goodymatt

Interestingly no special mention for Ralph or any manager during his time here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiBAL8NMltf/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Armando Broja has just signed a new long term contract at Chelsea. Looks like he’s 2nd choice behind Auba, imagine his salary is quite a bit higher now. Think this boat has now fully sailed.

For those that don’t have a subscription: Which three clubs now look most in danger of being relegated? Jack Lang: Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Everton James Horncastle: Bournemouth, Forest, Everton Sarah Shephard: Bournemouth, Leicester, Wolves Nick Miller: Bournemouth, Leicester and Fulham. Oliver Kay: Previously I said Bournemouth, Forest and Southampton. I’ll stick with Bournemouth, I’ll hesitantly stick with Forest and… if Southampton keep playing the way they have, it’s going to be bad news for someone else. Everton? Villa? Leicester? Wolves? So hard to predict. Carl Anka: I predicted Fulham and Bournemouth to go straight back down and Nottingham Forest to pip Leeds to 17th on the final day. I’ll tweak this now as Leeds looked good against Everton and should be OK if Patrick Bamford, Tyler Adams and Sinisterra are fit. Fulham will finish 18th, but I’m now asking the waiter if they have humble pie on the menu, as Aleksandar Mitrovic has turned out to be Premier League quality after all. Nancy Frostick: Bournemouth, Everton, Fulham. Liam Tharme: Leicester for their (lack of) window activity, Aston Villa tactically and Bournemouth for weirdly sacking Scott Parker (above) so early into the season. Pol Ballus: Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Southampton. Maram AlBaharna: Bournemouth, Southampton, Nottingham Forest.

https://theathletic.com/3558480/2022/09/02/transfer-window-rated/?source=user_shared_article

So with Lavia out of 6 weeks, do we bring AMN straight into the starting line up? It’s a shame that DCC isn’t going to be eligible for this game as Ralph said it looks like we signed him too late to register for this match. I know many think now was the ‘right time’ to sell Romeu, but with Lavia out for ‘minimum 6 weeks’, I’m starting to think January would have actually been the right time!

I’m inclined to agree, the only positive performances I’ve seen in recent years were during his Villa loan. Strange link given our model.

Yep, that’s a nightmare

Minimum 6 weeks according to Ralph in his presser just now.

I wonder if that Mail tweet last night saying we were favourites for Ross Barkley has any legs. He’s a free agent and so could still be signed. Not that I think he is at all a Saintsy signing but I wonder if there is any truth in that one…

I think Joe Shields’ first hand experience of most of these young players significantly reduces the chance of duds and is a big reason why we’ve back them. Lavia and ABK for example just look born ready. Bazunu looks an improvement but need to see more to judge how good he really is, early signs very promising though. Edozie was being looked at by Leipzig and Leverkusen even last summer, I think he will surprise a few too. Which is needed really having missed out on Gakpo.

Lavia too, Oliver Kay seems to love him. Both top signings for us 👍

Only two of the 10 Athletic writers have us to be relegated at the moment on their new transfers review article.

He also knows Aribo very well from that south London street footy academy. He’s been instrumental in building our new spine with his contacts.

That’s cheap! 👍

Anyone seen the option price for AMN yet???

Indeed.

This 28 year old Ghanaian must be the replacement for Bednarek then?

I guess he’s guaranteed a starting place in their 11 and isn’t in ours but it is frustrating that a newly promoted team can beat us to signings. Leeds staying up by the skin of their teeth then outmuscling us for Gakpo in terms of transfer offer and wages. Having already signed a couple of big money players. Our sustainable model is risky but it’s how we roll.

I need an attacking link to cheer me up. We all knew it was too good to be true but Gakpo falling through has been a huge disappointment. Just picking my toys up and putting them back in the pram as I speak… Being linked to multiple back up CBs isn’t quite cutting it, I have to say.

So we meet an asking price and supposedly agree terms with player. Leeds then beat that price and he stays? Does sound a bit odd.

I see Alex Crook tweeted just after Ornstein confirmed Gakpo isn’t moving, to say reliable sources say he’s going to Leeds. He has since deleted that tweet, now saying Saints did all they could but he’s staying at PSV. If we ever needed any more evidence that Alex Crook has no sources other than to rehash more connected journalists, here it is! Guy is a fraud.

I see a young Jordi Alba. Thanks for the vid.