austsaint

Biscuit

As Baird of the Land suggests though, if it’s a midfield three of JWP, Bragg and Downes, essentially you’ve got a recycling midfield and just one running player in Scienza. The balance looks wrong.

Marker

Precision

Upset

Dah

That was the surprise of the second half for me. With the injury to Downes and the abysmal first half put in by Bragg, you had to be worried. Fair play to young Bragg, it was a much more confident second half, and one which might kick start his season. Ward-Prowse looked immediately comfortable, although to be fair, once Cooper conceded that penalty the wind went out of Milwall's sails. So much to like about that performance. Nearly a hat trick for Larin; his two goals both top drawer. Azaz ran the show in the second half... Leo looking back to his best. Bree's best showing so far; he overlapped and combined well with Matsuki who justified Tonda's decision to start him at RW. The new centre back was impressive, calm, composed and his passing nearly faultless. Manning once again reminded us that despite being suspect defensively, he has such a magic left foot and attacking wing back instincts to recommend him. Happy days.

Could always play JWP and Matsuki in midfield if Flynn can't continue - Fellows at RW.

Very happy with the new CB; Bree so much better today and Larin, who looks so much fitter this season in class at this level. Bragg off at h/t surely.

Manning, Bragg and Wood are not good enough , Dont understand what Tonda sees in Bragg - its costing us.

He (THB) makes the team look so much better. Can't see it sadly.

Just a bit of fact checking. Charles scored 6 goals last season for Saints in all competitions. JWP scored 7 in his first season for West Ham; one from a corner. He didn't score a goal in the following two seasons.

Anyone ITK about his wages?

Clan

Think we should push the boat out for Falchener.

Charles will easily handle the class rise of the Prem. Not sure at all his value will spike to 60m? So you think he wasn't worth the money Fulham paid for him, but if he has an ok season he'll be worth 60m. Ok then. My feeling about Akachukwu from seeing him in preseason and against West Ham the other night is that he has all the attributes to be a first team player - potentially.

Akachukwu is potential. Charles has shown his skill and athleticism for SFC and NI. At his age, the potential for further improvement is there, but he's already demonstrated he's a good player.

Fulham and SFC disagree with you.

I'd agree with you. Jander and THB not playing has been crucial.

Put it this way; no Prem team is going to pay 25m for Prowsey, like they just did for Charles. See the difference? Plus Prowsey's not the like-for like Charles replacement we need. We are missing Charles a lot. Not such a strange place at all.

Yes, the Club and Tonda obviously rate him, and as you say, he's young enough. I hope I'm wrong; I just don't see many attributes beyond neat and tidy passes and work rate across the pitch.

It's his other name I'm struggling with! 🤫

I don't put Bragg in the "bit of pedigree, still improving" category; he has time on his side but I'm not sure there's much more to come from him. Jander, yes, he's a gem, and is destined for bigger things. As things stand, he and Downes are the best central mids we have. We need a third, in the mould of Charles - that isn't Bragg unfortunately.

Star

It's not hate towards Prowsey or the signing of him. He's not really the type of midfielder we need, if Jander stays we need the third CM to be more of a Charles, box-to-box, running mid, that's not JWP. If he came back and competed with Bragg for the 4th spot and back up for Downes, Jander and the Charles replacement....bring it on. Not sure we need his corners and free kicks either with Manning and Leo on board. To be honest he wasn't much of a Captain either, adopting a passive on field demeanour. Someone mentioned that we would never sign a midfielder with such a long, impressive CV. While that's true, it's also about the past. I'd rather a player with a bit of pedigree, still improving and with time on their side.