spyinthesky

Who knows? In our last Prem gam of the 2022/3 season we were 2-0 down against Liverpool, ran riot to gain a 4-2 advantage, thanks to Sulemana and sat back, as per the coaching manual, and drew 4-4

How have the tickets gone for this game? Massive respect to all those Saints fans who have travelled away in very decent numbers. Have any away games failed to sell out?

I've said this previously but the Sunderland fans really rated him whilst he was playing in the Championship. IF and its a big 'IF' he can get fit and avoid injury, he could be decent for us next season. That said we do need someone better than BBD, Arma and Archer.

Assuming defeats at home to Man City and Arsenal (by some margin, I expect), Saints will then have won the grand total of 3 home games out of 38 in the last two Premiership campaigns. Whilst the club had a habit of relegation fights at The Dell, we were generally competitive at home but comparatively crap away. In the last two seasons more points have been won away from home than at St Marys. Perhaps the lady who turned up the dispel the gremlins who apparently put a spell on the stadium, as it was supposed to have been built on sacred burial ground, could pay a return visit ahead of next season🙄 As things stand, the club is likely to record 36 points out of a total 228 available during our last two flirtations with the Prem. Appalling and no wonder the number of season tickets, which have generally been sold in decent numbers, will plummet next year.

I am waiting with much anticipation at the thought of spunking £500-£600 to spend every fortnight watching us struggle in the Championship.

The worrying thing if we put this team in the Championship next season, they might just scrape into the top six. Maybe. Take out Ramsdale, KWP and Fernandes (in particular) plus Big Les and possibly Downes and THB and there is a Stoke/Swansea/Pompey type side, relying on our top rated scouting team to bring in loan players or 'bargains' within the £1-£3m range. Whilst Edwards and Charles and possibly Edioze will arguably add a smidgeon of strength to the squad the return of Arma, BBD and Baz will only add to the wage bill. There is a desperate need for a decent target man as has been the case for some time now.

Bale had an engine. Dibling doesnt, I'm sad to say as I would really like him to come good as he has basic talent

Did the club actually pay £15m for him?? Another waste of money on a striker to add to Brereton Diaz/Armstrong/Stewart/Carillo/Tall Paul/Mara. Only one that worked out in recent times was Danny Ings.

Just read an article about a guy called Dennis Montgomery. Anyone who hasnt heard of him, its worth a look at his background. I reckon his story could be made into a great film, dovetailing into stories on Mike Lindell (the Pillow Man) and other snake oil salesmen and purveyors of right wing nonsense.

Quite an interesting discussion. The 'Russian Tail' theory was something I had never heard of before and possibly may be relevant to the Brexit vote. Steve Bannon was apparently caught on audio prior to the 2016 US Election predicting that Trump would be ahead in the early stages of the election due to the fact that a lot of Republican voters live in small communities where it is relatively quick to collate and submit votes. As a consequence it was agreed that Trump would declare victory midway through the vote knowing that the larger population areas were expected to vote Democrat in larger numbers. MAGA supporters were primed to believe the election result was rigged and this they did with aplomb.

Nic, I think a fair point is made here. Whilst most fair minded people have sympathy with the plight of Refugees, very few would be interested in taking one in, especially as the majority of Refugees are relatively young men. In some respect this is similar to those who support Just Stop Oil. I doubt if there are many that would be prepared to do without the many benefits of modern living that are by products of oil.

The likes of Bournemouth and Brighton have been able to spend the transfer money wisely and actually maintained/improved the strength of their squads. They may both end up in the same situation as Saints did when they received decent money from the sale of Van Dyke/Mane etc and wasted it on crap buys.

I was speaking to a US client today. He reckoned that Trump's new mate Mr Tesla, was able to tap into the voting machines ie those which were accused of fiddling Biden's victory, and ensured that Trump won this time round. No idea if there is any credence in this but just suppose that Musk had been a supporter of Biden and this rumour was circulated amongst the MAGA mob, it is likely that another violent protest, stoked up by the Orange One, would have been on the cards.

I am in two minds re Tyler. He is obviously a talent but needs to learn more about his performance against the ball which is an important ingredient for a modern player. From the club's perspective if they can get a big transfer fee plus a future sell on deal, hopefully this will help finances. All that said, I understand that Tyler has recently bought a house not too far from Staplewood so perhaps that provides an indication that he may be with us next season.

Christophe, Thanks for your posts. Really interesting Bonne Chance for the remaining part of the season and next year.