Aribo seems like a nice guy, but we really need a new midfield, and he's a high earner. Feel bad the way Juric used him, but we've looked more solid without him in the team. He's mid-table Championship at best.
It was **** when teams did it with the Tom Hark years ago and it's still **** now. Playing a different song for different players scoring is just a new level of tinpot.
Never been a big fan of his. Though he did well when he came on at the weekend after I slated the sub to everyone around me
I’m not really fussed on Aribo. He’s fine as an option in the Championship but lacks the physicality to play PL, so we’d likely be looking to replace him if we do come straight back. Main reason I’d keep him is we would need to replace him and I can see a very busy window ahead anyway so adding an additional player to find and sign just adds to that
It's funny but I have a different perspective, the likes of Aribo and Smallbone were assets in the Championship last time IF they are played in their best positions ie Smallbone as a box to box 8 and Aribo as an 8 or 10. I would like to see changes at CB more with the likes of Jack and Bedders let go because our issues last season were much more with the GK and defence imo. We never struggled to create and score goals but we did let in far too many then. A new GK and Edwards, Wood and Sanda being given more opportunities would please me a lot and an experienced replacement for THB if he goes too.
Smallbone isn't box to box. He isn't defensive in the slightest. Both of them would be best placed in creative roles, but, sorry to say, neither Aribo nor Smallbone are good enough to justify that. That might make, at most, one decent through ball per game. Neither can shoot, Smallbone is weak, and Aribo has no left foot. They're not top six Champ quality. Bednarek however, is top six quality. He'd be one of the best defenders in the division. So I can't understand selling him and replacing him with Sanda, who has never played a competitive game of football in England. And Wood was heavily criticised even by Swansea fans for being a weak defensive link. Three managers this season haven't fancied him. Edwards look great, I agree on that, but it would be better to pair him with a more experienced CB. Also, the reason we conceded so many, isn't because of the defenders. It's because of the sh*t tactics, and having only one (or sometimes none) tackling midfielder.
You'd agree that our issues were more defensive than attacking last season?. Smallbone covered the most ground last season, that's what I mean by box to box.
No point running around though if you can't put a tackle in. He is shoved off the ball way too easily. The defensive problems were caused by Russ's suicidal tactics, and not having enough tackling midfielders. Our creative players were just as guilty for some of our bad results. For all our possession, they really struggled to unlock defences a lot of the time. With a decent manager coming in, I think our defence looks to be the strongest part of our squad. Definitely need several midfielders though. The attack I'm not sure. We could have an amazing attack; at the same time could be crap.
I just think it's time to move on from Jack and Bedders, they have been part of some truly horrific beatings since they have been here.
Attack was fine, but I still don't think Smallbone or Aribo are good enough. They were/are the weakest creative players we have. Defence would have been far stronger with a less incompetent manager. Really don't see how Wood and Sanda will be an improvement.
We'll have to agree to disagree but no-one knows about them until they play regularly, but I think that Edwards and THB in a back four should be the way to go or a new experienced CB if THB goes. We've all seen what Jack and Bedders can do and our GA has been very poor for the last 6? seasons.
Is it just me or is anyone else worried Arma will leave? He proved last time out that he is a star in the Championship, and I think we'd be stupid to let him go?
Yep. To get that many goals from predominantly wide positions was incredible. Definitely keep him. Plus he is our best player at pressing.
I’ve thought for awhile he will go. Can see him being pissed off at his treatment this season. Saving grace for us is that I can’t see any side better than us wanting him. Doubt any PL team would want him, even the newly promoted ones, so it just depends if he really badly wants out and will force a move to another Champ team
Thinking he might have been a bit humbled by his loan at WBA too. He was pretty unpopular there by the end.
From the Sky Sports live transfer centre Saints interested in CL right-back Latest from Sky Sports News' Anthony Joseph: Southampton are interested in Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston. It’s understood that Saints have been watching the Scotland international very closely in the last couple of months. Several clubs from the Premier League, Championship and across Europe are monitoring Johnston’s situation, after impressive performances this season in the Champions League and Austrian Bundesliga. The 21-year-old has two years left on his contract with Sturm Graz and he is on the brink of winning a second successive league title with the club, since joining from Motherwell in July 2023. Sky Sports News understands Sturm Graz value the player at around £3m. Atalanta, Augsburg and Hamburg are among the interested clubs across Europe. Johnston has one goal and six assists this season and made his Scotland senior debut in March.
