austsaint

Yep, the benefits of the new ownership should include a stronger stance on retaining our best players and a willingness to "break the bank" for the right player(s).

This is a bit different to the Bertrand deal though. From memory RB was 25 at the time, had been on loan at several other Clubs and while he looked a good player straight away for Saints, there weren't compelling reasons for Chelsea not to sell for the 10m or so fee. Broja's a 20 year old with unique attributes; the "world at his feet" and no certainty that Chelsea want to sell, let alone that other Clubs are interested.

Surely we would. If it got to that stage and 5m stood in the way of a deal, the new ownership would have to meet the 30m price.

Yes, your last sentence points up what Saints have lacked since the Koeman days. Salisu, KWP, JWP, Livramento, Broja...even Romeu and Adams are all players who could (or could soon) hold their own in a top 6 side. Just a tweak needed with a quality attacking midfielder and goalkeeper. Perhaps a CB too.

Indeed. I found the studio commentator's belief that Man City were "below their best" quite insulting to the quality of Saints performance because to my eye Man City played some sparkling Football. The game was fast and intense - Saints midfield and defence disciplined and resolute. The performance of Salisu was quite astonishing, with his great reading of the game, interceptions, tackles, headers and sweet passing. On that display he is already in the top bracket of centre-backs. The goal from Walker-Peters was sublime, and his general game excellent, underlining that despite the precocious skills of Livramento, KWP is among the best RB's going around and should be maintaining that spot upon Tino's return. A call out to Perraud, apart from that gaff in the penalty box he showed a tenacity and commitment all afternoon; Forster could be criticised for not contesting the KDB free kick leading to the goal but he made some good saves, "made himself big" and has been a presence in the last month or so. I thought Stuart Armstrong's return to form was telling, with his direct running a threat, which led to several attacking phases for Saints meaning that the Man City defenders could never completely have a quiet afternoon or push too high up the pitch. One of my favourite moments was the petulant push by Grealish on Romeu.....leading to Romeu, turning his back and returning to position; it made the Grealish "aggression" look even more foolish given that in a test of physical strength you'd back Romeu every day of the week! Superb performance.

Let's hope the decision makers at Chelsea read your comments, and believe them. The disallowed goal was a neat package of what makes Broja so scarily promising. Speed, strength, touch and a cool, clinical finish.

It might be plausible, but in my mind selling KWP would be idiotic. I rate him up there among our most valuable players...up there with Salisu, Ward-Prowse and the youth of LIvramento and Broja (yes, I know he's only on loan). I actually can't think of a player I'd least sell than KWP.

Hope you're right - I remember him making one of his first appearances for Fulham against us last season. It was hard to miss his talent.

Would be a brilliant pick up - very pessimistic about it happening. More likely Liverpool or the like.

I don't think I've seen three batsmen with worse Test Match techniques than Hameed, Burns and even Malan.

Apparently Wolves are right up there among the Prem's stingiest defences.

It was a very special strike at many levels. I haven't see JWP get that left-to-right curve from a free kick before.

I don't know. Perraud's doing a job - he just hasn't got that precision and class that Shaw, Bertrand (at his best) or even a wrong sided KWP have. That's why I think the likelihood is Thierry Small could get his opportunity soon. Perraud's a solid addition, he's just not a stand out first choice LB. Not with you either re Armstrong. Give him time; things will fall into place for him. Keep in mind the Club paid 12m for Shane Long!!! Armstrong's a much better player.

You're right though, on both counts. Perraud did work hard and got forward well (unlucky with the late header too) - but his crosses are very average.

Yep, the experiment with Tella playing RWB fell flat today and I kept willing Ralph to replace him with KWP who could have either matched that role in the same formation or played as RB in a revamped system. Some will disagree but apart from raw pace I don't see a Prem player in Tella. Another poster likened A.A. to Shane Long recently but I see the worst of Long in Nathan Tella - he was kept on the pitch too long today. Likewise Redmond was ineffectual both as a striking/AM partner to Broja and then as a left sided wing role - it meant for much of the game we were relying on Perraud for creativity and width with contributions from Romeu (Saints best today) and JWP to provide anything much for Broja and Adams. Having said all that, it wasn't a bad Saint's performance. The headers from Salisu and Perraud could so easily have provided at least a point. In the end the difference was probably the goal keepers - theirs was almost flawless; ours reverted to type in crucial moments. Marvellous strike from Ward-Prowse.

Thanks for your contribution. I would view a purchase of Broja for 25m and a buy back of 35m after a stipulated length of time as tidy business for SFC.

You are probably right, don't forget though Chelsea have plenty of "form" around selling players who prove to be outstanding. Admittedly, many of those sold or let go were done under Mourinho's watch.

Indeed, looking forward to Small being given a chance. Can't see Targett coming back here, can you? Perraud is more than ok and KWP is very impressive, even out of position at LB.

I think you're right. Too early to label Broja a champions league level player - especially since we're all hoping he stays with us 🙂. It's hard not to get a bit carried away by him though - I can't remember a 20 year old striker with his range of skills and attributes popping up too often! He could well be a 40m player sooner than later.....which would probably rule us out, but let's hope the new ownership commits to a decent attempt to keep this young man a Saint.

Doubt that he is....in any case Im confident that Small is better than both.

Like you, I'm an Armstrong fan, I think he will settle into Prem Football in time, and be a consistent contributor alongside Adams and hopefully Broja. Your assessment of Broja though is diminishing your credibility as a forthright, thoughtful poster - Broja is a talent in the here-and-now, and he will only improve barring serious injury or adverse life events. Just accept that he's good, very good. We've all made mistakes in our assessments of players - Verlaine insisted that Steven Davis was ordinary; many questioned Sadio Mane; I thought JWP was barely worth his place in the squad pre Ralph. I accept that he is now a top class dead ball exponent with a solid all round game.

That midfield trio were superb, completely shut down the Brentford midfield and set alight many attacking moves. That pass from Romeu leading to Broja's well taken goal was pure. Must have been a joy to be at the ground tonight - watching on it felt like a return to the (best of) Koeman days; the misery of seasons under Hughes, Pellegrino and even Puel seemed to be expunged tonight. I know we aren't going to win 4-1 every home game, but the promise of the new ownership, and the feeling that our best players won't be sold automatically; that some more quality will be drafted in and the side having a clearer more expansive identity suggest optimistic times ahead. Quite a long list of players to commend beyond Romeu, JWP and Diallo. Broja once again underlined what a gem he is - it's all been said but the Club must move mountains to at least secure a second loan season. Good to see Bednarek and Lyanco giving their all in what looked to be a battle to become Salisu's CB partner in a different set up. Tella did well in his hybrid spot, was it RB, RWB or wide attacker? Perraud was heavily involved; Redmond busy if a little erratic in possession. The Adams goal beautifully taken and Forster in goal was good tonight. Happy days.

I'm confident about Armstrong - he just needs the time, support and the belief gained from confidence in his own game to establish himself at Saints. I really like our strike force of he, Adams and Broja - each add something different. A.A. has the speed, touch and two-footedness to provide and score his fair share. I see a bit of anxiety in his game so far; playing an unfamiliar role and being played out of position aren't helping, nor the lack of a "Tadic" style attacking mid. - he certainly isn't an option for a sole, hold up striking role as Adams and Broja are, yet as a trio they cover most bases you'd want from a strike force for a mid-table side.

I've got a feeling that when Small is fit and well he will be pushing (metaphorically) Perraud to the sidelines.

Past players ok? Roy Keane and Joey Barton.