Was speaking to a Blues fan who’s a mate of mine this afternoon, and he said that Gallagher is like the only shining light in what is a terrible team. Said he does everything you’d expect a number 9 to do well, he’s fast for a big lad, he doesn’t give up on anything, and he gets in the right positions, but has just lacked service and been unlucky not to have 2 or 3 more if opposition keepers hadn’t been on very top form. This guy follows football across all of Europe, but has particularly great knowledge of Championship and Prem being a season ticket holder for 20 years. He said he’s yet to prove it (obviously), but has a very similar make-up and style as that of Harry Kane from when he was loaned to the Championship. He added that with one more season of experience at Championship level, he could see him as a decent Premier League starter. “If he put the same effort in, but in a decent team, he’d score loads more”. Please note, it’s accepted that Kane did his loan stint at 17-19 and Gallagher started his at an older age.
Just noticed that the Daily Echo has pulled the comments on several recent threads, the posts recently have become extremely abusive and toxic and with no active moderation on the site it has got completely out of hand, plenty of opportunity for the Club to take legal action on some of the comments in my opinion.
As the Saints first team squad for the rest of the season has now been confirmed, following the end of the window, I just had a look. Here it is: Alves Soares, Cedric Ricardo Austin, Charlie* Bertrand, Ryan* Boufal, Sofiane Carrillo, Guido Marcelo Davis, Steven* Forster, Fraser Gerard* Gabbiadini, Manolo Gardos, Florin Hoedt, Wesley Hojbjerg, Pierre Emile Kordt Lemina, Mario Rene Junior Long, Shane Patrick* McCarthy, Alex Simon* McQueen, Samuel James* Pied, Jeremy Redmond, Nathan Daniel Jerome* Rose, Jack Joseph* Stephens, Jack* Tadic, Dusan Taylor, Stuart James* Vidal, Oriol Romeu Ward-Prowse, James Michael Edward* Yoshida, Maya *”Homegrown” player Every club has to have at least 8 players in the 25 man squad who, irrespective of age or nationality, have been registered with a club affiliated to the Football Association or Football Association of Wales for a period of (continuous or not) of three seasons or 36 months prior to the their 21st birthday. One name I didn’t recognise, Jack Rose, who is a 23 year old keeper we apparently signed from West Brom last August. I either didn’t register him at the time or have since completely forgotten him. Apologies Jack!
We'll have decisions to make next season. Currently have 24 registered, with Gardos and Pied likely to depart on frees, opening up a couple spaces. Can easily excise one of the spare keepers, leaving us with four openings. Some of our younger players will no longer qualify as U21s, Sims does for one more year, but Hesketh, Seager and Bednarek will not, and the on-loan players (Reed/Targett/Gallagher) already need to be rostered. One of the undersung benefits of having a strong Academy is that you can build a much deeper side if you have 4-5 squad players who don't need to be rostered...unfortunately, we no longer have any U21 regulars. Suspect that we'll sell on a couple of the ones out of the frame; wouldn't be at all surprised if we sold Reed (part-exchange for Maddison!) and Gallagher to Championship sides, and Targett might well depart as well.
He wanted to come back to where it all began for his great grandfather on the Titanic. I’m sure that’s not an omen.
I agree, although I hope Sims, Hesketh and Seager can all be incorporated into the senior squad when the time comes. I imagine Stuart Taylor will be let go though, along with Gardos. Pied will stay I’m sure, if he had more games he would be a very good utility defender, which is always handy. Bertrand may well be off, and who knows, Davis and Redmond too?
How old is Seager now? I saw him first game of this season and he is neat and a goal poacher, however not sure he is going to be a Premier League striker. Still have hope for the other two though.
To sell players, someone has to want them to get reasonable money. Must depend on their contracts....didn't Kreuger say all our team are on long contracts. Stuart Taylor seems extremely popular at the club....not enough on its own....but he may be seen as more of a coach. However we do need another keeper that will actually play.
Taylor hasn’t played a senior game since 2015! They obviously bought Jack Rose as a 3rd choice keeper but we haven’t seen him yet. I would think Stuart Taylor will move to the coaching staff at some point.
What do they have to do these days though? Go off and spend three years in Italy or France as third choice in a team of superstars? Not having a go at you but look who is really saving our season - Stephens and JWP. Thats not a freak chance, that’s being raised a saint.
Personally I think it more of a strangulation than a stretch. Yes he is on a golden spell scoring goals which makes up for his mistakes costing us goals just about. He's learning the premier league...is never going to be spectacular but you cant dismiss him............
Agreed and I'm not dismissing him. Just don't think people should get too carried away with him as he clearly still has a lot to learn.
To whom? If he makes the England squad, and plays a part in the WC, he'll be worth 40m. You think there's many clubs would pay that for him? Plus he was captain yesterday. Surely they wouldn't bother if something was already arranged.
I still see him as a DM than a CB if I am honest. Too technical for the role as CB, and far to lightweight.
