S-Clarke

They seem to be focusing on one thing - defence. 3 at the back, Coady, Tarkowski, holding midfielders etc. They will be an utter bore fest to watch, but it may work. Their points in recent games have come from them defending and then hitting on the break through Gordon. That genuinely seems like the tactic they're going to use.

That has always been the grumble about these late flags, they let the play go on but it could cause a bad injury to a player for actually no reason. I thought they'd adjusted it slightly this year but maybe not. Elyounoussi, against the ball, was extemporary and that is exactly why Ralph picks him. He struggles to have much impact in the attacking third due to his lack of pace, but you can't question his effort.

Exactly. It's going to be really tiring if we spend our time worrying if he's going or not, he will be going at some point but it's not on the radar yet so I don't get the fuss about it already. I get bored reading these articles ''what a team Southampton could have had if they didn't sell!'' - but they always fail to take into account that Tadic, Mane, VVD etc wouldn't have arrived had we kept Lallana, Lambert, Lovren etc. We just have to get our scouting on point so we can get over the loss of these players, but the bonus is that if they do well for us they will improve our league position and thus open the market to a higher selection.

Premier League clubs set for restrictions on spending | Sport | The Times I fail to see how these sort of changes increase competitiveness. The clubs with the higher revenues will be able to dominate the market because they can, even if we wanted to have a pop we'd be stuck.

He struggled in the first half, but that was expected as he's had very little game time. 2nd half though, even more so when Lavia went off, he was excellent. Good energy, good on the ball - and made a telling contribution to our second goal too. You can understand why we're keeping him and letting Romeu leave. We need mobility throughout the team and he certainly gives us that, he can be a little weak at times though - that's my only concern.

He's into his 5th game with us, why do we have to worry about the length of his contract and him leaving already? He will leave within the next 2 years, so just enjoy him playing for us and stop panicking that we've not tied him down for 20 years.

I thought he actually gave them something when he came on, they were so blunt before that. For £70m, wtf does Havertz do? Looked absolutely terrible. I think it was KWP who just ran past him at one point in the first half.

It didn't play very well tonight, looks like a pitch you see at the end of a season. I do think the problem is that we haven't been able to replace it for 2 years though, so it's probably going to be a case of babysitting it this year until we have a big enough gap to rip it up.

I said on the match thread, he reminds me of the CB Ralph had at RB - Dayot Upamenco. Physically imposing, quick, good touch. Seems to have a great mentality and genuine leadership qualities too, and for 20 years old that's usually a sign that he's destined for the very top as long as he keeps his head screwed on.

I had a feeling we'd do Chelsea tonight, I've not been impressed with them this season and their entire approach feels scattergun with a manger constantly throwing excuses in - so I really fancied us tonight, and we didn't disappoint. I think it took us the goal to settle into the game, Chelsea were just playing around us for the first 25 and the midfield struggled to impose themselves. Once they scored, Chelsea visibility stepped off which gave us a route in and we took it. Great equaliser from Lavia, best goal was Armstrong's though - the build up, the touch, the finish. A really, really good goal all around. The second half was a little easier than I thought it would be and I came away from that slightly disappointed that it was only 2-1! We were easily good for a 3-1 win there, it was genuinely that comfortable for the entirety of that second half. We genuinely look like a very physically imposing team, quick, strong, powerful, tall. We look athletic and are full of players who suit the style Ralph wants to employ, at f****ing last. I've always known the way we want to play, we've always had the philosophy but the players just haven't been there. ABK - epic. He's a slightly different sort of player than VVD for me, he reminds me of a guy Ralph had at RB - Dyot Upemenco. He is going to be a superstar. Lavia - equally epic. I thought he struggled in the first 20 or so mins (As most did) but once we got into the game and he got onto the ball, he controlled it. He reads the game well, snaps into tackles well, intercepts well - and can score a goal! I hope his injury isn't too bad, he was walking around normally at the end - so hopefully a week or two at most. Adam Armstrong enjoys that left side playing as an inverted winger. He seems to play that role well. He's not physically imposing enough to do a job up top in this league, but as an option to stretch and cut in from the left it seems to work. Adams was my MOTM though. All of his best work was outside of the box, weirdly. His hold up play and intelligence to win fouls has been something missing from our game for a while. I can't remember Che having as good a 'focal point' game as he did tonight, he bullied Chelsea's CB's and they couldn't handle him. Every other player was excellent as well, but they were just my stand out picks. Overall a very enjoyable evening, as comfortable as we've had for some time against a 'decent' side (although Chelsea looked far away from being an actual team tonight). If we can get ourselves some extra in attack and midfield before Thursday then we are set. Given the success of our scouting this summer, I'm excited by who we will get.

That shipped sailed in January, that was our opportunity if we really wanted to pursue it. Game over as soon as Feb rolled around. He won't go anywhere this window, but he will be shipped off out in loan in January I reckon.

ABK did take a knock on Saturday, but did carry on.

I wonder what would happen to DT if we signed Winks and sold JWP to Spurs. Self destruct?

Massive loss for them. I guess they'll go for RLC at Wing back, or 'Dave'

I think the reality is that to compete we will need to spend £30m on individual players from time to time. You've got Forest splurging £35m on Gibbs-White, West Ham on all sorts, Leeds spent £30m on Aaronsen (and spent £30m fees windows before that). Villa have spent big on individuals, so have Everton in a window where they are not so 'flush'. I think SR appreciate that and we need to join the party. I'm not advocating us spending £150m on multiple big signings, but we 'should' be able to get a single £30m+ signing over the line if we are really serious about competing in this league - which I think we are.

Typo in the tweet. Stengs is currently at Nice

They do seem to be shopping about for a replacement.

I'll be sad about this one, I'll miss him. His legs have gone as we saw last season, but he's been great under Ralph. It's hard not to begrudge him a move back home on a decent secure contract, he's only got 1 year left here and obviously we're not looking to extend. We can't leave ourselves short though, so he'd need to be replaced with experience. Nothing other than good things to say about him if he does go. Leaves in a similar vein to Yoshi, signed as a squad player but never moaned, complained and contributed when required.

Sounds like this is more of an agent lead one as opposed to us being totally in for him. I imagine it hangs on Bednarek going and Caltea-Car being presented as a bargain to us.

Oh yeah for sure, some of the stuff (probably more than we actually realise) they spout is nothing more than lies to drum up clicks and the such. Builds the drama, increases their viewership and gives them more money in advert revenue (their deadline day is actually sponsored by leading brands now).

I can see something like that. £25m guaranteed and 10-15m in add on's based on things like apps, international apps, PL finishes etc. Whether we're prepared to go there...who knows. Probably somewhat unlikely, but I imagine SR are looking around at the PL and seeing Forest, Leeds, WHU, Villa and even everton spending £30m upwards on individual players this summer. I don't think the ''we won't spend £30-40m'' on a single is particularly sustainable when you see the rest of the league.

Don't do that to us!

That's what forums are for! 😅 My forum star moment was when I proclaimed Elyounoussi would add strength and pace to our attack.

This is the same club that spunked £25m on Solanke and £19 on Ibe. More nonsense from Sky Sports experts.

It's not like Sky to make it up as they go a long. The chuckle brothers are being briefed as we speak.