Obviously far too early as we have no idea how any of the signings are going to do for us at this stage, but wanted to see what people’s immediate thoughts were now the window has closed. For me it’s hard to really find fault with it, if I had to give it a rating I can’t really see how it couldn’t be a 9/10. Would’ve been a 10/10 if we had managed to get a striker who fits more the Adams mould as we all acknowledge how important that type of striker was last season. Also at this stage probably a few players we would’ve liked to have moved on who haven’t, so can’t give complete top marks. We have signed players who fall into some nice categories: Players we know suit the system and have done well for us: THB, Downes Young players more for the future: Edwards, Wood, fair few academy players Young players we hope can contribute straight away: Fernandes, Archer, Ugochukwu Players in their prime we hope can come straight in: Diaz, Sugawara, Cornet Older experienced PL players: Lallana, Taylor, Fraser Marquee signing: Ramsdale So yeah I think we have ticked a lot of boxes. Obviously still going to be right in the mix for relegation and still a long shot we survive but can’t really fault the club for what they’ve done this window. I was saying all last season that regardless of league we would need lots of movement this summer window and the club have done just that so well done SR* *reserves the right to call it a terrible window in 6 months time when all the players turn out to be ****
I'll rate it at the end of the season. Still burned from 2022 when we all called it a fantastic window and ended up having the worst season ever...
Right now my feeling is 8, because: - I'm optimistic and prefer 8 to 7 - Can't give a 9 because we couldn't get a No 9 striker sorted - Can't give a 10 because too much deadwood still But as SF4L says, ask me later in the season...
I have to agree with Magic's assessment and give it a 9/10. If we hadn't signed Ramsdale and gone into the season with Macca as the number 1 keeper it would've been a 7/10 because I believe it would mean we finish at least 2 places lower in the table it's that important. I'm less bothered about another striker because we have a few that can play centrally up top.
Yeah it is a 9 from me. Someone in the squad will step up and become the focal point at the top. Can’t be a 10 as too many still here who should have left!
The big shocks are both positive, keeping hold of KWP and bringing in Ramsdale. Not sure we could realistically have done much better really, there just don’t seem to be many strikers around and the prices for them are nuts. I still don’t think we have enough goals in the team or enough creativity in attack, but I think that would have required us being able to shift Tall Paul, ABK and Sulemana. We also clearly bought Sugawara with the expectation that we’d lose KWP and we didn’t. Think I’d give it an 8/10.
Solid 9 from me. I'd have loved a 15 goal a season striker as well but I think we've got quite a few goals amongst the squad now if we keep playing this new 'kick it towards their goal' football
Yes, I agree with all the above. If the new, highly mobile attacking players are used in the right way and get service from the midfield we should create loads of chances. Arma and Archer can both finish, so I’m hoping for mid table security this season. A 9 from me.
There are so many positives but no striker (again) could well be our undoing. I do worry about a lack of creativity in the final third without S Armstrong too. 7.5/10.
I was going to say 7 until I read someone say that we kept KWP. I was focused on the incomings and I’m sure KWP will continue to be the best player we have so I’ll go with 8.5. One more striker and I would have said 10. Meaningless bollocks really. What I will say is that it was far, far better than I thought it would be. *@rss with KWP shout
9 for me. Think we've got a reasonable chance of staying up. There's also January to get a striker if needed.
8.5 for me, not signing a focal CF concerns me somewhat. Hopefully Kyle staying and signing bumps it to a 9
My actual thoughts about this window are that what RM is doing at Saints has some real substance. I’m not saying that we are going to storm the league, but when we get calibre players like Ramsdale and Matt Fernandes in the door added to the spirit he has built w the players last year, it’s hard to put it down to anything or anyone else. They aren’t coming for the club or the glory, they must all believe in what we are doing. I think that’s the big takeaway for me. Reminds me of the poch and koeman era. Hope it yields similar results.
I'm going for a 10/10. The effort is always there, it isn't easy being an owner. You cant just chuck money at it and you have to balance money, egos, fans, forums etc. We did the best we could at the time with the resources we have.
4/10 for me. Ramsdale is class. But we are still very light on attacking quality. Archer isn’t enough imo and arma can’t cut it in this league.
7/10, lack of a striker has been our biggest problem for several seasons and we haven’t addressed this.
Ins: 5, getting in a quality goalkeeper was so important. As too was improving the wings, but a lack of a good old fashioned striker was a disappointment (could we tempt Zlatan out of retirement?) Outs: 3.5, losing Charlie was a blow but understandable.The failure to move on high earners who are surplus to requirements was a low light.
