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SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s Profile
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SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s rumours posts with other poster's replies to SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s rumours posts
16 Aug 2024 06:44:12
Reading we are now after Lesley Ugochukwu on loan from Chelsea. A 20 year old French number 6 worth over 20m. Could be a Lavia alternative. If we do go 4 2 3 1 or Downes is injured we need another DM, so this sounds interesting.
Also reading we are after striker Cameron Archer from Villa, who was on loan to Sheffield United last season. Only scored 4 goals there but he is young and improving. Not sure about this one.
Seems there is interest in Alcaraz, Mara and ABK All newspaper reports so take with a pinch of salt.
1.) 16 Aug 2024 08:48:33
Ugochukwu looks like a very good addition to the squad. I saw him a few times last season with Chelsea and he looks like someone that will make a big contribution. I've got to say the pursuit of Cameron Archer worries me. Looks like he could be another Carrillo, Mara, Sulemana etc. I know he's young but it's not what we need right now - a 50/50 (at best) punt that we're more likely to attempt offloading for a massive loss, as turn him into an EPL standout player.
It's a massive risk and with some money coming in from the sales of ABK, Alcaraz and maybe Mara now, I think we could invest in someone with a greater chance of success even if they would cost maybe 10M more - Eddie Nketiah springs to mind. A big few weeks coming up for RM and Saints.
2.) 16 Aug 2024 08:56:49
Archer is a very good player reminiscent of Jermaine Defoe, a permanent deal is potentially very exciting. Ugochukwa is a surprise but definitely puts to bed Broja/Lavia loan deals. Both deals had been kept very quiet, still need a keeper and attacking midfielder.
3.) 16 Aug 2024 11:27:33
I like the Archer move a lot. But what's up with Ipswich landing all the players we've been after as well? Delap, Johnson, now Broja?
Bringing in Archer *and* Broja on loan and sending Mara out for a year to play every day in Ligue 1 would have been great. Then bring in Johnstone and loan a winger for when we go 4-3-3 and find a cheap backup 6. That would realistically solve our problems without breaking PSR.
4.) 16 Aug 2024 11:48:37
Why can’t we get Willian in on a freebie now he left Fulham? Could still do a job eh
5.) 16 Aug 2024 16:07:37
What about Petrovic the goalie at Chelsea? Being sold after a year. What’s the crack? Any good?
26 Apr 2024 18:36:02
The spirit the team need now
Gents, it's been a shocking week. Automatic promotion is gone, key players are down and we just took a battering. The pundits have written you off, the fans have written you off and some of you have given up.
You now have two choices. Wallow in misery like boys or fight like men.
Winning at Wembley is every footballers dream and you have that golden opportunity. Who has what it takes? Who is willing to chase, to get stuck in, to be bold for this team. Do it for you, do it for Stu, do it for the fans.
We have spent a season playing sideways, now we need to go forwards. This is your chance to step up and be a hero. Fight for your place in the team. Do not look back and regret what could have been. Give it all you've got.
1.) 26 Apr 2024 22:42:36
I feel at this point I’d love to hear from an Ed (or 2408 who I’ve been trying to guess who you are) .
I’ve played various sports at a reasonable level, but I've never encountered a situation where the coach wanted us to do ‘plan A’ when clearly it was plan B or C or D that was needed .
How do the players get RM to change his ways, admit defeat, listen to the players .
why don’t the players on the pitch say f**k with this nonsense and unleash themselves ….
This is where my understanding ends.
Imagine being an attacking midfielder or an attacker, Waiting for that one defence splitting pass, That defence splitting run.
But all you get is sitting back and watching huge amounts of possession, but not where you want it to be.
So in reality, can the players just do it their way?
{Ed001's Note - it is quite common, you usually know it as 'losing the dressing room'. That is characterised by players ignoring instructions and doing what they think is right. Which is strange to me as I grew up with Liverpool dominating everything and that was the secret of their success. They put players together who knew how to play and just let them play. In fact there are a number of the players who tell stories about how they would ask for tactical instructions and be told that they should figure it out for themselves (well not in so many words, usually it involved them being told to go forth and multiply). Nowadays coaches want robots who just do as they are told, rather than thinking for themselves.}
2.) 27 Apr 2024 08:13:24
Complerely agree South_Hants_Rich and Ed001. Our flair players are being suffocated and they need the freedom to play. Stoke is a free pass. We should experiment and I hope the players push for that, if RM doesn't.
