See, I disagree. Last year was the perfect opportunity. I get what you're saying; none of them should've been relied upon or key players, but there was certainly opportunites we didn't take with them. We were brave enough with JWP & Shaw last time we got promoted, and it very much can be done, we're just not brave enough to do it nowadays. Why did we persist with Mara and send Ballard out on loan, for example? Or there was countless chances for the likes of Dibling to come on late in the game when we were comfortably winning and ... we just didn't. If I was Ballard, and saw Mara being persisted with and doing **** all, I'd be a bit miffed to be honest. Yes, I know Mara is a little bit older, but I'm pretty sure if Ballard had made the appearances that Mara did, he'd have contributed far more. Same with Dibling/SAA and Sulemana. Pochettino would have been brave enough to blood these lads, as would early-era Ralph, but it's not about relying on them as core players, it's about giving them opportunities to grow that I feel we missed out on.
I do agree, but it was a weird season. Not the best of starts, then 25 games unbeaten. We almost needed to lose just to get that out of our system as too often (with hindsight) we were trying not to lose the run (even if it meant draws). Then a real dodgy period where we had no chance of the autos, then they were on, then off, then on, then totally off. The last 3-4 games were to get us some momentum going into the playoffs and well, the playoffs were just fun. If Russ had played the kids at any time and it hadn't worked, he would have been crucified. On another note, has anyone noticed how relaxed Russ looks now? I know it is a daunting task to keep us up, but he looks confident now he got us up.
If we want him I’d much prefer to just buy him outright. We can only have 2 loan spots and I think they can be used in a better way, especially if the rumours about Fraser and another loan are true
It’s weird. Usually I’d be sad about losing one of our top goal scorers. But it just feels right for him to go. He kept his word, got us back up. And he won’t be good enough in the PL as we already know. Genuinely wish him all the best. Top bloke and never stopped working hard for the team.
It would make way more sense to just pay the small fee for Fraser and loan the Palace lad. Not only would Fraser cost about £10m less, but he is a known quantity. It would be good to see the Palace lad for a season before spending £12+ on him.
You can have 4 loans across a season but you can only register 2 at a time was what I had read. With a limit of one max from any PL club (so only one from Chelsea for example) Thinking about it the Palace guy might not need to be registered if he is 21 or younger on the 1st of Sept this year, so we could loan him and still register 2 other loans
Yeah the Fraser scenario is strange. Newcastle don’t want him, he has one year left yet we are allegedly playing hardball over not paying a fee. Talk of a loan with a smaller fee than Newcastle want, but higher than what we are willing to pay now, is being talked about. Some reports seem to be indicating Howe’s dislike for him is also holding things up but that seems unlikely As you say the fee would be nominal in the grand scheme of things so if they really want Fraser (and how valuable the loan slots are) I’m not sure what the hold up is
Was thinking that this deal structure might make the most sense for all parties. Palace have offered Rak-Sakyi an as yet unsigned new contract, plus they don't want a guaranteed sale now - so potentially this gives the possibility of: - Rak-Sakyi gets loaned to Saints, where he wants to be - He signs a new contract with Palace to get his salary up, and protect his value if the loan doesn't work out - Saints get the player now with the potential to buy in 2025 at a slightly marked up price (subject to certain conditions) to keep Palace happy
Hold on, does that mean our Che needs to change his name? First Susan, now Che…is there a Sugary name change in the offing?
I've seen a few mags say the reason for the hold up is because Fraser wants Newcastle to pay off his contract. I don't know where they are getting it from and the best financial decision would to be forgoing the higher salary for one season in exchannge for a 2 or 3 year deal anyway. Could just be bitter Newcastle fans
Haven’t seen too much from Newcastle fans about him. Main things I remember was stuff like “get the ****ing rat out of the club”, “they play hard ball over KWP wanting top dollar but don’t want to pay money for someone that was a key player for them” and “they’ll need him again when they go straight back down so they should pay” All valid points tbf and I don’t see what the hold up is. Even paying off his contract, he’s on what £60k a week for a year? That’s about £3.5m total, peanuts if we really want him Maybe we don’t really want him and are targeting other players and he’s a fall back option
I think it is because we know he will never play for Newcastle again, and no one else seems interested either. So Saints are likely thinking Newcastle will eventually let him go for free rather than pay his wages to train with U21 for a year.
