Chewy

Great news. And really good work on getting so much of the 2024 contract expiries sorted so soon. Obviously some decisions on youngsters still to be made but by my reckoning we just have Smallbone and Doyle to tie down to longer deals (allowing for who we don’t want or who won’t extend). Of the youngsters Simeu, Pearce and Finnigan had loans last season so be interesting to see if they get extensions or instead get helped onto lower league careers. Nice to be in control of a lot of this - a couple of years ago it was a mess.

You’ve been telling that exact same “joke” for, let’s see, about 6 transfer windows now. It’s as tedious as Saints not signing the striker we clearly need for, let’s see, about 6 transfer windows. I do hope this transfer window sees the back of both those things.

Ref Tino I think this is a very different scenario to Chelsea. Reece James had only just broken through - likely to be their rb for 10 years, plus Azpilicueta was still there I think. He was 17 looking at no first team football and we gave him an opportunity (which he took). At Newcastle he’ll be second choice and understudy to an excellent pro to learn off who is also aging. The club are in the champions league and will play twice a week, something Trippier won’t manage so Tino will get at least 20 games I’d imagine. He also gets a serious pay rise and contract length that sets him up for life - his recent and pretty serious injuries may mean that’s now a bit more prominent in his thinking. Ok, he’ll get a few more games at saints if he stays but by every other criteria it’s the right move for him. I think on balance he’d be mad to turn it down - unfortunately for us.

Sorry, are you talking about the same Jack Stephens everyone else is? And was that a genuinely serious comment or a bit of sarcasm that’s flown over my head?? Genuinely stunned if so. And that takes some doing on this place!!

I think the issue with Diallo was he was an 8, and a) we never really play with an 8 and b) the nearest to it was the role JWP played, who famously never misses a minute. Picking JWP over Diallo was clearly correct but it meant Diallo never got a run of games in his best position. He was either in as a 6 or out wide which he was never suited to. As with a lot of saints players in the last couple of years his confidence began to ebb and then he lost all form so when he did play (still in the wrong position) he was a shell of the player we first saw and could have had. He is now not good enough and needs to go, but his deterioration is as much on us as it is on him IMHO. I wish him the best and hope we stop doing this to players under the new manager.

Realised that July 13th marked the 10 year anniversary of this thread. Just thought I’d take the opportunity to once again thank Over Land And Sea for his exceptional efforts in keeping this up to date and all of us so well informed. It’s massively appreciated by me and, I suspect, many other forum members.

What kind of cooking involves ripping a new hole?

Bednarek is probably the best at actually defending, but is poor on the ball. Given our likely tactics he’s a concern. I’ve said before that I think any of the 6 (5 now ref Lyanco?) are fine for the championship (not great, just fine) but none of them except potentially ABK are Premier league level. Salisu could have been but I agree he’s 100% leaving. Id therefore like us to improve here but it’s not a top priority IMHO. Priorities for me are 1) a cf and 2) a captain (cm or cb). And that’s irrespective of JWP leaving to be honest. JWP can keep the armband if he stays but we need a leader. Keeper would be great, beyond that I’m not too concerned for now until we know who else leaves.

We don’t talk about that brief era.

But we didn’t play with them as a midfield 3. We were obsessed with 4222 and had Alcaraz as a wide 10 or even as a striker. Plus JWP as a 6. Alcaraz was even dropped early on, presumably because he didn’t fit our wonderful system. Those 3 didn’t work in midfield not because they (and in the context of the comment, Lavia) weren’t good enough; they didn’t work because our epically sh1t managers and coaches didn’t play the right tactics.

I do hope so. It’s been priority number one for 5 transfer windows so I’m glad someone in the recruitment team is maybe looking into it

Wonderful attitude

You seem to be forgetting that we’re out to replace Moi. It’s what he’s like off the ball that matters!

With the 2 points knocked off for not signing a decent striker. The striker we’ve totally needed to prioritise for 5 transfer windows.

Not when they play in different positions, no. In terms of youth prospects we have little by way of center backs, central midfielders (at least the dm type) or goalkeepers so no paths being blocked by signings for these positions.

Reasonable points but all irrelevant: we have a fan in Fareham who just feels it in his bones that he’s staying. That’s all the validation I need.

I think Aribo is able to cover his place in the squad perfectly.

Can we find out who chairs it? If Rasmus is anywhere near it I’ll know to give up on the season nice and early

Out of our 6 cbs I’d rate Lyanco as probably 6th best. Yes he’s got character and makes an effort but he’s not very good. I’d also (perhaps a controversial opinion) suggest any of those 6 are good enough for the championship. Happy to see him stay or go - assuming Salisu is definitely off we need to lose one more. Should we get promoted back, we’d need to significantly improve this position for the premier league (none of them good enough except potentially ABK) but for this coming season I’m happy with whichever four of the lot we keep.

Wish MLG was around to tell you that ketchup doesn’t belong in the fridge so it’s not a well placed sauce. on second thoughts …

And to be fair any of the 6 would probably be fine for the championship. I’m not especially attached to any of them so don’t mind which of them leave - obviously expect Salisu to go for sure. I like Lyanco’s attitude etc but he’s probably the least competent of the 6

I wonder if Plymouth might be a more likely destination for Stephens - closer to his family ‘roots’ and they’ll need to strengthen for the championship. They can’t afford his current wages but he’s only got one year left and a 4/5 year contract might be appealing for him? Wherever he goes (if he does) I’d be surprised if we got any sort of fee.

And crucial in the enhanced performance of our other goalkeepers 😶

Probably because it’s not just one season, it’s been dreadful in terms of results since Puel left, and the football in Puel’s season was horrible. That’s about 6 or 7 years of utter sh1te I and thousands of others have paid thousands for. I’m not personally moaning; entirely my own choice. But I think it might explain why the atmosphere is somewhat flat.

If it SLAMS shut, how does it open? Crashes??