Give Lumley and Stephens a half and McCarthy and Bree a half. See who deserves their starting spot.
Give Sulemana and Fraser a real shot. We may need that pace against a high press and that tenacity in a cup final.
Take players on, put some crosses in the box. We are going to have an aerial threat with Ross Stewart coming back soon.
Go 4 2 3 1, put Sulemana up top, AA as CAM, put Jack Stephens in goal! Shave JWPs hair and pretends he's Will Smallbone. Anything!
Lets try something new. Give the players a free reign, show some fighting spirit, get the fans on the edge of their seat. At least for 30 minutes!
3.) 27 Apr 2024 17:59:29
Thank you Ed001 for that great reply …
I can understand that a coach may spot a shortcoming in someone’s game. but as you say, the modern coach, especially RM, are telling the players what they need to do!
Love the Liverpool story . cheers again
{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}
01 Jan 2024 10:32:29
Happy New Year everybody! It has been a pleasure posting with you. As an expat that does not get to see many games, it is great to hear what is going on from those closer to the action.
Reading some rumours about strikers and wingers coming in.
@Eds, any rumours with substance?
{Ed002's Note - Fabio Carvalho (AM/LW) He has no clear future at Liverpool, certainly in the short-term so a loan to perhaps Southampton or Leicester would be best for all. Liverpool would also consider him as a player they could let go in any part exchange transaction.}
1.) 02 Jan 2024 09:17:28
Thank you Ed002.
Hearing we are in the market for at least 1 striker e.g. Ings and/or Biovski and an AM or winger e.g Carvalho or Diallo. Is this abou right?
{Ed002's Note - Yes but much will depend on the summer and if promotion is achieved.}
19 Dec 2023 10:48:55
Jan rumours suggesting we could see
KWP out and Ben Johnson in
Che out and Ings in?
Would you take that scenario?
14 Aug 2023 15:26:17
Curious on who people think we should sell or keep out of Mara, Aribo, Lyanco, Bree, Perraud and Sulemana?
Hearing rumours that Onuachu may be off back to Genk with a swap deal for a right winger (think we are already strong here with Tella and Ameyaw).
Plus ABK going back to Germany. Then Holgate coming in on loan as a replacement (plus Downes for JWP). Maybe even Mccarthy to Everton.
50m spent on a quality GK, CB and Striker is what I think we all want now, with no more out the door. Then I think playoffs is achievable.
1.) 14 Aug 2023 18:24:01
I would keep sulemena if he is willing to fight and perraud is a good player and should be strong at this level. The others could go and I wouldn't be too upset although lyanco will give you passion, although I would play him as a dm not a cb
SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s banter posts with other poster's replies to SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s banter posts
05 Oct 2024 09:55:00
A few pre Arsenal musings
1. The New Manager Dilemma - Ten Hag is favourite in the sack race, ahead of RM. If Potter snaps up Utd and Moyes waits for Everton, what options do we have?
2. Formation Dilemma - Should we go 3 5 2 or 4 2 2 to get Stewart and Archer up top from the start? Or stick to 4 2 3 1 where we have had periods of good play but conceded a lot? Alternatively begin with a 4 2 3 1 and bring on Archer for Lallana in the last 30 mins to go more attacking?
3. The Left Mid Dilemma - Diaz and Fraser have not set the world alight. Should we try KWP further forward and keep Taylor at LB? Does AA deserve a chance there to provide his assists?.Or even Lallana, with KWP overlapping and space in midfield for Ugochukwu with Downes and Fernandes and Dibling in a 4 2 3 1?
What is everybody else thinking?
02 Oct 2024 20:59:41
Reading reports that Rasmus Ankersen might be up for the sack. Thoughts?
Lavia, Alcaraz, Fernandes and Sugawara were great buys uncovered. Ramsdale, Downes and THB were obvious opportunities and there was some good negotiation. Apart from that, I can think of about 15 buys that failed to make an impact and the overloaded squads have cost us.
If I had spent over 100m on a 1 in 3 hit rate, I would be annoyed too.
1.) 03 Oct 2024 19:48:19
Wait SR want to sack Rasmus or have I read that wrong. If I have ignore this.
I mean is Rasmus does get the sack I don't know if our negotiation and players that we sign will automatically become ballers. I think it's just guessing and affordability, I didn't really believe in Diaz tbh and same for Archer I expected to go someone bing instead of those two players someone big from the the championship but we move.
