Saint86

Seen this reported a lot today (although not the wages element). Good for him and us frankly. Plenty of other players seemingly can't wait to make their exits, even if they'll be heading to struggling or potential relegation sides.

Euros next summer, and Bednarek wants to be in the Poland squad. Stephen's won't be dropped as he's been made captain (🤣), and Woods will be a big money signing. Holgate similarly would expect to play regularly at this level. Its a good set of CB's for the championship, but equally will be very hard to keep them all happy and maintain a settled back line. Also, if the club do shift Lyanco, ABK, Tella, Adams, and potentially/probably others, it would seem to be quite poor business without at least 2 more quality additions for this level.

I find it interesting that Martin says Holgate will play predominantly CB, and that Holgate says adamantly that he wants to play CB and is a CB... and yet we are seemingly trying to sign Wood as well. Is the implication that KWP isn't leaving and so we don't need additional RB cover? Or is it that bednarek is off as well? Can see us with quite a few CBs on the books by the end of the window as it stands - Stephens / Bendarek / Woods / Holgate / ABK / Lyanco / Awe and ofc Charles...

My understanding was that Adams did train yesterday, but is likely to be benched vs qpr?

Sheldon is a little weasel in the first instance, certainly no friend of saints and a bang average (at best) sports journo to boot. As for the club's public stance, the fans need to stop being so childish about stuff like this imo. Whether its true or not, we took a hard line bargaining on lavia/jwp/salisu/Tino by representing a position of relative strength - we had fans on here saying we'd never get more than £40M for lavia etc. - so we've done very well on the sales front. And I'd far rather we make the most of whatever position we're in than be kept fully informed about the club's negotiating strategy to the detriment of the club... The alternative is more than a bit precious lets be honest. Besides, we're on course to have a very competitive squad for this league despite the player sales, and we've got some cracking youth players coming through that we really shouldn't be blocking off.

To be fair to Holgate and Fraser, they seem like good blokes who want to be here, want to play, and want to push for promotion. They're good quality additions for the championship, and i suspect they can be added longer term quite easily if they do well. They also both know the league and what its like to be in relegated sides. Fraser, Martin, and Tella all know about promotion from the championship, and Manning, smallbone, and Downes have had very good seasons at this level. As have some of our other players such as Che and Armstrong. Looks to be a tidy squad that's being put together. Plus we look to be keeping at least 2 of Sulemana, Tella, Alcaraz, and ABK... When that window "slams shut" we really should have an embarrassment or riches for this league.

Is it too late to sign Openda? 🤩

Not if he isn't gone this week... 😄

Ah yes, tbf i forgot about Downes - but he isn't going to be hanging around beyond this season. Manning was a fullback replacement for Tino/KWP. Shea Charles is a cb/cdm to replace the various outgoings before they happen. With smallbone, Downes is essentially adding depth as we've lost two cm and gained two CDM's 🤷‍♂️.

All of our signings have been done in advance of players leaving. So far at any rate. 😅 We just haven't signed many players....

Lets hope that's it! Tella, Suleman, Alcaraz is a title winning attack.

Ryan Fraser is miles off either Tella or Sulemana. Shocking bit of business strength wise.

The ladies world cup final penalty call vs spain was a really good example of this. They took ages looking at it via video assistant, and then the ref stood by the pitch side monitor for a few minutes to look at it about 10 times... They then overturned the onfield decision to give the penalty. Quite evidently, that wasn't a clear an obvious mistake as it took to long to look at it, and for decisions like that it really should be a quick 1min look, is it an error? Yes/No style job. There are other instances where there are various issues that occur, such as potential offside, then maybe a handball etc. But even then it should be a couple of minutes top. The refs have the tech and its good, but the ref's are poor. And thats the issue - its is beyond me how time and time again they keep getting dragged into looking into decisions in minute detail when that very clearly isn't the scope or how its meant to be applied. Just shove a damn time limit on it! But the mentality of putting VAR back in the box remains nonsense in my book, shouldn't even be on the table as a possible option.

That article is written as if Leeds have a decent shot at promotion... It's not going to pan out that way 😄

I for one am just missing the Napoleonic wars chat...

Speak for yourself, but I'd happily sell onuachu, mara, Aribo, and djenpo 😅

History hasn't nothing to do with this window though. Wilcox and co have moved early for their main targets, and struck good deals for the outgoings. There is no evidence that they'll commit a huge error for our promotion chances.

That was when Che was on the verge of joining Bournemouth. Which hasn't happened. If we wanted prioe we'd be in for him. We signed Charles and manning early on the basis we couldn't afford to wait, even though we needed outgoings... If we want a player right now we'll be moving for them (given prior sales and improved financial situation). So I think this is a lot of stress about nothing atm. Ultimatley Che is better than piroe, and if we get promoted (and want to keep him beyond his contract) we likely will... The only time to worry is if we look like selling che without replacing him - unless the board think ballard is ready... Or even mara 😬😬

This would be absolute nonsense tbh. If we want Piroe and he wants to move to us, then Swansea would have no sensible choice other than to accept our offer. He's leaving them for free next summer, which for a championship team with Swansea's income would be economic stupidity. They really are in quite a weak position. Also, i'm quite happy to keep Che tbh. 3 goals in 3 games... Easily on course for 20+ goals this year, and if we get promoted he will probably sign an extension.

It will be even worse next summer after a year of scraping the barrel and signing shit sub standard players to try and stay up. One to definetly savour. They have a bleak few years ahead.

Most likely to be Stu, Charles, and alcaraz as a starting midfield surely? Downes has had food poisoning and needs time to settle and adjust to the squad and tactics - I.e. More likely to appear from the bench? Also quite surprised by the number of people happy to see Charles dropped to the bench. Been great so far.

Someone needs to have a word with Wilcox here....

Thank you, i'm glad someone said this. Never understand why people feel the need to undermine the role of Wellington and the predominately Anglo (and dutch) army at Waterloo. People forget that Blucher was first routed by Napoleon who succeeded in splitting the allied armies before they could join against him, he then turned on Wellington who had held out against the French (i think under Grouchy but CBA to google) whilst the Prussians withdrew, before retreating to waterloo and making his stand against Napoleon (and the bulk of the French army/artillery). He held long enough to allow some of Blucher's forces to get past Grouchy and arrive late in the battle to complete what was an allied rout of Napoleon. Blucher didn't win that battle, the allied forces did, neither of them would have done it alone. And most of wellington's troops were not German/Prussian (although some were) as Badger claimed. The reality is that without Wellington at Waterloo it would have been a very different world history we'd be learning about today - he was arguably the greatest general of that time period, and certainly the best defensive tactician - shame we can't get him on set pieces really.

We'd be absolutely mental to sell him to them for that.

They're probably hoping sting us for jwp's fee next summer.