If Ralph is going to be sacked shortly then wouldn’t it make sense that the players would stay if their issue is with the manager? KWP will obviously want to leave if the likes of Chelsea want him, nothing to do with the manager or his mates leaving
I must admit our fanbase does amuse me at times. Not necessarily on here but I've seen so many comments about wanting a squad overhaul but then when we sell someone who they don't want sold people start losing their **** and have a go at the new owners. I'd understand it if it was JWP or KWP, but it isn't.
I don't think that's a given at all. We have a tough start of fixtures and the result/performance at Spurs left a lot to be desired. We've also got a real problem scoring goals, with it sounding like our best striker (not hard to earn that title) has fallen out with the manager/wants to leave. While I agree with you that I wouldn't be too worried about losing Che, we do need to have a great end to the transfer window to get strikers that will help us start winning games. If we're playing with Mara/Armstrong for the next few weeks, it's not impossible to see us losing all of our first six games. Yes that is completely hypothetical, but Ralph could be under real pressure soon.
Yes we needed a squad overhaul but 90% of the players most fans wanted gone and “overhauled” are still here. Adams was one I think most wanted to keep, maybe not as critical as KWP and JWP but definitely a keeper compared to loads of others
It's not a given, but I think it would take a catastrophic start for the board to sack Ralph before then. I agree, we need a strong end to the transfer window.
I agree, there are players ahead of Che I would have wanted us to get rid of first but if Forest or whoever come in with a 25-30mill bid for Che then I think we'd be foolish to turn it down.
Every player has their price as they say and I think 25-30m is probably high for Adams, so yes in normal times we would be inclined to sell. It just puts a load of pressure on getting the new striker(s) right and scoring basically immediately. If we had a solid defence to lean on so we didn’t need to score as many or a few creative masterminds who could create chances regularly then it wouldn’t be as big of an issue. Unfortunately we have neither atm so the strikers may be left to live on scraps and having to score 3 a game for us to win
Is there any suggestion that we're getting an offer of that size? The fact that we're actively looking to shift him will reduce our leverage when it comes to negotiating a price. I'd be staggered if we got that sort of amount.
I do. We had one great season under him iirc, then perhaps got rid too early when things weren’t working out
Agreed. The 'line in the sand' game I am looking at is Saints v Brentford on September 10. If we get through that one and having played Brentford/Wolves/Leicester/Leeds, we still don't have a couple of wins under our belt, I'd say he's gone (or incredibly close).
it makes no sense to sell Che now either as a counterpoint. Ralph is capable of making himself sackable at any point. Im not saying he will be but if he loses the dressing room he loses his job IMO.
He’s not the only one though is he? Reading through the last couple of pages of this thread, it looks like we’ve sold Che Adams and replaced him with an untried youngster from the Portuguese 2nd division.
And minus the sell on is that really worth it this Summer? When we've already needed to replace two strikers and this would be a third? As I mentioned this morning this feels like a gamble too far. We're essentially relying on 2 out of 3 striker signings hitting the ground running which is a big ask given the profile of players we seem to be looking at.
While i dont think its a good time to sell, I dont think we would sell Adams without replacements agreed. We have been well run recently and see that continuing rather than coming apart. its getting to closing time in the transfer window and the clubs looking to hook up are circling the strikers who didnt get the hot partner they were eyeing up earlier.
This. Until the transfer window slams shut in a few weeks, we simply don't know what our squad will look like. One thing we do know is SR have splashed out over 50mill on new signings without selling anyone. And Semmens hasn't done anything that tells me we can't trust him. The fans forum will be very interesting to watch.
I previously said I'd be fine with Che going, but the more I think about it, the more worried I get. I think it only makes sense if we're brining back Ings or Broja, as they wouldn't need to settle in. But neither of those sound likely. I understand that if he wants to leave, or is unhappy/won't sign a new deal etc, then it's in the best interests of the club to sell, but it is quite worrying thinking about where our goals/wins will come from.