I think the scouting team just needs to be improved that's what could help in finding cheap gems the likes of VVD Mane etc. Instead of selling them really quickly we could build on it and win something.
That's my opinion though, but will rasmus getting sacked help? Maybe?
2.) 03 Oct 2024 22:26:25
Yes that is right. There are reports/rumours that Solak is considering a double sacking of RM and Rasmus. Not sure how true they are.
The stategy seems to be a bit throw the dice, overload the squad and hope half turn out alright. We spent 50m on Stewart, Archer, Diaz and Onuachu. Was that well spent?
3.) 04 Oct 2024 12:47:46
Not really I guess, it's a shame we went for quantity instead of quality I rather would've spent 25 million for two really good premier league players instead of 3-4 good championship players.
It's a shame because we were involved in talks with really talented players however they went on to more 'big' clubs.
If I was the manager I would've looked at the free agency there are still some good players that could aid our survival also I'd probably invest scouting in the Americas as really talented players are in South America and some move to the MLS so investing in some scouting there could help us find some good players the likes of John Duran, Almiron came from the MLS so investing in the Americas is a good idea imo.
But I fully agree money isn't being spent properly here.
01 Oct 2024 06:52:40
I was open to giving RM more games, if he made the right changes but that team selection and first half was awful.
The dressing room looks lost and if a few clubs want to switch manager soon, it's smart to act fast and snap up the best available now.
SR have overloaded the squad again, so there is a lot of disappointment at losing, plus frustration at not playing. Needs an experienced head to deal with that.
1.) 01 Oct 2024 07:53:36
Who do you think should manage us?
2.) 01 Oct 2024 09:30:49
Potter. Only one with Prem experience and nouse.
3.) 01 Oct 2024 09:58:22
Unfortunately nothing likely to change in the dugout prior to Arsenal game (as no new Coach would want an immediate loss on his resume’ ) .The poor bloke (RM) has that frazzled/haunted look that we witnessed with HASSENHUTTL at the end. It would be much kinder to terminate sooner rather a painful later.! Keep On Marching!
4.) 01 Oct 2024 13:06:12
Potter or Moyes would be good. I hope we do not go for a Championship Manager. Let's show ambition and not repeat the path of 2 years ago.
I wish RM all the best. He is a good young manager that has got us back to the Prem. He now needs to add more variety to develop as a coach.
A good strategist adapts himself to the team, not just the other way round. It was hard for him to do that with the burden of promotion last season and competiting at a higher level now, with a new, young and bloated squad.
I would suggest he goes to a promising Championship side, takes a year to hone a new Plan B style, a year to go for promotion and maybe we see him back in the Prem soon.
A squad low on confidence needs an experienced manager they can trust.
22 Sep 2024 09:58:11
A wasted opportunity, especially as 3 pts gets you as high as 15th.
We used to be the side to score goals in 90+ minutes. Confidence is low and RM lacks the style of play or ability to inject it.
Dibling seems the only player with the composure to finish. I would be tempted to play him through the middle. Lallana is class and needs to play as much as he can
Let Armstrong and Ameyaw fight it out on the right. Nobody has seized their place on the left, so experiment with KWP as a winger and let Cornet, Sulemana and Fraser scrap it out for sub.
Get a psychologist in for our struggling strikers and hope 1 will arise. Taylor and Sugawara whip in a great ball. Let's give Onuachu 30 mins to get on the end of it once!
If our wingers can pull it back for Dibling or chip it up to Tall Paul, we have a threat. Then let's Get Big Les, ABK and Onuachu up for corners with Dibling and Lallana on the edge of the box, so we can score a set piece for a change!
18 Sep 2024 15:01:36
We have 12 attacking players for 4 places.
Who would you start, who would you sub on and who is for the squad?
I have no idea. So, am going on PL track record, then goals last year. Would love your thoughts.
START
Cornet, Lallana, Dibling, Diaz
SUB
Fraser, Fernandes, Armstrong, Archer
SQUAD
Sulemana, Stewart, Onuachu, Ameyaw
Or a curveball comeback story:
Sulemana. Dibling Ameyaw Onuachu
SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s rumour replies
23 Aug 2024 18:37:32
Thanks @2408.
Alcaraz is currently the 2nd highest PL goal scorer per game in the squad, so it seems a big risk to sell him but point taken on the system adherence.
