Patches O Houlihan

There is nothing I would like more than to sign a statement striker. But unfortunately it takes more than just money - Unless you have wheelbarrows full, which FFP won't allow us. Remember what happened with Cody Gakpo. We'll be the 'smallest/least sexy' of 5 clubs in the running and we'll loose out. (Either that or we're reliant on the mentalist religious nut we're signing scoring the correct number of goals in the game where god gives him a sign 😔 🙄 😆) Unfortunately the chances of us pulling another Potters Heron seem unlikely

I completely get this train of thought. However it was easier to persuade Che & Arma to come to Saints than it will be to get your average consistent PL striker down here. (Callum Wilson is possibly an easier one because having been at Bournemouth he may well still have some ties here?)

Japan national team defender Sugawara Yusei is most likely to transfer to Southampton, another Moriyasu Japan player to join the world's strongest league [ June 24, 2024 03:00] It was revealed on the 23rd that Southampton, which has decided to return to the English Premier League after one year, is the most likely destination for Japanese national team defender Sugawara Yusei (23) of Dutch first division AZ Alkmaar. According to sources, Southampton highly values Sugawara, who has a proven track record in Europe. With one year left on his contract with AZ, the two clubs have been negotiating the transfer fee behind the scenes, and if an agreement is reached, the transfer is likely to be completed. 　Sugawara signed with AZ in June 2020 at the age of 19, and has continued to grow with each passing season. In his fifth season in 2023-2024, he made a leap as an offensive right back, scoring a career-high four goals. He has also established himself as a member of the Japanese national team, and has attracted attention from several European clubs, including Serie A's prestigious Inter Milan. 　In the past, Southampton has had former Japanese national team defender Yoshida (LA Galaxy) and midfielder Minamino (Monaco) on its roster. Most recently, forward Takaoka Reiha (17) from Nichisho Gakuen (Miyazaki) has just been confirmed to join the team. In 2023-2024, the team was relegated to the second division for the first time in 12 seasons, but after a playoff, they were able to return to the first division in just one year. 　AZ has already acquired defender Maikuma Akiya (26) from Cerezo Osaka in preparation for the departure of Sugawara. If Sugawara joins Southampton, he will join Endo, Tomiyasu, Mitoma and Kamada on the pitch of the world's strongest league next season. 　◇ Sugawara Yukinari Born June 28, 2000, 23 years old, from Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture. A product of Nagoya's youth academy, he started in the opening match of 2018 at the age of 17 years, 7 months and 27 days, the second youngest player in J1 history at the time. He moved to AZ Alkmaar on loan in July 2019, and made a permanent transfer in July 2020 on a five-year contract. He made his debut for the Japanese national team in October 2020 against Cameroon. He has scored one goal in 13 international A matches. He is 179 cm tall and weighs 69 kg. He is right-footed. The above is stuck through google translate. Gives some useful extra detail - 2nd youngest ever J1 player & 13 caps for Japan 👍

This was my view at Wembley for the playoff final. My first time watching dead on the centreline, at height behind the goal. You're right that it gives you a better view of the tactics on display. It certainly added to what was already going to be my best ever football experience.

Yoshida did, yes. Maybe he gave Saints a heads up?

Sugawara does look like a classic Saints signing with some potential benefits: Unsexy nationality & league = good value Coming into his peak years Japanese culture suggests a head down, work hard mentality (just like KWP & Yoshida) Seems to like a raised cross more than KWP - might suit Ross Stewart? He looks great in the videos; but there does seem to be quite a reliance on slide tackles and we know PGMOL in their attempts to destroy the game are coming down harder on them... Would love for KWP to re-sign, but if we were replacing him this guy could put a smile on our faces

Probably - but he'd still be pissed off!

Did you watch Che and Danny play together?! They worked well as a pair because their games contrasted so much! Signing Danny so Che can be support striker might encourage him to resign. Might piss Arma off though

How Brentford's Moneyball Approach Works

Lockdown interview when Ghoddos joined Brentford (Sept 2020) Number 10 apparently his favourite position, and good from long range. Maybe he really is the Iranian Joe Rothwell https://griffinpark.org/forums/threads/saman-ghoddos.134246/page-58 Brentford fans thoughts this time last year when he was out of contract and left to get married. He was resigned by them for a year.

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/saman-ghoddos/profil/spieler/204294 Suggests he is 30yo, born in Sweden with Swedish & Iranian nationality. Played 88mins in Iran’s last game (11th June) Hopefully he’s the kind of ‘widely underrated and undervalued gem’ that moneyball Brentford and Brighton have been built with. Rasmus will love this signing. Potentially a grafter?

I spoke too soon 😁

I can't help it 😁 Scots singing Flower of Scotland as the fifth goes in. All those times the sweaties have wound us up. 🤣

Earlier someone suggested that Che might be £1m more expensive after tonight... or maybe not

I believe my line to the missus while watching the opening ceremony was "The Scots are going to get humped"

This game reminding me of an infamous night for Saints fans at Old Trafford...

He's quite tidy. Based on the 'getting the band back together' strategy I say lets get him on the bus

Scots are up sh..t creek without a paddle

Adams and Gunn are starting for Scotland against Germany. Stu is on the bench

Just remember that this is a real life person who plays for a team we all support, and who had a stellar reputation at Sunderland. Can we not give him the benefit of the doubt for pre-season friendlies and a couple of months of the season before completely writing him off?!

Here’s a thought: Last season we bizarrely extended Charley’s contract, his play didn’t really fit us, and then he went on loan to Juve. He’s super determined, and talented, but still very raw. What if Adam Lallana’s key role this year was to teach/coach Alcaraz how to be a young Stu Armstrong - therefore considerably enhancing the value of a club asset and our AM options? Also I bet RM has got to know AL through Brighton connections. So to him the transfer might seem like Ryan Fraser’s - bringing in a black sheep that you personally trust?

But Saka did get on the pitch. Hence only 2 changes from the ideal starting side really, and both very reasonable. It's worrying, but I don't think starting team selection was the cause of this. I guess I see managers endlessly abused on this forum, and sometimes feel some sympathy for them: It's a tough job, with big decisions and no guarantees. Did we need a Grealish or Maddison to bring some creativity 2nd half - maybe? Would we have been wise 18 months ago to have blooded a new CB partner for Stones, or tried to bring Tomori into the squad - maybe? But given the players in the squad I don't think the starting team choice was seriously at fault, hence my query.

Saka not fully fit, Shaw not fit. Bellingham needs a break after the Champions League final. Which team would you have put out?

Correct

Painful that night. Watching Tall Paul running about with no hope of being able to get a touch, being completely bossed by bloody Gillingham. My Liverpool supporting mate was down for the evening to watch and gave me heaps!