Saint Pete

Seems like a sensible move all round. We need to generate cash for signings in other areas and Targett needs first team place. I would imagine we will try to push them up a bit from the 8m quoted though. Would rather we move Targett on than Bertrand. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Yes, on balance it seems we are doing the right thing here, but realistically it means we will have to wait till later in the window to get it done because Brum are unlikely to cave in at this stage if their valuation not met. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

The trouble is, this early in the window, Birmingham are always going to hold out for a higher offer if they think other clubs are interested. If we want to get deals done early, we may need to pay a bit of a premium to do that. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

It's the kind of muddled thinking that has become commonplace in the club over the last few seasons though. The "logic" is:- - Top player coming towards age 30, need to "maximise his value" by selling before he gets any older. - We have younger players in that position who haven't been given enough chances in first team yet. Need to give them more opportunity to come through by freeing up 1st choice place. This rigid view ignores completely the relative qualities of the "ageing" player who the club want to sell vs the young players they want to bring through. And the impact this loss of quality will likely have on the first team and results. If we are serious about wanting to move up the table next season we need better as first choice than Targett, so we will likely end up having to move him on anyway at some point and replace. Makes far more sense for Targett to be sold at this point and there should be enough interest from championship teams or promoted clubs to get a fairly decent fee, close to that being talked about for Bertrand. Hopefully the Mail story is garbage, but it shouldn't surprise anyone if it's not as this type of move is pretty typical of the kind of thing we've come to expect. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

We need to be adding quality not selling one of our only quality players left. I don't care how much older Bertrand is than Targett, he is still a massive upgrade on him. Targett should be the one to be moved on, and if we are only likely to get around £10m for Bertrand, then we would likely get close to that for Targett anyway given that he is younger and has more contract left? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

There's a reason Ralph has played 3 centre backs nearly all the time so far. It's not because he wants to tactically, it's because he knows our centre backs are not solid or quick enough to play in a back 4 in the prem. If he wants to move to 4 at the back (which I think he does) then the club need to get him a better quality CB to go with one of the ones we've got. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Yep, these last few games have underlined what a painfully average set of players we have at the moment and also what a great job Ralph has managed to do in the second half of the season to drag us out of the mire. The positive thing is nobody at the club should be under any illusions now about the amount of work that needs doing to the squad if we want to become a decent top half prem side again. I have faith in Ralph but he will need good support from above in the summer if we are to progress much next season.

This is it. Ralph knows he is unlikely to be able to shift Forster in the summer with the contract he is on, so he will use these couple of games to gauge whether he can be relied upon sufficiently to be No2 to Gunn next season. If he thinks he can, it would help Ralph as could potentially get some cash in from McCarthy that can be reinvested elsewhere without needing another keeper. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Enjoyable. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

That Messi's not bad. Reminiscent of JWP [emoji3] Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Yep Liverpool need a goal tonight now. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Indeed. Bearing in mind he is still improving we would be mad to sell in my opinion unless price was ridiculous. As some have said on this thread finding a prem class midfielder who has scored the goals JWP has this season isn't that easy - unless you are champions league with the cash to match. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Liverpool may regret missing that chance. All the chances seem to be going to Milner[emoji3] Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Nobody would argue that Long should be a regular starter for us, but I think there is a case for keeping him on as an alternative off the bench as he has attributes to suit that role and does also fit Ralph's way of playing with his hard chasing style. I can't see us signing several strikers in the summer (we certainly need to sign one to replace Austin though) as to be honest we desperately need to prioritise improving the defence as Saturdays game showed clearly yet again. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

In addition to those the other ones who may attract interest are Bertrand and McCarthy. I hope Bertrand stays on as he is a class above Targett but wouldn't shock me that much if he fancied a move at this point. And McCarthy, having lost his No 1 spot may also be open to offers? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Agree, thought Ings had a decent game to be honest! In fact, attack wise everyone was pretty good. Yes there was the usual Shane Long open goal miss but we scored 3 and could have had several more. It's at the other end we need to focus most attention on in terms of improving in the summer (although accept we also need another striker due to Ings injury concerns). Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

It certainly would have helped if Long hadn't missed an open goal in the first half but the primary problem is how fragile we are defensively and how easily teams can open us up. We scored 3 times yesterday at home which should be enough to get the 3 points. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

This. It really is not a fitness issue, definitely more to do with mentality and the basic defensive abilities of our players. It will only be fixed by recruiting better quality and more mentally tough players in the key defensive positions. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Only other thing we could have done is play Bertrand in a back 3 and put Targett in, which may have made us more solid? Let's hope Bednarek and Stephens have a good day! Should be goals in this one anyway. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Is Yoshida injured? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Whilst Boufal has obvious talent I'm far from convinced that he is suited to Ralph's high intensity pressing style or indeed the premier league. Suspect Ralph will take a proper look at him in preseason though so a lot will depend on Boufal's attitude then and how much he really wants to be a success in England. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Sadly, the reality is that if and when one of the top 6 come calling for him, he will most likely be on his way. If anyone should know about this reality, it's us! At least most of the top clubs seem relatively settled with their current managers though. Probably only Chelsea that may make a change in the summer and I would hope that it may be a little early for Ralph to be in the frame for that job. So I feel reasonably confident that we will have Ralph for another season at least so let's enjoy it while it lasts! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Just watched the OS highlights. Our second goal was a thing of beauty, great play between the front 3. Lovely pass by Ings, made by a great run inside by Redmond.

I think his performances when able to play suggest he’s well worth the money, the issue as expected is his injuries. I’m not so sure in the current market that it would be as easy as you suggest to find better alternative strikers at that price. Got any suggestions yourself? Remember how much we paid for Carrillo?!

Interesting selection today. Good luck Josh!