Pwoite

I might have missed this, but I’m presuming this table is based entirely on expected goals scored v expected goals conceded. I’ve not seen our actual v expected for conceded, but can I presume the actual is worse? if so, it means misfiring strikers and poorly functioning defenders. The former the manager has little control over, but I don’t accept that for the defence.

I don’t buy that we have 22 crap players. I will buy that we have a squad that is failing to be motivated, failing to understand what they are being asked to do, and failing to deliver what they are capable of, and for me that’s down to one person.

The trouble with looking for seven points is that would five be okay, if we’re denied a second win by a referee’s decision. Or is six? It has to be how we play as much as what we achieve, and we are failing to dominate matches, we’re brittle and we’re looking demotivated.

Look, we played well for the first twenty minutes on Saturday, so Still should start with that eleven, but tweak it slightly. Obviously, McCarthy should start. He might consider the same back four, though swapping out the central defenders, as they were prone to errors. Mads was not the best, so also needs resting. In the centre, we know we have the strongest players, on paper, in the Championship, but Downes could be brought back, and it’s an opportunity for Aribo to show….. The attacking midfield did little wrong, apart from lacking control, not creating chances and giving the ball away, so they can be replaced wholesale, whilst maintaining our strategy of rotating the striker means it’s probably Matsuki’s turn to start. With Still’s clear game plan, the players ability to respond and the team all having a lucky rabbit’s foot hidden in their shorts, what could possibly go wrong???? Ive bought a lottery ticket, on the principle I’ve a better chance of winning than Saints have tonight!

So, how does the finance work for us with Taylor, Smallbone and Bree? I think all were out of contract next summer, so it means they all walk away then for nothing. So, potentially a loss, compared to selling them now (which we clearly couldn’t do!) However, I presume we are receiving loan fees, though these will be relatively small I’m guessing that next summer, if they get contracts, they’ll get a signing on fee as no transfer fee will be needed, though this might not be huge. Then there are salaries. With relegation reductions, what were e paying these guys? Say an average of £15k pw. Will their new clubs be able to pay that? I’m guessing not, so we are probably subsidising the shortfall, maybe to the tune of the loan fee. So, we reduced the squad size and the wage bill, helping cash flow, but effectively giving these players away impacts the balance sheet. Can anyone put real numbers into this? Is this how it works or is it even more complicated?

Not that prematurely, looking at the announcement in the last five minutes.

Totally agree that SR’s record, previously, was piss poor. Since then the Board has changed, Spors has been brought in and the manager changed. Therefore, slag off past performances but look at deals already achieved this window, in and out, and the money changing hands. As for winding my neck in, when did that become a requirement on this forum?

I know nothing is over the line yet, but the last 24 hours have been thoroughly enjoyable, and encouraging. Yet, 48 hours ago half the list were dissing Spors, Still, SR, the royal family and the kitman because they didn’t like our third choice keeper and therefore, from that, it showed lack of understanding, commitment or dedication. I appreciate that half of those on here can do a better job managing, owning or purchasing than the current incumbents. Could that half, please, in future, wobble their heads, control their bladders, hold back their irrational fear and shut the fuck up until they see or hear the full story. Just asking for a friend!!

Never let hyperbole ruin a poor argument. The point is genuine. Yesterday McCarthy was being slagged off with our other two keepers but now he is the best we have.

Incredible some posters on here. Yesterday was the second worst keeper in the history of the world, beaten only by Long. Tonight he’s the best we have. Amazing!

Did we really need the translation? Can we add him to the Defectors Watch? when is the public burning of the heretic who spread this story?

Saints web should be ashamed, collectively. Bazunu not good enough, Manning a joke, Stephens a disgrace. Thats why we have day jobs and aren’t in football.

So true. If only we persuaded Russ to stay….. Hang on, I must stop smoking in the morning.

Deja vu, all over again.

No source, just Dibling is meant to have indicated he would stay if we can be in the automatic promotion positions. Added to that his previous experience at Chelsea, and the high asking price the Club is reputedly asking. Also, whilst Dibling hasn’t signed a new contract, it has been indicated that his family have their feet firmly on the ground and are realistic about expectations. Further, his drop off in form last season, and a couple of injuries, means he would be a risk for any club. Finally, Dibling knows he needs to be playing, and if he moves to a lot of EPL teams he won’t be a regular starter. However, who really knows? Probably not even Dibling.

With this speculation that we can’t shift Dibling, and will work to keep Fernandes, it goes a long way towards explaining little transfer activity or rumour. On that principle, who might be presumed to be our front six for Wrexham? Downes and Charles holding, Dibling/Archer/Fernandes/Robinson attacking, with Stewart/Downs as striker. Arma on the bench. For all those knocking the squad quality, that gives us some bloody good options. Full backs and goalkeeper, well tbc!!

No Ballard, either. Clearly his days look numbered. This time last year O’Brian Whitmarsh got a look in, but no mention of him or most of the resu of the U21s, apart from Sesay.

Need to drop chicken livers from the half time refreshments menu.

I can assure you I’m not, but once again you’re missing the point. Or, maybe I am. Was that a sexual invitation to anyone not red headed?

Only he can’t as the opposition will be different, his management will be different and the confidence level should be different. However Armstrong performed last season, the season before, without question more relevant, Arma was top scorer. Maybe he should watch those videos. Arguably, Smallbone wasn’t too shabby in the Championship and Stephens did a job. Equally, Manning seemed better in the EPL than the Championship, but most of us have Wellington as our preferred starter.

I wish some on here had more respect for our players. Yes, they were very poor last season, but in a team inappropriately managed and without the right additions to our squad. We clearly have players good enough to challenge for promotion without buying anyone else. (And that’s after potentially selling the Fab Four.) However, the squad is too big and we do need to sell, or loan, a number to reduce it to a manageable number. Secondly, and more importantly, we need to bring in some fresh blood to beef up the weaker on pitch positions and to, hopefully, prepare for another Premier League season. I guess holding on to Fernandes, Ramsdale or whoever mitigates against this need. Finally, if we are serious about winning promotion, then we have to aim for an automatic place, not the playoffs, and to achieve that does mean not just a smaller but stronger squad. However if we have Ramsdale, Quarshie, Sugawara, Edwards, an older Charles, Robinson, Matsuki, Stewart, Fernandes, Down and Archer around for the loss of KWP, Che and Stu and possibly THB,aren’t we a lot better off than two seasons ago?

He hasn’t. Spors has. The Club is desperately short of experience, leadership and passion and whilst Stephen’s let himself down twice last season, there is precious little in the current squad that offers such qualities. Whilst it’s a three year deal, it is a two year extension. I suspect Jack will become club captain and Downes, THB or suchlike will be team captain. Even that choice won’t be easy.

Clearly the wrong thread. This is about horses, and all SR have signed have been donkeys.

In crude terms, can anyone quantify: - loss of Sky money compared to last season - other known reductions in revenue - reduction in player wages through relegation clauses Surely these are the three big ‘knowns’ before we worry about income and expenditure through transfers. (Okay, player sales also reduces salaries but incomings go the other way, though probably to a lesser extent.)

But, and it’s a big but, we won’t have a tippy tippy playing style that makes us so vulnerable at the back. That cannot be included in any squad comparison.