Transfer Rumours Saint Martin!

Was just using isgrove as an example as somebody used coming through the academy as justification.

Agreed Stephens deserves a shot but this may be a bit much for him. Would have been nice to ease him into the action rather than him go from 4th choice back up to starting every week within a matter of days!

 

As the expression says "the exception that proves the law" therefore I'm right!

 

Being right is nice, isn't it? Of course I am a bit blasé about it now.

 

I agree, it can't have helped just being thrown in at first choice.

 

it's easy for you Fran! I'm of the opposite sex and can't remember the last time I was right!

 

Fans tend to judge very quickly...you have a good performance and we decide the youngster is ready for every game. Puel tends to be wiser....look how he didn't throw Sims into every game after one excellent performance. He's had less choice with Stephens, but with another option (hopefully) he will manage him better.

 

Same happened with Targett last season and McQueen this season and they have done ok, I think everyone gets a bit more nervous when it is a CB, because they are the last line of defence before the GK.

 

By no means do the majority of players comming through saints' academy make. More make it than at other clubs but professional football is a brutal pyramid and at every step of the way lots of player get cut.

 

Even if we achieve our stated aim of 50% of the team from the Academy, most of the lads will not get into our squad. They will be given a chance, but most will fail....however, there are other clubs and other leagues. There are also other jobs where organised, reliable, well behaved and well spoken young men can work.

 

True, Full back tends to be more forgiving if a mistake is made. It is also the case because CB is the position that requires the best understanding of the game, something which tends to come with experience.

 

Not if he performed as he did against Liverpool

 

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The guy chasing him is clearly Les Reed in disguise then.

 

A lot of the reports are mentioning him featuring in the cup final. I'm inclined to put that down to lazy journalism. Maybe?

Surely you can't give someone their debut in a cup final - especially someone who has never played in this country, hasn't played football for a year, and plays such a vital position in the team (I know a CB making an error isn't quite the same as a keeper making an error, but nevertheless there's a strong chance it'll cost a goal)? So surely he would have to play against Sunderland first? Now I'm totally fine with that happening (I'm not trying to put a downer on this transfer), but is it realistic? I don't know how long work permits take to come through, but everything would need to be wrapped up before midday on Friday I believe.

 

Friday midday is correct.

I believe, that for the next few weeks at least anyway, he's being signed as a precaution to Maya getting injured.

I can see him being first choice by mid-end March but don't think he'll be coming in straight away.

 

Any u23s fixtures coming up?

 

Yesterday!

Just looked - Mon 13th, Thurs 16th, Mon 20th, Mon 27th. So three between Sunderland and the cup final.

 

A lot of the reports are mentioning him featuring in the cup final.

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Just the media being dramatic and creating a story. No way he'll start unless we have had even more misfortune with injuries. Maya & Jack have earned their place.

 

If he proves to be better than Stephens in training and ready I'd play him in the final. I like Jack but it is the final and best xi has to be played.

 

If they think he is fit and ready for action then he will play in the final by virtue of being a better player than Jack Stephens. Simple as.