The Kraken

34m.

It’s not out of the question we could do a Livramento-type deal with Chelsea having a set price buy back. They did that when they sold Tammy Abraham to Roma, 68m buy back but he has to serve a minimum of two seasons with Roma before it comes into effect.

It’s a fair point. In Tella’s case I’d say yes just about, insofar as from what I understand he was told at Arsenal that he wasn’t being taken on any further and had a few trials before we picked him up. I can certainly understand why it might be suggested otherwise though and that he should be considered a signing. I’d just say that part of an academy, aside from bringing through players of our own from a younger age, is identifying young players at other academies (either successful players or dropouts) and bringing them into our fold to bring them through. So in that mind he’s definitely a success story of the academy IMO.

I would, no doubt whatsoever.

Portsmouth. Oh.

The game has already gone to shit. The second booking was soft as shit but it was an absolutely brainless decision by Valery to put himself in the situation. The Saints players mostly didn’t react all that much to it on the pitch as they knew he was a goner(Armstrong I think had a word but gave it up quickly). Valery himself has admitted he takes responsibility for it, and I haven’t seen Ralph come out and say anything about it yet. Football is littered with decisions like that, and while it’s extremely soft, it’s crap defending and gave the ref no real option after obafemi went down.

looks like Yan Valery thinks you’re wrong.

Some of the camera work was way off too. Overall it was extremely shoddy output. Can understand why Charlie liked it, I suppose.

🤣

So long as we can bring players through like Tella, it’s worthwhile and I wouldn’t say it’s not delivering. Just difficult to churn out a PL player year after year. Also you have the likes of Obafemi who get sold (reported at £1.5m to £2m) which helps offset costs. Theres a consensus that we seem to hold onto some young players for too long, and I maybe agree with it. Like you say, maybe the new/future setup with other clubs may provide a better solution.

Stephens RB probably the right shout. Though I thought his distribution today was very sloppy at times. Like you I don’t like JWP not in the middle, I like Diallo but we are better with JWP in there.

Correct. It’s the softest of fouls but everyone knows if you put your hands up like that as the last man you’re just putting yourself hugely at risk. Especially when the ball had already almost gone through to the keeper. The whole move was just brain dead defending from him.

Much rather get a first choice left back in. Not impressed with Perraud again tonight.

3 games called off before now. works both ways I guess, not as sharp as they could be but not leggy either.

It was unprofessional, and represented his time on the field. It was a very soft foul but we all know it’s a foul nonetheless and once it gets given it’s only going to be a yellow. Stupid prat getting booked inside 3 minutes, stupid prat for putting himself in that situation inside 30 minutes.

VAR doesn’t apply for a second yellow.

Should make him walk back.

Valery should never play for saints again.

O’bafemi was nowhere close to getting to the ball, it went straight through to Forster. Dopey defending, two yellows inside 30 minutes when your team has been in the ascendancy ffs.

Fucking knew that would happen when got booked.

Armstrong starting to get into the game nicely, pulling some strings down the right side.

Completely forgot there’s no fans at the stadium.

Talking of Shurlock, I wondered whatever happened to his old sparring partner Wes Tender? Just had a look at his profile and he hasn’t logged on here since 9 January 2021, but he’d been posting loads up to then. Unless he just suddenly decided to bin this place, it could be a sad one.

He made 21 appearances at Lincoln in all competitions, started 10 and came on as sub in the rest. He scored 1 goal. Sounds like he could be the next Shane Long.

How did that work out for him? 👍