p.s there may be

[pap]

You sound like derry and his plan to use Fonte as a defensive midfielder.

 

At least he's trying.

 

Don't remember too many pieces of analysis from yourself.

[hypochondriac]

At least he's trying.

 

Don't remember too many pieces of analysis from yourself.

 

You don't have to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of tactics or football in general to know that Sinclair will not be playing at left back this season.

[hypochondriac]

That's quite a compliment. Thank you. Derry is very knowledgeable indeed about Saints and football in general.

 

Says a lot.

[The9]

There's a big difference between the left back ability of a left back who can attack, and left winger who might be asked to defend.

 

If we sign him and then "Stewart Downing him" I'll be stunned.

[Pastor Patrón]

Meh, he's no Banega is he.

[SuperSAINT]

Meh, he's no Banega is he.

 

Banega is not going to happen.

 

(I will do cartwheels of joy if it does though)

[Pastor Patrón]

Banega is not going to happen.

 

(I will do cartwheels of joy if it does though)

 

Everyone said the same about Osvaldo, and Ramirez.

[Giordano]

There's a big difference between the left back ability of a left back who can attack, and left winger who might be asked to defend.

 

If we sign him and then "Stewart Downing him" I'll be stunned.

 

Yes I think you are right. Its very rare - in fact I'm trying to think but cannot recall - for a left winger to revert to left back. But can think of loads that play or played left back and end up pretty much as a left winger for a lot of the time on the pitch. Its just a possible option that I thought about and had not seen discussed anywhere else that's all.

 

I think much more likely is that two out of Clyne,Chambers,Shaw will be our FB's this season with Clyne playing at LB if needs be rather than Fox - with Fox used there only in a real emergency. When Cork plays at RB and gets high up the pitch (like v Sociedad - who killed Lyon last night btw- we MUST be CL quality based on that ;-) ) I do get worried about his ability to turn and get back to cover quickly if we lose possession - so pace in the FB position in the way we play is not optional - its ESSENTIAL. That is why our CB's cannot play there in this formation, if they do we need play a different way.

 

In summary - if Luke gets injured and both CC and NC are fit we are still ok.We don't need mess around converting leftwingers into left backs.

[Monk]

Take Sinclair out of the thread title as we do have other targets.

[egg]

In summary - if Luke gets injured and both CC and NC are fit we are still ok.We don't need mess around converting leftwingers into left backs.

 

I'm confused. So are you or are you not saying you envisage that Sinclair could play lb if we sign him?

[Sour Mash]

In my eyes Sinclair would be an upgrade on Rodriguez if anything?

[Pastor Patrón]

Take Sinclair out of the thread title as we do have other targets.

 

Are we still interested in Banega or a centre back?

[sfc4prem]

In my eyes Sinclair would be an upgrade on Rodriguez if anything?

 

Not by much.

[SuperSAINT]

Everyone said the same about Osvaldo, and Ramirez.

 

Not saying he wouldn't come here, but we've already spent 36m... And he'd cost another 12m+ (at least).

[Bewildered]

Take Sinclair out of the thread title as we do have other targets.

 

Any names regarding the other targets? Or is Sinclair the only name you've been given?

[Sheaf Saint]

Yes I think you are right. Its very rare - in fact I'm trying to think but cannot recall - for a left winger to revert to left back.

 

Wayne Bridge.

[dubai_phil]

Wayne Bridge.

 

Nick Holmes

 

Andy Townsend

[Olallana]

Wishing for Banega is just greedy....

 

 

 

 

I like greed

[killer fan]

Who would banega replace ?

[Batman]

Who would banega replace ?

 

3 in the middle

[thorpie the sinner]

Wishing for Banega is just greedy....

 

 

 

 

I like greed

 

So do I! Banega would be a Carlsberg signing!!! Ramirez can go to Inter, can't see how we can continue to cater for a player who has 40 mintes in his locker.

[Monk]

Not a clue, I just know that Sinclair is not the only name that we looked at. It may well be that its not Sinclair they pursue.

 

The club may not pursue anyone, there is contact between Saints & a club which I am ASSUMING is Sinclair but contact doesnt mean anything yet.

 

I am surprised to see movement for one more player, let alone another. Unless players go.

[FarehamRed]

Nick Holmes

 

Andy Townsend

 

Derek Statham?

