Lee On Solent Saint

Am not sure if something else has gone on behind the scenes. All seems to have come out of nowhere. Wouldn't be surprised if Saints had put down an ultimatum along the lines of if you haven't committed to us by such a date, the contract offer is withdrawn. Ings suddenly is in a corner, does he take the risk that a big four club comes in for him, whom he must know, haven't shown a shred of interest in him, or does he take the first available offer that is on the table. It's pretty obvious he was never going to sign a new contract with us, his agent would have known if a really big club was interested. The testing himself at a higher level was just a load of bollocks. I believe it's just about the money. He had to move this window, if he got injured and had spells out of the team then that would reduce his options still further. Maybe Saints went even further, with another PEH situation, unlikely given his importance to us, but it's a possibility. Looking at the photo of him holding the Villa shirt up, he doesn't exactly looked thrilled to be doing that. I think he expected a top four club to come in for him. He's obviously said all the right things about Vllla having ambition etc, but I firmly believe they won't break into the top 8 whilst Smith is in charge.

Are Brighton turning into the new Pompey?!

I get what you are saying. Pretty baffling to me that we would let this one go. Ralph obviously wanted the lad, we've tried to get him for the past three windows. I don't agree with paying loan fees, but sometimes you have to suck it up. Not saying the lad is a world beater, but better to have him playing than the sheer lunacy that is Moussa at left back.

This comes up every transfer window now. He's no different than Lemina

Partnerships? These players have been playing together more or less since Ralph came in. Ings and Adams have a effective partnership, likewise JWP and Romeou. Jan and Vest had pretty much spent most of the season as a pair too. The players and Ralph will all know each other's game. Ralph will know his best time, I mean we all know our best team, the starting eleven virtually picks itself. The only real area you could say where that's different is the shitshow the keepers have become.

I agree. If City are willing to pay 100m for Grealish, then why should we just roll over and accept anything less than 45m? Of course JWP and Grealish are different types of player, but the fact we are looking at is their value to the respective clubs. Grealish is Villa's main man, and in many respects JWP is our main man. If other clubs want main players from other teams, then the buying club should expect to pay over the odds. We sold Mane short, we simply cannot afford to make the same mistake with JWP.

Yep. Agree. Although, I have been impressed with him in the two friendly games. No doubting there is a player there, just shouldn't be at left back.

For fuck's sake, it's a pre-season friendly. These games are just about fitness and maybe trying a few things out that you couldn't do in a Premier League game. Not sure how you got to that assessment of Perraud after he's played what probably equates to one whole game in minutes.

Can anyone remember the last time we turned down a bid for a "star player" and him actually staying?

Which often translates to add an extra 10m to that figure and we'll start talking

Exactly. Think currently I would worry if we lost him more so than JWP

Just thirty five years of supporting Saints

You completely miss the point. Ings, Vestergaard and JWP will all be sold by the time we play Everton.

Not suggesting he isn't, but to miss two friendlies in a row, when one was on a Tuesday, and the other not until a Saturday, just doesn't stack up. This is JWP we are talking about not made of glass Djenpo

I have a horrible sense of dread that this will be the starting line up when we play Everton. With the exception of Perraud for Moussa.

Are you really that naive? Super human JWP develops a slight knock in training that keeps him out of two subsequent friendlies? This is a guy who played every available minute last season.

Not sure that playing for Villa would have made any difference. Watkins didn't get selected and he had a decent season. Probably more deserving than Calvert Lewin.

Could just be a PR exercise by Villa. Trying to appease their fans before they sell Grealish. If he was to go, would want at least £50m for him.

Would have loved to see Delaney here, hugely impressed with him at the Euro's.

Sweden for the two Svennson's. And Ostlund because he looked like a pirate!

You think Vestergaard is any better than Bednarek?

Exactly this. A few nippers from my lad's team have spent time at their centres. And they are only nine.

This will probably drag out until either the start of the season or the end of the window. If he is going, we need him gone as soon as, just so we can at least try to get a replacement in.

Exactly. Don't see the harm in it myself. If he does prove he can still play at this level, then we've still got a player. Pre-injury always felt he had a bit more to his game than Targett.

I don't give a shit about not fitting in with England. He was, and will always be the best Saints player ever, in my eyes.