Shroppie

He's played 90 minutes only once since 2018. Too big a risk.

In a backs-to-the-wall defensive set-up, Bednarek excels. No one better at last-ditch blocks and tackles. It's when we're attacking and need to defend against a fast break that he's vulnerable.

It always seems to me that our season is the opposite of pre-season. I remember once hammering several weak teams in pre-season then getting relegated. And having no results before the real kick-off but having a decent season

Where shall I start? You consistently get excited when Saints perform badly, sell a good player, buy a failure, miss out on an unrealistic transfer "target". Never a positive word when things go well. Determined to crank up disquiet and pessimism. Simply behaviour that isn't consistent with actually being a Saints fan. So I guess you're not. I'm a lifelong fan. I celebrate the good things and get down when things go wrong. I think the reverse is true in your case. The evidence is obvious.

The team we put out today were. Bit don't let the fact that do many were missing detract from your glee.

Think it was Armstrong

Is Ralph just sending a message to show how weak we are with a few out? Or does he know his best team and is using these games to look at options?

This

I'm not sure that's right. Put out a rumour that Club X are interested, can prompt other clubs to look.

It's a strong rumour because they're desperate to get rid.

Honestly not surprised, you could tell from his body language and performance his head wasn’t in it any more. I called this out a few weeks back and was obviously called a troll. Even a blatant troll occasionally posts a non-trolling fact. But not often.

I wouldn't bet against Villa going down.

The more read, the more I realise the thread title refers to the ranting outpourings of certain posters. Quite right. I'm done.

Why would they be pissed off? It was obvious he was going and I'm sure he'd told his teammates as much.

So true.

No matter how good they are, they need a good manager/coach to build them into a team. Smith isn't that

I think that's far from certain. Fulham splashed £100m randomly but it didn't make a team. Relegated. Villa have lost their talisman and it all depends on whether all the new players actually work together.

There are parallels here with Fonte, who had a good tournament with Portugal and convinced himself he was top 6 quality and decided to go. But there were no takers so he had to save face and go somewhere (West Ham) and insist it was a good deal. He could have done as well, except financially, by staying. Ings had one stellar season when he got 20 goals and avoided injury. Then the story is as above. No top 6 takers, has to accept Villa and presumably more money to actually move. For what it’s worth, Fonte was the bigger loss. He’s still going strong. Danny’s now in a randomly assembled team of money chasers and with his injury record, has very limited shelf life.

Don't think you get it. He didn't want to stay. He could have run down his contract. We got £25m+ for a player with one year on his contract and a dodgy fitness record. Yes, when he was good, he was very good. But we weren't going to get any more out if him, so thanks and goodbye. Result for Saints.

Or Ralph wants to test this team for a full 90.

He only scored 3 more than Adams.

This. At least at £30m for someone out of contract next year, injury prone and been putting in half-arsed effort, we've royally screwed them. And no way do I think it's a step up.

They haven't. The Fail claims they're going to with Grealish proceeds but other reports say Grealish is staying. May be agent talk to keep it alive or just the usual Fail rubbish. Or just maybe Villa will come back but I doubt they'll be anywhere near our valuation.

I think Ralph is hoping to use Djenepo against weaker teams as an attacking WB.