Holmes_and_Watson

Thanks for the squad and transfer news Christophe! While it was a poor season, it’s interesting to note the number of first team/ regular league players who have now left the club. Koem; Coeff; Boissier and Appuah. All of these were better than the alternatives in the squad. Appuah, in particular, looked to be the one who would improve with experience, and support. El Hadary and Baghdadi had fewer appearances, but were often first choice players, while Takaoka had quite a few sub appearances. All three of these were young players, and a lot was put on them to create in a stuttering attacking side. VA will no doubt be looking to bring in stronger creative players this season, preferably with a bit of experience behind them. Of those in the perhaps not staying group are:- Bryan Passi and Ahmed Diomandé. Both with contracts ending 2026?. Passi came in during the window, and was growing stronger towards the end of the season. Often the most dangerous from attacking set pieces too. One VA would want to keep hold of. Coming in are Zogba, who finished 10 points ahead of VA this season; Ekra, who is stepping up a division and Lebouath, who has some sub appearances in the league above with Pau. So, next season looks something like this so far (no doubt with errors to be corrected):- GK Jean Louchet; Justin Lacombe DR Derrick Abu; Salif Lebouath (MR); ?Erin Airhiavbere? DL Abdelwahed Wahib DC Loïck Landre; ?Nolann Bourichon (Youth)? DC Maël Zogba; ?Sakhalou Niakaté (DR)? MC Mabrouk Rouaï; Quentin Daubin; ?Joel Ngoya? MC Samir Belloumou ; ?Thibault Maréchal?; ?Kaïs Lesueur (Youth)? AML Alain Ipiélé (MR) AMR Rayane Ekra AM Daou Kader Diomandé; ?Ben Osman? FC Gaëtan Courtet; Kylian Kouakou (Youth); ?Marks Inchaud? FC Charles Abi; ?Célestin Nyemb? VA could do worse than re-signing Passi. Niakate and Nyemb and Maréchal are options too, with some potential. Perhaps it’s time for Courtet to take on a supporting role, behind Abi/Nyemb where he’d also be able to bring in the wider players too.

One badge on each, as a memento of the uncertainty of this season's play off campaign. 🙂

Yes, it is possible to link Lowe's reverse takeover, world class radio station, getting a bigger stadium and great catering to future "interestingly leveraged" takeovers, the rise of social media, and pushing for improved fan experiences respectively . That's not even mentioning getting in the best from other areas to... hey! what's all this politics stuff here for?! We'll get moved to the Lounge if we're...never mind...

Eze psyched out by their keeper, and putting a CB up for the deciding penalty. Shame. Nearly a clean sweep for the English clubs.

Extra time. Arsenal have been looking to contain PSG, and take advantage of any, rare opportunity. I thought Barcolinwas going to score in the last second. On the plus side some key PSG players have come off, and Arsenal's subs are good.

Well taken goal and nearly a second before half time. In between, under enough pressure that Arsenal celebrated getting a corner just at half time. Tough old second half to come. Hopefully 1 nil to the Arsenal will be enough.

And definitely not Huw Edwards or anyone who does similar things, as @sadoldgit specifically pointed those out as not being a crime of the century.

Estate

"Liverpool hire Ivan Juric, in quest for heavy metal football."

Well, you can reassure your wife that isn't the case. The child's family will have been taken too.

You are indeed a bad person. On another note, have you considered a career in scouting? Some Saints vacancies appearing soon. 🙂

Nope. He was a bit part sub in a poor side. He bounced off any physical defenders. On the plus side, he was keen, with occasional bright movement. He did end up a bit out of position in a side that struggled badly in the final third. He'd be better in a side playing to his strengths. But miles off, AA, Ballard or Archer at the moment.

I saw yesterday that Poch was talking to AC Milan, ruining our plans there. He hadn't phoned the US players not in the squad, and some people had hurty feelings, or pretended to have. So, we can't even find out how he would have dealt with agent interns, their scouting missions, and their hurty feelings.

The FA announce their lead investigator...