macca155

Classic Championship goal. Need to step it up now

Great goal, have to keep him.

That's the nightmare isn't it, come Friday Sept 1st Saints lose 2 or 3 crucial players (think Alcarez or KWP) as Prem teams become desperate. Absolutely no chance of replacing them before January. That will be uber annoying. The board really need to make it clear that all sales must be completed by 25th August, after that no dice.

That is an excellent deal for Tino. That takes the kitty well above £50m so far, and that is likely to be doubled with Lavia. That should help keep at least one of Tella or JWP. If you doubt our strength go and take a look at the other Championship dealings.

My thoughts exactly, neither deal was 'normal'. If either are sold I bet it only happens with City or Chelsea's approval.

You can keep some but not all, those are the realities of being a Championship side. Plus I doubt we are completely in control of Tino and Lavia's contract. Guess we'll see how it plays out.

Tino and Lavia are probably the most likely transfers. We knew they wouldn't be with us long when they were bought. Clubs simply cannot hold on to that much talent in the Championship. I also think Tino looks fragile, probably sensible to cash in. The club just need to rip the plaster off and get it done. Bring in some money and slim the squad down. Was always going to hurt, no point in prolonging it.

Spoiler! I was going to watch that with the Grandkids tomorrow.

The Lavia transfer is uber complicated, lots of people involved. I'm sure City retain a strong hand and will be involved somewhere, same for Tino and Chelsea. When the club made these purchases somebody on here observed that they were a complicated long term loan deal. With the way the transfers are going that seems pretty accurate. Have to remember Lavia is still only 19 and time is on his side. His advisors and parents will be doing most of the work with this transfer along with Saints and Man City of course. With the Euros up next year he needs European football, however if he goes to a suitable club he also needs to be playing. No point bench sitting he needs to play. However regardless how much we as fans think of him he'll remain a risk for whoever buys him, he certainly isn't the finished article and needs some hard minutes under his belt. Liverpool at the moment would seem to be an ideal club for him as they have a position ready for him and he'd probably develop there. If negotiations are really dead he'll play Friday, if he has a 'niggling' injury then we can safely assume that Liverpool are close to the deal and don't want him injured. The Ward Prowse situation is completely different, no other club involved and he just isn't the sort to kick up a fuss. £30m is probably a fair price for him as a player, the rest is a sweetener to persuade Saints to sell. I still think Brighton will buy him, a much better fit for him and they have the cash.

Hey steady we don't want to kibosh that deal

Oh come on that's unnecessary. Stephens is a perfectly good defender. Obviously not top PL standard but he brings commitment and a bit of steel. Be a good Captain. Certainly good enough at our current level. With the drop in income this year, he's an asset to keep.

Only an observation as to how it could be done.. Probably indifference now, but at the tine lt led to both boards being prepared to do business, thus Saints received a good wedge for Morgan Schneiderlin. Spurs the exact opposite, time wasters and chancers.

It's actually a decent thread, they are as bemused as us it would seem. Saints need this sale and he is definitely worth it. They have to go more than £40m as City have a buy back for that next year. I suspect City are stopping a cut price sale to Liverpool. I'm sure £45m gets him, Saints get a chunk of cash and things can start moving. It will be a good club for Lavia, everybody wins. Somehow the Liverpool accountant can't see it. Such a contrast to when Utd bought Shaw. They wanted him, others were sniffing, so £35m was paid on the nose. Led to good relations between the clubs as well. It will probably still happen bit what a fiasco.

Was less about formation, I've already been ripped apart for that, more about mindset. Got to think as winners. Looking back since Saints last came up, 90 points gets you automatic promotion. 30 wins out of 46 matches. Maybe a few less and a bunch of draws. That is achievable but we need to believe. Once a negative mindset sets in, it will be hard to maintain momentum. You've only got to look at some of the comments on here to see, quite understandably that a fair few are still wobbly. 22/23 Bur 101 Shef 91 21/22 Ful 90 Bou 88 20/21 Nor 97 Wat 91 19/20 Lee 93 Wat 83 18/19 Nor 94 Shef 89 17/18 Wol 99 Car 90 16/17 New 94 Bri 93 15/16 Bur 93 Mid 89 14/15 Bou 90 Wat 89 13/14 Lei 102 Bur 93 12/13 Car 87 Hull 79 11/12 Rea 89 Sot 88

He's been messed about a bit, needs to get his mo jo back.

Playing at home, raucous crowd, they'll have the adrenaline rush of a recent promotion. I was thinking first 20 mins really.

Leaving KWP out is a massive call but think you're right. Been impressed with Charles, assumed a 4 2 2 2 formation that allows JWP and Alcaraz to play further forward.

Need the mindset right for this game. Saints need to act like Champions elect, stop thinking like the underdog, and play with some self belief. Certainly have the players, seems like like we have a decent coach. Just need to get everything to click. Sheffield Wed pose a physical threat, well drilled, and will play with confidence. Saints should have a considerable edge on skill and EPL experience. Need to absorb early bluster then wear them down, quieten the crowd. No way will the Wednesday defenders cope with the pace of Tella, Edozie, Amo Ameyaw, and Armstrong. Should be a potential penalty right there. Team for me should be Bazunu Tino Lyanco Stephens KWP Charles Smallbone JWP Alcaraz Tella A Armstrong Lavia for Charles if he's still here obviously Amo Ameyaw and Edozie to feature as subs Question marks on Lyanco but assuming injuries still keeping ABK and Bendarek out of the team. On paper that's a good side. 8 experienced EPL players and 2 Championship team of the year players.

What a cracking Stat love that. What a terrible team as well

Wasn't the Classie of 5 years ago. His game has improved, quite impressive.

Lot to agree with there but I did think they moved the ball through the middle a lot quicker than last year. However, failed to sustain that for long periods. But hopefully they will as the season goes on. It's a pre season game, still not the starting eleven, and the opposition were way tighter than most Championship teams. They defended in numbers and played the ball out of defense comfortably. Saints need their coach, because they still haven't mastered that. Excellent choice for a pre season game, strong physical side it was a good test. Need a striker though, can't go on like this.

Sam Amo Ameyaw really is a talent. Surprised Spurs let him go. Making an impact straight away. Agree with others Saints need a target man, far too reliant on midfielders to score.

AZ are a tidy side, you can see they have played in the Europa league. Very tight and defend well. I DOUBT Saints will meet such a resilient defense in the Championshop. Doesn't mean they'll score though, looking toothless at the moment.

Moderately well, lots of quick passing interactions. Pretty physical game Stephens left his mark. Tella and Alcaraz looking a class above. Edozie running into cul de sacs but should have had a penalty.

You can tell Manning is a Championship player. He has no problem putting his foot in. Good game this, well matched opposition.