goodymatt

Think it was reported as €12m over in Germany.

Yes, it relies on our strikers returning to their previous champ levels. I’m hoping having better and different creators in a 4-2-3-1 that we get more output. Remains a worry.

We bemoaned the lack of creativity despite generating the most xG in the league so far. Bringing in Azaz AND Fellows would be 25 assists from last season. Playmaker and proper winger. I think that would solve the problem.

Does Alfie’s 👀 emoji mean something here?

Fully agree this is the only player I am upset about losing. We were a disgrace last season and Matty was the standout player that has so much potential and a long contract. However, you can’t keep players that don’t want to be here, so we take the money and spend it on Azaz, Jander and a winger.

I Jander if this guy is expected to start, 12m euros is a big fee to be on the bench. Good to add competition to Flynn and Shea.

Quite a lot going on this morning! Sad about Matty but it’s the reality of the situation. Quite excited by Azaz and Jander. Think we are putting together a more balanced team that will be more efficient at the level. Will be an interesting few days it seems.

Has played for Ipswich in the past.

Interesting that we have looked at players like Azaz and Rak-Sakyi in the past, doesn’t suggest Spors is finding new options…

It has been reported he is interested in the move, by Graeme Bailey (who is also a Boro fan) and their local journos. Pay the fee they want (£12m) and he should be a Saints player. Let’s see!

I would have liked us to loan a number 1, we were linked with Patterson from Sunderland as an example. Birmingham (Beadle) and Coventry (Rushworth) have both loaned number 1s that are better than Bazunu IMO. We were linked with other keepers in Germany too. As Ramsdale was loaned and not sold, it appears we’ve decided not to invest in this area. Given Bazunu’s record in a saints shirt, I think this is a mistake and we will regret this decision to double down on a keeper that concedes over 50% of his shots faced. Hope I’m proven wrong and this is his breakout season.

Do we think this guy will be one of the wingers we sign? Apparently still monitoring him.

I think we bring in: GK, 10, 2x wide players and if a loan comes up for a game changing ST, we might take it and shift one of ours on loan. This final week is where most loans happen and we still have 5 to use. Despite Dragan’s anti-loan comments I’m sure we will use some of those wisely.

Fair comment, I’ll try and be more concise in future 🤝

Appreciate the performances have not been good enough so far this season and today’s result, especially against 10 men adds to that concern. However, Still and Spors are working with a lot of uncertainty around our players and potential incomings. The squad is bloated and full of players that aren’t sure if they want to be here. We all know the final week of the window is where the majority of moves happen, for clubs of our size especially. Questioning Spors or Still before the final week of the window seems premature. Last champ season the final week saw us add players like THB and Downes, 2 of the best in the division that season. To suggest Spors isn’t up to the task for not bringing players in earlier is naive to our situation. We do not have full control of the market and this is just the reality of the transfer window. Azaz seems like one we can do if we pay £12m, player is interested and they reportedly would accept that fee. Boro winning some games early on doesn’t change the most likely outcome that they will be below us this season, it is not hard to see why Azaz would be interested (higher wages, higher chance of promotion). I’m going to judge our squad competitiveness on September 2nd and I’m sure having a settled group will help Still in general too. I’m as frustrated as anyone tonight but I’m going to wait and see how the window pans out before declaring we aren’t promotion challengers.

Abysmal whilst generating the highest xG of the entire EFL in GW1. Frustrating game as it was, we were not abysmal, just found the breakthrough way later than desired. Ref does his job properly and we would have had 2 pens too.

He seems certain Fernandes will be sold.

Might that mean they don’t come for Fernandes?

Usually on profit

Unlikely to be Boro though as it’s being reported they are close to signing ex-Saint Matty Targett on loan from Sandcastle United.

Early days and we are yet to perform anywhere near our potential given all the uncertainty and change. However, I have the feeling that he’s going to deliver. Just feels ‘right’. Comes across very honest and sees where the issues are. Hopefully Spors gives him the right tools by the end of this window to do his best. If so, we could be in for a great season.