austsaint

Yes, does anyone know, or can anyone guess why Augsburg were prepared/happy to let him go? Do they need the money; do they have a surplus of decent CB's.

The mid-field combination of PEH and JWP doesn't look right to me. May get away with it against Burnley but better sides will have a mid-field picnic.

Really good post. With Lemina's situation I had hoped Reed would get his chance in DM this season - I still think he is good enough at Prem level. A pity Norwich didn't sign him up. Hope he has a good season at the Cottage.

I hope you're right; but from what I've seen Slattery will struggle to establish himself at Prem level.

Some times with the passing of time I wonder whether Pahars was as good as I remember him being - he was brilliant for us. On topic, I really hope Boufal stays and takes his opportunity - he's a great player to watch and Ralph can certainly iron out some flaws.

I find it strange that the Club website hasn't written about Rohl's departure. It's also a worry in my mind that the likes of Kelvin and Dave Watson are now Ralph's right hand men - mediocre coaches who lump pressure on Ralph as a result.

I didn't see todays game, but everything I have seen of Reed points to a player who could be excellent cover this season. If we don't reinforce the defensive midfield then he slots in well as a tenacious more mobile version of Romeu.

I'd argue they are.

Yes, all of that's true - but he's at such a poor, clumsy level these days, and in the decline of his career, why not use the younger, talented players like Obafemi, Sims etc to achieve the same ends.

It's clear Long isn't going to be offloaded - I think he should be though, and a little "burst" of form late last season papers over the massive deficiencies in his game at 32. I'm not advocating replacing him with anyone; I'd rather use Obafemi and Sims to be the bench role players.

It's clear Long isn't going to be offloaded - I think he should be though, and a little "burst" of form late last season papers over the massive deficiencies in his game at 32. I'm not advocating replacing him with anyone; I'd rather use Obafemi and Sims to be the bench role players.

What happened to the massive offer from Spurs for Prowsey?

Chaz is the new "Osvaldo". Hope he goes to the Geordies; Steve Bruce and Charlie Austin! Their supporter who does the youtube clips is going to explode.

Benitez to Bruce - incredible isn't it.

We seem to be in a minority here. Unless Ralph has another attacking gem up his sleeve I can't see the case against a pre-season assessment by Ralph before the Club rushes to take 10 million.

I can't believe so many want rid of Lemina. If he does go and isn't replaced, will Hoj, Romeu and JWP be sufficient, given that Slattery doesn't look good enough and Reed looks likely to be moved on.

Must agree - Targett is a very good Championship LB and an average Prem player with lack of speed to create width his main weakness. If the Club can reprise the supposed offer of this time last year then selling would be very good business. Bertrand continues to be among our best players and has the game and athleticism to add value to Ralph's rebuild.

Ditto. He is up to Prem standard......hope Ralph considers him.

Put it another way - it's hard to argue Gunn is better than McCarthy?

Don't suppose it matters, but at 1-0 up against a team which has taken 5 points from a possible 72 - why replace an attacking player with a LB and deploy 3 CBs? Awful way to end the season, but well done to Ralph for keeping us up. An interesting Summer awaits.

Redmond and his goal the one highlight. Very even otherwise.

That was the win we needed to seal promotion wasn't it? From memory Lallana and Sir Ricky were on the scoresheet. Coventry were already relegated too.

Sums it up well for me. If you can't admire the skill, drama and sporting magic of those two games then I feel sorry for you. Hoping for a great final and a Spurs win - really like Poch; seems like a genuine person; great Manager and Football mind and has a great loyalty/bond with his assistants who have been with him at Espanyol, Saints and now Tottenham. The number of ex-Saints players on show is another sub-text to look forward to.

I'm with you. I still love watching Mane play - he's a special talent. No doubt VVD is a class CB...but he is far less likeable.

He was never close to being our best player - made two regulation saves and punched a cross away when he should have caught it. Second half, an embarrassing liability; just don't understand why Forster started today. Shop window? No sale!