Miltonaggro

Excellent evaluative analysis, but I have empirical evidence that these days Russ's beard smells of Sushi.

Just idle speculation, nothing more. The rule of thumb with the Sport Republic methodology is 'fuck knows'...

I am very happy with this, as long as he remains in the dressing room.

To be honest I can't see us sacking Martin unless we are well adrift, and even then I wouldn't be overly surprised if this Board are prepared to be relegated with him with an assumption that promotion from the Championship is relatively easy. But, my guess is that it fundamentally depends on how Solak is viewing things - once again it's his loot on the line. I wouldn't be averse to Moyes to steady the club, and would bet on him to keep this squad up. He has always focussed on getting a tune out of what he has at his disposal, a practical adaptive manager, and very able tactically. Of the other names mentioned, like many others on here I think that Potter is made for us, but doubt he will have any interest in taking on the job, particularly whilst he is on the Chelsea pay off. Further afield in terms of who is available, Joachim Low (unlikely but previously at Frieberg, a similar sized club to Saints prior to the Germany job), Xavi (Le Tiss number one fan and assuming we want to retain and refine the tippy tappy, I am fucking joking), slightly more realistically in terms of a statement appointment Roger Schmidt (relieved of duties at Benfica two weeks ago), and the Croatian double of Edin Terzic or Niko Kovac (always liked Kovac). However, in reality, should we part ways with Russ, there is a very good chance we go left-field again, and look to recruit a limited coach from a lower division who might be malleable and mouldable into a world beater. I don't think that certain members of this Board are comfortable hiring people who clearly know more about the high level game than they do.

Shocking. Gary Shaw always seemed a babyface from that era, forever young to some of us. Classy player in a team packed with talent and ability that, like Forest, gave Saints hope and encouragement in terms of what could be achieved at a provincial club. Cowans and Morley pulling the strings and Shaw playing and poaching off Peter Withe (who was the epitome of an 'English centre forward). Remember Rimmer always engaged in good natured banter with the Saints crowd, again a top player in a likeable team. Given Gary Shaw's relatively young age and apparent good health this must have been a head injury, and clearly unexpected, so all strength and condolences to his family who must be in pieces. Forever a Villa legend.

I think Martin sees a lot of himself as a player in Stephens, similar attributes and ceiling.

Carling shandy man

As someone said last year, if we had just signed a 28 year old CB with 150 odd Premier League appearances and 62 caps for Poland (FIFA rank 26) on a free, most of us would feel it was very good business. We need a cohort of centre backs in this league in terms of adapting formation and better the devil you know given our current standing - he gets picked ahead of Jack Shoehorn every time for me. Good news and best of luck Janny B!

Really liked Burley as a player in that great Ipswich side and he had a solid CV as a manager before joining Saints, including getting Ipswich to fifth in the Prem and the UEFA Cup (PL Manager of the season 2001). Sketchy on a limited budget at Saints 2005-2008 and some personal issues apparently, but some way off our former Saints' managers shit list. I sincerely hope George recovers his health and beats that bastard disease.

Spot on. Always think a good analogy is cash flow and profit in business.

Prince Albert.

I meant Dragan, however it’s framed it’s his investment and loss. The Board overall along with Martin are attempting to learn on the hoof, and some in senior positions are clearly chancers to everyone but the owner. They appear daft enough to think if we are relegated we come straight back up again. Cortese and Adkins provide the best comparators to the current decision making on and off the park.

I think at the very end of last season Martin kept his job because he was flexible and pragmatic in the play off semi and the final, both in system and selection. When it mattered. You would assume that as the pressure ramps up in this unforgiving league that despite his rhetoric he will have to adapt again, but who knows. I genuinely feel at this point SR would rather get relegated with him, than sack him, despite their commendable investment in this window.

At the very least the minty little runt has the same breath as a fucking badger.

This signing keeps us up and allows us to build back to being a top ten club. That important. Credit to Martin and the Board.

Lest we forget - get it done Dragan:

Huge signing if this happens, and will provide Saints with a top level keeper for many years, something we’ve been crying out for for a decade. Will also give the board and manager credit and credibility and the fans a genuine boost! Successful sides are built from the back and and down the spine. Great work, Ramsdale has bags of ability and character.

Whatever we were going to spend on O'Riley needs to be reallocated so we can get this chap.

Knowing our luck we will get Bijlow and Stewart in for the Brentford game. Both play blinders, and then a clash in the 8th minute of injury time puts them out for the rest of the season. Saintsy... It's going to be Hagrid or Robocop, either is great news...

Bit Bijlow the belt!

Tom Hanks 'Big' - that big!

Seems for first choice keeper we are going from crisp packet wrists to stroopwaffle wrists and edam calves!

Netherlands ranked 7th in World, Republic of Ireland 58th, so reasonable chance Bijlow would be an improvement.

Used to hold forth at SMS last season about Mara with the old boy sitting directly in front of me. As he said, he looked to have everything you'd want in a forward athletically, but no end product, like there was a missing link. I'll remember the lad as a frustrating player, that crucial WBA playoff semi at the Hawthorns a standout example, but he's young enough to build a good career. Wish him well, but delighted we've essentially recouped the outlay.