HarvSFC

Said before the game that the five subs rule would be key. 😉 Shame we probably won't have Adams for the entire season though, given his contract situation and the need for a more consistent striker. Had a bit of a feel of last season when Armstrong started the season, Adams was brought off the bench and scored two against Leicester. First half was great, guess the only complaint you could have was that we didn't score more than one. Second half was a bit more of a fight, and we won it. Must remember that Sheffield Wednesday came into this match with the momentum of a play-offs win, while we were still looking to shake last season's losing mentality. Last two times we got relegated we started the following season with a 1-1 draw against Millwall and a 0-0 draw against Wolves. So, to kick off with 3 points is key. I thought the wide players, Tella and Edozie were especially good tonight. Edozie just missing that final ball, but he did get two of their players booked, which again we were all saying he was able to do last season while Elyounoussi was selected ahead of him. A few too many crosses in the second half, but again, with a proper forward, not A. Armstrong that could be a good tactic. Smallbone was also very good in the middle. A few times we were missing a bit more steel in the middle and he was beaten in the air for their goal, but he was excellent on the ball and keeping our moves moving. And again, I wasn't his biggest fan before this pre-season. Alcaraz, again, like the Reading pre-season match was quiet. One of our few hopes last season, but now we're dominating he's going missing a bit. Hopefully it's just a case of him getting up to speed of a more physical league. I thought S. Armstrong looked a lot better coming on. Needs to stay fit and then he can be an asset for the season. Telling that Lavia didn't come on, despite his composure and control being a good piece to add at the end of the game, maybe a move is more imminent, not that it was ever in doubt anyway. But, again, I've not really seen us close out a 1 goal lead so easily before, usually it's back to the walls and nail biting, especially with 9 minutes added time. 3 points is 3 points. Top of the league, 45 matches to go and hopefully Norwich is just as good next weekend.

5 subs is going to be brilliant here. Adams, S. Armstrong, Lavia and possibly Djenepo and Aribo start for most Championship sides. Then you have the hidden gem in Amo-Ameyaw.

Sorry Andreas, but our long throw "specialist" has just left for Monaco.

Escalated quickly. Shame to see him go, as I think he could have been a similar player to the Bale we had in a full-back position in the Championship with us. However, there's also no guarantee that he would return to previous form given his injury and we do still have KWP, a more than capable right-back for this level. Hopefully we've got a good fee from the limitless budget of Newcastle and allows ourselves to move a bit more on our own targets.

Nyland's a worse keeper than McCarthy. Would hope he's Caballero's replacement rather than being signed because he's a keeper who can kick a ball.

Met him earlier outside Pitcher and Piano down in Ocean Village. Didn't ask for a picture or anything, because I'm not weird. Did ask if he was Russell Martin, though, just to double check. Shook his hand and he asked whether I was excited for the new season. Seemed like a good bloke in our little five second interaction. Unfortunately, didn't ask any transfer questions.

Damn, Burnley became more embarrassing than the big four over night and they have no substance to back it up. We'll have switched places with them in a year's time and probably spend a few million to try and keep us in the Premier League and secure our targets, rather than looking for handouts.

Absolutely, if he's available to the Championship again he should be the first name on our centre-back target list. Surprised Burnley haven't gone back in for him, or they're offering City £750k for him.

Arsenal Under-21s only kept the one clean sheet in the league last season, so he should fit right in.

Also every chance Burnley get relegated from the Premier League next season and us, with Tella get promoted.

Throwing it back to the Tella chat quickly. If he wasn't a Southampton player and we were being linked to him, a player who got 17 Championship in 39 appearances from a wide position last season, we'd be loving it and championing the club for targeting the right players. Therefore, must stay.

Same cost as Leeds spent on Dan James.

He'll be the break through youngster this season. Ox, Walcott, Bale style.

Fuck sake. £15m was a great deal for him given his contract. Would’ve been the 2023 Vestergaard and given us a bit more flexibility. That’s Lyanco and Salisu. These centre-backs are cursed.

