CSA96

Such as... Matt Grimes - just over 250 Championship games, 27 years old, Martin's former captain so knows the system. Quite whether we can twist Swansea's arm is another question.

MLG, is that your burner?

Yeah, fair.

Unless our goalkeeper was playing rush goalie and could stick at least 10 goals in across the season, I’m not sure it would’ve saved us to be fair.

I would get him back just to sort out the dressing room culture and provide some leadership. Given he played 33 games for a club like Lille last season, feels like quite a drop but pretty sure his family never moved away from their home in England, so maybe he’s keen for that reason too

Very true, different times at Coventry now. Just about to cash in by selling Gyokeres to Sporting for £20.5m with a sell-on clause, I think. Tidy sale for them.

Classic YouTube video disclaimer but... looks good. Seems quite happy to be combative. We need that, especially from a larger lad. If we sold JWP, Lavia and Diallo and ended up with Charles, Grimes, Downes (even on loan) and Alcaraz all here by the time the window shuts, that's a very nice midfield group on paper.

He’s spoken very highly of Martin before: https://www.swanseacity.com/news/flynn-downes-i-faced-russell-martin-side-and-knew-i-wanted-play-him

‘Southampton are desperate to sign Flynn Downes, who has made little impact since joining West Ham last summer.’ - Jacob Steinberg, West Ham correspondent for The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/06/david-moyes-loses-second-west-ham-coach-paul-nevin-strasbourg-patrick-vieira

L’Equipe reporting that Monaco are now in contact with Saints about Armel Bella-Kotchap

I had heard there was a chance we may be playing against him next season, as Birmingham had reached out

Even if Tino stays, it's probably wise to have a third RB in the squad with his recent injury record. I assume Abu will start for the B team and be in and around Martin's group and be given some opportunities in cup games etc.

I suspect Grimes might be the right answer, maybe with Stephens as a vice-captain. (assuming he's unlikely to go to AFCB with Gary O'Neil gone)

Carries himself with a nice sense of authority while coming across calm and in control. A bit different to Nathan fucking Jones who was like a drunk in a bar, desperately saying things to make an impression. No guarantee it translates to results, but at least he's not unbearable straight out the gate.

Yes please - that’s a pretty preferable outcome, I think.

The one that got away last summer…