Disco Stu

Yes there's some surprise there but it seems they need home-grown players. I've not seen anyone express any surprise that THB might want the move though.

Who's expressed surprise that THB would want to go to Villa?

I'm holding off until the window closes before calling anyone a liar but it does appear he's over-promised (probably to get ST sales). We desperately need some positive news soon. Selling our best players, increasing our ST price and starting slow on -4 after last seasons disqualification is a recipe for a toxic environment at St. Mary's.

That's one hell of a downgrade on Konsa.

I noticed there's this too... https://frontrowpromotions.co.uk/events/an-evening-with-liverpool-legends-john-barnes-jan-molby-at-st-marys-stadium/ I guess it allows the plastics a chance to see their heroes.

With our squad, if we mess up top 8 because of a 4 point deduction, it's been a very poor season. We should achieve that with any competent manager.

I'm not too concerned about additions in central defense if we don't lose anyone. Under Eckert, THB and Stephens were a successful pairing. We will add depth to CM and I think Dobbin will come good if he's played centrally. My main worry is the CF position. We don't have a like for like replacement for Larin now that Stewart's gone which means we'll have to change the way we play when he's out of the team. Not ideal given it worked so well last season. I'm not convinced Mubama is an adequate replacement. I'm also concerned about the right back position. Roerslev isn't good enough cover from what I've seen so I'm worried we'd have to revert to a back three in Bree's absence. Perhaps we should utlise the loan market.

Do we still have interest in Werder Bremen's Justin Njinmah? If so, there could be a deal to be made involving Sugawara going the other way.

Werder Bremen fans seemed very keen on keeping him so I assume yes.

You didn't say good spot when I said it 🥲 In all seriousness though, we must stay firm on the price. My understanding is they'll only come back in for him if they win their Europa League qualifier so let's hope they lose.

How much are we paying them?

Whitmarsh sold to Northampton on a permanent. I thought he had a future here.

Their transfer record for a defender is Otamendi for £13m. If they spend over double that on a worse, albeit younger player, fair enough. Benfica have made a £55m profit this summer, including selling a right back to Newcastle for £30m so I hope we stay firm on the price.

In this market, Harwood-Bellis is a £30m player. Probably a top 3 centre half in the division, an England international(ish), 2 years left on his deal and at a good age to be heading into the peak of his career. He's invaluable to our team, both as a key player and a leader. Since signing him for £20m, his value hasn't gone down. Harwood-Bellis understands this. If we sell in the English market, his nationality means he comes at a premium. I think he either gets bought by a Premier League club or he stays. If Benfica want to break their transfer record to sign him then okay he'll likely go, but they're currently not even in the same ballpark right now for us to consider it. How likely is it really that they'll break their transfer record for him?

I expected what I got.