Saint Fan CaM

Got banana skin all over it this one. They’re a good team. Having said that we really should be putting three past them and a comfortable win. Expecting big changes to starting 11 including Forster and Redmond as dead certs.

In the utoob vid didn’t see get bullied off the ball, didn’t see him losing the ball trying to dribble it out. Did see evidence that he can hold the ball and muscle his way out of trouble, or pass the ball out accurately. Saw he could hold the ball when being pressed. Saw he could defend his space. Saw he’s not afraid to bring the ball out of defence if necessary and he’s mobile. He also tends to play on the left, so he’s a Vesty replacement and I would wager a better one all in…not much in it perhaps, but certainly no worse. Good chance this guy will be a starter ahead of Salisu to play with Bednarek.

Jeez, I can’t believe some of the premature pre-Madonna’s on here! You say Hoedt and I raise you Mane! Give the f-ing guy a chance why don’t you? I maintain that it takes two CB’s to tango…with Bednarek or Salisu he may be a revelation…or even Stephens…who knows?! Fact is at the moment if either Bednarek or Salisu make a howler, Ralph has nowhere to turn to change the pairing. This will give options. It may be a disaster, but we’re sailing so close to the wind at the moment that I doubt even a £30m signing would make much more difference to the outcome of this season.

Just play the best players available. Timo in front of KWP could make a big difference IMO. Oh and don’t piss about at the back trying to pass it out from Forster! Forster KWP Bednarek Salisu Perraud JWP Romeu Timo S.Armstrong Adams A.Armstrong

Thing is it can work for the first 50-60 minutes, but then it needs to change to counter the opposing teams tactical changes. But Ralph doesn’t have the managerial nouse to know what to do. He doesn’t have a decent assistant manager to bounce ideas. This is the fundamental reason why we are so poor in the 2nd half of a game we’ve started to dominate. If we maintain the form from the last 27 games, relegation will loom large by Christmas, so something needs to change.

Don’t think we’ll see much of their goal and I dread to think about how our defence will cope. We’ll be on the backfoot for a large portion of the game…I reckon 0-5 is not an unlikely score line.

Thing is it's not just one game...this has been going on for many months. Much prefer stable management but Ed Howe looks like a good option right now!😉

Do you know what I hate the most? Commentators that don't hide their delight at Everton scoring and 'getting on top'. Then continually reminding us of all the problems we've experienced over many years.

Brilliant goal created by Adam's and finished superbly by Armstrong. Timo is an absolute handful with skill aplenty. CB pair looking OK at the moment but I suspect there'll be a mistake or lapse of concentration made before the game is over. Would love us to beat the baggies to win our first opening day match since forever. COYS!

Given the position he finds himself in after doing well deputising, I suspect he’ll want a move to a club where he’ll be first choice. As he plays on the same side as Bednarek this could be an issue as I reckon Ralph rates Bednarek highly and will be loathe to promise Phillips a consistent starting place. Not sure this is going to happen on that basis although all other factors seem favourable.

My view is a CB is as good as the CB pairing he is part of…I.e. Phillips could link really well with Bednarek or Salisu and be much better than the Vestergard pairing. We just wouldn’t know until it was coached and tried. On that basis and the fact that Phillips has Prem experience I think it could be a good signing.

Thing is, unless society faces up to bigotry and associated abuse the situation will never improve. If the 9/10 stat you quote is correct, it is a likely huge improvement on where the society view was in the 1960’s and that wouldn’t have come about without demonstration, personal testimony and societal reform. To look at this another way, at what point do we as an intelligent, caring species consider a certain level of abuse acceptable? To the individual on the receiving end the answer would be nil. Anyone who considers themselves to be an intelligent caring person should always refrain from attacking another person because of who they are irrespective of their own views. Zero tolerance is the only way.

So you liked Djenepo or Redmond? 🤣🤣🤣

Have to admit I was initially sceptical about this one, given Adams took so long to adjust to the Prem after being prolific in the Champs. But judging by the utube clips AA seems to be quite a different style of forward…two footed and has the audacity and skill to attempt some pretty impressive shots outside the box. He also looks quicker than Ings. Time will tell, but I am optimistic that he’ll do well for us providing that swagger and guile is not ‘taken’ from him….he needs space to do his thing.

I know pre-season friendliest are not the absolute indicator of how good the team are going to be, but I can’t help but think the 1-3 loss to Athletico (not exactly the best Euro team) is an indicator that we’ve not really moved on from the dreadful 2nd half of last season. For that reason I can see us losing to Everton…probably 3-0 or possibly 3-1 where we go ahead but then collapse later in the game. I hope the reality is quite different and we’re able to muster at least a draw.

Don’t know why you say that…Origi is a better option than Long or Obefemi IMO.

A fit Ox benches Redmond or Djenepo all day long. In fact he benches Long also.🤣

Tammy A would be the perfect Ings replacement. I doubt we’ll have the money to get it done though. Don’t think we’ll be doing any GK business - we’ve got the best 2 we could hope for given where we’re going in the league (possible relegation fodder). We really need an Ings replacement and someone as good as Armstrong to bolster midfield - Redmond and Elynonousey fill me with dread.

It’s not a surprise he’s gone after failing to sign a good contract offer, but not to do so for his supposed boyhood club is somewhat disappointing. The club was forced into the position so can’t grumble at the fee received - it’s a good deal as others have said. The issue will be who we replace him with…even if we replace him. This evening we looked lame against a poor Levante side. Yes there are more players in the squad, but the overall quality of the squad has dipped significantly with Bertrand and Ings departure. Ely and Redmond are both looking ineffective in terms of attacking threat, so if Armstrong or Walcott go missing Adams and Tella will likely have barren games. Not writing the season off just yet, but fails to replace Ings with a high quality striker and I think we’ll struggle again.

Can’t see anything negative about this. Let’s face it, the academy has been somewhat barren ground of late, so this makes much sense.

Once in awhile it would be nice to resist approaches to our best players and especially from clubs I consider to be no better than our own. To be honest I’ve never thought JWP would be a huge miss for the team, but he has improved a lot and stamped his presence in the side, so now I’m less sure. £50m would see him go though.

Dynel thingymebob, he’s one of our own.🤣

Can only beat whats put in front of you, but make no mistake Cardiff were pants. And smelly pants at that. But we’ll definitely be Champs by Christmas mark my words. Err, or not.

Almost. Lowe had a cushty little number so didn’t want to sell even as the club was dying on its feet. By contrast if Goa had a decent offer to buy the club, I think he’d sell in a heartbeat.

Looks like a good signing with passing attributes Vestergard has. Should prep for Vesty’s departure then.