Saint Matty 76

Hope we don't struggle to keep up the domination here, tend to sit back on 1-0 leads a lot (other than West Ham). Need another goal soon-ish and then really get at them.

Not going Austin's way right now, fancy him to get one second half though.

Too much confidence.

What are you on about...

So unlucky from Austin, what an effort.

Think that's our strongest team with the exception of Boufal and the question of Redmond or Long. Very happy with that. Their full-backs look very week too.

Austin Tadic - Boufal - Redmond Hojbjerg - Romeu Bertrand - Fonte - van Dijk - Cedric Forster Still convinced this will be our best team and there's no inclination to whether it'll be where we go once Boufal is fit, or if he'll try and spoon him in as a second striker or even drop Tadic. Looks good though, that attacking trio creating chances for Austin will surely produce goals.

Has to be Austin and one of Redmond/Long now. Can't be the latter two.

Rumours of a £21m bid for him rejected from West Brom. Always said this Summer that are main priority after Boufal should be a DM, would give us an excellent side. Austin Tadic - Boufal - Redmond Carvalho - Hojbjerg Bertrand - Fonte - van Dijk - Cedric Forster McCarthy, Yoshida, Targett, Clasie, Davis, Rodriguez, Long

Would much rather Ziyech to Stanciu, seems weird if we go for the latter.

Boufal and Haller would probably be my best case scenario. Or Boufal and Ghezzal if we're going to go back to the 4231.

I feel like two from 3 if Rodriguez is going.

What's the point in us keeping Jay Rod here right now? He won't get in the team and he needs constant matches to regain fitness to get him anywhere near where he was. He's useless in the role he's currently in and if we could loan him out for a year as part of a deal where we land Berahino it'd be great business.

Jay Rod obviously.

Want: Forster Pied - Fonte - van Dijk - Bertrand Romeu - Hojbjerg Long - Tadic - Redmond Austin Expect: Forster Cedric - Fonte - van Dijk - Targett Romeu Hojbjerg - Davis Tadic Long - Redmond

For me we're still two players off a really good team and an improved one on last year. Austin Tadic - NEW - Redmond Hojbjerg - NEW Bertrand - Fonte - van Dijk - Cedric Forster McCarthy, Yoshida, Pied, Romeu, Clasie, Rodriguez, Long Targett, Gardos, Reed, Ward-Prowse, Davis Such a shame that the DM isn't seemingly going to happen, I think we could get by with just a #10 but it'd be disappointing.

Couldn't agree more. A negative net spend this Summer would be embarrassing.

Meltdown in 3, 2, 1...

Not particularly, considering.. Juanmi was replaced by Redmond. Stekelenburg was replaced by McCarthy. Martina was replaced by Pied. Three significant improvements wouldn't you say? If we do bring in a top CAM/LM to replace Mane then our squad will be better in my opinion, especially if Rodriguez comes back into things as a squad player too.

Pelle was replaced by Austin. Wanyama was replaced by Romeu. Schneiderlin was replaced by Hojbjerg. Mane hasn't been replaced yet. Not that bad if you ask me, only significant downgrade is Wanyama to Romeu, which I agree is a bit of a concern.

Feel like our lack of width may be a big issue here with Valencia, Shaw, Martial and Lingard/Depay/Mkhitaryan going up against our two full backs. Would be surprised if we still ran diamond but who knows.

Adam Blackmore ‏@bigadamsport 4m4 minutes ago #saintsfc fans asking about in-comings, I'll reiterate what I said b4. Puel has to spend, but currently he is happy to start season as is Not sure how much he knows. Hopefully not a lot!

I swear Guan never mentioned anything happening today specifically?

It'll be 90 minutes of us struggling to break them down.

Do either of them have a history of getting anything right though? Find it hard to be excited by anyones "ITK" posts on here other than Guan/kbilly any more.