DT

Conceding two to Reading. Hmmm. Really need a solid defence to mount a challenge in the Championship. Not seeing it.

In other news, The Russell Martin Academy U15 team (who my kids played for) are 3-0 up in the final of the Gothia Cup. (World club championship). Augurs well. Sort of. Kids streaming it from our holiday gaff

WTAF is that? Dear oh dear. Looks like he’s sneezed on it. Ridiculous

Agreed. Decent outcome especially as his injury might recurr/make him not the player he was. Think all that Ings stuff is balls though.

I think we'll end up getting less than that TBH. Unless we can play hardball re the Rice cash burning a hole in their pocket. But apparently the West Ham lot are very scattergun and unprofessional in their financial dealings (know someone who knows) compared to most. Think Downes would be a good outcome, esp given Martin's connection. Hope the remainder cash goes on Piroe. And someone who can call themselves a keeper.

Klopp talking to player pre transfer? A la van Dijk? Horrible the way that man does business. He'll be amazing for them and sickening that all the Saints history will be erased by the pundits. Ah well. We move on. No thanks to Henderson. He'll be off to pocket some Saudi cash too though, no doubt. Had a few flickers of doubt over Martinball and the probably more sensible strategy of getting quality in to tighten up at the back. So I hope a good keeper is on the list and we can shift McCarthy out once and for all. Also hope the rumours of certain older CBs coming in are true too. That's how you mount a serious challenge: by being hard to beat first.

McCarthy in ‘still fucking useless’ shock

He's definitely staying though

Wow. Good work Saints. Right out of the blue. Be great to get a good keeper next. Come back, Fraser.

Also, wait 'til she hears about away matches...

Fingers crossed!

Bit worried about us having shit goalkeepers. And now not many of them.

Obsessed with Diallos

to be fair, off road is pretty prickish

Loving the noises coming out of the club today. Fonte with a view to playing and presumably managing one day, Jonny Evans still absolute class, Shea looking like a profit on Lavia. Someone knows what they're doing and I hope it is the new Wilcox influence, and maybe even Martin too.

Totally agree, but fear he is a 'never go back' merchant, despite his links to the city. Worth a go though. Makes Che's finishing look like...well, there's no comparison really. How Che has got to where he has is amazing. PS don't buy this thing that is cropping up that players who were useless at scoring in the Prem will be amazing in the Champ, just because they scored a few goals once upon a time. Not sure it works like that. Hope we can get the Swansea lad Piroe.

I suspect we're pretending we're not until the big players are shifted out for max dosh. We know clubs want Lavia because he is mustard, JWP slightly less so. Both will go, late on. Then we'll be in for Downes and Piroe, would be my guess. All brinkmanship until then.

On the face of it, sensible. Unless it goes down to something ludicrous like £10m plus Downes. Guess that would be a downes payment... 😉

Liverpool's bid (for Lavia) of £30m is pretty insulting. He's a £50m player and will only get better. Bit like how Van Dyke (once they went more upfront and less Blackpool hotel room) buy is now viewed as a snip, given it totally transformed that club. They are showing little honour in both recognising their illegal approach back then (by a few more millions on the offer) and also evaluating his true worth and what it will do to their midfield. I hope other clubs come in an raise the price. So sad we only got to see him for a bit of one season.

Must be hard stumping up another measly £5 mill for Livramento when you own an actual country. Jeez. Can't stand the Newcastle media love in/sportswashing ignoring.

Sensible post. There's always the chance that he won't be the player he was (I suspect he won't) and while I was initially seething at seeing this (not least because Newcastle are so unlikeable) perhaps getting 20 mill is a very good deal. He would need to be more robust in the Championship, if anything. Shocked he is on such low wages though. Guess he has only had to buy bandages/crutches for a bit... 😉

you seem very sure. you must have excellent contacts.

Martin keen to bring £12m rated Piroe with him but acrimony may hinder negotiations, says latest from Mail via SaintsExtra Also, West Ham and Fulham waiting for us to fix a price on Ward-Prowse (who is definitely not going, no sir-eee) Newcastle 'maintaining' their interest in KWP Yeah, it's the Mail, but hey.

If he's only playing 8 outfield players like that image suggests we are in BIG trouble

Really? You don’t think we have a bunch of photos of other players in the shirt the moment he leaves? Which will happen, no question. We’re just wading through the Lavia offers first. Better player. Higher fee.