Summer Transfer Rumour Thread.

Don't forget that Cork has played in defence.

 

Fox also didn't look too bad when he filled in for centreback. In fact I was quite impressed that he was so comfortable with the change.

 

I some how don't think saints are spending 3-4 million on buttner to just be a squad player, he may not start the first game although I think he would but he is being bought as a starter....if bought at all!

 

He played there for one half, and he wasn't given much to do. I would not feel at all comfortable with him playing at centre back in anything other than an absolute crisis.

 

Agreed especially not against top class forwards.

 

Another week, another day, and no newer signings...

 

Heavens no, avoid at all costs.

 

It will be interesting what becomes of the Ben Reeves, Ryan Dicksons, Dan Seabornes, Fortes etc in the squad. Wasnt Dickson bitching on twitter that he wasnt aloud to leave?

 

The only thing that worries me with regards the like of Reeves is his size. Many of the youngsters look lightweight.

 

People linking us with Jack Rodwell on football rumours. Cant see anything in this though. Would be a cracking signing if did!

 

They're all only kids, plenty of time to fill out. Lallana looked tiny until a couple of years ago. Granted, Reeves does look particularly like he struggles to stay upright in a breeze.

 

Yeah the youngsters will fill out naturally, but Reeves is 20, hardly just a kid. I know he can do weights and so on but he's always going to be relatively lightweight. Shame as he looked pretty tidy whenever he played but I don't get the impression he's going to make the grade as a first teamer.

 

Sun claiming Walcott wants out of Arsenal. Get him in Don!

 

which in certain situations is very good

like the expression though!

 

Didn't help that he still doesn't have a position and plays anywhere from left back to behind the forwards...

 

Huddersfield signed Adam Clayton from Leeds - doesn't effect us at all, but I always rate him. I thought in both games last season he was one of their better players. Really nasty when needed to be and never gave up. Surprised he's gone.

Also the young 18 year old midfielder, Bigirimani, who played against us last game for Coventry is allegedly having medical at Newcastle. Now I think he is going to be some player and would have liked us to look at him.

 

And that's the point I was trying to make earlier this week. That second XI scares the hell out of me. If we're ever in a situation where we have to put four or five of them out on the pitch together (particularly the defensive options), then good luck avoiding defeat in that game. Just look how bad we were against Leicester when injury struck. And that was only Leicester!

We don't need to improve the first XI that much, imo. Just a couple of key signings I'd say. Three maximum. Very similar to last summer, where we just added Fox, Hooiveld and Cork to the starting XI following promotion. But boy do we need to the improve the squad. Injuries, suspensions, loss of form, tiredness; they will all generally occur during the season.

It's why I was seriously worried about our promotion chances last season - well, at least until Sharp, Lee, Falque and Puncheon all came on board in January - and it's why I'm slightly worried about our survival chances this coming season. If you could guarentee that the first XI would play every week, I'd back us to be just as close to 10th place as 18th place, but the fact of the matter is that wont happen. And if we're relying on those back-up players to any significant degree, then good luck to us finishing above that 18th place.

 

Still think we need a GK, LB , 2 CB's , CM and a RM.

 

You mean RB rather than LB, yeah?

 

Actually, I think we should use the phrase "improve the starting 11". I wouldn't sign anyone who isn't at the very least on the same level as someone we already have. We don't sign players as cover, or as first team players. We sign players that Nigel believes will add strength to the squad of players and improve us. Cheesey, but it isn't about the eleven.

If we don't use the word "improve", then we risk standing still... no-one stands still in reality, you either move forward or go backwards and we need to make sure we go forward.