saintwbu

Transfer window bingo ✅

£5mil wasn’t he? Superb footballer and great guy by all accounts, will be sad to see him go.

I’ve not kept up with who’s available currently but I saw Rob Holding mentioned, and Tarkowski, Mee and Coady have all moved this window. Whether any would want to be a backup i’m not sure, but i’m sure Jan wouldn’t either. But i’m sure there are plenty across Europe who would be an improvement. It feels a bit like the Cedric debate all over again, who was upgraded hugely by two young full backs, one of which had never played a minute of PL football before.

In terms of other attainable CB’s, I feel it’s better to look at why no one seems to be trying that hard to sign a 26 year old international CB with 200+ premier league games under his belt, even though he’s clearly available? It would suggest to me that there must be plenty of better first choice, and probably backup CB’s in all other PL squads. I’ve no doubt he’ll look okay in a team that allows him to just defend the old school way. But here, he’s quite clearly not capable of doing what we need, and playing with him is hindering us.

Bednarek’s been terrible since the United 9-0, nothing to do with last season at all

Worth also remembering he’s only just turned 24, so only 11 months older than Nathan Tella who we all regard as being a youngster. When you consider he’s only played 60 odd games for us he’s still quite raw, so it’s good to see him developing.

He was great against Leeds too, particularly second half, some great attacking play and did his bit defensively. Ralph clearly likes him because he’s given him chance after chance, and I like him too. Obviously not afraid to do his bit for the team, no matter where he’s asked to play. Really pleased for him.

Ah nice, I did wonder, hopefully a sign then!

I cant see that when I look

Wasn’t the Everton goal the one where he curled it into the top right?

He got an assist last week and put in a great cross for Aribo’s blocked chance yesterday. He’s definitely capable but very inconsistent and erratic.

He had good moments in the first half, but in the second half he was great. Beat their full back repeatedly and got decent crosses into the box, worked his absolute bollocks off all game. Defended pretty well albeit they didn’t go down his side as much in the second half as you might’ve expected. Had to be subbed due to being dead on his feet at the end. He was probably our MOTM really.

Bednarek has always been a sliding, last ditch defender. Can sometimes look good on a highlight reel but often the sign of a defender who cannot read the game well. He also doesn’t have the physical attributes to counter it. Salisu is not the best reader of danger i don’t think, but physically he’s imposing and has a great stretch. ABK seemed to anticipate really well yesterday, as well as be physically imposing. It would be a huge disappointment for me if Bednarek was here after the window closes - I would genuinely pick every other CB at the club over him.

Good to see Ralph’s famed 4222 formation is now being lauded by the people who were slaughtering him for it last season. When you’ve got no left full back, playing with wing backs makes sense - the problem is the third CB is always going to be a liability for us because we only have two good ones. Hopefully Perraud is back soon and the 4222 returns as it is without doubt our best setup with the players we have.

Pretty crazy that there’s a list of 6/7 players, which accounted for probably half of our starting 11 last season, that literally no other club wants. Yet people still don’t think Ralph’s done a respectable job keeping that team in the league without coming anywhere close to relegation…

Watkins would be good in terms of our pressing and workrate. But if you’re looking for someone more prolific than Che Adams, I don’t think Watkins is it.

If Tony Cascarino told me it was sunny outside i’d wear a coat. Most of these pundits don’t watch us, don’t follow us, just think ‘they weren’t great last year, they haven’t signed Mbappe, so they won’t be great this year either’.

Considering the fees being talked about for Delap and Broja, not sure how Che hasn’t been worth the (up to) £15mil we paid for him. Personally think he’s been a good team player and worth the fee, would be disappointed if we let him go.

Thought through so much that they just nabbed it from their back catalogue from the previous season?

What a lovely goal

Can definitely see the hype about Aribo’s first touch, he’s very graceful on the ball. I like the look of him already.

Now that we’re not losing is it safe to say I think we’re playing well? No one has been particularly bad, everyone has had some good moments. Armstrong and Romeu been particularly good. Encouraging given that most people would agree most of this team are second string.

Dean Hammond

Anyone know if they’re gonna have stock of the home kit in store from today? Website says 27th July release date.

Weren’t we top or close to it for goals conceded from set pieces too?