saintant

Jason Dodd was a very good full back. Franny had his limitations but was a level above Stephens albeit in a different position.

Are we going to dump those we don't want in Spain then? 🙂

Will Still may be young but he already has quite a lot of experience and has been a success at Reims one of the biggest clubs in France and also Lens who have enjoyed good moments. Yes, he lacks experience in the English leagues but his track record is pretty good up to now. I think he'll be good for us as long as he is backed with a decent squad.

Regards Dibling it makes me wonder if a deal is well advanced and the buying club have insisted he does not go on the tour.

I guess we need to hope that Still doesn't adopt the same view as RM which seemed to be that the skipper always played.

Wouldn't mind Brentford's Icelandic 'keeper Hakon Valdimarsson. Obviously no idea whether he is available, if wages would be an issue or if he'd want to come of course. They let Mark Flekken go but have replaced him with ex Liverpool 'keeper Kelleher. The Icelandic lad seems too good to be a number two.

I've seen nothing to suggest that Stephens isn't considered the on-field captain.

You seem to have missed the irony 🙂

If Will Still has studied past performances of Bazunu there is surely no way he thinks he is good enough as a number one or two (assuming Ramsdale leaves). I will seriously reconsider my views on his credentials if he accepts a situation where McCarthy and Bazunu are our two choices for the first team.

A wee bit over the top 🙂

We're already hearing that the players are being worked much harder than they were last preseason. Along with many I questioned our fitness levels all last season. To fall short on such a key issue is indefensible and should never have been allowed to happen. We were always going to struggle but, if you don't even match a basic like fitness, you are on a hiding to nothing and it showed. Down to RM in my book and he'll need to do better with the Ranger's squad or the Jocks will show him what stick from your own fans is really all about.

As usual he miscalculates how quickly he'll be closed down - predictably sloppy.

He never learns. Hope Will sees through all the bullshit and realises he's a liability not captain material.

I'm certain Fernandes is going to be a top player and will continue on his upward trajectory. He is just that type of player who knuckles down, works hard, improves, knows what he needs to do and gets on with it. Dibling still needs some major polishing, nurturing and cajoling and much of his future will depend on his attitude and whether his next move, whenever that may be, is right for him. He has the potential to eclipse Fernandes but may not do so for various reasons. If we theoretically are going to lose one or the other right now I'd probably prefer to keep Fernandes.

Bring it on and let's hope for some exciting signings.

I don't believe the current squad needs massive refreshing other than trying to clear out some of the deadwood (which wont be easy). We have a good nucleus of players well capable of performing excellently in the Championship. There will be comings and goings but lots of time to manage things well provided Will Still, Spors and his team approach it sensibly - no reason so far to think they wont with over a month to go.

Isn't it likely that Will Still wants to see the players in these early friendlies to allow him to assess if and how they might fit into his preferred systems? This leaves plenty of time left in the current transfer window to allow those he doesn't want to find new clubs and for him to bring in a few fresh faces he thinks will improve what is needed. Then there is obviously the question of the futures of the better players such as Ramsdale, Fernandes, Bednarek, THB and Dibbling. In terms of the window and how our eventual squad might look it is very early days.

Should fit in well then.

They'll appeal and get out of it like always.

Think he was thrown in at the deep end and soon discovered he was not strong enough to swim in Premier League waters. It will have been a useful experience for him and we should see a decent player at Championship level and in a different set up.

Looking sharper for sure. Gills pen looked a bit soft. Good moves for goals by Stewart and Dibling.

Will Still continues his unbeaten record.

Giving him the contract at all was the really, really stupid thing.

As it stands England get Sweden.

Yeah, agree with you on Bree. I'd see how Stewart does in the first 15 games or so and then make a decision based on that. The rest I wouldn't worry about seeking extensions - maybe Aribo if he stays and does well.