Saint86

Looked into this when it was reported. Turns out it was extremely lazy reporting - Not going to go back over it for the numbers, but if i recall correctly it was a "headline" figure of exclusively the money we owed on installments - and it ignores the money we had coming in, no least in light of the further sales we had made since those figures were originally published (which were substantial). So in short, only half the story or basically a non story. If saints were short of money or in any danger of breaching financial limits, we would not have signed Peretz and Larin prior to the end of the PSR 3-year cut off window this summer. Under Spors, i've been very impressed with how well we've navigated the tightrope left to us through terrible squad structuring and transfer deals under Rasmus / Wilcox / Martin - we've managed to assemble a very competitive first team, steadily cleared out the shit, and paid down the outstanding debt significantly (last years published accounts).

I think we'll quickly find that the Schlotterbeck pairings will be at least as strong, and we will quietly forget about THB.

Crooky 🤣 Regardless though, think this could prove to be a good bit of business.

Honestly, if you are going to make expectations for the season over a saints side that lined up without THB/Schlotterbeck or manning in defence, without any of Downes/Jander/JWP in CM, and without both azaz and Larin in attack, then i can't help you - you need to be realistic. That is a gutted side, not something to base your season expectations on. Our full strength side was averaging 2.46points over our unbeaten run... 113points. Without severe injuries or a huge tonda ban, we are waltzing into the playoffs. Enjoy it mate. The one silver lining of spygate is that all the people that "prefer the championship" (aka: they like winning and think its sustainable forever in the 2nd tier vs parachute sides - it isn't FYI), get their wish for another season. We are the best side in the 2nd tier for 2026 - we should have been promoted, we weren't, and now we're everyone else's problem.

Really does have to be said.. he's okay defensively, better than Stephens and wood, and happens to be very good at offensive set pieces (if bang average at defending them), he also gets bullied by physical attackers and isn't particularly fast. I think it's mad how people are so traumatised at losing him. He was dog awful for 75% of the last 2 seasons. Needs to be reiterated, we were always likely to lose 2 of our best players as a minimum... I picked Charles and THB right at the start of the summer, and to get £60M for two luxury players in the champ is good businesses... Everyone wetting the bed should instead be bloody grateful it's not Peretz, Larin, azaz, scienza, Jander, or downes we've lost... Because they are all more critical to this side winning than THB. No team in the 2nd tier needs a £20M CB, let alone a £30M one. We've got 3 solid CBs on the books as it is, and the young forest lad is a good player and prospect (I'm actually really surprised that basically no one on here as even heard of him!). They'd likely all start for most championship sides... I think people are forgetting just how good our team is for this league - we will waltz into the playoffs - and if this means we don't overpay and keep money available to strengthen where needed in January, then so be it 🤷. Teams evolve.... We are already in better shape than we were at the start of last season under Still. We are going up. And I for one and looking forward to abbot and schlotterbeck becoming the starting CB pairing for us 😎

Personally think it's a bad move for him (but he deserves the chance), I just don't think he's good enough for the level of villa expectations I'm afraid - and on top of that, I fear they could be in for a shit show season - huge squad turnover and unrest, awful first game, and expectations of champions league footy again next year and a tilt at some more silverware. The reality is that villa are desperate, which will likely end in tears for all the players they end up signing.

He's out Bruno Fernandes tbh, absolute class for the division and (if he stays fit) I suspect he'll be player of the year.

Just another Sporsy end of window treat? This year's scienza?

Okay. Let's get this guy.

It's not a thriller, it's a disaster movie... Part 3 in fact... And we're all watching to see how it all unfolds 🤣

Pretty much agree hypo, but also harsh to exclude downes imho! Said it on a couple of threads now, but our spine basically is: Peretz, THB, Downes, Jander, Azaz, and Larin. Manning is a very good player in this team on the proviso that that core is playing - I say this because he is a great attacking outlet but can be a bit of a liability at times defensively. JWP has been dismissed by some (as he isn't the physical monster that they would like), but what he does offer us is call control and know-how in the middle, and a good engine, as well as cover for azaz. He is a very solid addition and means we should pretty much always have 3 of JWP, azaz, Jander, or downes playing in every game. That is an incredibly good central midfield 3 in my view (beat in the division whichever 3 are playing?) And even with injuries or late game subs, we should always see 2 of them. Worth also noting that JWP also brings fitness and stamina - he will consistently be available to play, which in a 46game congested championship season is worth an extra squad player imho. You then also have scienza who is pretty much allowed to just play - and again, provided that core spine is there, we are solid and he has the freedom to stretch the opposition, cause problems, and free up space for the likes of azaz and Larin. Around that we have the likes of Bree (very solid), Dobbin and fellows (both good champ players), and Mubama (who is a less physical version of larin). It's a very good side for the champ imho - one that at full strength, should be scaring every other side and leaving them needing to change to adapt to us. Props to Eckert and spors for creating it.

Thanking you kindly GS!

Down in Cornwall so haven't been able to follow this very well....but bloody superb result and cannot wait to watch the highlights!

Personally, I would say that's 3 of the best central midfielders in the division - and we will only play 2 of them at any time. Plus we have azaz in front of them (potentially rotating with JWP).

You'll be able to add scienza soon, maybe by the end of the season the rate his is thinning 😆