Badger

So why haven’t we insisted on an obligation to buy if they’re promoted? If as you say that’s the acknowledged plan there might not have been too much resistance. Perhaps we’ve been too trusting, or naive in our negotiations.

Hate to break it to you, but we probably won’t have that concern in a few weeks. I think SkintSaint summed it up, if he’s any good he’ll probably sign for another Prem club once we’re down.

Should be drummed out the club for taking to the pitch with his socks like that.

Agree, it’s strange how that has worked out. Of the signings made I thought he was worth the risk for the fee given his scoring record at Sheff Utd last season. Archer though, I’m still scratching my head about. As for BBD I expect he’ll be back in the summer. If Sheff Utd go up, they’ll probably look to upgrade, and if they don’t then can’t see them buying him. The £10m looks like a bit of a sweetener or padding on the deal.

Just hope he helps to sauté the defence out

Aren’t Genoa one of Spors clubs ? (If so, I like him already - although perhaps worrying if Cornet is the sort of signing we can expect from him)

What exactly is the distinction between Technical Director, and Sporting director ?

The Lemina ‘connection’ started with reference to Hobbs (DoF from Wolves) who was also linked. Spors certainly isn’t tarnished by this at all. And agree, appears a potentially good appointment.

That ended well. Suggest you look again. (Unashamedly borrowed off Defectors thread). https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14290017/Wolves-boss-Vitor-Pereira-reveals-Mario-Lemina-wants-LEAVE-left-defeat-Newcastle-midfielder-stripped-captaincy-following-pitch-scuffle-Jarrod-Bowen-month.html Agree with you that he has skill, and the potential, but also his ego and head give him a self-destruct button that seems to override his talent wherever he goes.

Good work.

Not with his attitude he wouldn't be. Agree he could be, but he's not really shown the application over a sustained period for ages, possibly throughout his career.

The skates will probably reveal their fathers were in the same SS division. You know, the one Markus Liebherr was in. (Despite the fact none of them were born at the time).

Be good if we can appoint someone who’ll be willing to stick around for a few years. (Assuming they’re any good).

Wolves fan told me Hobbs is quite divisive among their supporters, some good, some bad signings. ( Remember they signed Lemina !). Difficult assessing anyone like a DoF at Wolves because of their agent links. No idea how good or bad their scouting really is, or would be without it. Spors, no idea. Anyone with any knowledge of Genoa or his other clubs ?

In answer to your last point, I suspect ££££ is the answer And if you want a DOF with a phone fixed to his ear for transfers we probably don’t need to go to Italy. There used to be someone matching that description in Sandbanks

The whole team would be better with a Jimmy Case type player. The challenge is to find one, and one that we can afford.

Just emphasises the folly of sticking with Martin as long as we did.

About 5 minutes gone. Have we conceded, or had anyone sent off yet ?

Possibly, but presumably the rejection was that we weren’t prepared to pay the compensation demanded. As for the summer I always felt that Juric is a temporary appointment. But in Saints fashion, expect Leicester to sack Van Nistlerooy, and appoint Rohl, whilst we sit idly by.

Agree some further action is needed before we get too enthusiastic. I don’t recall any interviews but seem to a recall a previous statement put out of ‘mea culpa’ , possibly after the 2023 relegation, saying he should have taken a closer personal interest. Perhaps someone will provide a link showing that was someone else. Please do if that’s the case. Taken at face value this weeks news is promising, but does seem a bit of familiarity to it, and feeling of haven’t we been here before? The next appointments made will prove if there are grounds for optimism backing this weeks development.

Sounds our sort of player... Agree with you about Brooks by the way.

I've seen reference to this on here before. Where does this link to Souness come from ?

Another good example of where our scouting and recruitment policy has let us down. A good proven goal scorer, available at an affordable price, and within our budget (although wages may be different of course), but it appears that like the Huddersfield chairman when considering Lambert we decided there was 'no resale' value and moved on. Some of the best teams we've had in my lifetime have mixed old heads and younger players. A couple of years ago Thomas Delaney the Danish international was linked, I think he was 31 at the time. Seemed an ideal option to some of us on here, experienced, and proven, playing defensive MF which we needed. The more 'modern man' on here sneered at the suggestion of signing 'experienced ' players for 'leadership', and mirrors Saints approach. To me, signing someone like Delaney, or Wood would help the younger players flourish, rather than throwing them together to sink in the EPL. I doubt Steve Williams would have become the player he did, without Alan Ball guiding him in his early days. But that of course is just an observation from a Mark One Eyeball, rather than from a bastard spreadsheet or algorithm.

Might not be a popular opinion but Sir Clive Woodward probably had a fair bit to offer, some of which has been taken up in later years for ‘marginal gains’ etc in various sports. What was ridiculous though is spending £ on his salary when we could not afford it after relegation, and worse still timing it to work alongside ‘arry.

Today seems a good start.