Harry_SFC

Can't believe I'm saying this but I'd like to see Vestergaard come in for this one. Even though he's slow, he generally reads the game a lot better than Stephens and is actually better at passing as well. There's an argument to be had surrounding the keeper but I think McCarthy is just about the least shit out of the 3. You'd argue that this is the right game to play a higher line, as opposed to against Spurs. McCarthy, KWP, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Bertrand, Romeu, JWP, Armstrong, Djenepo, Adams, Ings. Subs: Forster, Stephens, Vokins, Jankewitz, Tella, Long, Obafemi. Edit - Just realised how inexperienced/poor that bench looks 😬

His finishing has been poor at times but he brings more to the table than Obafemi and Long in my opinion. He held it up very well today and was one of the better players on the pitch.

I don't think there will be many changes at all. You'd imagine that Forster, Djenepo and Vestergaard will play and possibly Obafemi but most of the first team players need minutes.

£20 million for Martinez is about right in my opinion. He looked quality at Arsenal last season.

Whilst I agree with the majority of this, I don't see how Shane Long would've made a difference really. With their defence being so deep, there wasn't any room in behind for the strikers to exploit. We lacked a technical attacking player yesterday. Armstrong would've made a difference but we need a proper player to challenge for that position as Smallbone adds next to nothing in that position. Personally I think we should've gone for one of Eze or Benramha. Shame they are both at/going to Palace! Very good signings for them IMO.

When DaGrosa took over as director at Bordeaux he made sweeping changes - including the manager, CEO and a majority of the office staff. Let's just hope he realises that isn't needed here!! (If it were to actually happen)

Agreed. Although it would be nice to hear from Gao now and again, I quite like the fact he doesn't say a great amount and stays out of the way. More investment would be welcome but at the end of the day he lets Martin and Ralph get on with it.

Hopefully it's Djenepo. Don't think Smallbone adds a great deal in that position.

I'd agree with this - £3-4 million or so is a half decent amount for us at the moment and I doubt we would be able to get anymore for him with 1 year left on his contract (even though he is worth more that). The sort of foreign teams who would be interested in him just won't be able to offer more than what's being rumoured, as seen with Hoedt. Extending his contract would be madness. I would be happy for him to stay until the end of the season but can see why the club would sell him. If it goes towards the funding of a new signing then fair enough. I do think we could do with another attacker but if Ralph rates Tella then who am I to argue.

McCarthy, KWP, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand, Romeu, JWP, Armstrong, Redmond, Ings, Adams. Subs: Forster, Vestergaard, Vokins, Smallbone, Djenepo, Long, Obafemi. 2-1 win for Saints.

If we sell Boufal on top of letting Hojbjerg go then all of a sudden the depth of the squad is looking a thin. If Redmond or Ward Prowse get injured then I think we'd find ourselves in a bit of trouble. I'd be a bit disappointed if we didn't bring at least one more player in before the window shuts.

All goalkeepers make mistakes. Ederson probably made more than McCarthy last season. McCarthy is definitely our best all round keeper (his kicking lets him down, that's about it)

Obligation to buy if Fulham stay up apparently

Personally think we will miss out on Mckennie - by the time we manage to raise the funds (if at all) I'd imagine someone else would've signed him. No doubt the club have other options though.

This is the thing that pleases me about us right now. Semmens clearly trusts the manager and Ralph gets the final say on transfers. This whole LD saga is a farce though and doesn't paint the club in the best light. Hopefully the club can be sold sooner rather than later.

None of the shirts are available for me to buy on the Saints store. It's showing the shorts and socks, just not the shirts.

It would be great if JWP was called up. With games being played a few days before the first game of the season, I'd rather no one else was..

Has anyone been on the LD Sports website lately? It still has profiles for Cedric, Austin, Yoshida etc. It also has links to transfer rumours regarding Obafemi, Mckennie etc under the 'latest news' section. It's all just very, very odd.

Saints, West Ham and Newcastle all looking for new owners. One to keep an eye on.

I'd guess that Redmond is the one with Covid.

I'd be surprised if Obafemi is at Saints much longer. He doesn't run enough and isn't professional enough off the field. Two things Ralph won't stand for..

To be fair Celtic fans are bemused as to why he's not playing and rate him as their best CM.

If, for whatever reason, Bednarek doesn't sign a new contract then ideally we need to sell him this summer. £25 million is a fair price in my opinion. Wait another season and it's half that at least.

From the little I've seen of Alfie Jones and from what Gillingham fans have said, I'd be surprised if he's not playing in the championship next season. The others will struggle though IMO.

I'd be surprised if Hoedt, Carillo and Lemina are there to be honest. I think Hoedt and Lemina have burnt their bridges. Ralph will probably want to have another look at Forster and Reed.