Thats because there isn't any real positive news to get excited about just media tittle tattle trying to sell all our players like normal
If Carlsberg did transfer predictions: Marin Pongracic from RB Salzburg + Joakim Maehle from Genk. If Libby can turn into Julie Andrews overnight, anything is possible.
Rare occasion where I'm relaxed about a lack of January business from us. Not that I don't think we need to improve the squad any more - I absolutely still do. And even more so once Cedric leaves in the summer (and quite possibly Long too). But I accept that January isn't the optimum time to be doing business. Where possible, you want to leave it to the summer. A wider choice of players available, and at (slightly) more realistic prices. Once you throw in a few draws, we might only need to win two more matches in order to survive. Three would seem top-end. So to be that close to safety, we're not in a desperate position to improve the squad urgently. And OK, yes, you could say that we instead have an opportunity to get Europe league football (and hence lets use this window to help with that), realistically I think it's a little too early to be thinking about that - and the likelihood of it happening is slim, I would suggest. A safe stress-free second half of the season is most likely on the cards for us now. So unless a really good opportunity pops up this month, I'm happy to keep our money in our pocket. Just as long as we do actually then buy in the summer!
The football is back on track, and we are all in a happy place, so no need for any spending. This is what I worry to be the club's thought process. I don't care about now, but a big spend on a few key players in the Summer is now absolutely essential. Why do I think we will keep paying last year's prices on semi-proficient players? (Ings was a bargain!)
If we were to pick up a couple of serious injuries, suspensions were to mount up we will need quality back ups or we will be in danger of dropping places. Every position we move up the PL means we get a bigger slice of the money for next year so the actual nett spend might be quite minimal. The higher up the league we are also makes us a more attractive proposition for adding quality players in the summer, when some of our squad inevitably leave. Also, Ralph wants to build the team with players who naturally fit his style. Even though we are playing well at the moment we will be even stronger if the club can unearth new gems that turn out to have the same attitude and work ethic as Danny Ings and JWP.
What is fascinating for me is that the one player who seems instrumental to me in the Saints resurgence is not a new signing but Stuart Armstrong who seems like a gem we never knew we had. Previously he seemed like a fringe player who would be lucky to get on the bench whereas he now must surely be one of the first names on the team sheet. One of the best players we have had in the last ten years was Steve Davis and I now feel that Armstrong is perhaps filling the void that has been such a miss since the former's departure.
Leeds press reporting a transfer meeting with Ralph and the board at which the adams transfer will be decided. Not sure WTF the board are thinking if they are considering it. Typical Saints, things start to come right again and so we have to go drink a bottle of bleach.
very true.... very similar to Bednarek when Ralph arrived... had belatedly got a kick in training before the recently bearded Ralph arrived.... then is one of the first names down when we all thought he was in danger of becoming another Vegard Forren. No drama, no fuss, no showboating..... I love that we have no superstars.... no attitudes .... no prima donnas....
I agree with you about how he has played an important part in the improvement but I think he showed good ability from day one and couldn't understand why he wasn't involved more.
Not sure I agree entirely with this. The most instrumental factor for me is the developed partnerships through the middle. Ings & Long, Hoj & JWP and Bedders & Stephens. Those are working really well and I'm not taking away from Armstrong who has been excellent but I think singling him out is a bit too generous.