So are you the reason he knows the club is a shambles?

I didn't mean territorial data. Just that there is a consistent theme for two seasons now that we average more points from the games where we have less possession. I posted a whole thread about it a while ago if you're interested.

I'll be keeping track of it, and posting the data from time to time, same as I have the last two seasons. Not at all surprised to see the pattern continue.

I wouldn't say so, we clearly need reinforcement in both areas. It's also possible to work on two deals at once.

It's not quite that simple anymore. You need enough points, which is based on all sorts of stuff. The strength of the league, where your team finished, how many games you played for them, European competition, if you're an international then what country it's for (how many games you played for them, what ranking they are) and even youth internationals gain points for that. It's complicated and it makes it very difficult for most players from various leagues to make it, but there are instances where you don't need to be a 75% of games international.

They are literally and by some way, the worst bunch of scum out of all the supporters in English football. I don't have any personal experiences with them, unlike the Mancs in particular, but just reading their forums shows you exactly what they're about.

He's 21, and we have loads of other defenders of similar age ahead of him in the pecking order and on the fringes of the first team. Time to kick on, not go back to the level we got him from. If nobody from at least League One level wants him on loan by this point then I can't see a future for him here.

Nah yellow is a crap kit colour, rather we got it out the way this year in the form of one we will barely wear 😛

Christ, you scared me enough then that I had to go look it up...3 year deal, not 4 year. 29 at the time too. If he wasn't such a crock it would probably have been about right.

Uh, so they made him and then he went back there later. Yeh I think that counts. Also nobody is saying they need to be connected to Mowbray's time at Boro, just Boro - the club he loves, is a hero at, still lives near and has many connections at.

That's exactly what people are worried about, that he is looking at Boro players again. You'd expect it would be their rejects and fringe players mostly in the cup, too.

Tbh I'd be looking for a CB we can rely on, and loaning Magloire out to League One if he has takers there. Then Carter plays as cover (4th choice unless he excels when played) until Wharton is back and we reassess in January. Ayala will get frequent injuries and Lenihan is prone to a suspension here and there, and the odd slight injury, so he should get some games for us to see how he is coming along, without having to rely on him too much.

Magloire I can understand, but Carter already had a good stint in League One recently. I don't see what he's expected to learn by going there again, and he won't be getting a loan at a higher level.

We already have an Unforgivable Curse here, called Venkys.

That one two wasn't basic, that's harsh. It was a lovely touch. Other than that I'd agree from the one game of theirs I watched.

Regardless where he plays? Are you expecting 60 goal contributions from the front three then? I think 15+ contributions from him would be fine if he is out wide. It's long since stopped mattering what his fee was, he's just another one of our players in a midtable at best side.

Hmm. An unreliable source contradicted by an unreliable source. I think I'll just wait and see what actually happens. (Not a dig at you for posting it of course)

In half a season. In a full season for Coventry he scored 20, when he was only 18 or 19 years old I think?

Huh, much better than I thought. Jars with how I thought I remembered things but fair enough. We must have just made hard work of lower league teams. That and the last two knockouts must have messed with my memory.

Can anyone confirm if we have always been knocked out by lower league clubs under him too, or if it has only been most of the time?

You've come in peace so I'll be polite and just say that you did well out of Davies and Beattie - we absolutely got our pants pulled down on both. And then again on Ostenstad. And more recently arguably again with Gallagher, although I think he may end up being worth about what we paid if used right. However Shearer does balance all that out considerably - though it was still a British record fee at the time so you didn't have your pants pulled down. Again here with Armstrong we are probably getting less than he is worth due to his contract, so you're being opportunist with it but fair play, we would do the same. Hopefully this Obafemi works out well for us if we get him.

Looks fairly bulky. Given he is supposed to be quite fast, I'm assuming that's muscle and therefore he is quite strong?

I think the issue then comes in trying to claim they're legitimately independent. Should Newcastle come wanting their share via the courts etc. But I'm only speculating.

6 mill for Gestede wasn't a good deal at the time, no. That he flopped after is irrelevant, that can happen. Wrong club, wrong manager, injury luck etc. At the time we should have been getting more for him.

A signed agreement would invalidate our attempts to avoid the Newcastle chunk. The suggestion is it technically happens as a totally separate deal. You'd think there will be a gentleman's agreement though. The issue is then whether the player actually agrees terms with us though...that wouldn't be Southampton's fault. If this is the plan I hope we are being clever about it, otherwise we could just end up losing a few million in an attempt to cheat Newcastle out of a million or so.