Went off injured in Fulham’s pre season match tonight with a shoulder injury.

Worth noting this team struggled against Lincoln and Sheffield Wednesday and lost to Grimsby in competitive fixtures last season. So, that swagger and dominance against a recently relegated Championship side was pleasing. Interesting that the Ward-Prowse, Aribo goals were near carbon copies. Ball comes from out wide, AA/Adams dummy it and it falls to the scorer, who puts it away. Their two goals came from mistakes at the back, which we were warned about when appointing Martin. However, we also haven't made any centre-back signings for this new possession focussed style. You'd say Stephens is the only one from the group suited to it. You'd hope with the departure of Salisu and hopefully another side comes in for Lyanco that we see a bit more movement there. I said Smallbone was a nothing player after Goztepe, but he could be more suited to the deeper role. Doesn't effect the game enough as a 10, but kept the ball ticking deeper today. A new Steven Davis. Mara was disappointing. I was really hoping he'd come good from a drop in level having shown a couple of decent finishes last season, but maybe the tempo of English football just isn't suited to him. Alcaraz was surprisingly quiet despite his assist, and of course Bazunu concedes more than he saves, which is still a worry. But, again, given there wasn't another goalkeeper in the squad today, you'd hope we're looking to bring somebody else is actually worth giving minutes to. Edozie and Amo-Ameyaw are going to cause some havoc coming off the bench this season. Armstrong's goal was what we saw in highlight's reel when he signed. Scored a couple of crackers against Everton and Villa early into his Saints career. A bit like Adams, when he works by instinct, he scores, but give him time to think and he'll miss. Still think he should be a bench option, though, as again the holdup from him in this system isn't quite there.

Don't worry guys, it isn't from anyone reliable. Just another Twitter chancer, seeing Romano's Tweet and trying to build a following by claiming a deal is further ahead than what it actually is, so that if it does happen he can reveal he broke it first. You never see these people link us with a player that hasn't already been linked by the mainstream media.

I know we're trying to maintain a sustainable model in the long-term through player sales, but it's good to see the board aren't just accepting any offers for our best players and aren't acting like push overs despite the huge loss from last summer and January.

Thank you for the assist against Man City, leaking the away kit and showing heart on the pitch. However, mares against Grimsby and another on the weekend against Goztepe meant a promotion seeking team couldn't go into the season with him.

Getting Piroe is key. Armstrong's headless chicken act certainly doesn't fit in with the possession based football, while I was very much disappointed by the performance in a player I rate, Adams last night. Didn't look like he was with us at all. Smallbone's also, just a nothing player. Might be okay as a squad player, but he definitely shouldn't be starting in a promotion seeking team. We need a playmaker, somebody who can create chances. I don't think we've had one since Tadic left. Manning can certainly help, but a midfielder who can help us build up the pitch would be ideal. Got to leave Lyanco in Turkey too. Getting pulled all over the pitch by a Turkish second division side. Positives, of course Alcaraz. From all the shit attackers signed last season, he really is a quality player. None of the other players in our team would have managed that goal first time last night. Sam Amo-Ameyaw, again. He just gets the ball, runs and beats players. A 16 year old against seniors. Pretty incredible.

Can't login either, taking forever to load. Going to be fun if the site shows Championship matches.

You can see and hear some of Dragan's interactions at the end of the video. Asks Alcaraz about his English, welcomes Stephens back and introduces himself to Charles. Could all just be PR, but it has endeared myself towards him.

Loved Hammond's goal. Didn't know he had it in him.

In contrast to Pulisic, Joao Pedro has cost £10m more after 11 Championship goals last season. Richarlison went for £60m last summer and there are currently reports that Brennan Johnson is being rated at £50m after 8 Premier League goals.

You also don't get into the Man City first team squad/play minutes in the Premier League for them if you haven't got something about you. Not seen him play, but everything seems positive about him so far. £10m is also a big outlay for a Championship club, so you'd hope Wilcox wouldn't just throw it on someone who's not ready yet.