SNSUN

You would think... but they seem to be made of frigging polytetrafluoroethene. Bloody slipping out of relegation battles by the skin of their teeth.

If we just got promoted and announced the signing of a player that was a massive part of getting another team promoted (including a final goal) with over 30 goal involvements in the Championship, people would be wanking into socks until they were crusty as hell. Yes he didn't do it in the Prem last time but he's also only just 27 and hitting his prime. Hes absolutely earned his chance this season. Amen. If we're going for a proven goalscorer whose previously been a crock and is over 30, I'm Ings over Wilson. Wilson has 88 Prem goals, Ings has 71 so similar but only Danny has scored over 20 in a season. Ideally neither is the answer but financially it'd be Ings over Wilson for me. But as I say, I hope neither is the answer. Back up, sure... but I doubt the wages for either would be "back up" wages. Left back. Oh wait, Southgate isn't our manager.

AA played up front in the play off final and didn't do so badly. He's perhaps the main reason we just got promoted. He'll be part of our first XI and he's absolutely deserved it. I agree he's not a line leader but he didn't play too often there last season and was better out wide... but he can do a job there if required. Anything over a ten goal return this season and he's done very well.

No, that's the crafty way the COT works. These guys are pros, you have to look deeper.

Swiss Army Knife - corkscrew - screw - screwdriver - Phillips - Welcome to the club Kalvin Phillips.

If that is the case, then I am really hoping the youngsters make the step up.

It also shows what a poor tournament strikers had overall as they've slotted Musiala in instead (whose place is warranted but there is a glaring lack of an actual striker there).

Are our CBS currently good enough? I'm unsure - quantity maybe, quality... THB is untested in the Prem though will probably be good enough as a first choice based on his showing for the last two seasons. Bednarek and Stephens were loaned out last time we were in the Prem (although Jan had a good season last season so I'd be happy with him starting but then there's the contract situation). ABK doesn't want to play for us apparently. Edwards is a signing I like but will jump two years - much like Ross Stewart that you mentioned as an attacker. Wood - again untested at this level and is a player Swans fans were happy to see the back of. I agree we need to strengthen our attacking options, and urgently, but it doesn't mean we can't continue to strengthen other departments, finances pending. Also, I'm not one that thinks we should be bringing in a back up for Downes - we should be bringing in another first choice midfielder than perhaps can also play more as a DM - otherwise we have Charles who we have to trust will be good enough as a back up.

I'm hoping there are a few Prem defenders that get caught between a Bednarock and a Harwood-Bellis place this season but I'd still like to see one more CB come in, perhaps one with a bit of experience to guide the youngsters. I mean it's a cert if we cash in on Jan as he only had one year left but even so...

Pre- contract means he joins in January right?

With this link and Welington we really seem to be tapping the Brazil market. (Looks at Vini Jr longingly...)

Baby you're the Juan, you still turn me on...

Knobhead > Knob > Door handle > Handel > Born in the same year as Bach > Bark > Bark is found on trees > Tricky Trees > Nottingham Forest > Welcome to the club Lewis O'Brien.

Sorry > Sitcom with Ronnie Corbett > Famously partnered with Ronnie Barker > Barker sounds like Bark > Dogs bark > A German Shepherd is a dog breed > The German word for Shepherd is Schäfer > We are signing Andras Schäfer from Union Berlin. I'm getting good at this.

I don't mind the shirt, I don't like the sponsor - but whatever the club thinks is financially our best option then so be it. I get the home shirt as a Christmas present from the wife every year so it's not like I have to spend my own hard earned on it. I do need a new Saints hoody though...

Good lad. If he's good for us maybe he can head back to West Ham one day but for now he's red and white. Hopefully if we do go back down he'd stick around too - he's a real key part of why we got back to the Prem at the first time of asking. Excellent loan signing and now and excellent permanent signing.

Guaranteed first teamer signing number 3 after Taylor and Sugawara (assuming KWP goes and we aren't expecting Edwards or Wood to be starters). A striker, one more attacking midfielder/winger, a GK and maybe a CB to replace Jan and we have our starting line up!

Echo signing headline: Saints Find Their Flynnspiration!

Overall across the tournament it was a poor England showing but with a few individual moments of brilliance. The Semi was probably our best performance but even that relied on a moment of brilliance from Watkins to win it at the death. For me Southgate leaving is the right decision, as a bloke he's OK but as a manager he's negative and reactive. With this team we should be dominating teams not sitting back and hoping for a magical goal from somewhere. Hopefully the new manager is more adventurous.

It's not often a transfer is almost universally praised by the fans of both parties but Downes appears to be it. We get a midfield key cog for money that is probably a decent amount for him, they sell a squad player for a profit. In fact on KUMB the only negative mention is that they thought they'd get more for him.

Snow > Snowflake > Flake > Chocolate > Galaxy > LA Galaxy > Welcome home Maya Yoshida.

We need a first choice - not a back up. We have Ross (who knows if he'll adapt to the Prem after so long out, let alone whether he'll be fit long term), AA (who is an option but a) plays better wider and b) didn't show much on his last Prem stint), Mara (who offers us very little) and Ballard (assume he'll go out on loan). Back ups we have - it's a first choice we need, even if Braithwaite is a free agent.

Charly only signed a new 5 year contract in October of last year so I definitely think he is in our long term planning. Unless a bigger club comes in and pays us what we want for him, I see him staying. And I'd be glad of that too, because I like him and I think he offers us something we don't otherwise have in the squad.

Also as good as Lamal is, and will become, kudos to De La Fuente for having the balls to play a 16 year old from the start. He's lit up this tournament.

One good thing to come out of the tournament is that Guehi will now be a first choice CB and we will not have to see Maguire shoehorned in there ever again. Also Mainoo seems to be answering questions about who partners Rice going forwards.