Saint Fan CaM

Although no direct attributable quotes to back that up whatsoever as far as I can remember. It's the experience that would be buying alongside a top performing player and that's something we're perhaps slightly lacking at the moment.

I don't think he's a long way off the level we need to be fair - he lacks experience which is understandable at his age, but he's unlikely to get that with Perraud and KWP (and possibly others such as Djenepo) in front of him. I do agree that a season away on loan would be good for him, but from what I've seen so far he will be a very good LB in the future.

Agreed - does seem a little strange that he seems to have improved (i.e. found a role that suits him) over the close season but Ralph seems to think he'll grow more with a loan. Perhaps he's not showing that consistently enough in training? For my money he's been disappointing whenever he played last season - ball watcher, not strong in tackle, lack of penetrating runs...just seemed to be making up the numbers. Hope whatever happens he flourishes - he deserves to coming back from injury and personal issues.

I see links with Harry Winks are not going away with the suggestion he can play alongside JWP allowing him to push forward more. Can't see that being part of the plan myself, but who knows?

Still want us to get Dembele - that would be the icing on the cake of what has been a really good transfer window. Think there's still an option for a loan too?

Yes agree with this - I too read that he tends to drift right and if that works well with Aribo it can only be a good thing providing it doesn't lead to us getting stifled out on the wing with nowhere to go and ultimately losing the ball and being hit on the break. Saw that too many times last season.

Oh for a bit of news about a player Saints may actually sign (as opposed to one that clearly is not even on the radar). lol

Oh yeah I get that, but I mean where will he fit in - i.e. within the current starting 11 as a partner striker or no.10 or like Broja replacing Che/A Armstrong as a forward playing intermittently. I think the latter is more likely.

I hope he does just enough to ride it out until the end of the season, but not well enough to finish above us!

Mara seems to be the real deal, although it will be interesting to see how he copes with the higher pace and physicality of the Prem. May find he needs to bulk up a bit to cope with the CB’s he’ll be facing. Can see him being a target for some heavy tackles and potential injuries, but on the bright side he might provide free kicks around the box for JWP. Where will he start…a Che replacement or as a no.10?

If that’s true looks like we did an extremely generous bit of business given the players value was near €3m!

#saintsy 😉

One for the future or a seasoned pro ready to get us goals from the get go? Hope this is not the only striker we sign!

Think we need to be all over Dembele and Karlsson…think that would give us the potential for a much more positive season IF they can step up to the EPL of course. On paper we would have the strongest squad we’ve had for quite some time and give Ralph something to tinker with. Mmm, actually thinking about it, perhaps it’s not such a good idea after all!🤪🤔😏

Thought he looked pretty composed but yes, it’s early days. I just hope Ralph decides on his best team and it doesn’t include McCarthy and Bednarek!

Yes agree certainly an option - guess it depends on Perraud being fit.

My view is the Prem demands more than a two man midfield so 5 at the back is a luxury…better to have a true DM that stays back to protect the backline if the fullbacks are caught upfield. Strikers a must though.

Yeah I really liked his presence on the ball…much more forward thinking than I expected. Just hope Ralphball doesn’t coach that out of him.

I think B-K and Salisu would be a good CB pairing, so my hope is that any remaining budget goes on 2-3 attack minded forwards that are good enough to start. If you don’t score you don’t win games!

We need to strengthen the left side attack…with options open to us being Djenepo and Redmond that side is weak in attack and to a lesser extent defence. As has been said often, we need at least one new striker who will be able to claim a start, as our current options will relegate us through lack of goals. I’m also concerned to see the same lack of intensity in attacking moves - the coaching has not improved in that regard yet.

I like Lavia and Aribo like looks like he has something about him - better decision making than Djenepo. But yes, our movement and passing around the oppo area is poor.

Djenepo and Bednarek having their usual shockers. Jeez there’s still a lot to do before the season starts!

Tend to agree with this, but it also matters which player. There are some fairly recent examples of more expensive signings we’ve made where we’ve regressed as a performing team/club rather than improved as a result. I also believe balance in a team is important especially in defence…e.g. a balanced pair of full-backs seems to benefit a side, same for two compatible CB’s, same for a creative no.10 and a striker? With the injuries and departures we’re currently suffering in key positions, it’s difficult to predict whether the squad has actually strengthened with the signings we’ve made. I can understand why some might consider the first team weaker than last season.

That’s the thing with Saints, sometimes it will go quiet and then an unexpected signing will materialise out of nowhere. It would be a crying shame if Broja went to WH - a player we’ve built knowledge around and a young striker who will only get better. Instead I expect we’ll go with another unproven player and risk another poor performance season…a dangerous game when other teams are improving.

I’ve heard he’s a bit of a flake, but I think he’s Fab.