[Give it to Ron]

Derek Statham?

Francis Benali.....well almost

[anothersaintinsouthsea]

There's a big difference between the left back ability of a left back who can attack, and left winger who might be asked to defend.

 

If we sign him and then "Stewart Downing him" I'll be stunned.

 

Indeed, worth noting that Sinclair is actually right footed.

[Barry Sanchez]

Nick Holmes

 

Andy Townsend

 

Andy Townsend?

[hutch]

The bookies are cooling down a bit, drifted out from 8/13 to 4/6 in the last couple of hours, with West Brom back in from 5/2 to 7/4

[angelman]

Banega was 5/6 this morning on SkyBet. Still is http://www.skybet.com/football/transfer-specials/event/15457864

[Saint Billy]

I wonder if Banega has been house hunting for 3 months.

[Giordano]

I'm confused. So are you or are you not saying you envisage that Sinclair could play lb if we sign him?

 

I did suggest he might be tried in that position if Shaw was unavailable and had been retrained, yes. I also think its not very likely for reasons I have also noted. I think its helpful in analyzing potential signings like this to keep an open mind. Same with Osvaldo. If a possible outcome sounds stupid or ridiculous or whatever to anyone reading it - fair enough - when assessing possibilities you must start by including all of them, including the ridiculous. I don't think Osvaldo will play anywhere other than the most central of our strikers because he is a very good finisher and you usually put your very good finisher near the goals - but i don't rule out him coming in from the right hand side of the three AM's nor playing behind SRL in the second striker role. Not ruling it out.

[CeeBee]

As I recall there were three main targets. Osvaldo or Leandre, Banega and Wanyama. So I still think we may get Banega if he wants to come.

[Matthew Le God]

I did suggest he might be tried in that position if Shaw was unavailable and had been retrained, yes. I also think its not very likely for reasons I have also noted. I think its helpful in analyzing potential signings like this to keep an open mind. Same with Osvaldo. If a possible outcome sounds stupid or ridiculous or whatever to anyone reading it - fair enough - when assessing possibilities you must start by including all of them, including the ridiculous. I don't think Osvaldo will play anywhere other than the most central of our strikers because he is a very good finisher and you usually put your very good finisher near the goals - but i don't rule out him coming in from the right hand side of the three AM's nor playing behind SRL in the second striker role. Not ruling it out.

 

Why would you train a right footed winger/striker to play left back? Do you really think he'd be happy playing out of position and second fiddle to an 18 year old?

 

He scored 8 Premier League goals in 2011/12 for Swansea, whilst playing in his best position, earnt a big money move where he didn't play. He isn't now going to join us to be a sub for an unnatural position. If he comes, it'll be as an attacking midfielder and for games plus a large wage.

Edited 21 August, 2013 by Matthew Le God

[SuperSAINT]

3 targets were IMO

 

-- DC (Lovren/Astori)

-- DMC (Wanyama/Banega)

-- SC (Osvaldo/Damiao)

[Clapham Saint]

Not a clue, I just know that Sinclair is not the only name that we looked at. It may well be that its not Sinclair they pursue.

 

The club may not pursue anyone, there is contact between Saints & a club which I am ASSUMING is Sinclair but contact doesnt mean anything yet.

 

I am surprised to see movement for one more player, let alone another. Unless players go.

 

So in summary...

 

Sinclair might sign, he might not, we might sign somebody else or we might sign nobody.

 

 

 

 

Top stuff, thanks for keeping us in the loop.

 

(winky tongue in cheek thingy etc.)

[Giordano]

Why would you train a right footed winger/striker to play left back? Do you really think he'd be happy playing out of position and second fiddle to an 18 year old?

Of course he would not want to play second fiddle to an 18year old. But that 18 year old shares some important characteristics with him namely Pace and Dribbling (running with the ball) ability.

 

FB might be an ideal position for him to showcase those talents in our current formation. He is not likely to immediately get a game otherwise because he's basically an upgraded Puncheon as far as i can recall. The alternate is that he is added to the list of attacking midfielders/ strikers we already have in the team and fights it out with Jrod, Adam Lallana, Gaston Ramirez, Guly, Mayuka etc for a place. I have not seen him play since Swansea so have no idea what he's like nowadays but he used to be direct and speedy and good with ball at feet......

