Dr. Kucho

I wonder if they watched the Fulham game before deciding to sign him.

This line up makes absolutely no sense. No Perraud after Saturday, no DCC, no Edozie. Unless these players have fitness issues, this is a very strange line up. Would have gone for, Bazunu Walker-Peters - DCC- Salisu - Perraud Alcaraz - Lavia/Diallo Edozie - JWP - A.Armstrong Adams

Anderlecht defender and former Saints superstar Wesley Hoedt is being linked to Watford. Hoedt left us on a free transfer, but we did negotiate a sell on clause. Might see a little extra money coming our way.

Ralph Krueger? He talk loads but say nothing.

He’s known in Holland for having a shit attitude. Last Dutch player with a poor attitude wasn’t a real succes (although he himself thinks he was one of the best defenders in Europe).

Here we go again

Charlie Setford Ajax youth goalkeeper born in the Netherlands to a Dutch father from Andover.

Why Ankersen hired Jones? Because he thinks he’s some kind of genius/guru after being successful at Brentford and that he has developed some kind of vision that could make any club successful. Fact is he is failing spectacularly with poor recruitment and communication. To get to the start, was he right in sacking Ralph? I would say yes, Ralph did well but the past year was poor and seemed like he had run out of ideas. A new coaching staff did seem like the best option. First he should have identified what kind of players we have and which coach suited the players and club best, obviously not someone who likes to play hoofball, a tactic that has been ditched by most clubs since more foreign coaches took over and introduced more tactical ways of playing. Then secondly the recruitment last summer. No striker and loads of cheap players hoping there’s some talent that we can flog for good money in the future. It wasn’t looking for players that would suit our style of play, just cheap youth players for positions we didn’t need players. Now we have got to the point that many summer signings sit on the bench and the players deemed not good enough are starting the games. Conclusion, Ankersen, Semmens and who else is pulling the strings have fucked up big time. Now is the moment for Dragan to step in and make some changes before he loses his investment and we become the next Sunderland and till recently Leeds, Forest, Vila etc. Spending years in the Championship trying to get out of it.

Biting his nails because of what he sees on the pitch and has no ideas, or biting his nails because he knows he’s getting the sack in the morning 🙏🏼

Just painted a door in the garage and thought I’ll come indoors to warm up and watch the Saints. Think I’ll go back and watch the paint dry. Do hope the poor fans in the stadium let SR, Rasmus, Semmens and Jones know what the think of this crap.

Not having played at top level doesn’t make you a bad manager, Van Gaal, Nagelsmann, Mourinho and Tuchel all didn’t have a spectacular football career. However have been good managers. That said, after 6 weeks of training I expected more last Saturday. Don’t mind losing, but you want to see improvement and that a certain tactic is being implemented. When Pochettino arrived we lost to Man Utd in our second game, but we could all see a change of play and remember most getting excited by what we saw on the pitch. Let’s hope we see improvements soon, but I have my doubts and don’t think Jones is the right man for the job, sadly.

Our downfall is not having a clear plan and strategy. We seem to sign players who are available on the cheap instead of players who suit the style we want to play (whatever that might be). Mara, Caleta-Car, Liss, Aribo etc. All players signed who don’t improve the squad and challenge others to up their game. I am nearing the point that I would like to have Les and Ross back at the club.

I would bring on Rasford for Henderson and have Foden play behind Kane with Rashford taking up Foden’s position.

Former no1 Saint defender Wesley Hoedt has been banned by Anderlecht from their first team and made to train separately. Hoedt is having a terrible season, was caught listening to music during one of the pre match meetings and recently demanded a meeting with the manager to ask why he’s not a starter anymore.

Dutch media reporting this morning that Peter Bosz (recently sacked by Lyon) is in talks with Wolves.

Peter Bosz (manager of Olympique Lyon and likely to be sacked soon) would be a decent coach. Problem is that he always sets up is teams to attack. Great against lower half clubs but we would be murdered by the likes of City and Arsenal. Arne Slot is doing a great job at Feyenoord but don’t know if we could tempt him away mid season. Thomas Tuchel could be an option if SR back him in January. Pochettino would be great to have back at the club, but highly unlikely. (Maybe if SR promise him he can leave if a top club want him). honestly doubt Ralph will be sacked soon, SR probably want a replacement lined up before they relief him from his duties.

He was arrested and released a few days later but remains a suspect. He was arrested for stabbing a family member in his leg at a party just south of Amsterdam. After that Ajax sold him to Spartak Moscow. Promes has also been linked to a gang that smuggles cocaine.

Just saw the line up, first thought: meh. COYR

The Cody Gakpo transfer saga has had yet another turn. Technical director John de Jong has been sacked by the board because he refused to sell Gakpo. Apparently PSV need money after investing and missing out on CL football. Will we go back in January and put an offer in for Gakpo?

Quickly hand him a new 5 year contract. CL clubs will be after him at the end of the season.

Couldn’t decide between a 8 or a 9. Went for a 9, would have been a 10 if we had signed Gakpo. Lots of news in the Dutch media regarding Gakpo, but as he’s not coming it’s irrelevant now. 9,5 million for ABK is an absolute steal.

Spent most of the day yesterday browsing the PSV forum hoping for some news. Shame he’s not coming. From what I have been reading so far it very much seems its Gakpo himself that didn’t want to move and not PSV blocking the transfer. Reports are he wants to stay with the World Cup coming up soon (he was hoping that United were in for him and didn’t want to sign for a mid table PL club).

Been browsing on some PSV forums hoping to find some ITKs who might have some more information regarding Gakpo. Conclusion, the only and by far the most reliable source remains Rik Elferink. He has connections within the club and will break any news first. Gakpo trained with the team yesterday and as it stands will play in their home game against Volendam tonight. If PSV sign an attacking player today, we know Gakpo is leaving them. And for those who didn’t know, Marcel Brands, the former Everton technical director, is the managing director of PSV. He knows how the clubs in the PL work and how to get the best out of a deal.

Just listed to the PSV fan podcast Rik Elferink. Elferink said: Several clubs were interested in Gakpo this summer, Leeds, United, Nottingham and now us. Forest offered 25 million euro, that was denied straight away. Leeds no mention of an offer and United phoned PSV, but nothing serious. Gakpo and Erik ten Hag both have the same agent Elferink said. We offered between 35 and 40 million euro. PSV want no less then 50 million. Our offer was refused but clubs still in talks. PSV don’t want a last minute deal because they need an replacement for Gakpo. That’s all the interesting stuff that was said. My next update will be tomorrow as I have used my 3 posts.

All day it was quiet in the Dutch media regarding our interest in Gakpo. Then this evening suddenly all the major Dutch football websites, the NOS (Dutch BBC) and the biggest Dutch news website Nu.nl are all reporting we are in talks with PSV. Rik Elfrink just posted that he did a podcast with some PSV fans. He said that Gakpo has already said his goodbyes. The podcast will be online tomorrow morning, I’ll try and listen to it and hope to get some more information.