S-Clarke

He makes good runs off the ball, grew into it last night. Still doesn't look a huge threat yet though. One thing I noticed is that he seems alone? When they were applauding the fans at the end he was just on his own stood there, he doesn't seem to be fully integrated into the group 'yet'. Might just be his style, but I thought it was interesting.

Ah he really was holding out for the mega retirement payday then!

We are already stocked there - albeit not stacked with proven quality, but they're not going to throw most of the budget (20m) on another striker before anything else. They need to prioritise 10 and wide areas, if there's anything left after that then CM and only after then a number 9.

Possibly - I thought Will was quite candid in almost naming him, so it must have been close? I think he's the sort of profile we'd want, Bree is so far away from being suitable for us nowadays (if he ever was). Left back is an interesting one now too, as Wellington is out for a few months (confirmed by Will). Charlie was being offered around.

Wellington looks to be out for a few months. Still has said he still needs to see a specialist, but they're expecting a few months. I assume it was his knee. That probably puts an end to Taylor leaving.

Yeah I don't believe they would, as Verona have said they've got an option to buy it's probably safe to assume we have done so. We extended Tylers by a year, but obviously no announcement on tha.

I think I read somewhere that we triggered our option (to try to protect the value and get the fee we wanted - i.e 7-10m), so he's here until 2027. Bit of a dumb move as per usual if true.

Confirmed on the OS Bella-Kotchap heads to Hellas Verona | Southampton FC Official Site

I thought CM was our achilles heel last time out in the Championship, and that was with a committed Downes. From what I've seen, Charles should be the box to box energy in our midfield, but there needs to be power and physicality next to him to shield and anchor the CM. If we had that, with Charles and Fernandes pressing high, we'd have so much more control and domination in there. I always had my doubts if Downes would fit into a high press/high energy style, and it's bearing true at the moment it has to be said. He's basically a better version of Smallbone, but neither are the right sort of CM for this approach.

Don't be silly, the club were delighted to sign Bree having tracked him for many many years. (standard spiel)

Sunderland knocked out by L1 Huddersfield, and Leeds knocked out by depleted Wednesday. What an effort by Wednesday so far this season though, they can barely put out a match day squad half the time.

I'm not sure how good Watford are, they've signed 9-10 new players this window or something crazy like that. And obviously they have a new manager, that's pretty much par the course. Absolutely no idea what to expect from them. I notice they have Max Allayne on loan from Man City, isn't he the kid they nabbed from us?

He hasn't been infected by Russball, so he's free of all that pass back nonsense. It shows. You don't need to be an amazing player to move forward, but if you do have a tiny bit of quality when you do so it can make a huge difference.

Matski and Matsuki are quality. Who knew we had them both in our squad, maybe we don't need attacking additions afterall. In all seriousness he's someone I've liked the look of during pre-season, he's agile and can nip in and around in space. I wouldn't say he's a traditional CM, can probably play that 10.

First half was a bit dull and too slow, but we always had a tiny edge I felt - and then Archer got a good goal. Second half was much more of what I think Still wants from us. Purpose, driving forward and more control. We dictated that second half and Norwich had no real sniffs at all. Really good lively performances from Fraser and Archer. I've always liked the looks of Matsuki, and he's a really busy little player too - think he may chip in a bit this season. Mads slotted into the side like he's never been out of it, he's the sort of no nonsense sensible signing we need to continue doing. The most comfortable win since our Championship season last time out, it feels odd. (PNE at home I think)

It would be ultimate peak SR to extend Jack Stephens and sell Ronnie Edwards. We do have quite a few CB's, but he's one of the last I'd consider for dumping. Wood would come first.

It's been a bit shit to be honest, I think we've been the slightly more composed when we've strung a few passes together, but it's been rare. Wood comes across as thick as shit, like he's not all there. He plays and looks like it. The back 3 just confuses the lot of them too. It's been a bit messy. Lots of energy from Downes, but no real forward penetration and having Charles and Downes in there slows us down - without someone playing ahead in a 10. Fraser and Archer have been busy, albeit lacking a sharp enough touch. Archer with a great little finish. Highlight of the first half, feels a bit pre-season friendlyish. As we were though, not enough penetration up top and we're way too slow to build up. Mads looks our most accomplished player.

Think it was meant for Saint_Lambden who you quoted.

It's impossible to know really, it was all a bit tragic. We kept the momentum and completed the dream he had, but the money wasn't going to last forever - we needed alternative streams and creative ways of generating it, we're a tiny club in comparison with most in the PL so it was becoming more and more difficult to complete - esp with FFP/PSR coming into play, which kills clubs like us. We needed external investment and we tried so hard to find it, and ended up with Gao which was a laugh. What I would say is that Markus would be turning in his grave right now though, his entire vision has been bulldozed and demolished by SR. There is a genuine possibility we could be back to where we started if SR don't sort their shit out.

It's weird because he's never really played 3 at the back at any previous club he's been at. It's stuff like this which makes you wonder if tactics and style/shape is being dictated above the manager, but surely not. That would be a bit too far fetched.

I'd like to see Stewart get his first 90mins for us, it would be a good test of his condition.

I think Still said this match would be around managing minutes. Fernandes didn't have as a complete pre-season as the rest, and played all the game at the weekend - his first 90mins I think. That's my positive slant on it anyway.

I wouldn't say that's good enough myself. Azaz alone is a 100% upgrade on what we have, so I wouldn't be unhappy with that at all. He's a good player at the top end of this league. Rak Saki - no idea if he's any better than what we have in Edozie, or even SAA who we let go. He's not what I'd call an instant upgrade, which is what we need. He's another kid with potential upside. The loans will be where the value is IMO, that's where I think we may pull off some surprising deals. We had no idea on the THB last season, he'd just been promoted from this league as a Champion with Burnley, so that was a huge pickup. I'd expect similar status loans.

El Khannouss may be staying at Leicester - It could be posturing and forcing someone to bid more money, but like with us keeping hold of Matty, that would be a good bit of news for Leicester.

We've known we've needed better in attack and 10 all summer, since July, yet all we've managed to sort so far are two unproven kids/project signings from 2.Bundesliga, a third choice GK and a smart pickup at RB once Suguwara was off. I'm hoping so much that we're all proven wrong and we end the window with such a good squad, but my positivity feels more ill-judged as the days tick down, of which there aren't many left.