kristian

1. Bednarek 2. Adam Armstrong 3. Lyanco

Don't recall him, but Jamie White, Sam Hoskins and Ryan Seager all followed similar paths breaking academy records and now banging them in at a variety of levels. Difference is that they were all fox in the box types rather than physically advanced or technically good, and back then they weren't playing up age groups as much as Ballard/Dibling/Doyle etc do nowadays.

Had 37 goals in his first 16 games at Saints apparently (assume he was playing u14s and was then promoted a couple times), also made apps for u18s now. He's Hampshire Schools 100m and 200m champion and a National finalist, clearly very athletic - especially for his age.

He rightly said we lack quality in players from 18-21 I think (the age group that are all out on loan atm), most playing in our u21s are 16/17 year olds who won the league last season with the u18s.

Ankersen did the same at Brentford when he brought in Thomas Frank to the backroom team as his own hire rather than per the manager's request. Potentially something he likes doing is having a coach at the club who is ever-present and doesn't come and go when managers are either poached or sacked. A bit of an industry plant type feel, and Ankersen's own man which he can work on moulding for the role itself rather than just an assistant who will stick by the manager.

I don't see how Ruben Selles would be an improvement on Nathan Jones to be honest, no track record and been here throughout both managers' worst period at the club. If his coaching was worth taking the gamble on as a Premier League Manager for half a season, we wouldn't be bottom with him as our assistant. We need something completely different and new, Selles has clearly not had a positive impact on our results.

Needs to go tonight.

Bazunu; Bree, Champ CB, Simeu, Larios; Djenepo, Champ DM, Smallbone, Edozie(?); Ballard, Arma. Expecting our obvious best players to go, but also Perraud, Diallo and Lyanco to return to the leagues we bought them from, Moi to leave with contract out, and Bednarek to be too prideful for a 2nd division.

I thought the flick-on was great, he looked alert in the box, and his hold up/link up deeper and on the floor was much more promising than expected. Certainly not a bad debut but was too easily jumped over from behind multiple times in the air.

"This season, he is completing 4.27 dribbles per 90 minutes, well clear of the 3.77 by Allan Saint-Maximin, the Premier League's top dribbler. Last season at Rennes, Sulemana beat his opponent more often than any other player in France - and it was not close." https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12801261/kamaldeen-sulemana-to-southampton-why-dribbling-sensation-could-be-unstoppable-in-the-premier-league

Was going to drop a reply too but this is absolutely spot on in every way re:JJM, Ballard and Dibling. I'd also include Kami Doyle as well who I believe is the most talented in our 18s or 21s and has been part of a brilliant partnership with Ballard for a few years now, they are always on the same wavelength. Quite surprised we've held onto him for so long already.

Vitinha: SC Braga this week rejected an offer of 18 M € from an English club, which, in turn, warned that it would increase the value in the next few hours. The Braga fans continue to ask for a number close to the 30 M termination clause €

Exactly, and Jimmy-Jay's record at u21 level absolutely blows Ferguson's (and many other strikers getting PL mins) out the water despite being younger. I do think he'd have a bit more trouble adjusting to senior professional football just due to playing style and physique, but there's not a single PL2 striker in the country with better production than JJM this season despite only being 16.

"Fantasy" and keeping it realistic is difficult and I imagine we looked at most of these but couldn't find opportunities that actually worked. Junior Adamu - Unrealistic but we were previously linked and he's in a smaller league Terem Moffi - Seemingly SR's top choice, doesn't want PL unless huge wages or a bigger club Moussa Dembele - Previously linked, had a bad season so far but still a good g/90 and pedigree Lassina Traore - Stuck playing in Ukraine still, very talented young goalscorer Beto - Bad footballer and can't pass, but his strength and pace cause problems and he takes chances Petar Musa - Benfica's Nunez replacement but Ramos is clearly filling that void very nicely Paul Onuachu - Off to Frankfurt, would win headers, not sure if he's got the movement or agility for PL Sehrou Guirassy - Only basing this one off advanced stats and experience Vitinha - Worth a look but wouldn't be confident that he's worth a £26m release clause Elye Wahi - Not the most convincing record but is the best young #9 in Ligue 1

If Morgan and Ballard find themselves behind Arma and Theo next season they should feel completely robbed, hopefully we have a new boss who sorts the mess out. I think Doyle is the most ready for PL personally and is really talented, just not a striker like the others. Hope Pearce gets a loan, he's starting most games on the bench given the form of the lads slightly younger than him, but is still really talented.

Fewest points in the entirety of English football this calendar year. Sport Republic have shown no nous in their time here, spectacularly disappointed by Rasmus Ankersen especially given the reputation he brought. Don't think their multi-club model is going to end well for anyone.

I don't think there's much to gain from bringing him back unless SR simply don't sign an attacker in the window again. Tella's found the perfect situation for his career at Burnley, would be really unfortunate for us to interrupt it unless he was absolutely tearing up the Championship and being Burnley's best player (they have multiple attackers all playing really well, no clear standout). There aren't many Champ players I'd want in our squad right now realistically so let him shine at Burnley for now and continue to improve, goals do not always translate up the divisions how we wish they did, otherwise Arma would be banging them in.