austsaint

I hoped Reed still had a future with Saints but the prospect of getting Maddison with HR as the sweetener would be great business. Maddison looks the attacking midfielder many thought Ward-Prowse would be.

Excellent post. The retention of Reed, Kreuger, Wilson etc and the "messages" about the squad being good enough are worrying signs that little is being heeded from the past two seasons. It seems that Gao doesn't know enough about the game or the limitations of the management/administration of the Club to make the changes needed.

This Glasgow's/H'bergs posts are becoming increasingly weird and unhinged.

Your last sentence is telling. McCarthy surely didn't improve due to Watson and Davis' influence - he has always been a good keeper who belatedly got his opportunity and blossomed with it. Forster on the other hand appears to have gained a reputation from the SPL, one notable game v Barca and several games under Koeman when he had a top class defence and midfield in front of him. He didn't suffer a decline due to bad coaching; he just got found out as a keeper with serious flaws.

Look, JWP takes a pretty good corner and free kick; not many would argue with that. Is that enough to justify his place in the team? I say no, because there just isn't enough impact in the rest of his game - in attack or defence. Expectations and hype have always been out of whack with this lad, and that observation gets clearer as every season goes by.

Could be all your attention seeking malarkey. Well done Sparky and Co. Feel good days may be back!

I've been at that point for ages. And if the Gao's are not at that point then they too are imbeciles. It's just so obvious that SFC needs a shake up of management, recruitment and administration.

Put it in context though; we payed out nearly the same amount for Carillo! Silva will do well at Everton.

Just a lot of rumour stories about Arsenal, Spurs, Everton and West Ham keen to sign him in the Summer.

Cedric's crosses?

So with Boufal, Gabbiadini and Lemina all prospects for leaving, the three players who can get you on the edge of your seat might all be off.

If Hojbjerg is dreadfully overrated, what is your assessment of JWP? To me, he is the elephant in the room, who season after season escapes scrutiny. Is it his 7th season coming up. Better attacking players and a midfield nucleus of Lemina, Romeu and Hojbjerg would suit me next season.

There's another reason for Les to be offloaded.

Yes, and a proactive, decisive Board/Head of Football would have provided that sword long before they did.

Yes, ok, that's both good and bad news if he has tweaked a hammy. Bad that his World Cup involvement could be affected, yet good that there's a chance he stays with the Club.

Romeu had a blinder today; his pass to Tadic, who should have scored was sublime - I don't understand the criticism of OR at all.

A little deflating to lose twice to that mob in the last seconds of the game but job done and an easy game to watch without any pressure. Hojbjerg and Romeu great today and Cedric played well. Bertrand coming off on 80 mins was a little surprising; cotton wool for the world cup or a chance to say goodbye to supporters? Let the shake up begin!

Just watched the 4-2 win at St Marys under Koeman. Hat trick to Mane - notable performances from Vic, VVD, Tadic.

Would be a travesty if Reed and Kreuger stay and Hughes isn't signed up. He has saved their unworthy backsides.

Chez, you've never really rated Targett, have you? Much as I have never been able to understand people's high rating of JWP!. I agree with you on MT..........Should Bertrand leave we definitely need a quality replacement; sadly Sam McQueen falls into the same category - not quite good enough for Prem level Football.

Matt, I think you've got Gabbiadini all wrong. It's been the limited nature of our midfield which has held him back. If you look at his history he plays best on the shoulder of, or wider of the main striker..someone like Austin. The slow build up, "possession based game Pellegrino played ending in floated crosses didn't suit him at all. Go back and have a look at the Cup final v Man U and you will see a different player to the one you're describing.

Shaqiri, apparently available for 12 mill. is not an expensive prem player; he's a proven attacking midfielder who has goals and assists to his credit. He is the type of player that we need.

It's been a huge night for Mr Gao. Here's hoping he's got the intelligence or good counsel to show Reed, Kreuger and Wilson the door.

Shaquiri (sp?) is a good shout, and probably quite likely if Sparky is rightly kept on.

Brilliant...ok, maybe he did go to take the big money at Everton; but he was great for Saints, and there's still a suspicion that Reed's heavy handedness had something to do with Ronald's exit.