How so? Our most common midfield in 20/21 was Cleverley/Hughes/Chalobah At a guess, with no signings I'd say our midfield could probably be Gosling/Louza/Kayembe Not much difference between Gosling and Cleverley imo, and Asprilla could be a step up in the more attacking role, if he settles. I rate Louza higher than Hughes based on what I've seen from both, and certainly think Louza will be the better player after another season. I appreciate though that view isn't shared by everyone. But in any case, they're not miles apart from each other. I'd also say the Chalobah of the last 10 games of 20/21 is a step up from Kayembe, but otherwise they're a similar level.
But we're in 22/23 now. Cleverly and Gosling will not be able to compete at this level throughout the season. Louza is currently injured and has shown flashes but comparisons between him and Hughes cannot be made yet. Kayembe from what I've seen wasn't better than what we had in midfield when purchased. What is the point of that? Hughes and Chalobah knew the Championship, what it takes and what's required. We desperately need a midfielder with power and strength who is quality in both boxes. Asprilla who knows, fingers crossed he can achieve the heights people talk about.
I'm not excited about the prospect of Gosling starting, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's at a similar level to Cleverley 2 years ago, and he was fine. He's only 32. Hughes didn't make a start until January. Before that we mainly had Garner, who Louza is certainly a step above from. Louza already has 68 starts in top flight leagues, at 23. Hughes has 14 more, at 27. Albeit most at a slightly higher level. Personally I've seen enough to say Louza and Hughes are a similar level, but agree to disagree. Agree to an extent with Kayembe, although that's a separate debate. Meh, there's plenty of players who 'don't know' the championship who do well, and plenty who 'know what it's about' who are crap. Don't think it makes a huge difference. Fully agree we need another midfielder, or two.
If heatwave continues Southampton might be under sea by Saturday and we can pick up a standard 3-0 victory for a no show .
Was a week or so ago - they found a replacement team the other day . https://newsatden.co.uk/85394-millwall-aim-to-replace-cancelled-watford-friendly/ https://newsatden.co.uk/85480-millwall-announce-swedish-friendly/
Soton game £5 to stream! What on earth ♂️ I get they probably want to test the system in advance of the new season but £5 for a slow paced friendly against a non glamour opposition. Wasn't a friendly shown live online free earlier this pre season? Panathinaikos maybe? Consider that the season pass for all 46 champ games is 140 that's approx £3 per game makes this even sillier ♂️
I've seen a few people saying this on social media but why shouldn't they charge for it? It could pull down the number attending in person if it was free to watch online and really only really appeals to a limited number of diehards anyway. Might be a bit different if it was at the Vic but I don't suppose they can set up all the necessary broadcast kit at Wealdstone without incurring some costs.
Yeah maybe there are costs incurred holding it there but then why televise if its costly to do so? And fiver seems a lot compared to championship games with the season pass. Just think with rising costs this mightve been a opportunity to offer something back Fair point about attendance though
The latest pre-season photo taken today. It appears to be the entire squad, so I've done a bit of detective work to try to see who is missing. You'll need to enlarge the photo, but I'm pretty sure I've nailed all who were there. Kiko, Sierralta, Dennis, Dahlberg, WTE, Asprilla, Okoye, Gosling, Cleverley, Cathcart, Pollock, Bachmann, Hamer, Kayembe, Pedro, Samir, Myles Roberts, Sema, Manaj, Kamara, Baah (I think the one arching his back), Ngakia, Hungbo, Sarr & TDB. So that leaves the missing to be :- Kalu, Morris, Bayo, Louza (obviously on his own training program), Quina, Mebude. Interesting, there is still no sign of Bayo, unless he had Covid and is isolating. No Kalu or Quina. Could be Covid reasons or knocks of course, but the ones I'd say would have question marks over them being part of things are not in the latest photo.
Oh thank god. I was worried he might be out for the season and we’d lose our inevitable 3 league goals.
But is he likely to get close to the 20 odd goals Troy (3 seasons in a row )got when about the same age in the league ?
Going to be really interesting to see who starts up tomorrow. If he starts with a three of Sarr, Pedro and Dennis then I think it’s very likely that we at least start the season with that front three. I would then expect one of Sarr or Dennis to leave before the end of the transfer window but would think we could have one of the two here. For me I would love to keep them both, a front three of Sarr, Dennis and Pedro would tear the championship defences to bits. Add in Manaj and Bayo as extras and we would have the best forward line in the championship.
Think you could add in Ali Dia and Ashley Fletcher to that and we would have the best forward line in the Championship.
Southampton haven't won for six matches. We are on a winning streak of one. I don't know if Ralph will play his kids or close to a full XI, but we don't have Cucho this time around.
It all seems a bit ***** at present. We're seemingly stuck in a holding pattern until somebody stumps up the dosh for Sarr and Dennis. Puts us at a huge disadvantage the longer they both stay if its stopping any incomings. I doubt Edwards was under any illusions this would be the case, but it must be crap watching two quality players turn up and train, knowing you can't use them this season
I think Dennis will stay. And if any team comes up with an offer for him late in the transfer window when the season has already started the board won't allow him to leave except the interested team is willing to pay more than the 20m we want and I think we need to include a sell-on clause as I think he is really worth more than 40m if the rumor about Newcastle valuing Saint Maximim at 40m is true. Sent from my AUM-L29 using Tapatalk
