SNSUN

These are largely my thoughts - those 3 have earned their chance, as has Bednarek if he stays. I also agree with the description of Will, I find him technically decent, good eye for a pass, gets into positions to score, but he’s not the quickest and there were times last season that he didn’t work hard enough defensively. Hopefully all coachable and he can still improve but he’ll definitely be in the starting line up alongside Downes and, we hope, O’Riley with Charles, Aribo, Lallana and Charly as alternatives (and hopefully Dibling).

I want us to pay the right price (for us) for O’Riley but Celtic know they have a popular asset on their hands so will want the auction. If Martin and O’Riley are buds, that bodes well for us but I doubt he’ll go handing in a transfer request so presumably we’ll have to pay closer to what Celtic want than what we want. Either way id just like it to be done sooner rather than later so he can get some decent pre-season in with us and learn our tactic of getting the ball back to the keeper asap. 😀 As for Rak-Sakyi, I know little of him but I would like to see us use SAA and Dibling this season - I know they’re only 18 but both appear to have something about them and it would show others there’s a pathway there - and maybe Dibling would sign a new contract as his is out next year I believe. The club assumedly know what they’re doing but I’d rather sign a more proven experienced winger if we’re going to bring one in than Rak-Sakyi - although it would bolster our double-barrelled name quota.

Bodes well for us, O’Riley would probably see our midfield business done unless we ship any out like Aribo. Then (bar selling anyone) we need to concentrate on the attack.

The brief glimpse I caught of Larios when he did play, my thoughts were that he is rapid. Whether he’s still got his speed post injury saga remains to be seen…

Re: the Dibling debate, he’s the one I’d love to see us keep and bed in this season, more than SAA (who admittedly looked promising early on last season and I’d love him to stay too), Ballard (who seems to have something about him but perhaps needs another loan post injury), Meghoma and the other youngsters. Dibling looks physically ready and when I’ve seen him he looks skillful - he’s also left us and come home - twice apparently. In a season where we’re likely to be at the wrong end of the table for a lot of it, I’d rather be bedding in youngsters that are eager to play and shine than rely on players like Sulemana and Mara who offer us next to nothing.

Clearly? I’ve seen no reports about this. We need 3 fit keepers for a Prem season (so excluding Baz) and currently we have Lis, Alex and Lumley. While we all agree we need an improvement in the goalkeeper department, even in the short term, it may not be beyond the realms of possibility that Lis may be in the manager’s plans if we can’t bring one in. He had a good season for Goztepe and is taking part in the pre-season, has gone to Spain and played in the friendly against Eastleigh, and financially the club may feel it’s better to have a GK who is already on the books and is coming off the back of a good season in Turkey than spending big to bring in someone like Ramsdale who, despite being a huge improvement, would be expensive. As I say, we hope for a better GK but it’s possible. We have been linked with Steele and now Ramsdale, so there’s probably no smoke without fire and we are looking.

Beach > Sand > Grains > Flour > Bread > Butter > Knife > Gun > Gunners > Welcome to the club Reiss Nelson.

Horns > Horny > Donald Trump > Prick > Willy > Welcome back to the club Willy Caballero.

I don't think he's someone that offers us much as a Prem defender but if we do go back down it secures him for that season alongside the youngsters (assuming we'd lose THB) so the foresight is good on this one. He's also a pro and has been around the club for donkeys.

He’s injured again anyway so it’s probably moot.

You've got to give him time, it takes a while to get back to fitness when you've been injured for six years.

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.