Edited 21 August, 2013 by Giordano

[CanadaSaint]

I think it also helps to recognize that, while we're all focused on what looks like an exciting 2013-14 season, the key decision-makers at the club are also thinking 2, 3 and even 5 years down the road.

 

With some key players aging and the big name clubs sniffing around our young talent, I'm sure they've got a gazillion "what if?" scenarios in their minds, so flexibility is crucial.

[goneawol]

Banega was 5/6 this morning on SkyBet. Still is http://www.skybet.com/football/transfer-specials/event/15457864

 

It has been that price for the last 3 or 4 weeks.

[Glasgow_Saint]

So in summary...

 

Sinclair might sign, he might not, we might sign somebody else or we might sign nobody.

 

 

 

 

Top stuff, thanks for keeping us in the loop.

 

(winky tongue in cheek thingy etc.)

 

A good ITK never commits to times, names or dates. Just say everything, but also say nothing. Win/win

 

One ITK poster once committed more info "one in one out this week" when this was missed by two days the poster was lambasted and now has a legion of obsessed forum fans. Can’t therefore blame Monk for staying low profile and non committal

[Lets B Avenue]

A good ITK never commits to times, names or dates. Just say everything, but also say nothing. Win/win

 

One ITK poster once committed more info "one in one out this week" when this was missed by two days the poster was lambasted and now has a legion of obsessed forum fans. Can’t therefore blame Monk for staying low profile and non committal

 

And another posts complete bol locks on a regular basis.

[Monk]

A good ITK never commits to times, names or dates. Just say everything, but also say nothing. Win/win

 

One ITK poster once committed more info "one in one out this week" when this was missed by two days the poster was lambasted and now has a legion of obsessed forum fans. Can’t therefore blame Monk for staying low profile and non committal

I think you have bit of a thing for me.

[Glasgow_Saint]

I think you have bit of a thing for me.

 

I just defended you

[itchen_dan]

@John__Percy: Scott Sinclair update: loan move to #wba should finally be completed before weekend #mcfc

[Saint Charlie]

Not convinced we have ever been in for Sinclair this summer.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Not convinced we have ever been in for Sinclair this summer.

 

You calling Monk a liar?

[Smirking_Saint]

Not convinced we have ever been in for Sinclair this summer.

 

We have

 

That said Im not massively bothered if we sign Sinclair or not, of course he is a decent player and will definately add something to the team but I do think we have good options there anyway and honestly believe, from what I have seen a heard from the training ground, that Isgrove will make good strides this year.

 

A CB would impress me more though, think beyond Yoshi and Lovren we look a little weak.

[saints_is_the_south]

A CB would impress me more though, think beyond Yoshi and Lovren we look a little weak.

 

I agree that another top quality CB would improve us a lot, but I don't think we are necessarily weak beyond those two either. Fonte had a very decent game on Saturday and Hooiveld has shown himself to be up to the task when called upon. Both have proved themselves to be capable PL defenders. As back ups to Dejan & Yoshida, they're pretty good I'd say. You've also got Cork & Wanyama who can do a job at CB if we were ever facing a major injury crisis.

[Saint Charlie]

As soon as Crook reported it in the Mirror I realised it wasn't true. He really is clueless.

[DT]

More chance of signing Sir Clive Sinclair

[Pastor Patrón]

I agree that another top quality CB would improve us a lot, but I don't think we are necessarily weak beyond those two either. Fonte had a very decent game on Saturday and Hooiveld has shown himself to be up to the task when called upon. Both have proved themselves to be capable PL defenders. As back ups to Dejan & Yoshida, they're pretty good I'd say. You've also got Cork & Wanyama who can do a job at CB if we were ever facing a major injury crisis.

 

Hooiveld is utter **** at this level, Fonte and Yoshida are just about good enough for a bottom half team. CB is the only remaining weakness we've got.

[DT]

I agree that another top quality CB would improve us a lot, but I don't think we are necessarily weak beyond those two either. Fonte had a very decent game on Saturday and Hooiveld has shown himself to be up to the task when called upon. Both have proved themselves to be capable PL defenders. As back ups to Dejan & Yoshida, they're pretty good I'd say. You've also got Cork & Wanyama who can do a job at CB if we were ever facing a major injury crisis.

 

Fonte wasn't great on Saturday. Kept chipping it to nowhere in particular.