I believe that he is growing and learning as a manager, my biggest issue with him was his experimenting with players out of position which he even acknowledged that he overthought his selections sometimes. His biggest asset is his man management and he has fostered a great team spirit which I believe will make us a tough team to beat and I personally think that he speaks impressively in interviews.
Very true. Obviously age catches up to everyone but he plays every minute of every game, and he still has probably four seasons at the top, maybe more.
JWP would clearly be a brilliant addition to us. Him and Downes together would be an engine of a midfield. I can't see West Ham getting a great return on him mind you. What did they sign him for, £25m-£30m? Another year older* and West Ham seemingly keen to sell, I doubt he would get more than £15m-£20m. *Although with is fitness levels I can see him playing until he is 37+
...under a different manager. It's only being discussed as there are rumours WH are keen to offload him, not because he is desperate to return now we are promoted.
My first thought after winning promotion was "I wonder if we can get JWP back?" I can't believe anyone is seriously suggesting that one of the most consistent PL midfielders of the last five or six years is somehow no longer good enough for us. He's a machine and a hugely experienced one at that. But I want Downes too and how realistic is it to think The Spam will let both go I wonder.
It would be good to sign this “Brest attacker” for when we play West Ham. Areola would be quaking his boots…
Was meant to be the next big thing, clearly hasn’t gone to plan so far. We also seem to have a good relationship with Brest if it’s true, Diallo and Perraud were both signed from there
Yeah, they clearly see us as gullible fools (though I did actually like Perraud tbf so that's maybe a harsh comment)
They’re a lower mid table French side so Diallo and Perraud were probably stars for them. Just interesting we keep going back there, Dembele would be the third signing in 4 seasons I think?
On the JWP thing, I'm sure he did feel pressure to leave to help his England chances, hasn't worked out but he would probably always regret not leaving as then he would never have known. Le Tissier also said a similar thing that he would only leave if we went down. The other thing with JWP is there is an extremely high probability the club wanted to sell him as we couldn't budget for his wages and also couldn't pass up the large transfer fee. James Beattie and Wayne Bridge if I recall were both sold against there wishes due to the large transfer fees so it's not always the player. In this case I suspect the truth is somewhere in the middle, it kinda suited both parties. Oh and anyone thinking JWP wouldn't add anything is deluded. If we can get him bring him home, it would be like a loan with a loan fee. Let's get him to break Beckhams record in a Saints shirt!! Fastest goal, fastest Hat trick, most free kicks!!
