Saint86

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-portsmouth/transfers/verein/1020 They've certainly been busy.... although i can't say that any of that stands out as good business...

What are they up to anyway? Any chance of them getting relegated (again)?

The last linked article feels like a bit of a blast from the past now - that was the last game where Ralph had what resembled a fully fit squad. Could have been so different last year, particulary if we'd signed some bloody attacking competence in the summer. Main thing now is that we get back ASAP with minimal collateral damage.

They don't. Ranked 24th for dribbles last season.

Sorry what? Explains a lot tbh.

People shouldn't need to be constantly reminded... but JWP isn't leaving... 😎 On the Ings topic, A fit Ings gets us promoted. He is still one of the best finishers in english football, albeit he is about to turn 31. I guess he's done less mileage than most due to his earlier career injuries, but that in itself is still a risk. And there is question over pay/motivation. Would make some sense from the perspective that he could do a job for 2 years and allow some of the younger players to develop. If he's interested and we can do it without overstretching, then i would bring him back.

Saw this in Bristol as well the other day. on a 5year old. Weird.

What?!?! Its an absolute non starter. This is sports washing and an attempt to build interest and tourism in Saudi Arabia - the money is good because no one wants to go there and that will never change whilst the saudi's run around dismembering the free press in various international embassies or funding civil wars in yemen etc. Jude bellingham joined Real (in the face of better pay options), the lanky Robot boy is at Man City, and Mbappe is at PSG... That's your three best players in world football in the making (if not already) - and i reckon that no young player with a serious love of the game grows holds a dream of playing and living in a league with no history/prestige and in a desert country with one of the worst human rights records in the world... They're signing old players or the ones only in it for the money. Its no threat at all to the premier league or europe, and if anything its benefitting those leagues as they're getting paid silly money for old players to improve their squads.

The romeu transfer was linked to the Edozie and larios transfers, not the lavia one.

So how much did we get and what were his wages?

Anyone know what kind of wages he was on? Want to see know if my £3M a year ballpark figure is anywhere near close

Basically stronger than our starting 11 for most of last season lets be honest.

I've been relatively impressed with all the kids that have featured so far in pre season. They're certainly up to the required standard to either be squad players or provide back up depth between them. Some will clearly be more involved than others, and i think A-A is definitely one of those. The kid looks a genuinely good prospect that we've picked up on the cheap.

We probably can't - but we can prepare for the uncertainty. We're transitioning in style and our overall squad and depth is good for the championship. We'll have strategic areas to strengthen but in around that we could end up with any number of potential line ups depending on who stays/gos. Fans will need to be patient as things settle down and we learn the style. Its also important to remember that often the championship sees teams promoted after a bad start.

Am i the only one who thinks Ballard has the potential to really ignite this season? Sure he needs a bit of luck and some faith, but those ahead of him aren't exactly great, and what Ballard is is an extremely confidant and competent goal scorer - and someone who will suit are possession heavy build up with lots of players and movement in and around the box. I'm not saying to hold high expectations on the kid, but i do think he could do really well this year if he gets his chance.

Fantastic news for him - one of my favourite saints players in recent years. Great attitude both on and off the pitch by all accounts, and someone who put family over a big pay day (with the girona move) - so for it to work out like this for him is well deserved and a nice story.

Surely we haven't just spent nearly £15M on charles if we don't consider him ready to play regularly this season?! Alongside JWP will be charles and smallbone i'd imagine. Doyle will also get minutes in the 8 role. Possible we may see one more addition there i guess. The likes of Carlos, Stu, Sulemana, Tella, Edozie, A-A (Sam Amo-Ameyaw) will play further forward.

I don't know, but with phrases like "future bloodline" being whipped out, I can only assume we're worshipping a new vampire novel. And I'm here for it...

We've played 2 games with fully cycled line ups in both, and have played some very nice stuff within that... This is like when people were writing Mane off after his first appearance ffs, you've given him no time at all. We still need to address the central defence and attack, but that will come.

Yes Doyle was disappointing today. So many times in the final 3rd he miss controlled it, didn't know how to beat his man, misplaced his pass etc. But he is young so inconsistency will be inevitable, the lad does have promise.

People being overly negative. Saints are dominating possession and getting a lot of bodies in and around the box. May just be a case of the manager trying to ingrain that style in the players first and foremost. A lot of nearly moments so far - with increased familiarity they'll be chances galore with the amount of possession/numbers/movement and the potential in the final 3rd... It would also help to not have Che Adams waltzing around up front seemingly not giving a fuck. CB's / CDM looks a concern. But first half we've had no CDM playing and we've also had a fairly weak attack starting this match imo (i.e. no alcaraz, sulemana, or Mara starting). Would be hasty to get to concerned so far - its pre season, players will be coming and going, and the main point is the players are learning the total possession style of the manger. Would hope we win this second half - lavia, sulemana, alcaraz, mara etc. The side is going to get stronger.

Don't disagree, but that is the rumoured fee. You'd like to think its more likely to be in the £10-15M bracket.

Che Adams playing absolute wank. Sooner he leaves the better if this is his attitude in pre season. Terrible.

Poor from baz, clever goal from them though.

Yeah thats fair for winter, although any different to being a sinking rock in the prem in january/February?