This has probably been mentioned on more than one occation but are we struggling to attract players to sfc. A lot of the players we have been linked to seem to be joining everybody else. Now i know that these players may just be speculation and rumour but there must be some truth in some of them. It concerns me that we are going to stick with what we have which i think would be a mistake. We done very well last season but when you look at what other teams in the championship are putting together it looks like we will struggle for anywhere near a top six finish. We need to start showing to the fans and other championship clubs what our intentions are for the coming season, i feel we are being left on the starting line once again.
I think we are beginning to panic, when there is no need. United have gone on a spending spree very early and that has set a media frenzy that everyone should be doing it early. Yes, teams are making early signings, but I bet we have only made a couple, maybe 3 offers (Cork, Sharp and CMS). It's the 4th July and there is plenty of time for signings. This time 2 years ago, we didn't have a manager let alone any signings; infact we nearly didn't have a club at all. I haven't seen a "must buy" go elsewhere yet. Cork would be good, but "must buy"? I'm not so sure. Nigel will make signings as and where possible.
How many that have gone already are realistic, what we want and value for money? I'm struggling quite frankly. Our intentions are to build on what we already have, we don't have gaping holes to fill, so we can afford time to shop around for the right people for the right price.
Listening to NA on the OS it was interesting to note that he said he did not think there would be any movement on the transfer front until at least end July beginning August. He said that then was the usual time for such things. There is no doubt he will be going for a midfielder as goberne has gone and presumably a winger to replace puncheon. So realistically I can see up to maybe three possibly four new players coming in . Who they are is another story.
i think the problem is certain clubs, players and agents feel they can tale us for a ride now we are in a good financial state. however, we shouldn't want to sign those sort of players who are only motivated by money. have faith in the management team, there is still plenty of time left
In an ideal world we would have made our signings ready for a full pre-season, but this is life. The top teams are starting to make their signings, this will relegate certain players down the squads who will be looking for a move. These players will get picked up by the lower level Premier league teams and this frees up players from their squads and that could prove to be a potentially good market for us. As we have found with Maynard & Sharp, getting a clubs best player is an expensive business. There could be some decent Premier League players who find themselves out of favour looking for a move. Two months to go.....
perhaps NA and NC are looking at different targets than some other clubs. We have a 5 year plan to get back to the premiership. We dont want to be recruiting journeymen championship players, or players who did well in L1 last season. NA is looking for players who can make the jump into the premiership within the life of our 5 yr plan. other teams might be buying just to get there, and then overhaul their squad, whereas we are building for the future.
saints74 - have you listened to NA on the BBC. We are looking for 2 or possibly 3 players. We have had a bid excepted for Cork (fantastic signing if it comes off), it seems we are looking for a striker but we pulled out of a bid for Billy Sharp after making enquiries. CMS was not on the radar after our approach in January - so we are still looking. As for missing the boat - am not sure there is currently a striker that fits the budget hat present, but (as NA said on the BBC); most activity takes palce towards the end of the summer break when teams start to release players they have been usurped by new signings. It is then that we might find another striker - possibly a reservist from a premier league side looking for first team football (like Cork). Finally, NA said we might end up looking for a third player - what he probably means that towards the end of the transfer period, if a player becomes transfer listed and might be too good to pass up, we might be in a position to make a bid.
Gutted about Gobern, yet another agents eye where full of £££ pound signs rather than loyalty after all Saints done for him. Interesting to see who does come in????
Are we struggling to attract? - No I think two very good players will sign. They came to meet the manager on June 23 and are still waiting for Nigel to stop speaking. Should finish negotiations by a week wednesday.
Well, there's just over a month till the season starts, if we haven't made any signings by out swiss tour i'll start to get worried, however it's only really Billy Sharp and mackail smith which I think we should really have trieed harder to sign. It's going to be intresting t see who we are linked with now. Can't see this John arne risse story having much backbone.
Sharp we pulled out of, though whether his personal terms were too high or we wanted someone else is unclear. Don't think CMS was a serious target after our initial interest was knocked back in January. I think a fit Connelly may be a factor in that. Just wish Barney hadn't missed his courtdate; his situation is no clearer. NA's response to Riise rumour was that it was nice that people expressed an interest in Southampton, but didn't support the idea there was any truth in it. No news basically.
If I recall correctly, wasn't Richardson our first signing last season, and that didn't happen until after we had gone on tour to Switzerland.
It could very well be the litter on our city streets which is prevently new signings. Get those binman back out to work so Jack Cork can move freely around the city
Come to think of it I think you're right. However you could take other things into account like we didnt need to make a lot of signings last year as we already had a squad to challenge in league 1. This year we might have to make our signings soon in time for the team to gel etc..
