Our transfer window has thrown up lots of questions about who’ll make it and who won’t. Patrick Roberts is one example of someone who’s been a big part of our trek from L1 and a player well liked around the place. Looking at the current squad makes me wonder if we’d think LND would have what it takes now, injuries apart obviously … … I always thought he would be great for us but I’ve come to think I was over estimating him. Just shows how difficult this transformation, in the club, has been in my opinion.
If he'd stayed fit, he would have scored goals in the PL. I'm certain of that. He managed one at the end of last season and I was happy for him. As it stands, I expect he'll have a solid EFL career, but he may need to leave Southampton to get some game time
I think he lacks that split second of pace required to create space and shoot, under certain circumstances he could do okay but I think he's the sort of profile who will shine in the Championship but looks average against Premiership defenders. That's all before the injury as well.
This. He would have scored 8-12 PL IMO, he just knew how to finish. He made great runs, he positioned well. Such a shame for the lad. Glad he got his life changing contract. Would love to see him go well for them.
When he came on as a sub v Wrexham on the opening day, he looked bang average and didn't have the quick pace to make or take any half chances. He looked fit enough but was only a glimmer of the player he was at Sunderland. I think he thrived at Sunderland because we essentially built our team around him, but at Southampton, especially coming on as a sub, he is having to fit their current formation.
Obviously I've only seen him post injury but there's been a few flashes where his ability has been obvious though he's clearly done as a high level footballer now. I think there's a good chance he might have previously capable of playing at PL level but only in a team set up to play to his strengths. Was a ridiculous signing by us. Out of contract next summer so be interesting to see where he ends up. Lower championship/ upper league one would be my guess. Potentially lower if he's out injured again a lot this season.
Old Firm a potential option also, depending on how he does this season and how the forwards at those clubs perform.
Just goes to show how far we have come as a club in such a short space of time. We have now completely moved on from players like Ross Stewart yet only 2 years ago he was seen as a key player for us if/when we got promoted
Was class for us and so important to how we played. Such a miss when injured etc... Thinking about LND, Clarke and one or two others and how much we worried about losing them and how we relied on then to win us games and then look at now when reality is we could swap around most of the 10 outfield players with a decent replacement and have minimum impact!
And none of those players we feared losing, including Jobe, would get anywhere near first 11. Staggering really.
Jobe is the one for me that shows the amount of progress in this window, he would be really fighting for a place and his Dad wanted him to step up from us! The other is Neil, I know there is contract stuff rumbling on but even if he signed I don't see how he gets near starting without injuries and AFCON making space!
Aye. This summers change is insane. If we’d built a team around Jobe we’d be in big trouble but we tried not to see it that way. That said. I adore that Trai is first choice, Ballard would have been, Mayenda and Wilson are. I’ve got a feeling Wilson is about to blow up as well. If the lad can work on his hold up play he be worth outrageous money. A Mag pal said he should have went Arsenal and I laughed, then thought ‘he’d actually be a beast in that sort of side’
It would depend on the team I suppose. But he was a very hard worker, a good finisher without hitting the ball all that well, intelligent , good in the air and a lad who seemed to get better. He was good for us and we were good for him. Pleased he got his contract, as that will set him up. But it's hard to see him being anything of a force now. He's 29 and hardly played for about two years.
