Summer 2013 Transfer Rumour Thread - Mk3

The more I think about it the more I realise we have done really well this close season. Lovren and Wanyama were both linked with top four clubs but perhaps more importantly we have signed Shaw and retained Schneiderlin, Clyne, Lambert and Boruc who, quite frankly represent the spine of our team. If the likes of Lallana, Ramirez, Cork and JWP can continue to improve this is a big season for us.

The icing on the cake is perhaps the way the youngster have perfomed in pre season. I honestly thought Chambers, Isgrove and Turnbull were just there to make up the numbers but no, they have shown themselves to be deserving of their place in the squad and I think at least two will break through this season albeit not on a regular basis just yet.

 

Cardiff in talks with goalkeeper Simon Moore from Brentford and right-back John Brayford from Derby County.

 

Yes, but let's not count our chickens yet! Could be movement in and out before the window closes.

 

Not exactly doing a great job of staying up so far.

 

Well, they have the same number of points as us

 

Inspirational signings there.

 

I am less confident than I used to be about Cardiff staying up. Not because of that but failing to get players like Ince, and there is still an undercurrent of fans unhappy with the owners.

 

Promoted teams have been doing well in recent years, but I'd be surprised if more than one of them stayed up this season. Palace seems content to put the money toward redeveloping Selhurst and shoring up their finances...not a bad idea at all after a shock promotion given their history, but not terribly inspirational stuff. Hull supporters seem to expect that the Allams will pocket a decent chunk of the TV money to recoup some of their losses past. Cardiff seems to have the ambition in their attempted dealings, but can't get any of them past the 'attempted' stage.

Still, if I had to guess, I'd pick Stoke to go down with Palace and Hull. Could be an unusually low bar, though.

 

The consolation is how many teams seem there will be fighting for a top 17 spot. Hull and Crystal Palace seem to be going for the "Reading" model. Last year's Wigan team had some bad results but if they were here now I'd expect them to be a lot more comfortable. But equally I'm sure someone will surprise us by having a really good year.

 

That could well be SAINTS!

 

I would love to see stoke out of the PL.

 

Yep, the whole league this year is set up to be tighter than a nun's chuff. The battle for the top, the battle for fourth, and the battle to stay up will all be interesting to say the least!

 

Don't think we'll be involved in any of that. I hope the last couple of weeks of the season are as boring as hell.

 

Corrected for you

 

If I was a Newcastle fan I would probably be a little bit worried right now.

 

I head to their forum whenever I need a little uplift in spirits.

 

Saints registered interest in Stockholm striker Igboananike. (saw in daily Mail). Is this old news?

 

Their idea of squad rotation is moving their one bench player over a seat.

 

I've seen this linked on Saintsweb, he is supposedly pretty poor.

 

Recommended by Tord Grip but work permit may be a problem. Doesn't sound likely.