Midfield_General

The more I think about it, the more I think we should hold the line on this one. Make him an offer of a short-term deal but one that prices in the many risks that he brings (which is what it sounds like we've done), but if he doesn't want it, move on quickly and let someone else take on the risk. He's decent, but he's not irreplaceable and not worth being messed around for. Now we've had a season to reflect on Spors' ability to pick a player, and its become apparent that Downs was more of an anomaly and he does actually know what he's doing, I'd feel fairly confident now that we could find someone decent enough to contribute what Stewart would, or more, while carrying far less injury risk. I'd be tempted to call his bluff.

Which Premier League side is going to be shopping in the bargain bin for someone who's only managed 40 appearances in 3 seasons, can't do 90 minutes, can't do 3 games in a week and has a less than 1 in 3 record at Championship level? As a comparison, Armstrong only just about got signed by the useless bottom side who were already planning for the Championship next season, and he's a proven, multiple 20+ a season Championship striker who's always fit. I like Stewart as a decent Championship option when he's fit, but if he wants to be a starter then he's not exactly going to have top teams queueing up. The Championship is his level. If he's after a two year deal from someone and we're only offering one, then you can understand why he might want that from a security point of view, but if that's what he's holding out for then he's taking a massive risk. Personally, I'd call his bluff, wait to see if he gets through the World Cup first and then re-assess. He could very easily get injured again, and if that happens we can just sign someone else, but he's screwed. Or, if he's not going to sign after we looked after him, just say OK then mate, well that's a shame but so be it, and fuck him off. Cyle Larin, 8 goals in 16 games and much more reliable in terms of fitness, has just been signed for £2.5m. Hull got McBurnie on a free and he got 19 in 42. So there's clearly plenty of other proper value to be found out there at centre forward at this level if you know where to look. It sounds like he doesn't think he owes us anything. Fair enough, but we don't owe him anything either. That's football.

Tell that to Prince Andrew

From Alfie's latest piece it sounds like he's staying for now, but will be out if he makes another mistake: Solak, who believes the sanction meted out was grossly disproportionate, has explained his stance and more in a new, wide-reaching interview. "We looked deep into the mistakes we made and the reasons, and we didn't find anybody there with a kind of malicious intent," Solak told the Daily Echo. "We found, unfortunately, a lot of misunderstanding and bad co-ordination, and a bit of arrogance or ignorance, but I don't consider these capital. "I don't think heads need to roll for these offences. I still believe in the integrity of these people, and I believe that now they have learned their lesson. "I have never fired guys for making a mistake. I decided to keep all the people in the wake of this incident, but not that I will keep all of them forever. "They will not repeat their mistakes again, and I will do a lot of stuff on my side to make sure the mistakes are not repeated. Now, I can put that aside. "Then I think about their capability, about their ability and skills, and whether they make sense for us to be here. It is about what's best for the company." https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/26170108.southampton-owner-solak-opens-spygate-transfers-finances/?ref=twtrec

Obviously there's not a lot to go on there regarding whatever the complexities are, but given the support that's been given to him by the club, you'd hope that Ross would repay that and sign if it's a fair deal.

If the £2.5m fee being reported is accurate, then for a known quantity who has just come to a new league, scored in 8 in 16, and shown that he also contributes a lot occupying defenders and holding the ball up for others even if he's not scoring, again that is an amazing bit of business. You can't get a decent youth player for £2.5m anymore, let alone a proven 1-in-2 centre forward. Hats off to Spors, he's smashing this so far.

From Sparta Prague to Troy Deeney. That poor woman

Not sure Half Term Phil would have had much to do with Peretz signing, he was chilling at Peppa World all last week when all the work would have been done Got Spors all over it, along with a nice big extra wedge from Dragan as a sweetener

Just noticed that Hamburg have also got loan legend Albert Gronbäek, who managed to briefly come into the second worst Premier League team of all time and somehow make it even worse Let's send them Baz, they'll snap him up The Leicester of the Bundesliga The Bundesleicesta, if you will

Not just a fabulous signing, but in a world where any old shite regularly goes for £15m+, having the option in place that has meant getting him for circa £7m is an astonishing bit of business. Fair play to Spors on that one. Larin, Stewart and Bree next please Johannes

Whatever his position is, it is most definitely not left wing. I'll never forget that Forest game at St Mary's, the one with Rusty's famous U formation with no centre forward. The sight of BBD trying to be a winger, slowly galumphing down blind alleys like a great big shitty shire horse while his full back just watched and laughed at him as he needlessly ran it out of play while under no pressure, time and time again. Rancid

Aren’t you banned in France though after the regrettable incident with Glas… sorry, Christophe? That could impact the growth outlook when it’s time to expand the podcast’s fully synergistic pan-European brand footprint And for that reason - I’m out. If you’re looking for backing it’s either Deborah Meaden or you’re paying for it yourself

Will it though? From the reaction on here, it seems the overwhelming majority have already pretty much already forgiven and forgotten and can't wait to hand over their money for their season tickets. This place isn't 100% representative of the whole fanbase, but I think it's a pretty decent barometer. And on here the turnaround in sentiment in the last week or so has been remarkable. The Tonda thread is probably 90% supportive now.

Weird, confused, mealy-mouthed statement. Sounds like it might be the end of Half Term Phil though, so that's something at least.

Interesting. As part of their instruction by Man City, Clifford Chance were the ones who brought in Lord Pannick to act as specialist/ lead defence barrister. So there is a close connection between Clifford Chance and Pannick, which may suggest he's staying involved with Saints case as well, beyond the previous appeal.

That's amazing. 'We need to simplify, and improve consistency. So what better way to do that than by having six different logos.' 🤣

Go on then. Dragan gives you an hour face to face. What are the views and recommendations that you present him with and what actions do you ask him to take?

Not really acting with utmost good faith towards other clubs at all times if you’re hovering a hot air balloon over their training ground is it. The rules, the point of the rules and the principles behind them are so basic and obvious to understand.

Do you know who else didn’t get kicked out? Leeds. And do you know which University Shipman went to? Leeds. Can’t believe some people can’t see the connection here. Gibson’s fingerprints are all over it. Open your eyes and see the conspiracy, Sheeple. Makes you think.

They did actually try that if you remember - the Golden Goal in extra time. Trezeguet won Euro 2000 for France like that.

Jesus christ 🤦‍♂️ Please could you share your views on chemtrails?

They did have proof. They presented it. Which is why we got thrown out. Have you actually been following this at all? Not that really they needed it mind, after that dickhead Phil ‘Half Term’ Parsons marched up to Gibson and admitted it in front of a room full of people before he’d even consulted a lawyer.

No mate, you’ve just decided to keep describing it as insignificant. That’s not the same as it being insignificant. There was a rule, we deliberately broke it multiple times, lied about it, then confessed to it. The direct result of those actions and how we handled it cost us the day at Wembley, the chance of £200m and promotion, and turned the club into a national punchline. That is significant, whether you personally want to accept that or not.

I'm not sure it's trolling or piling-on to dare to suggest that this episode hasn't exactly been the club's finest hour and could have been handled better, to be honest