10 Aug 2021 20:58:11
Just thinking. Does anyone else think that losing Vestergard would actually be good for us? Most of our play starts with him with collection from the GK and a short pass forward. Maybe this will change us up, maybe push JWP further up as it's normally him getting the short ball of Jannik and the turning. Or do you thing JWP will go even deeper to collect the ball? What ifs.


1.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 11:53:19
I think that the reason JWP was playing deeper last season was because of Romeu being out of the side and he had no confidence in the defence without his protection. Hopefully this season we'll see him playing further forward because the defence looks slightly stronger. I'm still not happy with the goalkeeper situation though.


2.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 13:33:34
Our best side - most balanced and best fitting Ralph’s 4-2-2-2 - which he said yesterday he wants to stick with and doesn’t like a back 3/ 5;

Not a Saints keeper
KWP - Bednarek - Salisu - Perraud (I’m convinced Vestergaard will go)
JWP - Romeu
Armstrong - Tella (even though Ralph wants Tella playing more centrally, big season for him)
Adams - Armstrong

That team in itself is pretty okay, probably finishes 12th-14th. The main problem is what happens when we suffer any injury.

Lose Bednarek, in comes Stephens.
Lose Perraud, Ralph will probably put Djenepo there over Tino.
Lose Romeu, Diallo doesn’t quite fill the hole as yet.
Lose JWP, no replacement. Maybe SArmstrong. Need a midfielder.
Lose a wide man, Redmond and Walcott aren’t good enough as back up. Djenepo, jury’s out, Elyounoussi is a fairly unknown quantity, don’t really know how he’s been doing since returning.
Lose a forward. God help us. Broja and Long. Broja may come good, but still desperately light.

And then, there’s Ralph trying to play centre backs as full backs, wingers as strikers, defenders in midfield, etc. Keep it simple and play that XI, I think we’ll do okay until the injuries come.


3.) 11 Aug 2021
11 Aug 2021 17:51:47
Defo need DC and MC cover (not from the academy! ) . Lots of frees still out there. Cahill (yes I know he’s 34+) or Mustafi, can be cover with Stephens. Ntcham, Wilshere or Bentaleb. Yes, they come as a risk but so would the Ox. We need experienced cover.


4.) 12 Aug 2021
12 Aug 2021 13:25:33
Holding from Arsenal at DC please.