It's interesting that Long going is now being talked about. When I heard the reports on Xmas day that Brighton had bid for Dembele, the two clubs involved are the two clubs who I can easily see Long playing for. So either we offer Long to Celtic in part-exchange for Dembele, thereby potentially making our offer much more attractive to Celtic. Or we simply out do Brighton, without Long involved, but then sell Long to Brighton as an alternative new striker for them.
Can't see Long being sold with the injury to Charlie..........big IF we sign a starting striker in this window we will only still have "new guy" Long and Gabby.
Curious whether we'll succeed in getting all of Long's wages off the bill. Glad to swap him for a better forward, though. Hoping that "a couple" isn't the total number we're after. Frankly, we need a CB in, because our current trio simply isn't good enough. I'd hate for us to follow our previous script and open a glaring hole while closing another. Three's about my minimum from this window...striker, CB, and the badly-needed playmaking attacking mid.
Aren't good enough for what, winning the title? I agree. Are they good enough for a mid table finish? Probably yes.
Lets face it. In todays crazy market, we need to be spending £25-30 M on the striker we need! As I have been saying, Giroud for me. I really fear us buying some dope though!
I agree, 3 at a minimum. More fresh new players will help improve the atmosphere too. Really make it feel like a fresh start, a clean slate. Though new management and coaching staff also required! On top of the 3 you've said I think we need a new RW and a new GK. But so long as that's addressed in the summer, I'll understand if we aren't going to bring in 5 starters in January! It shouldn't take that much to propel us out of trouble for this season either given the lack of quality teams in the bottom half.
Which is fine. We've just sold someone for almost three times that - and that is before counting whatever transfer budget we would already have had. So money isn't the issue. If there is an issue, it's Les and the board. Spending £25m to £30m on one player really isn't their thing. To date.
In an absolute ideal world, we would sign: GK, back up RB, CB, AM, RW, ST, back up ST. Plus a new manager. (Whilst selling Long and Redmond) Clearly that won't all happen - not all in one transfer window, anyway. But there is a minimum, as Schad has highlighted.
Recently they haven't been good enough, period. We have dropped a large number of points because of unforced defensive errors, including allowing Huddersfield a completely untroubled header directly in front of goal with two CBs meandering aimlessly a few feet away, performing no other duties. Unless we're going to suddenly become a high-scoring team, we need better if we want to avoid a genuine relegation battle.
I am happy in Saints splashing out. But I can see Les and co, buying a guy for no more than £20M! another cheap signing!
