austsaint

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.

Good call. It's not the gaining and loss of intel which has transformed an unstoppable team into a patchy one early on in the season; nor a bright, young Manager on a great run of success into a Will Still clone. What is likely though is the Spygate fallout has deflated both team and Manager more than most thought, and has probably eroded the trust some players had in Tonda. He was being hailed as a genius by some players; but in the end he's the guy who snatched away their chance to compete in the play off final. There may well be disgruntled players thinking they were robbed of a crack at the Prem, and don't want to spend another season of attrition in the Championship, They rolled a boulder up a hill in the second half of last season to be within touching distance of the great prize. Put yourself in that position; it wouldn't be easy to roll your sleeves up and do it again, for the Manager who, in part, has let you down. I hasn't helped either that we've been forced to play the likes of Bragg and Matsuki in central midfield, and to be suddenly without THB.

I'm with you on this one Fab. Quite a panicky overreaction going on. Just the same Spors has plenty to do in the last few days of the window.

I don't think Tonda wants to play Russball. But without THB, Charles, Jander and Downes you're left with too many habitual sideways and backwards passers. Unfortunately Bragg is a serial offender. Strengthen midfield and find a ball playing CB and a faster style of play will reemerge.

Akachukwu was the one bright showing for Saints. Though a different style of midfielder he is going to put pressure on the limited Bragg for the 4th cm place in the squad - assuming Jander stays and Charles is replaced. Noticeable how the "form" of Bree and even Peretz seems to have dipped; likely Peretz' performances affected by THBs absence.

Hardy could share the laurels with Nelson.

Still plenty of column to come on this one.