Appreciate the update
23 Aug 2024 09:09:07
Thanks for the intel @2408.
Do we still have money to spend?
Saints were saying they needed to sell before they bought. I think you said we probably had 12m to spend.
Since then we have 10m in for Mara, have spent 30m on Archer and Fernandes, potentially 10m lined up on Bijlow and now maybe more.
Sounds like we are very confident on 20m in from ABK and Onuachu to balance the books, KWP or Alcaraz may be off (hope not) or there was more money available than thought.
20 Aug 2024 17:48:21
We kept telling the transfer team to get their signings on target! Looks like they took us literally!
06 Aug 2024 13:49:52
Reading that KWP may stay, at least until the start of the season and Onuachu could stay too, if no decent offer comes (though likely negotiating games)
I would be very happy with all that 12m + Charles for O'Riley, to keep KWP, sell Bree or Manning for Fraser and loan/sell Mara, Larios, Aribo, Sulemana to contribute to Lavia and Ramsay's wages.
Crouchy was great for us, tall Paul deseves a shot. Curious to see how SAA, Dibling and Onuachu do against better pre season teams.
02 Aug 2024 15:30:06
Thanks for the great intel @2408.
If Onuachu has no future at Saints, I would gladly trade him for loan fees plus wages for Ramsdale and Fraser.
Then if KWP wants to go, swap him and some of that 12m for O'Riley.
Loan or sell some of Charles, Mara, Edozie, Sulemana, ABK and Larios and put into Lavia's wages.
Then pick up a target man or winger with any money left, plus any fringe players we can sell.
Others feel the same?
SaintThatAKickInTheHead!'s banter replies
04 Oct 2024 12:15:10
Perhaps he will start against Arsenal without a goalkeeper or try to put Jack Stephens in goal!
03 Oct 2024 22:26:25
Yes that is right. There are reports/rumours that Solak is considering a double sacking of RM and Rasmus. Not sure how true they are.
The stategy seems to be a bit throw the dice, overload the squad and hope half turn out alright. We spent 50m on Stewart, Archer, Diaz and Onuachu. Was that well spent?
02 Oct 2024 06:35:15
Thanks leslee and likewise.
As I say, SR have put RM in a very difficult position, without a proven PL striker and enough experience etc
We need people in the set up, who can pick the best 11, adapt play, defend set pieces and lift players.
RM is a young manager and not there. SR should have got new PL coaches around him. Hired better sports psychologists, offered a network of Saints legends to give wise words on team selection. Had Lambert and Le Tiss take a training on finishing.
If RM can be open and say, lads just like you need Lallana and Ramsdsle around for experience and leadership on the field, I need some of that off it. Maybe we can make the changes needed to plug the gap.
But if Moyes or Potter are available now, I still say go for the full package right away. The lads need trust in their manager and that's a lot easier with older managers, respected by pundits and seasons' experience.
01 Oct 2024 14:38:36
Some excellent points leslee.
I was in the camp of give him 5 games, if we see improvements in picking the best 11, defending set pieces, building resilience etc. Things a new manager would do anyway. A win at Ipswich and a draw not loss, we would be 15th.
RM has been put in a tough position. Young manager in a top league with an inexperienced, new and over inflated squad with low confidence. Too much was expected of him and pressure off might help.
Last night was a step back not forward sadly. We can wait and hope he turns it around but with other managers close to the sack, we might get 2nd or 3rd choice. It's a risk.
A Potter or Moyes is no guarantee of success but the players may need that level of trust, strength of character and experience to get them to their best and enough time to re-learn and go on a run.
So, I am leaning towards a switch, provided it is a proven PL manager
I am grateful to RM for getting us back to the Prem and wish the best.
01 Oct 2024 13:06:12
Potter or Moyes would be good. I hope we do not go for a Championship Manager. Let's show ambition and not repeat the path of 2 years ago.
I wish RM all the best. He is a good young manager that has got us back to the Prem. He now needs to add more variety to develop as a coach.
A good strategist adapts himself to the team, not just the other way round. It was hard for him to do that with the burden of promotion last season and competiting at a higher level now, with a new, young and bloated squad.
I would suggest he goes to a promising Championship side, takes a year to hone a new Plan B style, a year to go for promotion and maybe we see him back in the Prem soon.
A squad low on confidence needs an experienced manager they can trust.