ErwinK1961

It’s not, when the other three would have been ahead of him.

Spot on.

Probably Redmond.

Blimey, that would be strange. Expected him to end up at Spurs or Everton. Surely staying at Wolves would have been more preferable?

Sums up my thoughts pretty much. Strange squad, unbalanced.

Great post TWar, thank you for the work!

Whooosh

Think I’d back England in a shootout v Spain if big Dave is in the sticks.

Indeed 🙂 Got to laugh, £3.5m plus Moi for Eduoard, if only

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/15071799/southampton-edouard-celtic-transfer-swap-elyounoussi/

Not sure he's going to ever make it in the Prem unfortunately, too brittle. But as others have said, he's not exactly had a consistent run of games (would we have been any worse him playing all the games Redmond shouldn't have?) and I don't think our '10' role really suits him at all. Needs a bit of freedom to get the best out of him.

I was in the Ralph in camp, but think after the end to the season we've had, I think his time is up. Tactically is a strange one - we clearly do a lot of work the week of the game on tactics, as we seem to start games well in general and look good (but generally fail to capitalise on). But as soon as the oppo manager changes anything, we never seem to adapt at all. It's as if the players are told 'these are the tactics and we will use them no matter what the game situation is.' If it is a fitness issue, you do have to wonder what training is like. I know pre-season was somewhat shortened this year, but surely if the main part of his tactic is to press hard most of the match, you would focus time on getting the players super fit. Look at Leeds, how fit must they be? Everyone thought they would blow up, but they seemed to get stronger in the last 10 games. The squad isn't great, there are only a handful of players (Ings, KWP, JWP, Armstrong) that I would be bothered about losing. The lack of any sort of investment is always going to hamstring us and limit where we would finish across a season - but surely you adapt to what players you have. To not meaningfully change anything (tweaking a position here and there doesn't cut it for me) when we have officially gone on one of the worst 20 game runs of any premier league team is inexcusable. I don't think there's a manager out there within our reach (e.g. one without a club and therefore free) who could get us into the top half with this existing team. But without a change I think we are bang in trouble next season.

Think he's got one til 2023

Good to see more links to GK's - hopefully the club is seriously looking to bring someone in. Was quite impressed with Woodman in the two playoff games - doesnt look the biggest, but came (and took) more crosses than Fraser and Alex combined.

Beat me to it

Errrr... the new padded seats will give us that extra 1%?

If he knew what he was working with, why does he repeatedly set up the same way week after week when every man and his dog can see it isn’t working?

You are of course correct, I have done Niemi a disservice there - he was excellent. Best GK I’ve seen for Saints (started from Beasant)

Pretty sure that's the one - Ormerod crossed to Beattie in the 93rd minute or something. Think we got battered for most of the match and smash and grabbed at the end. Seem to remember Niemi having a very good game. Pretty sure we did the same against Villa away that year too - Beattie pen, 1-0 smash and grab. Oh the good old days when we could defend.. (or had a very good GK and CB pairing).

I think they can lose and still very likely to finish 6th - can't see Spurs winning at Leicester and Everton aren't going to turn the goal difference around. But you're right, only one outcome.

Gunn was highly rated, England U21 GK who’d had a very good season at Norwich before he joined. It was a strange move at the time, without selling either Fraser or McCarthy, but don’t think you can say we bought Gunn on a whim.

Would be a great move for him. Not sure it's the signing that's going to bridge the gap to City. They should be going all out for Kane or Haaland.

Agree totally. I said on another thread a good GK wins you double figure points in a season, neither of ours seem to.