Saint Matty 76

We're also bringing in at least £130m in sales so it's all a bit relative. Also, regarding Charles, he made us look 10x better when he came on against Norwich so I'm not sure there's much criticism warranted here.

I get that, but we literally need both. We’ve conceded 8 goals this season and about 6 of them have been from set pieces? Reducing the height of our team even further sounds like suicide. I don’t think it’s too much to ask for a good defender who is also capable of being beneficial aerially, not a compromise required where we can only have one or the other.

I loved the idea of Ronnie Edwards but after seeing our set-piece issues, and the fact we only have two starters over 6ft as it is, it may not be wise to go after a 5’11 CB. Similar to Holgate who is just 6ft, and shit.

It wasn't on the highlights, but I believe their manager mentioned it was onside post-game? Like I said, I'm unsure (sorry!) but the point is that he still fucked up a routine save. No need to skirt around the entire point and pick out one slight technicality.

The reaction around us in the Northam when we gave away a 30 yard free-kick was somewhat similar to conceding a penalty. To nobodies surprise he absolutely fluffed it and I have no idea if it were actually offside. I don't blame him on any of the four actual goals this time to be fair. If the majority of the fans in the stadium are so worried, I wonder what the defence think?

Bit of a lazy question but useful to know for future games - did we manage to find a stream?

Had a great time today, been a while since I’ve thought that at St Mary’s. Feel like we’ll score 4 goals playing like that a lot of a time, not sure we’ll concede 4. Delighted with Shea’s cameo too, the issue first half was with the unbalanced midfield. Che has to start whenever he’s here.

Need Downes in ASAP, midfield so easily overrun with Stu and Alcaraz, clearly doesn’t trust Charles. 3 shots on target 3 goals, don’t know if any of them were particularly his fault but it’s not surprising any more is it. Either way, most fun at St Mary’s for a while!

Bit annoying that. The block right behind the goal looks basically empty at this point, rough for atmosphere as well.

Don't disagree. I think Che's contract situation and PL will force us into this sale, rather than Arma.

If we can get £15m and that's also Swansea's asking price for Piroe... nothing lost.

Downes/Charles Grimes/Smallbone - Alcaraz/Armstrong Doesn't feel particularly overkill to me across a 46 game season.

Jack Stephens confirmed new captain.

Yeah. I imagine realistically we've been quite open with Lavia and let him know that £50m does it. I can't see us going back on that if it's the case, even if it could've with the circumstances.

Well then, fingers crossed that we're willing to tell Liverpool that it's no longer just £50m.

You’d assume so. Not sure why anyone would think this changes him leaving. £110m for Caicedo in the end. £50m on Lavia will end up being the better deal in my opinion.

Aribo was fine off the bench against Sheffield Wednesday I thought. I also imagine that SAA is firmly ahead of Djenepo in the impact sub list at this stage. Che/AA, SAA, Stu and Aribo is a brilliant list of bench options, if you want to look at it in a more positive light.

Could end up being a really well timed injury if it keeps him here and he's fit around September time. ABK, Stephens, Bednarek, Lyanco & Awe would be absolutely fine for this season. Obviously I'm hoping Lyanco goes and we'd replace him, but I can't see that as too likely with the 3 in front of him, unless anything changes with ABK of course.

It would be about right that the loan would fall through after JWP is announced.

Ornstein saying Chelsea have bid £48m. I'd lose the £2m just to piss off Liverpool after how long it's taken them.

It all depends on the context, really. Has he given more to the club than all but a select few in the last 35 years? Yes. Does he scratch the surface of the top 5 players we've had in even the last 10 years? Not for me.

Does certainly look worse when probably our best player in Alcaraz is left out. The big question will be if we go for Charles/Smallbone/Alcaraz, or something a bit more attacking in Smallbone/Stu/Alcaraz this weekend. Realistically I doubt Stu is ready for a start, so it'll probably be the former.

Unbelievably that is a genuine name and he is a legitimate reporter, must have been a tough upbringing.

Disappointed as the lack of movement until this point had me slightly hopeful that he'd have ended up staying for the year to get us back up, and be considered an actual legend of this era. A good move for him. European football and gives himself the opportunity to play for the chance of a spot in the Euros, however unlikely I may think that really is. Hope his career doesn't somewhat peter out like Ings' has, but at least he'll have the PL free-kick record in hand. Overall a bit disappointed, but nothing against JWP who always gave it his all, where so many others haven't over the past few years.

Confirms we were in for him then, to no real surprise.