Badger

…. and still being a better GK than Bazunu

Agree with this. Review it in just over a week. But as things stand he appears to be gravitating to the Semmens/Ankersen end of the spectrum.

Wolves away. Goal line miss. Might explain it.

And we disposed of Branfoot. Credit where it’s due - Branfoot was the manager behind bringing Monkou to the club. (Granted most of his other signings were shocking)

Branfoot had better players at his disposal.

Midfield seemed non-existent at times despite efforts of Fernandes to try and drive things forward on occasion. Downes and Charles both poor. But midfield a victim of his 3 CB selection. Strikers woeful. Again. Their second goal, in the ground I thought Stephens should have got a tackle in rather than just shepherd the bloke. Seeing highlights it looks another in the ‘could have done better’ file for Bazunu. Shot looked easier and softer than the one he saved v Wrexham. Credit their keeper though. Why we weren’t after him in the summer is another failure by our recruitment team.

Archer - 18 goals in 40 championship games. Or so I read, and read it again, and again just to make sure. That was once upon a time though. Dreadful player in the EPL. So far no better in the Championship

Yes, but I’d give him some leeway on the tactic if he believes the FBs are unable to play as he wants in a back 4. AA is a poor selection upfront. But having seen the other donkeys in the second half you can see why he might have been tempted by AA. Just hope he doesn’t persist with it because about 28,000 people at St Mary’s today could tell him - it doesn’t work.

I wasn’t convinced by the appointment but you can’t lay todays fiasco at Still’s door. Again poor recruitment, and no strikers of note, plus several duds he’s inherited in the squad are not down to him. Five at the back, and playing AA up front, is his choosing but until the close of the window I’d give him the benefit of any doubt over reasons for this.

Feeling of familiarity to it.

Seriously wonder why Azaz would leave Middlesbrough for us, similar to Rudoni. Agree Spersyan is a pipe dream although has probably been out of the quest for a couple of weeks (or months). Guilsvogui , like Scienza just seem more of the same. Non-entities with no track record, next summer’s deadwood.

That's where the benefit might be rather than add-ons.

Exactly. I don't believe this is the best move for him, but he and his agent have made their bed now they have to lie in it. Shame he didn't stay long enough to become the player we expected and hoped he might be. Perhaps now he never will.

Wonder if Mr Levy is counting his cash with a view to an offer...

Not necessarily. We're probably looking to operate within an existing wage structure, and any apparent shortfall in wages from his current salary could easily be made up by a generous signing on fee. If we don't go up, then if he lives up to billing he probably won't be here next season. Everton and West Ham will start the bidding at £2m after the last ball is kicked in 2025/26 season.

At that level, if accurate, then I’d hope and expect him to be pretty outstanding in the Championship.

Seems a reliable RB so pleased with this. Hoping he emulates the solid RBs of Richardson & Butterworth from a past promotion team. Neither spectacular but did a great job.

Poor bugger was left sat on his own from about 1pm at The Potters Heron waiting for the announcement.

Did you say earlier that we had three deals lined up, and one was an exciting one for supporters when announced ? Any idea what became of that ? Apologies if they this wasn’t from you and confused with another post.

According to some of the reports, the player wants to come here (not totally convinced on that one), and Saints have met his clubs valuation (some saying release clause). This being the case what ‘values’ prevent the deal ? [ intended as serious question]

That was my thinking also on seeing the article. Gut feeling is that Rudoni possibly has greater potential, but would be happy with Azaz. Spertsyan remains an ambitious and unrealistic aim in my book

Seems like a deal we could be persuaded to go for then.

Smarmy bullshitter. Some things never change. Still talking the same crap about “energy … intensity… so brave …. resilience “ . Always seems to be trotted out about a second half which is a lost cause aftef a shit show in the first. Think he forgot having “so much love for those guys ..” from his recital tonight , or perhaps he’s realised that wouldn’t be fully understood or go down too well in Glasgow

“Someone like that “ being a young largely untried player who is seen as upcoming and being one for the future, rather than a proven track record, is exactly the sort of Saints signing we’ve gone for in recent years. Shouldn’t have been a surprise. I was hoping lessons might have been learnt that it wasn’t the best approach for immediate success. Apparently not.

This is it for me as well. Losing a key departure, or more, and then signing a couple of no marks, also rans, like the Lens bloke, to add the collection of other duds we can’t get rid of and the gloom remains. Forget promotion. A couple of decent signings though of players who might have an impact this season (rather be an investment) and the place will feel a lot better. Then the skates game to come.