SNSUN

I started writing this post saying that Aribo is the only one that improves his position, because our AMs bar Stu were largely average. Aribo and Stu make for a decent AM and hopefully we can strengthen that further. Then I wrote about Bazunu, and realised that he probably does strengthen GK because even though we lost Fraser, he was never really first choice over Alex Mac when Alex was fit. Bazunu will at least compete for the GK spot with Alex (which may raise Alex's game) and maybe even make it his own if he performs well consistently. Then I wrote about Lavia. Did we need to strenghen CM? Well with JWP, Romeu and Diallo we had 3 good to reasonable options there, but I did say last season we really need a proper DM to come in, someone Wanyama-esque. Since we don't know that Lavia brings anything similar to that, he is highly rated and is regarded as a DM so I guess we can say we've strengthened that niche position. Then I stopped writing the previous post, as I realised I was trying to make myself pick fault with our signings when they're all seemingly quite smart acquisitions... at least positionally. Yes there's the unknown element of them and questions over their age, but I think we could have had a much worse transfer window. Even ABK was getting good reviews at Bochum it seems and could help plug our leaky defence. Where we are weaker is in attack, without Broja and even Long, although we've brought in Mara he's still a complete unknown. Yes we will strengthen here but the season starts and we're looking at losing Adams and playing AArmstrong, or even Aribo up front which weakens the AM position. We are also weak at wing back/full back without Tino for a while yet and Perraud only just back from a broken leg. I really hope Djenepo doesn't get eaten alive tomorrow. Still, there are a few more weeks to bring in players (and ship some out) and I think we'll do that OK. What we don't want is clubs coming in late and trying to prise the likes of JWP and KWP off us, disrupting everything. As the season starts then I have to say we're still not ready (hence why we may be playing Valery, Djenepo and Moi and not using a recognised striker) BUT we've at least given ourselves a fighting chance longer term by bringing new players in. I think we'll have a rocky first month or two but find our groove as the new players settle in. Then there's the WC that stops things for six weeks - I predict we'll come out of that flying like we did post-lockdown in 2020. I'm apprehensive about the season, we are one of the weaker teams in the league on paper and I think we'll be in, or mentioned in the same breath as, a relegation battle until later in the season, when I think we may start to pull away as the youngsters improve and gel.

I personally think the team will be McCarthy ABK Bednarek Salisu KWP JWP Romeu Djenepo SA Aribo Adams It’s not what I’d choose but I think it’s what Ralph will go with. Either way despite predicting a Saints defeat I am excited for the new season. I can’t wait to see what our squad will look like come September.

Jizz? No way! Does he love to get in the face of the opposition?

Overpriced then. I feel better for that.

I already think we’ll be part of the relegation battling 6 or 7 teams, selling those two even with replacements brought in and I’d seriously question our club’s sanity. New players need time to settle etc and we’d be selling two of our best players. KWP is our only RB bar Valery (fit, and we don’t know if Tino will be the same player yet) and a better LB than Perraud and probably a better wing back than everyone so he’s basically irreplaceable, so unless the money is right I can’t see it happening. Adams I like, hard working, good passer, just needs more goals, isn’t irreplaceable but leaves us with Sekou and Armstrong which isn’t comforting. However until it happens I’m not losing sleep. I do have confidence the club seems to know what they’re doing right now and I hope the building continues.

This sentence filled me with dread.

Exactly. Not to mention he's first choice here and wouldn't be at Chelsea.

I do know Leicester aren't after a first or second choice (Ward/Iversen, Iversen a potential Kasper replacement for the Dennark team) but I can't see Alex going there to be third choice when he's fighting it out to be first choice here. Unless Ward or Iversen start the season badly and they panic buy. But Foxes fans must be pissed to (apparently) not be bringing in a first choice replacement.

Nice one Leicester, always good for a laugh. I'd arrange a taxi for him but he'd probably miss it.

I usually park in Eastgate MSCP, pretty secure and not expensive, not a bad walk to the ground and near the shops/restaurants for sticking around after. However I don't mind a walk and the last couple of times I've parked in Bedford Place and Ordnance Road which made more sense as I come in down the Avenue and had a nice drop of beer in the London Road Brew house pre-match. Long gone are the days of Lime Street and pre-match pints in the Oak...

It's one of those situations where you crave a really shit team in the Carabao 2nd round (Pompey) to give the youngsters an easy run out, then we get someone like (thinking of who isn't in a European competition) Newcastle or Villa, who may think they're in with a shot of winning it this season.

Men... over to you in the World Cup.

Hemp subbed. She's worked her bollocks off.

Missed the goal. Picked the wrong time to go for a poo.

Arse. Come on Russo!

I was joking with my missus in the first England game that she looked pleased every time she caught the ball but she has had a great few games recently.

Great finish!

Starting to lose a bit of discipline both sides. Germany are playing dirty.

I'm so pleased we signed a 10 in Aribo, we've been crying out for a new AM for ages relying on Redmond, Moi, Djenepo etc but I still want another. Aribo and Armstrong in AM sounds good with Moi backing them up but if we're going to ship out Redmond and and Djenepo seems to be better at LWB then I'd like to see another.... unless someone like Edwards is ready to make the step up. Cornet for his release clause of £17 million still sounds like a bargain. We obviously need another striker and a first choice one at that. Finally another full back. Or a CB that can play full back (Colwill).

We were linked with Junior Adamu of Salzburg earlier in the summer. Austrian International, 21, skilled according to the 'trustworthy' YouTube videos. I guess it depends on what happens with Sesko who is linked heavily with United.

Russo for White at half time please! Germany looked better so far but we've had chances.

Pretty accurate for what I think Ralph will go for. Not enough in attack there goals-wise but i suppose if we can try to get "nil" then we have a chance of finding the odd goal for a win. I just think Spuds will be too strong and dirty. Getting it right against Leeds will be more important.

I think we may lose overall but I'd like to see some positive signs. Bodies on the line, neat passing, hard working that sort of thing. Something to build on for the future. Attack still needs some work it seems. Spurs 3 Saints 1.

I was reading the Foxes forum, it doesn't look like they're short of cash, the owner is still rich but they have to abide by FFP. The chaff they've bought in the last few windows (mainly from us!) Is costing them. Hopefully Chelsea sign Fofana then they can come for Bednarek. 😁 German barber... the shop name Herr Hair writes itself. He is supposedly willing to take a half pay cut so I read somewhere. Still out of our budget but not far. Not that I believe for a second he's a target, just reiterating what I saw. I'd take any full back right now, but a loan over a permanent makes sense for a right back... however if we brought a left back (doubtful) I'd rather it was permanent. (I'm aware that Colwill can play left back comfortably should that ever happen.)

I hope Broja joins another Premier League team soon, he won't get much game time at Chelsea and I have him in my fantasy team. 👲