Badger

Only if he's considered good enough now, or considered likely to develop to that standard. If not, it's better that he gets game time in the Championship than stagnates on the fringes of our squad. The danger is though that he goes somewhere - Stoke or QPR for example - and just becomes a bench player there. If he does it begs the question whether he's being mismanaged whilst away or perhaps isn't up to the standard. I always felt that Jack Stephens time away wasn't too beneficial to him.

Already twinned with Southampton as well (or used to be).

.. all very well and good but what about the catering in the concourse ?

For 'fun' and not expecting this but : Strikers:1) as a priority one of Kalajdzic or Sesko, and 2) a second striker, possibly a loan 3)MF : Grillitsch (available on a 'free' as out of contract), Austrian international, linked with others (Italy, Turkey, and even Brighton !). Would be a good DM , and also played CB for part of last season. Think he's 26 so probably considered too old, 4) WB: Maehle, previously linked but I read somewhere Atalanta would sell for £17m, probably outside our budget and range of £10-12m teenagers, but can play right or left side as WB or FB. AM : (or a "10" in new money terms), no idea .... might be a trade off between an AM and second striker 5)CB: still think we're crying out for a leader here, a Fonte or a Ken Monkou type . If we're not signing an older head for this role then following our prototype signings, Collwill looks to be one with a decent reputation and potential for growth. Kaladjic or Sesko would be the priority. Will be disppointed if we don't bring in someone of their like offering height and some power up front. Outs : Djenepo, Elynoussi, Redmond, Tella, Bednarek (for a decent fee), Valery... difficult to keep the exits to 5.

Early days but has BK shown anything to suggest he’s ready for the rough and tumble of EPL at his age ? We all hope we’ve unearthed a gem, but equally he could turn out to be Danso Mk II.

Nearly our new home kit on display

It's dreadful, but not as bad as the change kit which takes us to another level of shit.

Some of us are used to it.

On tuning in we were facing our own goal defending so it looked like white shirts, black shorts, a very un-Saints like appearance unless an away kit. I then heard the commentator say about a porr back pass from Stephens so I knew I was in the right place. "McCartney left stranded " was another phrase that seemed familiar. Pre-season or not, we have too many 'empty shirts' with us still.

Wishful thinking. (Any of those you mention would improve our team).

Wonder if we're waiting on Sasa Kalajdzic, who in turn is likely to be biding his time for Bayern or Man Utd. If either of those two are interested then we're wasting our time. According to this though, no bids have been made. https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/07/17/were-in-excellent-talks-chief-drops-bombshell-on-man-utd-spurs-target/

Has a loan for him even been suggested ? Apologies if it has, I've missed it.

Can't see us paying the sort of money spurs would want to sign him as a squad player (at the age of 26).

Think Adams lacks a left foot as well rather than it just being composure

Ted Bates had a run on missing out on full backs as Tommy Gemmill was another c 1970/71. That seemed quite an exciting prospect to me at the time (aged about 9 or 10). Gemmill was a full Scotland international, and had been part of the 1967 Celtic team who won the European Cup. in a match Scotland lost to put an end to their World Cup qualifying hopes, Gemmill had been sent off for kicking a West German. I've no doubt he'd have been at home with the Alehouse team we had at the time. I remember reading he attended a couple of matches at The Dell so it seemed a matter of time before his signing was announced. Except he didn't sign. Joined Forest instead. Don't think that went too well so perhaps we dodged one there.

I've never read what went wrong there and why it didn't go through. Although we weren't linked with him at the time (so technically outside the original post) another player we were interested in around the same time as La Ling was Trevor Francis. Story was later told that Lawrie and John Bond had agreed a deal for Francis to join us from Man City with either Williams or Graham Baker going the other way, plus cash. Saints board had agreed it but the then City chairman Peter Swales vetoed it in fear of a fans backlash.

Sad news, especially as too young to go. My recollection of him was that on arrival he was considered to have a lot of potential although a tall order to replace Chris Nicholl. Think he started the season okay, but lost form and after Lawrie settled on the Wright-Agboola combination Ken Armstrong lost his place.

Depends who or what is coming in.

The figure for Pedersen was said to be c £8m. Kabore c £17m, although City might let him go out on loan. For us it might be a choice of whether we want to loan him or Delap from City, if at all, or buy for one or other position.

Especially if there's a buy back clause as he was a player spurs were looking to get shot of at the time with no future there. But - £30m for KWP, and Feyenoord looking for c £8m for Pedersen, you can see how the club might view it. The downside of course being KWP's versatility to play both RB & lb.

The good thing about signing players from Glasgow is that they come complete with a song (perhaps it’s part of the deal): And for a more classical style: Not sure about smuggling a piano into St Mary’s mind

Likely to be our best but if recruitment this summer. Good that we bring someone in with a known track record. Compare this with the recruitment of Ross Wilson., brought in because Les rated him and had been tracking him for a couple of seasons and wanted him because …, (we’re still waiting for that to be answered) Have to hope SR can match his ambitions and keep him here for a successful partnership rather than see him doing a Paul Mitchell in a year or so

Wonder if he’ll accept a couple from Bednarek, Elynoussi, Djeneppo, and Redmond then ?

Think you’re probably right on the first point. Not sure of who will be considered or prove to be better. I like the look of Kaladjzik, and Sesko (last one only mentioned on here by someone), but no strong links to either in truth. Both would probably cost less than Broja, although Sesko is younger and unproven. Also wonder if Chelsea would look to sell to a club who with a run of form could be a direct rival for a top four finish. West Ham not that far away potentially with some good signings, Newcastle an unknown but certainly have the funds to buy their way in. Chelsea would probably prefer their former players making a difference at our end of the table. Just a thought, although it probably will come down to ££ as ever.

Depending on the price of course, I’d disagree with you. I’ve seen £25-30m mentioned for Broja in the press, whereas the article about Kalidjzic says Stuttgart are looking for £21m. Not sure we’d go for Kalidjzic though but strikes me as a better immediate option at the price.Unless we can agree a decent deal with Chelsea.