Badger

Mills was a RB. Although one of the few players who could easily make the switch to the left and still remained comfortable, and composed on the ball. I think he's largely forgotten among all the experienced 'coming to the end of their careers' signings Lawrie made, but really good signing at the time. Incredible to think of signing an experienced ex-England captain for £50,000 or whatever it was back then.

Not sure. I feel sorry for Adkins in that he has taken a few 'basket case' jobs since leaving us: Reading (in a financial and ownership state whilst he was there), and Hull who he turned round reasonably well with limited resources. Wonder if Huddersfield are better resourced than Hull despite the parachute payments. His time at Sheff Utd was a poor return, especially when you see what Wilder has done there since. Hope Huddersfield turns out well for him if he does go there though.

A day of developments for former Saints, now in the manager stakes: Garry Monk https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49610317 And Kevin Bond. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49538878 Neither of whom I'd regards as "defectors" as players, but Bond's association with Redkn0b and his following him from and back to the skates does make him fair game for this thread.

Or Dennis Hollywood. Although I stand by my earlier post re Mark Dennis and David Peach.

My preferred LB's in the 50 years I've been watching Saints: 1)Mark Dennis 2)David Peach. Obviously from different eras, not sure Dennis would remain on the pitch long now, and Peach probably not as athletic as the current generation so judged from their own era. Wayne Bridge might have been a better footballer than the above but Dennis and Peach were the most entertaining.

He's probably the best paid player in Leganes history. Problem being it's us footing the bill. NiceoneLes#

Not sure the two go together but reap what you sow and all that.

Remarkable bit of footage that is. The second goal looks to be scored by a CB called Forren. Just the sort of CB we could do with...wonder where he is now. The GK should also take 'credit' for his part in Ely's goal.

Agree. I fear that he is equally p!ssed off by the standard and level of recruiting this summer. Semmens and Ross Wilson may come across as an encouraging new breed in replacing Ralph K and Les but the management and direction still leaves a lot to be desired. In their defence they are still picking up the pieces of the Les Reed years and it will take some years to overcome that. Then there is the Mr Gao question, what does he want, and how does he magic up some funds to achieve it ?

I don't think he had the comfort of two games before the barracking started, I recall a few loons making sarcastic cheers after about 35 minutes or so after he won a header.

Pleased for him, hope he does enough to make the move permanent. If not it'll at least do his confidence a world of good.

No doubt their enthusiasm has been fired by some random tweet by some bloke called Wee Les McReed.

Agree with much of this. Adams looked strong and a 'handful' during the first half against Liverpool and showed some pace and ability to hold the ball up. A goal under his belt and his confidence will be up and we'll see a half decent return for a first season in this league (I'm hoping between 10-15 goals). Ings remains a concern in front of goal even if some of his passing and link up play is good to watch (Brighton last week).

Fair points raised. If only one of them could be relied upon and wasn't mistake ridden. Obvious excuse Danso from this as he's still to feature in this position.

Central Defence. NO EXCUSES.

Interesting analysis. One point though re their second goal, it was Bednarek who lost possession but when watching the highlights later the 'challenge' from Vestergaard was pretty weak as Firmino skipped past him. I'd apportion the blame for that goal to be with Bednarek (had that been Stephens there would be uproar) but it did highlight how frail we are at the back.

Sure that'll be available at Forest Green away in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Think one may be his brother (and manager) from a Youtube film I saw about him (0.28 on film). This is the link to the first of four:

We did need someone more capable of putting the ball in the net without doubt, so the signing of a striker was a sensible move, just hope Adams lives up to billing. However it was equally obvious the defence needed sorting, and ideally a full clear out. Never going to happen withour financial costraints, but a CB should have been ahead of Djenepo in the prioties. Looking at Brighton on MOTD the last night, noy only have they retained their main CB, Dunk, they've got a £20m CB on the bench. Not sure I'd blame Ralph for the squad, he was probably also expecting a greater change of playing staff, but again recruitment has been inadequate. Problem is historic due to Reed, and unfortunately Gao doesn't look like offering any remedy.

Sorry, no such quick remedy, there's another 36 instalments of this to go after Saturday.

Unfortunately don't think you can coach him head to feet co-ordination very easily. Sometimes you get the impression they are operating in different time zones.

but we've already seen an improvement between the sticks so some good has come from it..

Sharpe always came across as one the games nice blokes, who dealt with a personal family tragedy in a dignified way. Pleased for him, hope he does well this season, although not at our expense of course.

I wish they wouldn't ask such banal questions in these clips. "Well Kevin, can you just give us your opinion on this clip from yesterday's match and a monumental f^ck up by one of your new team mates in defence please ?" . That might have made it more interesting for a start.

Few observations from yesterday: Good day out, as often though spoiled by the match, 63 minutes onwards. Hoped we might have cleared the sh!t out over the summer instead of which it looked as if we'd merely raked it over to be left with the same festering steaming pile. Vestergaard comes across in the media and interviews as a decent bloke and I want him to come good, but in reality he's had regular chances and is a frequent liability. Stephens - how is he still with us ? - once again did his Bambi on ice routine. I've lost count of how often he or Hoedt are sprawling on their arse as an opponent has a run at goal. Up front Adams will have learnt that he's not going to be allowed the time and extra yard he had at his disposal in the Championship. As for Ings, Reed really did have his pants pulled down on that deal. We have to hope Ralph can get something out of this bunch,. There's always the January window.. although we'll probably still be paying ridiculous wages to players we can't give away. Atmosphere - good in the concourse but that seemed to vanish in the stands, although nothing to get excited about 63 minutes onwards..