Saint Fan CaM

Well obviously there are outgoings, but I don’t expect Valery to be going anywhere…think in our present situation he’s flexible CB/FB cover and Ralph seems to have time for him. Personally I think he’s a capable squad member that we can rely on in an emergency.

Can’t say I’m surprised to know Gakpo isn’t coming to be honest - the manner in which the transfer was progressing suggests this was not a deal Saints were really invested in…it’s very unusual for them to advance negotiations without agreement to a mutual blackout of info until the deal is done. Unless Gakpo was in some way a smokescreen, but I doubt that. Or perhaps Saints got taken for a ride by PSV, but I’m not buying that either. I don’t understand those that are suggesting Saints went in for Gakpo just to show ‘we tried’…FFS we’ve spent over £50m already this window, got some amazing talent and we’re sitting 8th in the table. What more can we expect?!

It seems to be slipping away, if indeed there was any real intent on PSV’s part in the first place.

With Larios providing excellent FB cover, AMN will almost certainly be employed as DM especially with Lavia recovering and for some time as they’ll not want to rush Lavia back. It will be the decider for him I expect too.

Edozie I’d heard of but not Larios. Two more looking as outstanding talents who want to be playing EPL football. Shields really is the real deal and let’s not forget how significant SR have been backing him at the first opportunity. Still hope we get a striker, a ACM and a decent CB though.

We should smash them on this form. 2-1.

Why would he come over and receive the foul abuse some ‘supporters’ dish out? Especially when he’s hurting from a defeat himself.

Unfortunately for me this was one of those nights where I had other plans and so missed the entire game. Came in late and was elated to see the score, but disappointed to find out there was no MOTD to watch. I’ve now seen both goals - Lavia’s was excellently taken and a result of his individual skill. Delighted for AA - his goal came about because of Perraud’s searching cut back pass and AA’s good positioning, something I’ve criticised him for lacking in the past. With the right transfers and a bit of luck injury-wise and this season could be a huge success.

Wasn’t there a medical booked for yesterday or today? I’m hoping that’s for one or more of AMN, Gakpo or Calleta-Carr. Tick tock Saints - get it done!

Fabrizio Romano has just tweeted that we’ve done the deal for Gakpo - 4 years with an option to extend. Arrives next week. Is this legit?!?! Amazing news if true.

Doubt it will be €50m straight up - most deals at that level include various elements such as sell-on fees etc. Even at that price, assuming he’s really all he’s cracked up to be and given his age, it’s not unreasonable to expect a small return on him 2-3 years down the the line. Plus there’s the extra EPL money that comes from a higher place in the table. Factor that in and perhaps it’s not so much of a gamble for SR?

My thoughts entirely - if he was going the other way, we’d be saying he’s found his level. Hope this is a AMN decoy sort of thingy.

On a slightly different tack, I was in the Northam for the Utd game and returned to my seat at half-time to see a guy walk straight past a Steward at the top of the stairs with two pints of lager in his hands. The guy managed to almost get to his seat before another senior steward stopped him and asked him to return to the concourse. He was fine about it and had a wry smile - obviously testing out the resolve of the stewards.

Can you imagine an 11th hour triple signing of AMN, Caleta-Car and Gakpo?! It would surely be marked as the best window for decades and significantly improve the odds for us getting a top half finish. Exciting times hopefully, but I cannot help but believe Gakpo from PSV is too ambitious a signing for #saintsy SFC?

Tick tock! 🤑

Think that’s a great idea.

Other than slowing it down? It was noticeable to me how the two CB’s pretty much ignored JWP completely when playing out from the back, despite him calling for the ball. Could that have been a deliberate instruction from the coaches or something discussed by the players themselves? Again, there was a time when nearly everything went through Prowsey.

Interesting to see JWP has received zero votes. Wasn’t so long back he’d be getting the lions share.

Insane if true, given the World is on the brink of recession or so we’re told. Having said that, I can’t remember the last time a double player exchange happened in the Prem so I’m calling BS.

Until we improve on our forward options we will struggle against teams like Chelsea, but there’s enough in the side to grind out a draw if everything falls into place. Unfortunately head says they’ll be too difficult to break down and we’ll suffer another home loss… 0-2 Chelsea.

One thing I noticed was a few times Saints players slipping over - I thought it likely this was due to the absolute soaking the grass received before the game. Not sure why but didn’t notice the same for the Manure players.

If Perraud is back in the team then the natural Ely replacement would be Djenepo unless we sign someone with a higher stock?

Just back from the game - jeez it was baking in the Northam today. Thought we were very unlucky not to get a draw as we matched them in many areas and ultimately could have won if (a) we had a striker and/or a AM that can remain composed in front of goal and score and (b) the referee team had an electronic system that could pickup nailed on handballs in the box to award a penalty (especially when a Man Utd player handballs three times in the same play). Whadayamean we have that already? 😏😉 All players deserve credit for putting in a big shift in blistering heat, however there are two players that I thought were behind the pace today. JWP is notably slower than our new youngster players Aribo, Lavia, Salisu and ABK and at times that stunts our attacking moves. He also made some uncharacteristic poor passes today. Adam Armstrong works like a Trojan, but he’s just not doing enough to pose a goal or assist threat and justify a start. Think he might be a better option as a sub. In a nutshell, we need a stunning last few days of transfer window to make this a decent season.

Think we’ve got as much chance of signing this guy as I have of winning the lottery this weekend…it could happen in theory, but it won’t. This guy will be too expensive I reckon…a real talent that is bound for a top Euro team.

Looks like a Djenepo on steroids and not much better in producing goals or assists. Having said that, exciting player to watch and I wouldn’t mind seeing him a Saints shirt. But not for £30m…£15-20m would be more our ballpark.