Hi everyone, First-time poster here. Just wondered after a few seasons of amazing progress, where we think we are headed and what we think we need in the summer? It seems to me that the very most we could hope for at the start of the season was a European place (though I know that most Saints fans would've taken any position that guarenteed safety at the start of the season!) Whilst it's possible that we'll beat all of the teams below us - as well as Spurs away; Newcastle, Man U & Everton at home - it's pretty unlikely. And we can all dream of another FA cup success, but realistically I suspect European football next season is not going to happen (maybe a good thing of course!). Nonetheless I believe we can finish above Newcastle, and if we do end up topping anyone else currently ahead of us that would be spectacular. However, the top PL teams seem to be stronger than ever right now, so I feel that we need to be pretty ambitious if we have any hope to make it into the top 5 next season. It's fantastic that our youth set-up is to die for, and that we've started to attract top talent (even if Gaston and Dani haven't worked out so far...) But it's not enough for top five yet. So what do we need in the summer? I'm not too familiar with talent outside of these shores, but feel free to chip in with any improvements: 1. Keep hold of MP 2. Buy a replacement striker for Rickie (not that he can't still do a job for us). Preferences would be: Lukaku Carroll (if WH are relegated) Hernandez Remy Bony (if Swansea are relegated) Hooper (if Norwich are relegated) 3. Buy a backup for Boruc and/or future GK K Schmeical Butland ? 4. New and improved CB Someone of Jagielka/ Cahill standard (though neither would come) Ashley Williams perhaps? (if Swansea are relegated) Astori maybe? 5. Buy another young striker with potential Berahino (If West Brom are relegated) 6. An extra attacking midfield option (unless Gaston improves still further)Redmond (if Norwich are relegated) Michu (if Swansea are relegated) Morrison (if WH are relegated) 7. A replacement for Luke if he goes in the summer I'm no scout so if any of the above suggestions can replaced by foreigners than fair enough, but it's a description of the standard I think we need to acquire to become credible European-spot contenders next year. The question is can we attract this many quality players? If we don't I think the future is still bright, and that we can remain where we are as an established mid-table PL side, and hopefully make lots of money by keeping hold of our youth for longer and selling them for more when they do finally leave. But if we can hold onto them full stop, and start to genuinely compete with the PL teams in the top seven places at the moment for top transfers, then maybe we can do even better. Somehow as a Saints fan these days I can't stop looking forward
And he did say he wasn't too familiar with talent outside the UK. A couple more expensive signings in the summer, a couple of cheaper ones if everything is carrying on as before. So much is 'wait and see' right now.
I can't see us having a huge investment next season...unless Our Kate wants to give us a nice surprise. We at least need a new GK, CB and LB...and probably a new striker. We will be lucky to have a start as good as this season, so, unless teams such as Everton and Spurs play poorly next season, we will struggle again to get into Europe. Cups are the way forward for us.
Firstly welcome to the Saints board MountwaySaint Nice to have some new faces. I too didn't think we would make the Champions league this year although I think my prediction re our league position was about where we are now if memory serves. We do indeed need an influx of players during the next window. Probably about 4...... your suggestions of reinforcing certain positions is about right.With which players is another discussion altogether. I believe we will have yet another clear out during the summer including a few surprises no doubt. My biggest worry to be honest is whether we end up with new owners and we lose Pochettino. An either or situation.....from my own sources I am told one or tother is likely but information is slow at the moment and hard to predict.
Decent first post. Welcome. My main disagreements are with Carroll and Williams - I don't think they're good players. Lukaku obviously would be perfect, and we don't know what next season holds for him yet so we can hope!
Welcome. I think the summer transfer window will show us a lot about what we can expect from the post-Cortese era in terms of ambition. I have a slight worry that we will be relying on the academy and tightening the purse-strings in terms of transfers, and will probably lose Pochettino as a result, and eventually the ambitious players like Schneiderlin. Not really based on any facts but you never know what will happen. Assuming though that Ms Liebherr is true to her word that we are just as ambitious as ever, then I would like to see another 3 or 4 quality additions like the last summer window. For me, positions we most need to strengthen are, in order of priority, striker, central defender, goalkeeper, winger. I doubt if many of the players you've identified will be available, but if we get quality in in all those positions then we will be looking at a top 6 push. If not, then we will probably have to make do with mid-table. I don't see Shaw leaving in the summer personally.
Welcome. We would have more success with me playing up front than with Carroll playing the blokes a donkey.
I don't like him as a person but he's a good footballer and excellent in the air. Those two knockdowns this week were very impressive.
I think even if the owner doesn't plough money into transfers this summer, the TV money should fund a fairly hefty budget to bring in new faces. Striker for me has to be the priority. Gallagher has shown promise and Lambert is obviously a top player, but Osvaldo seemingly has no way back and I think in our system Rodriguez plays better out on the flank. A centre back and a winger would also be appreciated and add in a goalkeeper for good measure. Newcastle and Everton, for me, seem like the most realistic to chase down and try to overtake next season. It's hard to see us baring down on sides like United, City, Spurs, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Well, exactly, the club is financially strong enough to maintain our current level of spending at least, as long as the owner doesn't start siphoning money off.
Yep, I'm with PTF on this one. [Welcome Mountway, BTW ] in the current situation. My ideal situation is that Don Cortese returns, either after patching up the differences between him and Katherina, or he comes in with a sackful of loot, having had time to gather the resources. Then I'm sure everything will get back into high gear. Failing that, it's up for grabs. I realise with one sweeping statement that I appear to be pulling the rug out from under Katherina's ambitious feet, and that is not my intention. I will keep faith with her, but the steamroller effect, that was with best modern day Chairman this club has ever had, has had the weight taken off it. The loss of that feeling, that success was not if, but when, might mean the difference between managers and players eventually deciding that there is greener grass elsewhere, rather than sticking with the one vision. This is my one fear. Everything else is mere detail. But in reality, I think PTF puts it fairly accurately.
Not really. If Liebherr was to start looking to sell then I don't think it'd be far fetched to consider Cortese likely to want a return.
Not saying I want us to sign Carroll (wouldnt suit our style), but im slightly relieved hes suspebded for the match against us.
