dmayne7

You're massively ignoring the importance on confidence/context though. Monga did those things when he came into the team and frankly, looked head a shoulders above every else on the pitch early in the season. He's had that absolutely smashed out of him. I agree maybe he's not got that electric pace but strength wise, nobody was getting him off the ball. Put Ngumoha or Dowman in this team and you'd see exactly the same things. Jakub's best quality when he came into the team was his ability to deal with crosses/corners (not seen a keeper do that here for 20 years). But again, that's gone to absolute toilet, much like other aspects of his game. Braybrooke and Alves, were massively hyped up but then had horrific injuries. Physically Alves actually came back stronger but Braybrooke clearly suffered. Not completely disagreeing with your assessment but the context is massively important when assessing these players

Eh? It's the other way if anything. You can make a player a bit quicker and stronger (at least in a footballing context), but not completely transform them. Whereas technical ability can be massively refined from thousand of hours on the training ground/playing matches. Obviously all these things are innate as no amount of work or practice is going to turn me into Usain Bolt or Cristiano Ronaldo

Great shout. Amazed he didn't establish himself for a bigger club

Doesn't that logic apply to every single transfer on the planet then? Since somebody is always the first to 'unearth' a player?

Obviously Huth in terms of impact. But then the likes of Muzzy and Tielemans obvious ones for what they then did and the fact they also became permanent signings. But agree that Mark Davies right up there for short term impact.

Haven't been giving this much thought but then had a random dream last night that we got docked 40 points today . Brace yourselves.

But he's absolutely despised by Southampton fans where he's been for the past 4 seasons. A team that has finished below us every year and has hardly had much in the way of quality compared to what we have had in that time (and most of those are crap now or left long ago). They've almost been crapper than us for most of the season yet he's barely featured. Really don't get the comparison to Lookman at all, completely different context. And going off the reactions here, I'm probably one of the more positive people about this signing! It's fine as some depth for the short term but it's just a typically lazy signing from us and can't blame people for thinking it's a terrible signing.

Cover by name, cover by nature

Ironically, the only insane comment in here is you suggesting Rice is an insane choice . - We don't create many chances so a striker isn't going to score loads of goals on their own, no matter how good. - Picking a midfielder means you get a player that affects both ends of the pitch in someway. - Rice is also extremely versatile, so you can play him as a deeper midfielder, in a double pivot or an 8. - We're bottom of the running stats and their aren't many more hard working and physical mids in the prem - Yes he doesn't score loads but that part of his game has improved massively. Interestingly compare his league career at Arsenal to James at Birmingham and there is 1 game difference, yet Rice has 6 more goals. So that would suggest that he'd be more than capable of banging them in. Oh and most importantly of all, whoever it is would be playing in the bloody championship so I think they'd be more than capable of performing better at this level . Not saying he would be my choice, but in many ways, he (or a Bruno G) is probably the most logical choice to cover all bases. Given the context was a player at the peak of their powers, probably go Palmer or Bruno Fernandes (). That way you get the ability to create but also score plenty

If that's on the cards, that's about the biggest reason not to sign him. Would be absolutely mental if that's the plan.

Ok, let me rephrase. Based on the evidence we have, he's fallen out with 2/3 managers. Is that better? We're talking about what we have been made aware of, so all signs point to Winks being the problem. That may not be true but it's certainly more substantiated that you suggesting that he's not at fault. Enzo selected him because he was his player? Then kicked up a stink when he left. That just underlines the point more. Was brought back in because we were 4 cm's down this weekend, yet he was still picked behind Hamza and a 17 year old so hardly a ring endorsement.

It's funny because at Gillingham (local team as a kid), they would actually understand report the figures so that they paid less tax. Then again, Paul Scally (owner) is an absolute crook, whereas Top's a total narcissist so that probably explains why we over inflate

Funny thing is that a couple of those were the very things he was good at, at least for a modern keeper. Seems to have lost all confidence on crosses/corners. Got a lot of potential but it just don't think he's got the concentration to make good on that (and obviously crap on the ball)

If he's supposedly fallen out with 2/3 managers, all who had different approaches, doesn't that suggest that he is the problem and not them? Behaviour on the pitch that has been cited here; Preston, Huddersfield and generally bottling 50/50's, walking around the pitch etc. What's today's performance got to do with that comment you made? Just because you want to ignore all that evidence, it doesn't mean somebody else is hating for the sake of hating does it? It's a ridiculous waste of money and ability that he's not in the team this year, but that's all of his own making (from what we know)

So you just want to ignore the clear trend and the evidence we have available to us? Evidence that is backed up by his behaviour on the pitch this season.

What I would say is that if anyone in the hierarchy has even the slightest ear to the ground (implausible as that may seem), there has never been a bigger opposition to a potential appointment than Russell Martin. Even to the point that it's been bemoaned even when we weren't looking for a manager.

Yet more failings from this club if they don't recall Alves. Should have been involved in the first team this season, or at least loaned to a championship club. Got injured and now completely frozen out.

Luckily I didn't watch today so can't comment on that, but it's absolutely mental to see him in every line up on here. For the record, he's not a player I hate at all but he has been painfully bad this season yet he gets off scot-free

The problem with Thomas v Aluko is that there is the annoying thing of balance. Obviously not Aluko's preferred foot on that side and from what we've seen he likes to make runs into the box (which is a great asset that I hope he can refine), then you've got Mavididi who wants to come inside all the time as well. Not saying I agree with the decision and would rather have Aluko creating some space/carrying an attacking threat but there is some logic in playing Thomas (even is he is cack)

So would I but I think given the likes of Gray and Cover haven't been near the first team and been no great clamour for them to be involved, Silko struggled to make a big impact in L1, Wanya has played 20 games at the age of 23, would suggest that none of them are up to this level.

Genuinely, what do you expect? Fair enough if he had a full squad to choose from but it's massively depleted. I'd back him to be picking the youngsters if he's been in the job since the start of the season or a few games in

The bench is pretty telling though. 2 or 3 youngsters that clearly aren't at this level yet

Sadly what I kind of expected

You must have an even shorter memory then if you've forgotten how he's played this season and some of his antics towards the fans. Nobody on here doubts his ability for this level, but the majority understand his attitude is awful. Unfortunately, we are so bare in midfield that he probably will have to be included in some way.

Has been poor so often this season but if we sell him, we will go down. People somehow ok with this? Where do you think the goals will come from without him or James?