Saint86

I think this makes the point very well. Fans forget that we almost made the champions league under koeman, not to mention the europa league run and domestic Cup runs. But no no, that isn't good enough for a club like saints apparently? 🙄😅 The dortmund example above is also a very good example. What semmens said isn't groundbreaking. Unless you are a club like Man City / man United etc. (where money simply isn't an issue), then your number one way of generating money and improving the club is player trading. Saints' strategy is simply trying to maximise that. I.e. Having a clear plan and style, signing players that fit it, maximising their value and increasing the player's / club's profiles. If we do it well then rich teams will pay us money to keep doing it but at a higher and higher level - and we will climb the league. Short of a mega money owner, I'd suggest there is no other strategy that has a chance of delivering long term / sustainable improvements on our current league standing. I'd certainly enjoy a few more Cup finals! 😅

The most successful pressing team on that list was Brighton under potter - and by some distance. Whether he sees us as a sufficient step up after Brighton i don't know. Also chances are he'll have moved up in the world by 2024. Could easily see him at Arsenal / tottenham by that point. Unlikely either of their current managers survive that long.

Bayern and Dortmund now looking at him - Dortmund will certainly offer him game time given their track reckon and need for a Haaland replacement. Looks more and more unlikely that we'll see him in a saints shirt after this season sadly. Plus side - We'll sign someone else to excite the fans i guess - and Broja can only have increased our appeal in that regard.

Circa 11min - 45min

😁 - odds any good on this being a reliable source?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10502013/Man-United-stars-annoyed-Ralf-Rangnicks-OLD-FASHIONED-training.html Hopefully we can demonstrate why "organisation and shape" are required on Saturday!!!

Its alright, i managed to find it. I wasn't aware of these but will add to to my list. Cheers (in a roundabout way) Whelk! 😀

don't suppose you've got a link / timestamp? 😁

That should have been the case at the Euros. But Southgate just needs a big defensive midfielder. He doesn't care about pressing, recycling possession, building attacks etc through midfield. He just wants 7 defensive players, 2 fast wingers, and a target man to lump it to. And people defend him because he's a nice bloke ffs. Reality is he has bottled two tournaments.

Another great performance from him tonight (vs spurs). Two cracking assists, covered a lot of ground, drives the team on, and his fitness is superb. As Ralph said post match, he doesn't need a captain that leads with shouting, he needs one that leads by example. I know some on here might call that "pony", but he's been absolutely vital for us recently.

Great win, great character from the team. JWP - what a player and captain.

che adams has barely been in this. i would actually give AA a chance and see if he can exploit the possession/space with some nice runs and quick shots.

Presumably the picture or Dia...🙄

why do Newcastle have a striped back and we don't? I thought the regulations prevented it for all shirts?

Jayrod has equalised for Burnley as well

The table certainly doesn't lie regarding how shite everton are. Newcastle look like they have more than enough to stay up and are certainly better than Everton tbh.

Significantly to blame for Newcastle's second goal. Doesn't look very fit and basically no defensive work ethic on show.

Armstrong is class for us. Players like KWP, JWP, S. Armstrong, Romeu, Salisu, and probably Broja should all be certs on the teamsheet atm.

Hard to get excited about this one sadly. Spurs are garnering momentum, we're likely to be leggy, and we don't traditionally do very well in this fixture. Feeling very pessimistic on this one sadly. 2-1 or 3-1 loss?

Egypt play a very defensive and organised style of football. Salah is the exception for their squad re quality. Compare their team to Senegal and their is a huge gulf in class. Expecting more from Salah would be like putting him in lower championship team, telling them to park the bus, and then expecting him to shine vs a top 6 prem team imo.

No it isnt 😅 But its a reasonable backup option. He's fairly key for our side, and it would allow us to properly scout and get the finances for a replacement once Broja has gone for good. If it was the only way to retain him, i would take a second loan. The only caveat to that is that I wouldn't if in some way Broja's loan was preventing the signing/development of a long term option - which i'd say is unlikely. The only thing i would say, is that Che Adams is a solid option for us and the way we play, he's still young and improving, and if he had a dangerous second striker alongside him (or 2 good No.10s) he would be more than adequate.

When you bed in young kids you need to put them into a strong side where they have support all around them. In comparison, his debut was managed very badly. As a result Small was quite nervy (certainly at the start), but he did grow into the game in an attacking sense (shows he was able to overcome his earlier nerves and get some composure).

30 seconds less. And the goal was offside imo - interfering with play.

Really 🤣? I've been a consistent supporter of his and often get flack for it. But he had a mare and should be called on it. You should always beware when someone is put on a pedestal and becomes above criticism. That team selection today was incredibly poor - it nearly cost us and meant we had to use substitutions early and couldn't protect key players - all of which resulted in several of them playing either a full match or even 120min ahead of Tottenham and United away, and a potentially serious injury to broja picked up late in extra time. Most of that is avoidable with a strong starting 11 and taking control of the tie early on. I also doubt it did Thierry small's (or even Armstrong's) confidence much good playing in such a weak starting 11. 🤷‍♂️ Given we generally like to take the cups seriously under Ralph, it was an odd selection and a let off. Hopefully he learns from it.

Agreed on this. The initial selection was poor. Left us exposed to a long slog with extra time and not being able to protect key players through substitutions!