coalman

Would have loved to have seen Ballard on the bench. Centre forward options are just AArmstrong and Mara. Hopefully Downes can get some minutes and excited to see what Sam A-A can do over the 90.

If ABK was fit I'm pretty sure Bednarek wouldn't be starting.

I really like the Charles Downes Alcaraz setup in midfield. Gives us a decent base and Charly can maraud further forward

I remember how happy we were shipping Stephens and Bednarek out on loan last season. That they are now our first choice pair and we have to pray they don't get injured because Lyanco should indicate the potential to strengthen in this position. Not recruiting a better centre back because it might piss off Bednarek could be construed as an act of self harm.

Less than 1% of reported rapes result in a conviction. Not being convicted doesn't mean you didn't do it. Things we do know: - He verbally threatened his girlfriend. Verbal abuse is still a form of violence. - His girlfriend was beaten up. No other suspects are known for this. - He told her he didn't care if she wasn't interested in sex because he was going to have it anyway. So at the very least he made the threat of rape. - One of the conditions of his bail was no contact with his alleged victim. - Yet somehow she got pregnant with his child as she gave birth to in in June/July. - While pregnant a key witness withdrew their cooperation leading to the case being dropped due to no chance of a conviction. There really only was one key witness. - His statement shows zero contrition. At the very least he showed contempt of court in breaching the terms of his bail and witness tampering. So should be in jail for that if nothing else. So, technically you're right. He hasn't been convicted but what we do know is sufficiently damning to suggest he's a pretty unpleasant human being that any club should want nothing to do with.

I'm still hoping ABK stays otherwise I'm hoping for Vytner and Harewood-Bellis. Agree about the striker. Despite 3 in 3 I'm not convinced by Armstrong. Worrying there doesn't seem to be a concrete link. Not really keen on that Genk winger. Would love McAtee but suspect he's beyond us.

A day or so after the stomach cramps and fever passed. They were the worst part of it

That sounds like campylobacter food poisoning which is a solid week of misery from my experience.

Fank thuck for that. Now let's get in a striker and a central defender

No. For many reasons including disrespect to our women's team and female fans and the massive distraction he'd bring.

In other news Burnley have abandoned their pursuit of Nathan Tella after "being priced out of a move by Southampton" no take backsies

I think there's merit in both perspectives. We have bought in a shit ton of money and we have shown no signs of spending said money. Yet. Whether we will or not is another matter and I'm sure all Saints fans remember how many transfer windows we've had where the club started out promising big things only to say we were happy with our squad when nothing happened. We also have an owner who presided over us going down so it depends on what you believe their motivation is. I'm personally willing to give them the benefit of the doubt but really want to see things start to happen sooner rather than later.

I don't see Adam Armstrong as a 10 or an 8. Happy to be proven wrong but I think he doesn't have that ability to play in-between the lines.

Not sure about stacked. We have Charly and Stu. Wouldn't class the rest of the players as that. Could also see McAtee out wide if/when we sell Tella.

True. Given they haven't been playing I think I've already mentally listed them as sold.

Let's start the week by getting Downes in and get some more deals over the line. Would love to see Harewood-Bellis, Drameh and McAtee in after plus a striker. Kinda resigned to losing KWP and Tella now plus probably Che.

We don't win at home. We can't keep clean sheets. We always struggle against teams we're expected to beat. We're selling our best players. All the signs are negative so I'm going for a 6-2 win for Saints.

What Everton need is a big fella up front now DCL is out. I reckon we could help them out there.

That's not how stats work. You can say they have scored a goal for every 4 shots on target but you cannot say will. And that's before the gross over simplification that all shots or chances are equal.

If we sold Tella and got McAtee in whether loan of permanent (with the standard buy back or sell on for City) I'd say that was decent business. Tella didn't look up for it yesterday.

Regulation 2-1 away win

STOP THE COUNT

Top of the league

Che Che che

Woof