Think we might be doing that with Sulemana, as why else does he keep getting minutes!? We just have ****ing nothing up front, so TP is probably the best of what we do have, especially when you need some kind of hold up play and ball retention up there. If a decent offer finally comes in for TP though I'd probably take it, and maybe SR are thinking the same. TP didn't want to play in the Championship last season, so he'll likely want out again. GK is going to be a problem for us again next season too. Although I appreciate that is not a winter transfer window issue. Lumleys contract is up. McCarthy will be going into his final year. Baz isn't good enough. We will sell Ramsdale when we go down and neither McCarthy nor Baz should be no.1 anymore if we want to bounce straight back up. It's going to be another very busy summer!
His record at Championship level is solid enough for me to want to keep him. For the Championship. I don't care what we do with him for the next six months. He's probably the worst player I've seen in a Saints shirt at PL level since Aribo two seasons ago. And Aribo showed last year that he's an asset in the Championship.
The gap between the PL and the Championship is probably about the same as the gap between the Championship and the local vets team. Armstrong looked like a real athlete and constant threat in the championship and players can walk faster than his top speed in the PL. Diaz might be great in the Championship but if the Sheff Utd rumours are true I reckon we might even be able to make a profit on him given how highly they seem to rate him. I’d definitely take that
Yeah, right now the two positions I think most require strengthening next season are GK and LB (or LWB, depending on our formation). That of course assumes that we'll have sold Ramsdale. I would also like us to sign a couple of attacking players too - a central creative type (such as Sainz), and also a direct, pacey winger (who actually has an end product). But I don't see either as important as GK and LB/LWB. Even if we were only to sign those two players, we could still put out a side which looks something like: Goalkeeper THB Bednarek Wood Sugawara Downes Charles Left-wing back Armstrong Archer Diaz McCarthy, Stephens, Edwards, Taylor, Aribo, Smallbone, Fraser, Sam AA, Cardboard cut-out of Stewart But hopefully we do get those two attacking players too!
Random rumour about us being in for Vanderlan, left sided defender for Palmeiras. Benfica and Forest looking too.
I’m at the point where I’d sell anyone if a decent enough offer comes in. Our better players are likely off in the summer anyway so if a good offer comes in then may as well just take it now
It would be nice to keep Downes, Archer and Arma for next seasons promotion run. But I agree. Wouldn’t really be upset to lose any of these habitual losers
Yeah I’m fine with keeping anyone really for next season, likewise I’m fine with anyone leaving for the right price. I can’t see any of the players you’ve listed leaving anyway, maybe one of the promoted sides might want Archer in the summer I suppose Only players I’m 100% will not be here next season are Ramsdale, KWP, Dibling and Fernandes
I'm not just being knee jerk here but I wouldn't miss a single one of them. Even Dibling,Fernandes etc **** 'em off if the price is right. SR have been through 5 managers in a couple of seasons. These lot are ****ing bottlers absolutely coasting through their careers. There's no leaders, there's definitely no winners. My only issue is their replacements would still be recruited through SR. We know how that would end.
If we don’t sign anyone and end up saving money for next seasons promotion push…. Should the club give season ticket holders back half of their cash? Maybe even more than half as we’ve not even been competitive since game 1
Norwich are in a transition season and quite inconsistent (with no away form at all). Sainz is comfortably their best player and has a couple of years left, no way they let him go for a reasonable price in January, it would be madness. He's also been linked to Atleti so coming to Saints at any point in his career seems highly unlikely. And, tbh, while he is unquestionably a massive upgrade on Arma, he's doing so well this season that he is starting to buy into his own hype a little bit too much, holding on to the ball too long, shooting when he should be passing etc. Norwich rely on him heavily for goals, but if he passed a bit more, they might not need to.
Southampton and Ipswich are both keen to sign Rennes and Finland midfielder Glen Kamara, 29, in January. (TBR Football)
We need to sign players who are willing to shoot from distance, particularly CMs. If I have to sit through another season of watching players who don't shoot, I'll go mad.
IMHO this window is about preparing for a promotion push next season and looking ahead to be in a better position IF we get promoted, to make better signings than we had this year. I’d sell anybody who we get inflated offers for this window, or clear out the **** with any half decent offers received. If we can bring in a decent striker on the understanding he is willing to stay next season then that would be great, if not send back Cornet and bring in a striker on loan. That would be it for me. Get in the strongest possible PSR position for next season, where we can then be big spenders next summer with an eye on promotion so we are ready for better signings as I feel this season we weren’t ready for promotion.
The striker who I thought gave us as many problems as any other, last season, was Josh Sargent of Norwich. Might be worth sounding him out in January just so we have a recognised striker ready for the championship. It also gives us a chance to see how he copes at the highest level. Only 24 years old.
Surely the first thing we do is recall Shea Charles to cover the gaping hole of options if Flynn or Lesley aren't available?
