Minsk

I would imagine the logic/hope is that Dan bags a fair few for Lincoln this this season and we sell him for a similar fee next summer.

My original comment on the foul was based on watching it once without any commentary. Watching it back on MotD2 it does look more like a foul. That said, I honestly don't believe it effected Neves that badly and he clearly did throw himself to the ground only when he realised Dean wasn't going to blow for the foul. When I used to play I always told to play to the whistle, and I certainly never went down without a fucking good reason (although, in reality, it was usually me taking others out). Maybe, had Neves stayed on his feet and tried to get back to defend his team mates would have been positioned better to cope with the threat? In any event had the keeper left the ball, and not diverted it into his own net, there wouldn't have been a goal in the first place. The shot was going well wide.

If our equalising goal last Sunday has been put down to a Fred own goal, how the Hell has Greenwood been credited with Utd's winning goal today? His shot was going wide before Sa got a hand to it and deflected into his own net. As for the 'foul' leading to it: Neves was perfectly fine until he saw Dean wasn't going blow when he then, rather dramatically, threw himself to the floor in an attempt to convince the ref otherwise. Quite rightly, Dean wasn't having any of it. That sort of behaviour needs to be eradicated.

Exactly this! You know, I may rekindle the points/GD comparison to previous season thing I used to do back in the Puel and Pellegrino days (I stopped doing it mainly because I got too busy, but about to become a Darren Anderton for a few months so should have plenty of time until at least New Year). As for those saying WE got lucky, I disagree. I think Newcastle got lucky. I also think Ralph got everything spot on again today - selection and subs. We were by far the better team. Hats off to Moi, he played very well today - on top of his mid-week hat-trick. If he were a new player we had signed from Celtic (especially given his goal/assist stats from last season) most people on here would be going nuts about him. JWP also played well, and that was a pen even Sir Ricky would have been proud of. Redders made an impact when he came on, setting up the goal and pen. But my MoM has to go to Salisu. What an upgrade he is on Vest!

I wouldn't have given him such a salary either, but a players value/worth can really be worked out by transfer fee paid plus salary over length of contract. Theo came on a free. Would you feel better about it if we paid a £3.5m transfer fee for him and gave him half as much in wages? I also agree that he isn't exactly the player he once was, but I do still feel it is useful to have him in our squad. He scored 3 and got 3 assists in the league last season, and I am pretty sure got an assist or two in the cups. Loads of people would be creaming themselves if we had signed Loftus-Cheek (which would likely cost £17-20m and around 80/90kpw in wages) yet he only managed 1 goal and zero assists last season..... Not comparing Theo to him but - look at how much PSG are paying Messi, and a raft of other free transfers they have brought in this summer, do you think they would be paying him/them such salaries if they had to have forked out a suitable transfer fee as well? Sometimes I think some people just want to find something to moan/complain about.

I know it was only against Newport but 8-0 is very impressive, especially as we made 9 changes ourselves (as I predicted, just got Long/Broja wrong). Really pleased to see: Moi bag a hat-trick (but don't think any would have gone in against any prem keeper bar, probably, Macca) and put in a decent performance with a couple of nice assists; Broja get off the mark with a brace (2nd was very well taken) on his debut; Tella, Redders and KWP to also get off the mark for the season; Fraser keep another clean sheet (not that he had a save to make); KWP showing (again) that he can put a shift in at LB. So that's 5 of our FWDs/AMs on the scoresheet in the first 3 matches, with another 'making' the own goal on Sunday (which I would have credited him with). It also sounded like Valery had a fairly decent match as well, so we should now be well stocked/covered in the FB positions. Interesting that Walcott replaced JWP in CM. Don't really ever see him doing that in the league; clearly Romeu and JWP first choice with Diallo, Stuey, Smallbone and the Gorilla as back-up. So should be alright there as well. Only leaves CB and GK as worries; that said, I have liked the look of Jack Stephens and Salisu thus far (apart from an error each at Goodison, but all CBs make them). And GK is only a worry for me as Ralph won't make FF his 1st choice. Draw for next round not too bad. Would have liked a home tie, but it could have been a lot worse. Certainly winnable, probably even with the same starting 11.

I doubt we will see Simeu on Wednesday, given he played the full 90 tonight. Plus I don't think Ralph would take the risk. He likes a cup run and the team posted above should be enough to win this match (whichever options he goes with).

