UpweySaint

I think Valery is injured, sure somebody can confirm. Ramsey was young when he first got in but can't say I spotted much that made be think he would be a prem player. Vokins on the left hasn't done much wrong but we do miss Bertrand particularly going forwards.

I have the NBC coverage on and I've never heard such a good atmosphere at Old Trafford!

Could we do better than Harrison Reed? Yes. Can we afford to do much better while also improving more pressing areas of the squad? Probably not. There is a sliding scale of opinions on how effective he might be but I think we all agree with the above. Personally I've seen him once or twice this season and thought he could be a useful option for us. I'm a sentimentalist too and do love to see our academy products fulfilling their potential with us so I may be slightly biased! As others have pointed out it would be great if we could shift some of the dead weight (Hoedt, Lemina etc.) and this would change our outlook dramatically on squad building. it would be great to be able to give Reed his chance while also being able to dip into the market for the right player.

Fair enough, 9 times out of 10 kits looks better without a sponsor (some odd exceptions where it's added a bit of character). I was a big fan of the Huddersfield Paddypower kits and the PR stunt was pretty clever.

Really like the away. No sponsorship logo for Oldham?

Something very iffy has gone on, hopefully the truth will out ... Just another example of how toothless football league/prem are in filtering out awful owners. Such a shame that community assets are so vulnerable. I know there have been many a false dawn but hopefully in the aftermath of a new financial landscape more regulation will come into ownership/financial structures to allow clubs to complete without needing the backing of venture capitalists, oligarchs or morally bankrupt countries investment arms looking to sportswash horrendous human rights records. It would be great if this could happen without decent clubs going to the wall.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53242351 BBC have confirmed done deal. Does seem strange to not have even tried to sell permanently, can only hope we are getting something out of the deal.

Elyounoussi + Forster for Ntcham or Ajer would do for me. Get both off the wage bill, take the hit on any fees, gain a good player in a position we need to strengthen. Celtic not having to pay fees for both should hopefully free up some room to pay them a competitive wage. It doesn't seem likely I know ... the big wages we have our outcasts in seems to be a real anchor in shifting any of them on!

Financially they are very well run, they've established themselves as a stable mid table side under Dyche and they're probably much cheaper to invest in than we are. Certainly you could argue we have more potential value in the long term though!

Seconded. Some real quality young players at Norwich but they are likely to be unwilling to/not need to sell anybody unless significant offers come in. I would like Godfrey, Aarons, Buendia and Cantwell but can't see any going for under £30mil even post Covid. It would be Ryan Fraser I would look at if we're being realistic. Reports he is asking for mega bucks but if better offers don't materialise for the lad a good wage could be offset by the lack of any fee. Could really see him flourishing under Ralph.

No point us publicly briefing we think he's dross and he won't have a look in if we hope to get a fee for him. Instantly weakens any negotiating position when we already have a poor hand as clubs know we've got plenty on big wages we don't want to pay. If honest I think between Gunn and McCarthy we are 'okay' and there are certainly areas on the squad I would rather we focused investing on particularly if funds are going to be as tight as we expect.

Fair to say we've lacked end product but f*ck me Arsenal are boring and rather average these days! Some job on for Arteta to get them anywhere near the Liverpool's and City's again ...

Fair point. I guess we're basically safe now so can afford to think long term.

I can't help but feel we're crying out for Djenepo but Boufal would have been good too, have to wonder why he's not even made the bench.

Fingers crossed if we can pick up three more points soonish we can give the young players plenty of match experience, especially with the need for rotation with such quick turnaround of games. Personally hoping to see what Jankewitz and Ferry can do before the end of the season.

I agree we'll miss him and think plenty don't rate him highly enough but he's more replaceable than Tadic. On his day Tadic could mix it with the best whereas Hoj, while an accomplished centre mid arguably capable of surpassing our current level, has not often been a 'match winner' for us. I would also suggest capable centre mids are more plentiful (and therefore theoretically cheaper to replace) than flair players like Tadic.

Thanks, let's hope it's better than the home. Failing that fingers crossed for a third kit. I can't remember the precise context but the 'one off' we wore against Bournemouth a while back was actually okay!

Away kit looking any more promising??? The logo does seem to make a mess of the kit however it is to be fair ...

Good finish but that's a pen, no question. F*cking embarrassing officiating today!

Seeing the video on Saints twitter was a nice watch, he's not always been without fault but there is no doubting Yoshida's professionalism and dedication over his time at the club. Sensibly I think we all knew he was likely to move on so it's understandable all around but still tinged with sadness. Best of luck Maya, as per twitter a saint forever.

Closer to Utd in 5th than Bournemouth in 18th, some turnaround. Massive credit to Ralph and the players who have really found another level!

Not seen enough of Julian but I caught the derby and, though I expect Maehle is more likely, I'm a fan of Tavernier and he looked decent in the old firm game. Not sure he is top draw but decent going forwards, good at set pieces, can win the odd header too ...

I read somewhere else (BBC IIRC) Celtic had bid 1.2mil but Motherwell wanted 2.5mil. Relatively small change for us if he has premiership potential.

Rather agree. A few good seasons with us or similar and he can always have that big move.

BBC has him as a City target too ... quite possibly the same source or an overzealous agent!