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The Middlesbrough legend? Is Fabrizio Ravanelli going to be his assistant?! Careful Saints, we'll play Boro and they'll cite our manager's relegation with them in 1997 as a reason the match should be voided. 🤣

Even the Pompey fan at work thought that anything else would be ridiculous! It's amazing how (mostly Boro!) fans think this is the worst thing ever, when they're probably happily living their lives not giving a sh*t about how much crime there is on the streets, climate issues, cost of living spiralling etc - i.e. things that actually affect people. I guess it's much easier to be a cancel culture keyboard warrior than actually do anything positive with your lives.

Says in the Echo he was called up to England under 15s whilst at Chelsea and "Linton made three appearances for Chelsea's under-18s this season, and has been called up to Morocco's under-17s ahead of a World Cup in November." I guess 1 of 500 youngsters at Chelsea though 🤣

But do they still have the tallest team possible as our mate told us was the main ingredient to success?

Fellows is very good at beating a player and somehow keeping the ball stuck to his feet before getting a cross in, just terrible at shooting!

Middlesbrough rapidly checking which games he's reffed of theirs over the years 🤣

I think a lot of people are forgetting how good Ramsdale was for us in the prem - without him, we'd have been losing each game by at least another goal. He'd be the best keeper in Scotland, I think it's just the salary is putting people off. Genuinely surprised one of the promoted clubs didn't go for him.

Problem is that Princewill has never looked particularly good, but has better physical attributes, whereas Ballard looked good but very fragile. I thought the other young striker Bailee Dipepa has always looked pretty decent though

A very brave and strong new nickname

15 and 16 games in the past couple of seasons (in Serie A and the Bundesliga) so not sure whether that's because he's got Ross Stewart levels of fitness or just not fancied. Was very highly rated at one point and has 9 caps for Belgium so hopefully pretty good!!

Stephens has been a disaster so far this season (and majority of his Saints career) and Wood just isn’t an overly good player. Very surprised Quashie or Kayi Sanda haven’t been given an opportunity but really got to either get a partner for THB or two new starters for if and when he goes. This and a big imposing centre midfielder got to be the priorities.

I think "not a bad return" making a £15million profit on a massive flop is being very polite. Forest (and Glasner!) deserve to get relegated.

Wouldn't be surprised if someone like Palace came in late on for THB. Riad out long term again, just signed Tomiyasu but has barely played for a few years and they often / usually(?) play 3 at the back so could be looking for an extra. Aside from that, think they may really struggle this year - the Mateta situation is fairly toxic and just seem to have a lot of average players, which along with the European football might cause them issues.

I think he did and looked better than last week when looked a bit lost there. Preston fans also mentioned he was much better through the middle. No idea re: Akachukwu - I've mainly see him play centrally for u21s. Edozie plays left or right side, so I'd have him as the backup for Scienza.

I like both Fellows and Edozie, who are both great at beating a man, and/or winning free kicks. The issue is neither of them (and even Scienza sometimes) are very good at shooting. If they were to improve this and start adding a lot more goals, they'd likely be getting suitors in the Premier League. Fellows is good at crossing, which is good for players like Larin, whilst Edozie is probably more of a run into the box and cut back player which works well with players like Azaz or Dobbin running in. With regards to moving either on - we (currently) don't really have much quality depth on the wing as Dobbin isn't really a winger and not sure Akachukwu is either, with both probably being better through the middle? Sillah Dibaga looked promising but very raw.

Surprised Kayi-Sanda hasn’t been given more of a go as always looked pretty good when I’ve seen him. Might be in the squad today

Ended 0-0. From the 30 seconds I watched to see if there were any goals, I heard the “‘ammers, mate, geezer” second commentator, who was that “true legend” (leg-end)? He was a proper cockney geez mate innit

I do like Bragg, I think it was probably more the odd goal, and his fairly limited exposure to first team football that gives me a bit of doubt still. I agree, he's always looked pretty good, so have good hope there, but still potentially a risk in that position.

Central midfield has got to be the priority, Downes will miss games through bookings and occasional injuries, Jander is currently injured(?) and Bragg is a good prospect, but not sure he's any better (currently) than say Smallbone, who we just released. I dont think Matsuki is physical enough for that role and would be a waste to put Azaz there. On a side note, when is Brereton Diaz going to leave? Always seems to have some interest, but proven time and again he's not good enough for what we need. Looking like we'll also be stuck loaning out Ramsdale and Bazunu last minute.

and one of those seasons he was on a season long loan to Sheffield Wednesday. So played a lot of games for us in just 2 seasons!

All confirmed now, all the best Shea! Seemed like a good guy and a classy player who served us well, sometimes being thrown into random positions. Weighed in with a few very good goals this past season too. He'll be missed, but hopefully we can use a third of the fee to get another Casper Jander!!

Always thought he was pretty decent but very lightweight when first came to us. Second season was playing well and contributing quite a bit but getting hacked to pieces every game (as he was too good for the defenders), until that almost career ender against Norwich which somehow wasn’t a red card. A truly awful challenge! Pretty sure something must’ve happened behind the scenes for him to be completely overlooked first half of last season (probably wasn’t happy with being loaned out before), but didn’t do terribly when was needed, albeit (understandably) a bit rusty

I thought Brereton-Diaz was due a good game, guess he’s still due a good game! Matsuki not strong enough for centre mid and everyone else pretty rusty. Need a couple of signings in the middle (midfield and striker).

3 years is a miracle for someone with his injury record. 2 with an option for a third may be realistic to get him to sign for them, but if it’s 3 straight up, he’s done very well to get that. I imagine he’ll now go on to have his best 3 seasons in the past 4 years (and only miss 2 months of each season) 🤣 Good player, but injury waiting to happen!

Sounds that way, but why would he expect to play in the prem when he can't even be available to play anyway?! He probably didn't realise he'd have to take such a large pay cut to join a Scottish team and had burnt his bridges with us a bit...! Now watch us sign someone who's never been injured and does his ACL in the first match.