Personally, I will be amazed if the 9 on the bench Sunday aren't in the starting 11 for this one. That would mean Forster (GK), Valery (RB), Bednarek (CB), KWP (LB), Diallo (CM), Ely (AM), Redmond (AM), Tella (FWD), Long (FWD) - although he might switch Redmond and Tella. So the main questions are will it be Stephens or Salisu at CB with Bedders and who will partner Diallo at CM, Romeu or JWP - or, possibly, Caleb Watts? Subs likely to include Lewis, Broja, Obafemi and whoever from above that doesn't start.

I think this signing, if it happens and is the only CB signing (which I think it will be), pretty much confirms your thoughts above. The club see Bednarek and Salisu as our fist choice CB partnership. Therefore, also see Salisu and Vestergaard's replacement with Lyanco taking his 3rd/4th choice spot. I also agree that he shouldn't be written off before he has even signed, let alone kicked a ball for us. That said, surely you can see where, and why, people are concerned by this signing? He is a very inexperienced player, who was only a squad player last season in a team equally as inept at defending as we were. We had the 2nd worse defence in the PL last season. Since then we have lost our 2 most experienced defenders, both replaced in the starting 11 by 2 'promising' yet inexperienced ones. The back-up for one of those is an even less experienced player and, seemingly, even less 'promising' (in term of defensive capabilities). Indeed, I would go to say that Jack Stephens is now firmly our 3rd choice CB, with this guy being 4th choice. It does also look as though he will be 4th choice CM too, so would expect to him on the bench a lot (especially now 9 can be on there). We desperately needed to shore up our defence this close season, especially given that we also sold our top scorer from last time around. In response to that we have swapped 2 experienced but slow players with 2 inexperienced but more mobile ones. That is a gamble. As is the fact that should Bednarek or Salisu pick up an injury we are left with starting Stephens every match and with an even less experienced player back up. Most people were expecting a 'younger' player to come in, but most were hoping it would be someone a bit more promising - with more experience. Such players are available and we had been linked with them. They also should have been within our budget. Maybe Caleta-Car was a bit of a pipe-dream, but shouldn't have been. If not him, I feel most wouldn't have been too concerned if we had to field Worrall or Adarabioyo in our team against Newcastle or West Ham. Maybe Lyanco will prove to be as good a signing as Mark Wright once was. Or maybe he will be more akin to Florin Gardos, but shorter! Which ever, at this present moment in time, it does not appear to me that we have addressed the defensive issues we desperately needed to. I hope to be proved wrong.

Now, I'm usually Mr. Positive, and I know this isn't a done deal, but if he is the only CB we bring in this window it really does scream cheap option. Add to the fact he is still relatively inexperienced (only 46 Serie appearances over the past 4 season, including 21 starts and 2 sub last season) and I really don't think he is what we need right now at all. I wouldn't write him off until he has been given a chance to show what he what he can do, but neither would I be expecting him to come in and shore-up our defence at all. Personally, at this moment in time, I would be much happier with any of Caleta-Car, Adarabioyo or Worrall. That said, looking at Lyanco's stats from last season, it would seem that he will fit in well here. In his 25 appearances last season (23 Serie A +2 cup matches) Torino managed just the 4 clean sheets and conceded 50 goals - including a 7-0 stuffing at home by Milan in the last game of the season!

I was thinking something similar, but maybe even more defensive. Also, not sure about KWP as RCB. From the squad we currently have, I would go with: Forster Stephens Bednarek Salisu KWP Perraud Romeu JWP S Armstrong Adams A. Armstrong Basically, 3 CBs, 3 CMs (with Romeu sitting deep - JWP and SA linking/covering the wingbacks), KWP and RP wingbacks (wouldn't mind Tino instead of KWP), Che holding linking, and AA to shoot on sight. I would also be going all out to sign Romero and Caleta-Car by Thursday, so they could start vice Forster and Bednarek (I was going to say Stephens, but I think he is a better option as a RCB - given he can play RB better than Bedders - and would prefer C-C as the central CB). Anyway, it's just a pipe-dream. We all know it's going to be 4222, with McCarthy in goal. So the best I can hope for is: McCarthy, KWP. Bednarek, Salisu, Perraud, JWP, Romeu, S Armstrong, Redmond, Adams, A Armstrong Didn't really want to put Redmond in there but feel he tracks back better than Tella and can't be any worse that Djnepo and Walcott were on Saturday. Again, wouldn't be averse to Tino vice KWP, but maybe best to save him from this one. Hey-ho, better make sure the alcohol cupboard and fridge are topped up before Sunday...............................

