austsaint

You might be right, just the same, Salisu had a very good game and looks well established as a starting CB. His speed and positional sense are huge assets at this level. While I'm on the praise train, well done to the much criticised Alex McCarthy - played well, some good saves, commanded the box better and intercepted crosses with confidence.

Have to agree. This is a very different investment in youth than the days of Wotte and the other bloke whose name started with P. This is not a Rupert Lowe sideshow. Might be a tough season but Livramento, Broja, Small are all genuinely talented.

Check it out with Chez; he will probably have an opinion.

No big deal. And there are several very good "she" posters about.....Suewhistle being one of them. Pretty sure though that Chez (excellent poster) is a bloke.

You lost me when you called Chez as a "she" and the idea of bringing Shane Long on at 60 minutes to "put the fear of God" into the Geordies. Top post apart from that.

It's a question quite a few would like answered. If Ralph isn't considering it, many will be disappointed/dismayed.

Surely Broja will be considered for a wide attacking role too. Don't think Adams or Armstrong will be easy to shift - they look a strong partnership in the making. The signing of Broja, Livramento and Small seems like a masterstroke strategy from Saints, where effectively we've acknowledged that our own Academy isn't churning out the kind of starlets these three appear to be. Compare our strategy to that of Burnley....they've just brought in a "washed up" Aaron Lennon.

Yep; couldn't/shouldn't drop Stephens or Djenepo after their performances - they have to be rewarded by keeping their places. Really hope he starts with both KWP and Tino. The bench is going to look strong.

Is that right? Thanks for clearing that up.

Not huge numbers then - I'd be interested in his assist numbers though; my imperfect memory tells me he has played wide right in many of those seasons since leaving Saints and been responsible for bombing down the flanks bringing others into the game. He has always turned it on against Saints more often than not.

Antonio certainly one the Club erred in letting go. Les Read decision?

You can add Luke Shaw to that list of recognisable stardust.

Let's hope so. I wonder whether he would have brought on Bednarek for Theo if it had been 0-0 at half time? He was more proactive though and Diallo, KWP and Bednarek did shore things up. Still hoping Ralph has the KWP and Tino partnership in his thinking some time soon.

Yes, but surely Ralph has to find a place for both. Today it was a cameo for KWP at LB but he is too good a player not to be starting. On what we have seen of Livramento, he can surely play in front of KWP either as a wing back role or more advanced where Walcott started today. Could be a good partnership. The dilemma then arises when Armstrong (S) is fit he probably slots in to Walcott's spot. Compounding the problem is the bright way Djenepo has started the season; could S. Armstrong fit in wide left? One thing is becoming clearer...Walcott and Redmond should be impact rather than starting players as things stand. Does anyone know the terms of Livramento's contract? How soon can Chelsea buy him back? He is going to be a super player! It's quite bizarre that in a side struggling for quality across the pitch we have two of the best right backs in the Country....and both English!

Where's Kyle?

I suppose if you want to put an optimistic slant on it - the recruitment and scouting during the last few windows has been pretty good; with limited finance. Let's hope we're all pleasantly surprised by this lad from Torino. The chances of another significant signing beyond him look slight.

We do ship goals for other reasons. GK is one of them, and midfield is the other, and our world class dead ball exponent is part of that problem, despite his improvement (general play) in the past two seasons. Which brings us back to formation - three in midfield anyone? One up front? We don't really have the back four, keeper or midfield (as things stand) to afford a 4-4-2, against good opponents.

Good hypothesis except for the likelihood that this time round there will be no Toby.....just our 2021 version of Gardos.

Yes, LIvramento is special, and looks like one of those precocious players that come along now and again, eg Bale, Shaw, a young Theo even. That's why it would be a good idea to find a place for him in the wingback/wide attacking role to ensure the best RB the Club has had for a long time is in the team too. If the Club overdoes the recruitment of promising young players at the expense of experience and a bit of here-and-now quality it will start to look like a getting ready for life in the Championship, because most of the younger talent will either be not ready or not good enough.

If Ralph can't see this and select them thus, he really is stumbling towards the exit door.

Just parking the car puns for a moment. Is Caleta gettable? Seems to linked to Spurs and West Ham.

Will be electric in the future.

Didn't realise that. Yeah, I've begun my walk away from the Ralph in camp. Just too many repeats of poor game management; use (or non-use) of subs; inflexible team selections/formations and the playing of favourites. Goes to show that having a likeable, enthusiastic Manager is never enough.

We really do need a quality CB pronto. As someone pointed out, there was a distinctly Championship look about the starting lineup today.

Has to be the case. Push Livramento into Theo's spot and reinstate KWP to RB. You can't have one of the stand out players of last season warming the bench.