02 Aug 2022 21:24:54
Hopefully there's no truth in the KWP-Chelsea rumours. If so, under £40m is a rip-off and hopefully chelsea wouldn't be willing to spend that much on a back-up RB.

Turning to this weekend. Lots of discussion re the team and formation. Playing Tottenham, I expect Ralph to use a back five. The hope then is against Leeds he can adapt to a more aggressive lineup when we shouldn't be looking to just sit in against a rival team at home.

I would hope for something like this (5-2-2-1);
Bazunu
Walker-Peters, Valery, Bella-Kotchap, Salisu, Djenepo
Ward-Prowse, Lavia
Aribo, Adams, S. Armstrong

I wouldn't want Djenepo at LWB but Perraud probably isn't match fit.
Valery has been pretty solid in pre-season and suits RCB in a 3.
Lavia or Romeu, Lavia for me. Strength, pace, looks like he will only get better. Romeu - if he's being used as a box-to-box - means JWP holding, and it's a no from me.
Front three hopefully speaks for itself, we then have Mara, A. Armstrong, Perraud, Elyounoussi, Redmond as our subs to bring pace if not a massive goal threat later in the game.

Don't expect a win, but if we show some fight and try to play good football, and not just lay down if it gets to 0-2, it'll do me against a side probbaly finishing top 4 this year.

COME ON THE SAINTS

1.) 03 Aug 2022
03 Aug 2022 12:25:45
I’d take that line up!

Does show a lack of depth at LWB and an experienced head in defence, but that’s what we’ve got at the moment. Bench does look ok too.

No doubt, the usual suspects will be chosen instead.

Let’s see….

2.) 03 Aug 2022
03 Aug 2022 15:17:45
I’m almost with you on the line-up gents… almost!

I wouldn’t go with Che Adams - he’s good, but most of the time not good enough. Great off the bench but probably more effective one level down.

Instead, I would go with Mara - the boy has pace, potential and is very hungry. I wouldn’t want him treated like Che was in his first season or Adam Armstrong last season.

We’ve paid good money for him so give him the first 6 games to nail his place. I would pick Adam in front of Che too and to be fair, he’s had a decent pre season.

I was talking to a couple of fellas around me at the Villarreal game and we were spit balling about how much Stu would be worth if only he had pace. One of the guys said he probably wouldn’t be with Saints if he had pace - couldn’t afford him. It’s a backhanded compliment to a real honest professional who still hasn’t quite convinced me that he’s a regular first team starter. Great off the bench but over 90 minutes, not so sure.

All that said, I would definitely settle for the line up proposed by SaintGGsy and seconded by Manny561.

I’m feeling a 1 - 1 draw Saturday, but that is probably as the big kick-off arrives, my heart takes over from my brain!

3.) 04 Aug 2022
04 Aug 2022 13:31:47
Am hopeful we can dig out a draw but also fear could be a couple down v early on. I think start with AA and SA with Joe off them. Play Baz for sure. Spuds will want revenge for last term so have to dig deep early on

4.) 04 Aug 2022
04 Aug 2022 14:24:04
I have to admit I was disapointed to hear that Spurs had a buy back or what ever clause it is in KWP's contract. I actually think if we had to let him go it shouldn't be a penny under 50 million and his worth to us as a team is probably more like 70 million (just my view)

I would start with KWP on the left and have valerie on the right as he has been very good pre-season.

5.) 04 Aug 2022
04 Aug 2022 14:32:19
I'd go for the exact same lineup. Apart from maybe drop S.Armstrong into midfield for Lavia and then have A.Armstrong/Elyounoussi on the LW.

6.) 04 Aug 2022
04 Aug 2022 17:57:58
I think this thread proves our point - there are multiple options up front but none so obvious that we can predict who will get the nod.

Reading everyone’s views it also shows that as a group of die hard fans - we couldn’t possibly agree between ourselves because no selection is clear and obvious.

My possibly blinkered opinion is that if it didn’t work last season, why should we expect it to this year. Ok, one can look at game time and confidence but for me, we need something fresh. So maybe a combo of old and new which would be Mara (new) and then errr…. probably Adam A. And then again, should there be a spot for Mo? Personally, I don’t think he’s done enough at Saints - sporadic at best, but he is offensively minded.

I absolute agree with Saint Ben of Basingstoke - KWP is worth £70M to us at RB and probably £50M at left back. And it’s a yes from me for Valery too!

On a different note, I am hoping the lure of the World Cup will lift Prowsie’s game to a new level. If he could be that bit more offensive, maybe beat a player every once in a while, he would be in with a shout of featuring in Qatar.

Less than 48 hours to KO gents and the Spurs fans around me are getting right up my nose!

7.) 05 Aug 2022
05 Aug 2022 08:04:05
I sit opposite one at work and he’s flying to the fame this pm lol

8.) 06 Aug 2022
06 Aug 2022 14:04:48
What did I say in my earlier post, I would play kwp left back and Valerie right, get in :) come on the saints!

9.) 06 Aug 2022
06 Aug 2022 15:24:28
What an idiot LOL, thanks sky for making me look stupid