goodymatt

4 would be my preference too, think we’re all aligned on that really. Just wouldn’t be a surprise if we don’t make the switch for this game IMO.

Half the price of Downs and we were linked earlier in the summer. Might regret that one!

Just appears to be snowballing for Martin, can’t see him surviving this. 5 games without a win, is it their worst start ever?

It is likely that Bazunu, Manning, Azaz, and Charles will all start. The Irish lads coming back the latest (except Downs). New signing Scienza didn’t train until Tuesday and Downs wasn’t even back until Friday. Lots of new players in the building, huge game, you can see why a conservative approach to change might be taken. Personally I want to see a back 4, hopefully we do, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t some logic in sticking for this game. My team would be: Baz Mads THB Stevo Manning Charles Downs Fellows Azaz Fraser Archer Seems to be a popular lineup choice and it’s also what the Echo have predicted.

I very much much doubt Will Still leaves Lens to drop down from a top Euro league to come and work in an environment where he can’t even select the formation. The wingers we had were: Edozie - was leaving Sulemana - left straight away Dibling - knew he leaving throughout Fraser - redemption arc Robinson - kid breaking through Armstrong - inside forward BBD - inside forward and leaving. At the same time we had lots of CB options and full backs suited to WB roles. It’s clear to me that Will thought, there’s lots of change, lots of uncertainty, let’s play 5 and try and edge the games during this period. He’s tried to move on from those players not expected to be here, rather than rely on them. Frustratingly it didn’t prove as successful as we all want/expect and we have dropped some points. Now the window is closed and we have motivated wide players. Let’s see if he changes. If he plays a 5 tomorrow it’s because it’s a derby and the international break means we’ve not had enough time to get everyone on the same page. Not because Rasmus is picking the formation and lineup.

When asked about being favourites on Sunday, Will just said “we are Southampton and we are a big team, we will be favourites against most of the teams we play in this league and that’s just where we are and the way it is really”.

It’s encouraging that their head of football implied that it was strange some of their fans didn’t take to him, given the numbers he produced for them. He was clearly well rated internally but when a player wants to go, it’s usually best to allow it, as we know all too well. I’d much rather have a player that produces numbers consistently than someone who works incredibly hard but it doesn’t amount to anything. Very interested to see how Azaz does with so called better players around him. If he scores and/or assists on Sunday then he will be off to the best start possible with our fans. Watford was a free hit for him after 1 training session and he still went close to an assist and forced a good save. I think he will be a success here.

There’s a reason why Spertysan and Rudoni were higher up the list, but we can accommodate him drifting through some games if he hits double figures for goals and assists again. That could be the difference between autos and playoffs for us. The challenge is going to be balance as we could have a few players on the field that don’t work hard off the ball: Scienza, Azaz, Archer (sometimes he does press but mostly not).

Expect that’ll be the case for next season.

13 is an odd number for a winger #Sc13nza I had expected he would have taken Smallbone’s number 8, which was his number at Heidenheim. Im sure fellows would have had Aribo’s number 7 had he left.

This guy is unbelievable at free kicks! Only cost Watford €3m from Bayern but they did retain a 50% sell on clause.

So the Belgian window closed last night, Edozies move never materialised. What do we think happens now? Will he perhaps leave for Turkey by the 12th deadline or Saudi by 23rd? Or is his reintegration the most likely outcome from here? Aribo was always going to be one of those windows that is still open or run down his contract. I’d keep him as 4th choice at CM plus ability to cover elsewhere. Trouble is that we just don’t have enough spots in the match day squad for all of these players!