Badger

Do you mean the turnstiles at the Man Utd home game ?

I’m not convinced by Johnston but don’t know a great deal about him other than he’s rated as one of the better English gk available at the moment. This isn’t such a great accolade as it used to be if you remember the days of Shilton/Clemence and then about half a dozen English keepers who might have stood a chance of international football but for them. The one good season is a concern though. Remember the Cardiff GK when they were relegated ? Never really established himself again did he ? There is an obvious reason that Johnston as an English gk may be attractive, consider these options: • Johnstone , English, 28,free next summer, or knockdown fee in January ? or for example (at random) •Polish bloke with massive beard at Fiorentina (who was mentioned during this thread) 24 (?), at £10m Dint think it takes too much working out as to why Johnston might be the attractive option, and if it allows £10m investment elsewhere might be the right way to go. True that we’ve gone for English GK over recent years. At one time there was the “language” issue organising the defence, but think we’re past that line of thought now. Niemi was a damn sight better organising those in front of him than most we’ve had. “Up and coming” GK ? As back up, fine but think it’s a position where you also need experience as a first choice starter. Preferably one that isn’t one of the current pair.

I think you and I are in complete agreement here Totton Saint in that we’d both like to see Alan Ball or a reincarnation of him in our team again. I can’t name a player in the modern game who comes close, which is the point I was making. Others might refer to recent players who were inspirational to their teams on occasion (off the top of my head, Gerrard) but don’t think he comes close to the drive and skill of Bally. I do recall the Man City game. Think it was a quarter final at The Dell in December. Have a number if personal reasons to recall the match, December 1978. It was probably Channon’s first return to The Dell after going to City. Don’t recall the particular passing you’re referring to but I do remember the following season how Ball, Golac and Channon used to play some amazing one touch football at a high tempo down our right hand side. Tell that to kids today, and they won’t believe you.

Shame. We needed a decent left footer at one stage as well.

Have read this here before. I was going to ask why he wasn't considered to replace Souness, then I remembered it was Lowe who made the appointment. Dave Jones !!!

Did he have a dance routine on there as well ?

That always seems a good sales line trotted out by the player's agent to the media, and the buying club, possibly even the selling club if it has hiked the price. Does wonders for the player's image and ego as it does for the Director of Football who likes to bask in the success of this great signing. Trouble is the same shit was spouted when we signed Tommy Fourpast.

Don't think Kelvin was particularly rated amongst the fans at the time, although Bialkowski was regarded as a reasonably promising "custodian" in goal. If you're allowed "glovesman" I'll raise you a "custodian".

Didn't think those two let us down though. Seem to remember many were hoping we'd sign Wright permanently, and concern that Lucketti wouldn't play v Sheffield Utd (his parent club) in the last game decider. "Glovesman " - wtf ???

That surprises me. When he was on his way out I thought the consensus, and often repeated on here, was that they didn't rate him, and thought he was too small etc.

Christ it was depressing reading some of those names, which I'd conveniently blotted out of my mind. Schneiderlin - was always a strange signing that Rupert could find £1m for him at the time. Cork - as I recall we just couldn't afford to keep him. Wotton - think you're being a bit unfair on him, I always felt he was one of the battlers prepared to throw himself on the line for us in desperate times, but had lost a lot with age. Never doubted his commitment though.

Indeed. Great inspirational buy he was as well. Certainly an all time Saints hero of mine. But for all his great qualities I don't think he falls within the player in the modern game category that I referred to.

Why would he have been back up ?

I thought the Positives/Negatives you've listed are a decent summary, and difficult to argue with, although MLG managed to ! Think you're being a bit generous in your 7.5 assessment though, time will tell. For me I'd rate it 6/10, because although pleased with the incomings, I'd also have liked Getting rid of more dross (as well as 'deadwood'), and I'd include Redmond, and Elyounoussi in that, (hoping they prove me wrong over a season rather in just a week) GK's - no further comment required DM & CB - much needed experience and physical presence Lyanco is a strange one, I suspect he'll be one of two extremes, a revelation or a self destructing hand grenade. Bit of a risk. In terms of CB and DM would have liked a more proven player, although difficult on our budget. To use a 'Borisism' players coming in here should have been 'oven ready' !

That is being greedy !! Can't think of any player in the modern game that comes close, let alone one that might come to us - or we could afford - aged 31.

Think his time at Villa and Burnley suggest he has.

Not sure a "Jimmy Case" is still around these days, but agree with you. For me Delaney was a stand out option, but we passed it by, presumably due to age and the notion of resale value. Short sighted view in my book, whilst we wouldn't get the "resale" in him , his experience - or someone like him - would have brought others on rather than them having to find their feet in a struggling team short of organisation and low on morale after a few defeats, with the odd pasting thrown in.

Just in time for last orders at The Potters Heron.

Would FF have got there ? Or would have been left flatfooted ? Moot point, and we'll never know, but give McCarthy credit for doing what he had to.

Sod's law he'll be injured just after the window closes. I know Ralph has said others can play in this role, and perhaps Lyanco could step up into it but otherwise we lack a physical presence and ball winner

If this is correct he's a free agent. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/12369960/olivier-ntcham-leaves-celtic-after-four-year-spell Thought I read somewhere that his attitude was questioned by Marseille whist he was there last season.

That's a good point actually, especially if we don't know where Lyanco is going to fit in, DM or CB, wonder if Ralph knows yet ! Depending on this we could be in need of a CB or MF. (Oh, and a GK of course).

True, especially in Koopmeiners case that would be an enormous pull, but Delaney has played in the CL for Dortmund so possibly the attraction of the EPL (and wages) might have swung it. All conjecture of course. Delaney is a 29 year old with International and CL experience. Bringing that quality and experience at the figures mentioned made sense to me.

Annoying as both should have been within our price range. Delaney looked to be exactly what we needed. Koopmeiners less experienced but looks good, although have to caveat that and say so did Jordie Clasie from his days in Netherlands.

Creating a space in the ground for the standing section might present a challenge, but could be the easy part. Once it's available can we attract the right sort of fans in sufficient numbers to fill it and create an atmosphere ? Bearing in mind many see the match day ritual as being close to the away fans I wonder if we'd uncover a new generation of teens- early 30's to attend after a few beers (often a few too many), or will it be a recycling of existing 'family' fans with thermos flasks who will go to The Chapel end because that's where they've always gone. Doubt the fans to 'create an atmosphere' are the type of fans the club - with it's poncey wine bar prices and £89 luxury seats - are now targetting to be honest. The former 'dockers enclosure' of the old lower tier East Stand at The Dell probably doesn't meet the target 'customer profile' these days.* *shame really as I found it quite educational there, especially increasing the vocabulary and knowledge of things that weren't talked about in School in the 1970's