Miltonaggro got it right, I meant Derek Statham. Had my own 'senior moment' (it comes to us all eventually). Jeff Kenna is also a good shout though.

Some of my top all time Saints defenders: RB: Ivan Golac LB: Mark Dennis, Wayne Bridge, Kenny Sansom CB: Mark Wright, Dave Watson, Chris Nicholl, Michael Svensson, Dean Richards Notable mentions to: Mick Mills, Ken Monkou, Jason Dodd, Franny Benali, Gareth Bale, Jose Fonte, Claus Lundekvam

I agree that it would be nice to have another 'dominant ball winner' in the squad. I also agree that it is far from ideal moving Stuey away from the 10 role (even though I do like him player deeper, especially when he breaks forward with the ball) but we do have a plethora of players who can play the 10. I also feel that we have the squad space, and the money, available to bring another 6 in (providing it is sub 10m). Personally, I would like to see us loan in Maitland-Niles with (at least) an option to buy at the end of the season. He would certainly fit the scenario of being a younger player who would be signing his 2nd or 3rd contract. He would also give cover at FB, maybe even CB? Loaning him with an option would then give the funds to sign a 'young LB for the B team' such as Doig. That, for me, would give us a very good window. (Can't really see either happening, at least not until the very end of August).

Not really baffling about Jankewitz at all. He wanted away and we got around 1.5m for him. I know many on here think he will be the next big thing in world football, but I guess those who saw him train every day thought differently. It was a shame he didn't more minutes after his horrendous cock-up at Utd (Bournemouth match would have been ideal, imo) but there we go. Don't forget, we also have S. Armstrong who can play CM very adequately. In any event, I'm pretty sure I heard that JWP is back in training - fingers crossed.

Should we sign AA and Broja (which does seem very likely, but neither have been confirmed on the OS yet) I have every confidence that Adams, Armstrong, Broja and Tella will at least match the 22 goals scored by Adams, Ings and Tella last season. Then, of course, there are also the likes of JWP, Stuey, Theo and Redders who should get around 15/16 goals between them (they scored a combined 17 last season and could feasibly achieve the same this time). And I am sure the likes of Djnepo, Romeu, Diallo, KWP, TIno, Perraud, Bednarek will chip in with the odd goal or two as well.

He said 10th-14th. Why are you just concentrating on the higher end of that? I don't blame him for not raising to your bait. Personally, I think we will finish somewhere between 12th-15th. If I had to pick one exact spot, 14th. As you think we will finish 20th anything higher will have meant Ralph has exceeded your expectations, no? And, in such a circumstance, you will be giving him great praise at the end of the season, yes?

I'm hoping that Ralph has finally realised that Fraser is the better keeper, and that JWP will be fit to play. Fullbacks pick themselves. More of a question over CBs. Don't think Vest will be fully match fit meaning Salisu is a given, the question is who to partner him. I know most on here don't like him but I would be tempted to go with Stephens. My front 4 would be Stuey, Theo, Che and Tella - but feel Ralph will pick Redmond vice Theo. My team: Fraser, KWP, Stephens, Salisu, Perraud, Romeo, JWP, Armstrong, Theo, Adams, Tella Subs: McCarthy, Tino, Bednarek, Diallo, Redmond, Djnepo, Obafemi More likely starting 11: McCarthy, KWP, Bednarek, Salisu, Perraud, Romeo, Diallo, Armstrong, Tella, Adams, Redmond If Fraser and JWP play I predict a 2-0 win for Saints. If not, a 1-1 draw. (Yes, I think I may still be drunk from last night.....)

