Is this the “disappointing alternative” to Piroe. It seems like the plan is to play with one focal striker so I assume we won’t be in for both Presumably not a big fee as I think he only has one year on his contract. What sort of player is he? I’ve seen he is nicknamed “Loch Ness Drogba” which is some indication. But suggestions that he can cover wide forward positions suggest versatility? If true q Strikers are an interesting one as I assume we want to move Paul on, Mara probably needs moving on either permanently or on loan and I expect we won’t have a choice in Adams. But three out and one in leaves us short unless we are covering that with Armstrong, Tella and Ballard. Two of whom it isn’t really their best position
Yes, England players 'claim' an injury, but come on, that's just for show most of the time. Bednarek, up until that FA cup game, had been with us for 4 or 5 seasons. Not the best quality, but always a dependable, loyal team member. Even if he'd come out and said, "I really don't want to play for Saints this weekend, because my nation qualifying for the WC is far more important", I would personally have totally respected that decision and wished him good luck. Not a big deal at all as far as I'm concerned. Definitely not deserving of all the bs he got from Saints fans. On Salisu, yeah, I'm not against the whole Ramadan fasting thing. I just think if we have to respect religion, then surely we should respect nationhood too. And yes, it was a decisive match. It was a WC playoff.
Agree to disagree on most of those counts then. Especially the “decisive” first leg compared to a straight knock out match (the one he wasn’t up for)
It’s also ignoring his comments when joining Villa on loan. That’s what really pissed off most Saints fans. Not what you should say when you’re only leaving on loan. Like I said though he’s apologised and tried to make up for it on the pitch and most have now forgiven it all. Don’t really understand standing up for his behaviour during that period tbh.
The state of saints Twitter where we have teenage fans pretending they are ITK and people taking them seriously. And the worst part is that they don’t seem to be doing it as a wind up 17 years olds saying “I was told x and y”. Sure thing
Fair enough. Absolutely disagree with you on this point. Nation over club for me all day. (Also, it wasn't played over two legs. It was a straight one-leg decider; Poland beat Sweden 2-0.)
I agree he was an idiot saying what he said. Can't defend that. Pretty obvious it was reactionary though, considering the abuse he got. Don't think he'd have said the same things under normal circumstances. But yeah, a dick move by him.
I don’t see it as he had to choose one or the other though, unless my memory deceived me, he could have easily played both. If it were one or the other then fair enough the Poland game was bigger. You should be able to get yourself motivated for two big games in a week though. In theory that’s pretty common.
Bednarek isn't totally undeserving of stick for his decision. I get that. But for me it was more of a slap on the wrists type of offence, than hounded out of the club type. Especially after 4 or 5 years of good service.
I bet every one of us are guilty of saying something or done something we regret or have thrown out toys out of the pram at some point in our lives. When Bednarek hit a clearance into the stand and injured a fan in one of the recent friendly games he went in to the stand to check on the injured fan. That tells me all I want to know about what type of guy he is. No ill will towards Jan from me.
In which case I soften my stance and stand corrected. Legit forgot that is wasn’t two legs. How strange since they nearly always are
Looks like Euro 2016 was the last time it was two legs. I guess Nations League seeding has something to do with it now.
I'm one of the most anti-Bednarek supporters going on here. But it's nothing to do with him not playing in the QF, or his comments after joining Villa - I don't care about that. It's because he's not good enough (at least for for PL level football).
It must be so difficult to squad plan and map things out with all the players we have and the uncertainty of who is moving on and when We have six central defenders and probably need four but I expect for four of them we either want to get rid of or actively want to go - ABK, Salisu, DCC and Lyanco. If all four leave we will need at least one incoming if not two We have three right backs. One is being actively pursued and the other seems like one where there will eventually be interest. If both go we will need one at the last minute If both Lavia and JWP go (which you have to assume is likely) then I’d assume we will need one more because I’d consider us light there. Alcaraz would need replacing if he goes I already mentioned above that in Adams, Mara and Onuachu we have up to three strikers who might go and will once again be light in a position It seems like there were comments from Martin that there are players we have spoken to who will wait for the necessary outgoings And this is also the case in other positions as well. Do we expect McCarthy to stay as a championship backup? But no links have come out
