better idea of who he wants in and out long term, up to Wilcox and co now.

It’s obviously a risk. So is getting humped by League 2 opposition, then the manager admitting that there wasn’t enough on the pitch to get his ideas across and get us playing how he wants us to play. The good thing is that he’s seen how shite some of the second string are. But when the manager admits he got it wrong with the team selection, I’m just surprised to see such a reaction to the suggestion from posters on here that the first XI wasn’t right.

And there’s the difference I guess, I don’t see it as a risk. Stephens was in the bench; it’s only fair to think that if Perraud or Lyanco got injured early then Stephens would replace them. In fact, Stephens was the only defender on our bench, the manager would’ve factored that in. Then we get to Alcaraz, an absolute jewel, and he came on at 59 minutes. So that’s a risk too, one Martin was happy to take. I don’t buy this risk argument, not to the degree we went to. And as Martin said, he made a mistake on selecting that line up, so I’m just going along with what he said. If he’d come out and said “terrible performance but I stand by the side I picked” then fair enough, but he absolutely did not say that.

Personally I’d have added just one or two senior players. Stephens at CB, Smallbone at CM. That then allows Perraud and Armstrong to,play in more natural positions. Martin said he didn’t want to, fair enough, but this is a league where we’re gonna be playing Saturday-midweek-Saturday, so there’s going to be some risks at some point. Martin has also said in his interview that in hindsight it wasn’t a good decision to go with what he did, so I don’t thinks it unfair to speculate on what he could/should have done. Perraud at centre back after zero pre season games is a shocker. They may be ‘logical’ decisions, and in the end, who gives a fuck about going out in this cup? But it doesn’t mean themtewm selected was right, or that the small potential for injury should override the need to get players bedded in and teaching a new system to their peers.

The madder one has got hold of the Charlie Wayman account again. Buckle in.

Oh, that idea was struck well before that. Dan Seaborne as the front sweeper was a thing mooted on here once upon a time. I dare say it dates back even further than that.

It’s a difficult one to price in. Lavia and Tino have got years of their careers ahead of them, plus they’re on a low wage. JWP hits 29 soon, not old at all but it’s a consideration. Plus rumours were he was on 100k a week and May / may not have had a relegation clause, so wages become a factor for a lot of clubs in his market, even if he did take a dip. There clearly weren’t a lot of PL clubs taking a nibble so we might have taken a bit of a haircut compared to what was hoped for. But, in the end, not a bad deal IMO. As you say, £35M maybe about a par score, so we perhaps dipped under but still a good amount of cash in.

Some other clubs do/have actually sold replica kits with no sponsor on at all. I remember Celtic definitely used to do it (and charged more for it than the sponsored one 🤪). I haven’t bought a shirt for years but I consistently think that 99.99% of all kits with a sponsor would look better without one.

Usually after ten years’ service I think, or used to be. JWP made his debut in 2011, signed his first proper contract 2012, so he’d have been due. I guess not much call for them these days and players tend to do them for charity as they’re already rich enough unlike back in the day when it was needed as a guaranteed retirement fund.

Exactly.some wallies even asking why he’d choose West Ham over Saints. So wonderfully naive and rose-spectacled. JWP was going to be off as soon as we went down, exactly the same as Lavia. Russell Martin said he thought he’d be off soon after getting here, and like you say he also said our squad is too big and we need to get rid of a few before there’s any more incomings. All this has been out there for weeks; the club knew it and most fans knew it too. But it seems as if there were more shonky B&B merchants in the woodwork than I first thought.

Agreed. From listening to the interview though, it’s not lack of ability or impact that has done for them. Martin is angry because they didn’t do what he’s asked them to do. Which tells you everything you need to know about the attitude. Mara was ineffective but Martin at least gave him some credit for giving a go, he just didn’t get going, Martin said he’ll learn from it (though tbf he called him out on not doing what he was told). Same for Adams and Stu Armstrong, Martin seemed to make a case from them. The others (and I’m guessing they are AMc, Bree, Lyanco, Perraud, Djenepo) I think he’s decided that if the club can get shot, they’re done. Sounds like Wilcox has got a busy three weeks ahead.

Lee Chapman is in the Tory party? He's fallen hard since his Leeds United and Lesley Ash days. Lee Anderson (or 30p Lee to give him his sobriquet) on the other hand is a monumental fuckwit.

I don’t disagree! As I say, I’d like two but I think we’ll get one. Hope I’m wrong.

Ok ta. Though Armstrong especially would be surprising.

I think the same but I think we’ll only get one. Leaves us with Smallbone, Grimes and Charles. Plus Alcaraz, who tonight manager says he’s heard no noise about leaving and really wants him to stay. I’d like two and think we need it, but we’ve already two had players in for that position and we need to reduce squad size,

Just get it over and done with. Always been convinced he’s going but, until he (and Lavia) actually do we can’t bring in replacement(s). Nice to have JWP in the short term but need to get on with the long term once he’s gone. I’d hope it’s Grimes and one other coming in but I very much doubt that and it’ll just be one being as we’ve added Charles and Smallboner is back in

So, looks Like McCarthy, Lyanco, Perraud, Bree and Djenepo edged themselves a little closer to the exit door. Probably add Mara to that as he was hooked (again) at half time. Also S. Armstrong getting hooked before the second half isn’t a great look, sounds like he could be on the shit list too.

Alfie House Russell Martin: "There was too much disappointment and way too much pity and feeling sorry for themselves from some people. "They’re probably the ones who understand they won’t be here or know they won’t be part of the journey... "I understand that it's difficult to deal with but put yourself on the pitch and show the best version of yourself – how you show up in training, as they’ve all been great. Most of the young ones came through with credit. We had plenty on the pitch we know will help."

Excellent, at least something useful may come from the game.

From BBC.

So, according to Merson, we’re not only 2 down but we’re also second best. Dont care about going out of the cup but these chancers and wage stealers reminding me last season all over again just grates. Hopefully it’s evidence for Martin to put before the board and take a hit on losing some of these pathetic cowards and get others in with a bit of graft.

Lyanco now listed at 25.

I think JWP is off, but I wouldn’t say tonight’s lineup is any indication of it. Not one player in our starting XI tonight who started last Friday. The likes of Bazunu, KWP, JWP, Bednarek, Manning, Smallbone, Tella, AA not in the squad. Just an opportunity to get minutes into the legs of the squad players.

Doesn’t matter how many times,I watch that, I still can’t work out what on earth he’s trying to do.

Remember seeing Christer Warren play for Eastleigh many years back. Others include Aaron Martin (played for Eastleigh before and after us) and David Hughes.