Yes, I did. I watched just about every minute of every match last season; both in the first half of the season, when we briefly managed to top the table, and in the latter half when, through a number of circumstances, we struggled. Did you watch the first half of last season? Personally, I would say that our squad now - both with personnel and their fitness levels/injury status - is much more akin to how it was at the beginning of last season than it was at the end. We also won't have such a condensed fixture schedule. Wouldn't you agree? That being the case, I feel we will start this season in a similar vein to how we started last season. I doubt we will top the table this season, but I also don't think we will sit at the bottom (or even be in the bottom 3) at all during the coming season. I'm not expecting us to win the league, or qualify for the Champions League, but I think we will be comfortably mid-table. That is why I am feeling optimistic. It appears you just want to concentrate on how last season ended without taking into account injuries, fatigue, lack of squad depth (meaning we were playing a lot of matches with youngsters 'not quite ready'), unable to use all the facilities at Staplewood, prioritising cup matches over league matches, busy fixture schedule, etc, etc, etc. That's up to you. Personally I feel sorry for the likes of you and Alpine, but at least you guys give the Samaritans something to do. I note that, as usual, you ignored the points in my post that (yet again) proved you talking complete and utter bollocks (in regard to the number of goals scored by our midfielders). No surprise. I'm still waiting for you to explain your reasoning that we would have been better off loaning Loftus-Cheek vice Walcott last season (given it would have cost us, at least, twice as much and Theo far out performed RLC). I know, I know, it's all about opinions. And you consistently prove why yours are full of shit!

According to you we are 'fucked' no matter what we do. You are even more pessimistic than Alpine ever used to be. However, that aside, let's look at the part of your statement now in bold: Do you consider number 10's as midfielders? If so, our midfield scored 22 goals last season. A bit more than none (no). If you are only taking our 6's into account, do you include Armstrong in that? I mean, he played 6 quite a bot last season. If yes, our 6's - that is, our DEFENSIVE midfielders - contributed 13 league goals last season. Still quite a bit more than none (no). Without Stuey, they scored 9. Obviously, 8 of those were from JWP - who you don't rate.... Romeu got the other 1. He does only usually get 1 or 2 a season, similar to most DEFENSIVE midfielders. You are right of course, that Diallo has failed to score for us - so far (he has come close a few times though). Of course, if 10's aren't considered as midfielders then we wouldn't only be relying on Adams and Armstrong to score the goals to keep us up. Not that we would be anyway.

He did absolutely nothing of note at all last season. In fact he only scored 1 goal, with zero assists, and that goal was way back in November. Plus, as others have said, he is far more of a 10 than a 6. I think Maitland-Niles or Herrera would be far better options. Not that I think we will sign either of them, but either would be nice.

Stop wetting your knickers deary. As Mathew said, maybe the club think £2m + 65k per week is too much. Something I completely agree with btw. Brandon really isn't that good. I am sure we will sign someone else as cover for LB. The season doesn't start for another 2 weeks yet. And the window will still be open for a further 2 when it does. Oh, and yes, let's see where Saints and Norwich sit at the season's end. I sincerely doubt they will be above us - with or without the defensive God that is Brandon Williams......... (Yes, that was sarcasm!)

Yep. If White = £50m and Grealish = £90m then JWP should, at least, = £70m.

Generally, I agree with most that you post. However, on this occasion: Attackers: Ings - Adams - Obafemi - Long - Walcott - Tella - Redmond - Armstrong - Djenepo - Elyounoussi = 10 for 4 starting places 6's: JWP - Romeu - Diallo = 3 for 2 starting places (after that you have to include Armstrong, which takes him away from his best position of being a 10) Then there is Smallbone, when he is fit, who I think is also more of a 10 than a 6. Looking at the squad like this I can easily see how a 6 is needed over an attacker. Give me a choice now of signing Delaney or Adam Armstrong (for example) and I would choose Delaney all day long. That said, I don't think either Long or Elyounoussi should be retained for this season or any beyond. If they were to go we would certainly need one more in. (I am hoping this will be the case.) I can honestly see Tella and Obafemi being used a lot this coming season, and both of them doing okay (not great, but okay). Obviously if Ings goes we definitely need to bring a striker in (but I don't think he will go). I also think that Che will have a good goal return this season. (Well, better than last season at least).

Before signing any players waste a significant chunk of available funds in sacking/paying off the manager and all coaches. Any managerial/coaching replacements must have never been sacked by any other club ever as well as being currently employed at another club, meaning we will have to spend more of the transfer funds in compensation.