Absolutely not. Our entire model is based around being the "best of the rest" and capitalising when possible - thr club have told us this. Everton are not so big that we can forget about them. Yes - they have spent big money but that's only because they will be getting 70m+ for Lukaku. They will really struggle to replace 25 goals, especially if they think Rooney will do so. As for their signings, they do look good but don't forget they spent about £60m on Keane and Pickford after each of them had just one good season. No guarantee they will fulfil their potential. Our aim this season should certainly be to finish 7th. Yes it will be difficult, but we are actually keeping our best players (hopefully) and by adding more quality we can have a side on a similar level to Everton.
Southampton traditionally never spend over what they bring in via player sales. So if the likes of VVD and Bertrand stay, I will not expect many new signings. We are still in transfer profit from last season of approx £13 million and around £7 million from Jay Rod, so we may still look to bring in 1 or 2. Some big earners gone in that time like Fonte, Caceres, Pelle, Mane etc so there must be money there? https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sou...80/plus/0?saison_id=2016&pos=&detailpos=&w_s=
Everton have spent big but they will be without Lukaku and the Ross Barclay situation is not resolved. Everton were well ahead of the chasing pack but still way behind the top four. I guess you could say that £75m from Lukaku means the net spend is limited but £100m on transfers is bound to raise expectations. Simply repeating last seasons finish, despite the additional European fixtures may not be considered acceptable.
We need a DM an AM and a winger. AM most important. I would love a 1st choice CB too but cannot see it happening
Everton do look strong, but Thursday nights will take its toll. We certainly should be chasing them, no prizes for giving up that before the season starts.
BBC say Gazzaniga is close to leaving, tbh I forgot we still had him. The good news from this is I assume Mccarthy leg's fixed.
We were a country mile behind Everton last season (well 15pts to be accurate) and can see them replacing RL with another decent striker so have seen nothing so far, I know its still early, that gives me any confidence that we can over turn that gap unless they blow up like Chelsea did a couple of seasons ago. My objective for the team is 8th place, a decent cup run and some entertainment especially when it comes to taking a few scalps from the big boys (esp Liverpool) We may spend some cash on a decent experienced players that may give me hope for more but I don't see it happening if we can secure our key players at SMS
If we strengthen in all the areas that I feel we need to strengthen (and I think there are five of them, not just one or two), then I don't care what other teams do (or don't do). But if we don't, then I'll absolutely be looking around at others (and with some concern). For example, I'm relatively impressed by the summer Bmouth have had so far, but I'm not bothered or feeling threatening. But that may well change come the end of the transfer window.
If the powers that be at Saints believe we do not need to bring in that many,then I'm afraid as some have said standing still will prove to be fatal,you have to keep improving your squad season in season out,whether that's 1,2 or many it doesn't matter but you've got to improve your squad,and having sat through last season imo Saints really do need to bring in a few. Whether that's down to the previous management as to why it was a bit of a struggle last season and Reed and co believe that the new manager is going to get 20% more out of the players he's got already is going to be the test. But that will only last so long. What's apparent is some teams are strengthening pretty well and you get left behind if you're not careful.
How much did Leicester spend in the summer before they won the league? How much did Spurs spend last summer? Man Utd and Liverpool both spent big, how, by the standards they set themselves, did that work out for them? It's not always necessary to spend big to make an impact. Spurs have an excellent squad, but the stars are players that they have developed themselves. And I think we all know that the source of their recent success is the way their manager (who is he again?) has them playing together. I don't think it's deluded to have big ambitions for Saints next season. It's fans with big expectations I have a problem with - the ones who never went near the ground in League 1, but turned up last season to boo Puel. If we keep hold of all the players we want to retain, and bring in one or two unheard of youngsters, I will start the season with high hopes of an assault on top 6. Equally, I won't be tearing my hair out (none left anyway) if we are 10th and looking down at Christmas.
Agree with this 100%. With the amount of scouts, the depth of talent and the strength of the premierleague I'd also argue that the difference between a mid range (relative to the market) and a high end (again relative) player is smaller now than it has ever been, even though it's larger in millions now (£10m vs £40m today). Obviously, a smaller proprtion of the £10m make it really big but we seem to be doing alright getting the best out of a lot of them. I'd like us to play better football, where possible, than we did last year but I still really enjoy every week we are in the PL and actually love the way the club is run, on the whole.
Leicester had players that could score.... And Huth and co that got away with pulling players about. That rule has changed, so we can't do that
